2026 WC USA (et al): Worldwide Opponents Watch [all R's]

Ahhh, I can't help but wonder why in ---- Barton is getting a group stage match let alone multiple knockout matches. Do they pay attention to anything? Assignments feel like MLB Umpires and their power before MLB finally started reining them in a few years ago.

 

Elfath has the England/Argentina match so CONCACAF officials in both semis.

 

I think I saw on a news site today that England have been the most penalized team this tournament and argentina the least penalized team. So that could be fun

 

WC semis this year will be concacafed...More chaos, more drama...I can't imagine that
Ivan the terrible will ref any further games. So he must be in the top referees in the world?

 

I really don't understand how someone could think that.

 

You should check again after the quarter finals. Spain and France averages more fouls per yellow card than Argentina. But that doesn't fit the agenda I suppose.

 

The numbers behind yellow cards at the FIFA World Cup : r/footballscouting

Unless something was altered significantly and drastically..........and I dont think I saw the cards exactly flying out those games. The neat thing about statistics is they dont have an agenda. they are what they are.

 

ok - we'll see about this one. Honestly, the ref is my main point of interest.

 

Someday we will get overly dramatic previews narrated by our former players instead of past their sell by date celebrities hawking their next project who don’t even know ball.

Not in our lifetime, but someday.

 

I wish Fox didn't inflict on us these super earnest previews that add nothing. "One moment can mean so much, and now, four nations are this close. Each one playing for more than a spot in the final. They're playing for a memory their country will carry forever."
The World Cup is dramatic enough without needing Ben Stiller to tell us how we should feel.
Ugh. Please, no more.

 

France v Spain…allons-y….

 

This game is like a dream for FIFA as semi or final. This should be final

 

this match really does feel like "unstoppable force [France] meets unmovable object [Spain]" which doesn't always lead to good viewing...

 

That’s absolutely a foul, Balogun red.

I don’t find Spain boring at all, each little pass and the counter pressing are artfull.

 

Mr Barton shows up. The courage to call any foul

 

Balogun red again. John strong’s lame Opta facts are killing me.

 

Slo mo for red

 

What a counter

 

Yes Ivan. He should know Jamal is right there

 

Earned!

Best player on the pitch is Lamal, sorry Mbappe D riders. John Strong short circuiting over France not dominating.

 

WOW, okay Lamine!

 

That’s why he’s here, Ivan Barton

 

There was a PK in the Champions League this season that was like this incident: a defender tried to clear a ball with an overhead kick without checking behind him first, and the attacker gambled and won the header before getting kicked in the face. Valid PK, imo.

 

1-0 game on …

 

Now this game is gonna get interesting