World Cup 2026 North America

Discussion in 'Chicago Fire' started by goldclover, Jun 4, 2026.

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What national team is your pick to win it all?

  1. Austria

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  2. United States

    1 vote(s)
    4.3%
  3. Mexico

    1 vote(s)
    4.3%
  4. Germany

    1 vote(s)
    4.3%
  5. Japan

    2 vote(s)
    8.7%
  6. France

    7 vote(s)
    30.4%
  7. Portugal

    1 vote(s)
    4.3%
  8. Spain

    4 vote(s)
    17.4%
  9. Brazil

    1 vote(s)
    4.3%
  10. England

    1 vote(s)
    4.3%
  11. Argentina

    4 vote(s)
    17.4%
  12. Netherlands

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  13. Norway

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  14. Belgium

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  15. Turkey

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  16. Senegal

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  17. Uruguay

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  18. Morocco

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  19. Ivory Coast

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  20. The rest of the field.

    0 vote(s)
    0.0%
  1. xtomx

    xtomx Moderator
    Staff Member

    Chicago Fire
    Sep 6, 2001
    Northern Wisconsin, but not far from civilization
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    I studied EU law pretty extensively (as I have an advanced certificate in International and Comparative Law) and I also studied in the EU in Ireland and England (before Brexit).

    I partially agree with Pete about European contract law.
     
  2. bunge

    bunge BigSoccer Supporter

    Oct 24, 2000
    Rahm is a grifting pig at his base. Everything else shifts on that.
     
  3. xtomx

    xtomx Moderator
    Staff Member

    Chicago Fire
    Sep 6, 2001
    Northern Wisconsin, but not far from civilization
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    AND he wants to be your next President of the United States!

    I would be upset if he ran and received more than .05% of the vote.
     
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  4. overlap_old_coach

    Chicago Fire
    United States
    May 2, 2022
    Y'all....wrong thread:ninja:
     
  5. xtomx

    xtomx Moderator
    Staff Member

    Chicago Fire
    Sep 6, 2001
    Northern Wisconsin, but not far from civilization
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    No, this is precisely the correct thread.

    Rahm Emmanuel was mayor of Chicago when the World Cup bids were announced.
    Rahm Emmanuel said the city was NOT pursuing a World Cup host bid due to undetermined costs and lack of assurances.
    Rahm Emmanuel fortunately f*cked off after his term.
    Rahm Emmanuel has popped up recently about being President of the United States.
    Rahm Emmanuel stated what is perhaps a truthful but likely untruthful reason why Chicago did not submit a bid.
    End of story.
     
  6. bunge

    bunge BigSoccer Supporter

    Oct 24, 2000
    Sorry. I had elbow macaroni pasta for dinner.

    Better?
     
  7. schroncar

    schroncar Member+

    Chicago Fire
    Mar 2, 2007
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    My comment was not directed toward any individual, just the difficulty of the “task” given the missing information, the time interval and (likely) absence of the actual paperwork.
     
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  8. Martininho

    Martininho Member+

    Feb 13, 2007
    Chicago
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Back in the day, Big Soccer member Bill Archer did yeoman's work cataloging the corruption in FIFA generally, and CONCACAF in particular.

    Memory doesn't serve well, but I distinctly recall that there were several of FIFA's demands that were simply not negotiable, the least of which was a dome (don't know that it even rated a mention, but again this is well over a decade ago.

    Among the demands:

    1) No union contracts for all construction;
    2) any existing contracts were to be considered null and void for any services to be provided in connection with WC;
    3) A dedicated lane between O'Hare and Soldier Field would be built for the exclusive use of FIFA Execs and FIFA designated VIPS:

    There were others, but these alone were enough for anyone in Rahm's position (I detest the pipsqueak too,, a pity he never played the sport or there may have been an opportunity for an...introduction), to tell FIFA to go pound sand. Minneapolis followed in short order.
     
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  9. goldclover

    goldclover Member+

    Mar 25, 2010
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    I do not have faith USA even gets to round of 16 without questionable reffing and would worry they'd not make it out of group play without the expansion and thus 3rd teams in group (some) advancing. I am very much looking forward to watching every single match though as it is my favorite sports event.
     
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  10. xtomx

    xtomx Moderator
    Staff Member

    Chicago Fire
    Sep 6, 2001
    Northern Wisconsin, but not far from civilization
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nope. I think Round of 32 and out.

    I wish I could muster the enthusiasm.
    It is easily my favorite sports event (along with the Euro).
    I will record every match and probably watch them on fast speed.
     
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  11. plezercruz

    plezercruz Member+

    Sep 20, 2004
    Seems like the tactic creates space where it doesn't matter.

    Pete (thinks the opposing defenders are correct to abandon the offensive player who drifts too far back)
     
  12. plezercruz

    plezercruz Member+

    Sep 20, 2004
    Did any of the other cities actually do any of those?

    Pete (doubts it)
     
  13. plezercruz

    plezercruz Member+

    Sep 20, 2004
    I'm planning on just enjoying the ride...

