2026 FIFA World Cup thread [R]

My World Cup teams (besides the US) are Brazil and Japan.

 

I’m rooting for:

1st, USA
2nd, all other CONCACAF & Scotland
3rd, any CONMEBOL & other minnows

And I have lots of good beer and whiskey close to hand!

I’m getting excited for the games, but I’m disgusted by the corruption!

Go Humans!!

 

Tutul Rahman made a count of WC players per MLS team

https://bsky.app/profile/tutul.bsky.social/post/3mnb4giw5n22x

spoiler: SJ has none

 

Well, we didn't need a Tutul count to know that .

 

He's not wrong, except that there's a big difference between playing a few games over the course of a month in the summer and trying to maintain natural turf (grass) year round year after year.

 

Bosa said that several days ago.

 

The NFL only plays from Mid-August or September to December with maybe one game in January.

Bad weather normally only begins in November and December and I doubt it lasts more than 5-6 games.

I'm sure owners could replace turf with grass if they really wanted to.

They just don't want to......

 

Bills’ new stadium will have grass.

 

Norway's new chant for the World Cup is very cute. Merrily they row along...

https://kkinstagram.com/reel/DZDk5rSod4u/?igsh=azJ1bzNzc240dW9w
oops guess that link doesn't work...

oh here it is on youtube

 

Middle image is of the poster from the first World Cup. Purchased a reprint in Montevideo in 2005. Displayed for a time in the garage man cave but now in a closet somewhere, superseded by Quakes stuff.

 

Turkey is staying and practicing in Mesa, Arizona. It's going to be over 100 degrees there for the entire week.

 

I’ve been on the fence about what streaming service to add so I can watch the cup. I could go with the cheap service, but then I don’t get much beyond the World Cup games. OR, I could go with the more expensive service, which would enable me to watch USL games and even Costa Rican league games.

I think I’m going to go the expensive route. At least try it for a bit.

Go USA!!
Go Scotland!!

 

McDonald’s?! Barf.

 

So, where do you think USA will finish in our group? 1st? 2nd? 3rd?

I think we finish 1st. Sure, Türkiye and Panama will be tough, but I think we can take them.

Perhaps I’m over optimistic, but that’s what I think.

Go USA!!

 

I think you meant Paraguay not Panama.
Either way, you're correct. They should definitely finish 1st.
Paraguay: win
Australia will be tougher but USMNT is better and playing at home: win.
Turkey will be the toughest, they have a great midfield. Could go either way: tie but a win wouldn't be so surprising.

The only way USMNT doesn't finish 1st is if injuries hit early on and they have to rely on the bench in which case it'll spell trouble.

 

I always try to visit a McDs when I travel internationally because of the cultural differences. Beer available, but no ice for your Coke, in Germany. Chili garlic sauce packets but no ketchup in Singapore. Royale instead of quarter pounder in France.

Probably had to do deals with the players involved, but nevertheless not sure why McDs couldn’t feature cups with a current player from every team. Would have made collecting a complete set an exciting endeavor.