FIFA World Cup '26: News & Analysis

Vini JR. did look better today than he usually does for Brasil but that is not saying much.
If he can find a way play like he does for Madrid they will be fine.

 

Or they will be like Madrid and not even come close to winning anything.

Casemiro is more important for me. I barely noticed him today. Needs to play like he does for United.

 

Scotland hanging on here. Guess they didn't watch the Switzerland match.

 

This is a really good point. Things got much better though late in the tournament. The Morocco Portugal Quarterfinal may have been an exception to that.

 

Well, let’s look at the positives…….Scotland got 3 pts……….that’s about it!

There will need to be a big step up in performance to take anything out of next two games or just ensuring a low negative GD if 3’s all we get. Good job Haiti lack quality in the last third or the hangovers would have been of a different type this morning!

The MBTA train arrangements were better than I expected. Got to Patriot Place early enough to establish camp in the Harp before the lines got huge and got back to South Station before 12.30 am.

Stadium was pretty full, a few areas of empty seats in the 200 hospitality level, and man empty seat nest to me. Good support for Haiti from the expat population, made for a good atmosphere particularly pre game.

 

FIFA went to such lengths to cover up all non-sponsor branding even making New Jersey change their road signs from "Metlife Stadium" to "New Jersey Stadium" and coverning up the signs at the stadium, but every single row of seats had a label in the aisle saying "Metlife Stadium". That me give me a little chuckle.

 

They are not allowing people to even call it the world cup. I heard a reporter get through this by calling it the Earth Chalice. They are also banning reusable water bottles in the stadium to make more money, as if the tickets were not enough. Although that is standard North American practice.

 

Americans in Dallas also go 'from left to right' in Oranjemars to stadium: 'We love it' The Americans enjoy the Orange March that passes through Dallas. For most, it is the first real introduction to orange football fever. It is completely different from the fact that Americans themselves experience sports. But they recognize one thing immediately: the absolute passion. And they enjoy it. "We can learn something from this!"
"From left, to right!" The Americans happily jump from left to right with the Dutch. It didn't take much to get them behind the orange double-decker. Some had seen the images of previous fanwalks in Europe and knew: we have to be there. For others, it's a complete surprise. "I thought you were such a small country. Where do all those orange people come from?" "We have seen the iconic orange bus, which is already fantastic!" Caleb Wooderd is in his USA shirt together with his wife Chloe in the middle of the orange. When the Snollebollekes are played "It's almost your national anthem", they are ready to jump left and right. "We love it!" Some American soccer fans have been looking forward to the Orange March for months. Chad and Darren Springer, for example. "We are for the Dutch, the best team that has never won a World Cup."
The brothers were also at the opening game of the American team and have already visited many games. But they didn't want to miss this. "This is the best thing we have experienced for a World Cup match. Real passion transcends language or borders."
For some motorists, it is therefore a bit of a shock. They have now been stuck for half an hour. "But I'm entertained," says the owner of a large Dodge Ram. In the meantime, the officers take a picture with orange fans. "They're great," assures a policeman on a bicycle. Still a Dutch touch from the Americans. "Next time we'll make it a bike ride," jokes the officer. The Dutch show that things can be done differently. "I hope that American teams will take over this. We can really learn something from this," says Chris Wines. He is from Dallas and follows local football. "This gives so much energy for a match. Football has to compete with many other sports here, but if the teams are going to do this, who knows what will be possible." Chad and Darren Springer couldn't agree more. "The group feeling is great. You get the feeling that you belong. That's what football is all about."
Billy muses that there have been parades and tributes, when the Dallas Cowboys became champions, for example. But beyond that? "It is usually much too hot here to walk, let alone in a large procession. We don't start that without air conditioning!" He shakes his head. "You really have to be a bit crazy for that."

 

So, taking the NY school bus to the match at Metlife was a bit of a shitshow yesterday. Took over 90 minutes to get from Manhattan to NJ with the bus driver getting completely lost on the way. Then over 2.5 hours return trip, including being stuck in the tunnel under the Hudson for an hour because it coincided with the street party after the Knicks won the NBA.

Guess that's why the train is $95.

 

The Iran team did arrive in Los Angeles today and had its walk-through at the stadium and a training session at the LA Galaxy's facility..

 

Well, at least that won't be happening again during this tournament.

 

What happened to the reports that they were going to have to fly in the same day? That changed I guess?

 

Not sure it ever rose to the level of report as opposed to rumor or public messaging, but it's good that it didn't turn out to be true.

 

Not the best slate of games today.

 

Following Iran will be interesting, will they overcome the challenges unfairly thrown at them or crash

 

Interesting that FIFA totally abandoned the initiative of adding the real amount of stoppage time at the end of each half. Remember 2022?

Edit: Case in point: Belgium x Egypt - only 5 minutes. Even overlooking the time wasting, just the water break and 30 seconds per substitution adds up to six minutes.

 

I've notived they are a lot more efficient with VAR in this tournament which saves a lot of time. We seemed to have a lot of 2 to 3 minute stops for VAR in the past.