    Pete (isn't getting hopes up, but isn't down on the USA's chances either)
     
  14. harrylee773

    harrylee773 Member+

    Palermo
    Jul 28, 2004
    Chicago
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bill Archer, now there’s a name I haven’t heard in a while.
    In addition to those valid issues, study after study after study has shown that these mega events are money losers, even if the stadiums are already built. I get why fans like myself would want to watch the games, but when 12 of the last 14 events have lost money for the host nation, it’s a sucker’s bet that this will be the one to buck the trend. So it’s weird to see people act like there’s a chance we made a mistake in backing out - we did not. Period. Yes it would’ve been cool and fun for us as soccer fans, but it would’ve cost us a ton and we wouldn’t have gained anything from it. Here’s just the most recent analysis I could find, but the internet is filthy with them. It was always the right move to withdraw, as much as I hate to admit it as a fan of the game and a Chicagoan who would rather see Rahm jump in a lake than offer anything resembling praise to him for anything he did.

    https://thedailyeconomy.org/article...s-the-high-cost-of-hosting-global-spectacles/
     
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  15. xtomx

    xtomx Moderator
    Staff Member

    Chicago Fire
    Sep 6, 2001
    Northern Wisconsin, but not far from civilization
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nothing to see here!

    New York Times: “For the past year, FIFA, the governing body of international soccer, has leased an office on the 17th floor of New York’s Trump Tower that has sat all but empty. The rent goes to President Trump’s family business, but soccer officials say the space sits largely idle.”
    “Paying rent to the Trumps was the choice of Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s president, who has made being close to Mr. Trump a top priority. He has lavished the president with praise, trophies and a medal. He has made pilgrimages to Mar-a-Lago, the Trump National Doral golf club and even the Melania documentary premiere.”

    “Mr. Infantino has publicly boosted the president through impeachments and plummeting poll numbers.”

    https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/09/world/europe/world-cup-infantino-trump.html
     
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  16. Mikebsiu

    Mikebsiu Member+

    Mar 15, 2008
    Club:
    RSC Anderlecht
    Is there any possible way USA meets Iran? Would the game take place in the US.?
     
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  17. Martininho

    Martininho Member+

    Feb 13, 2007
    Chicago
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't know. Once Chicago told FIFA Stfu, I stopped giving a shyte, other than to concur with that decision. Fcuk FIFA.
     
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  18. xtomx

    xtomx Moderator
    Staff Member

    Chicago Fire
    Sep 6, 2001
    Northern Wisconsin, but not far from civilization
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    No, I imagine not.

    I now have a full copy of the actual Los Angeles's agreement, which I found as an attachment to a scholarly article on the subject. Researchers did a FOIA request. It is 101 pages in length.

    I am heading to the State Bar Conference right now, but as time permits over the next couple of days, I will review and report accordingly.
     
  19. schroncar

    schroncar Member+

    Chicago Fire
    Mar 2, 2007
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Some
    Some people might think there is a better place for this. And some people think NYT is often not very objective or completely factual in their reporting.
     
  20. xtomx

    xtomx Moderator
    Staff Member

    Chicago Fire
    Sep 6, 2001
    Northern Wisconsin, but not far from civilization
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    As I get ready to leave, I looked at the "traffic plan."
    What Bill Archer allegedly stated is simply not true, of course.

    What it actually states is:
    (vii) General Traffic Support
    The Host City Authority shall, upon the reasonable request of FIFA and/or the Member Association, at any time during the Competition Period, temporarily: restrict public access, or close public access completely, to any roads within the Host City; and
    a)
    provide special traffic access lanes as well as police escorts for the participating Teams, key representatives of FIFA and the Member Association, VIP guests and further Competition officials;
    b)
    The Host City Authority shall ensure that, at all times during a period starting one (1) day before each Match Day, and ending one (1) day after such Match Day, on- call road and traffic light maintenance services by the Host City Authority are operational.

    So, NOT building a special lane from the airport to the stadium, but blocking off lanes to allow quick passage.

    This is done frequently for dignitaries. Ever been on the expressway when the President is in town? They open the Express Lanes just for the motorcade, and then close off the whatever the closest exits are for quick access to wherever the President is going.

    It is an annoyance, but FIFA was NOT demanding "3) A dedicated lane between O'Hare and Soldier Field would be built for the exclusive use of FIFA Execs and FIFA designated VIPS," of course.
     
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  21. xtomx

    xtomx Moderator
    Staff Member

    Chicago Fire
    Sep 6, 2001
    Northern Wisconsin, but not far from civilization
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    'Some people' would be wrong.
    This is completely relevant to the World Cup and the various complaints that 'most people' have about the corruption within FIFA and the World Cup.

    Who gives a crap about the New York Times? They are reporting. They have Infantino's direct quotes in the article.

    Please, feel free to find reputable news reports that state otherwise.

    Frankly, I would like to read articles that claim the relationship and dealings between Infantino and Trump are completely on the up and up, and that the FIFA Peace Prize was well earned by President, and the offices at TRUMP TOWER (there were NO other office buildings in NYC with vacancies?) were negotiated in good faith.

    (I was going to put a 'wrong thread' comment when I posted it, but thought would be too snarky).
     
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  22. bunge

    bunge BigSoccer Supporter

    Oct 24, 2000
     
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  23. bunge

    bunge BigSoccer Supporter

    Oct 24, 2000
    Unfortunately the White Paper linked in the article appears to be not publicly accessible.
     
  24. schroncar

    schroncar Member+

    Chicago Fire
    Mar 2, 2007
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Not as much World Cup article as it is TDS. No discussion about possible reasons why sat vacant. No comparison to other World Cups-this might be standard practice.
     
  25. harrylee773

    harrylee773 Member+

    Palermo
    Jul 28, 2004
    Chicago
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I promise you it won’t be hard to find other studies or even that one with a quick search- Field of Schemes regularly links to them, and the wayback machine might even be able to pull up direct links. I’m getting ready to fly (been sitting on the runway for an hour in DC - who doesn’t love air travel?) or I’d be more diligent in surfacing something.
     
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