2026 FIFA World Cup Thread

#376      
OrangeBlue98
Mr. Tibbs said:
we need to win tonite first , but if we do , FIFA blows a chance to give the the game its due.

imo, it should be a no earlier than 5:00pm CDT start
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The problem with that is it’s a midnight start in Spain and an 11 PM start in England.

Whether we like it or not, this is a global game with a global audience. Kickoff times will be consistent with that.

I was actually more than a little surprised the England-Mexico kickoff was a 7 PM CT scheduled time prior to weather. I get it would be brutally hot in Mexico City at that time, but it was hot in 1986 when the England-Argentina quarterfinal was played mid-afternoon as well.
 
#377      
the juiceman cometh
KBLEE said:
Your interpretation is incorrect. Slow motion and stills can be used for confirming FACTUAL information only. It cannot be used to judge intensity, which is exactly what happened. The VAR booth used slow motion and stills to recommend the on-field ref review the challenge. This is against protocols.
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Where has that been established? It can be used to judge point of contact - how do we know that is not why it was used?

And what about its use in the case of the South African player? It was used in the exact same way in that case and that player's suspension not only got upheld, it got extended to 3 games.
 
#378      
Roundball Sage
the juiceman cometh said:
FIFA opened up a can of worms...
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This new FIFA penalty governing adjudication system now emerging has an easy fix!

Just send all Red Cards from now on for review at the United Nations! Lobby! Take a vote on it. They are there to promote World peace, are they not? This World discontent over futbol calls could easily get of hand! Quick, get the diplomats involved. They always solve everything, right?
 
#379      
wpr
Roundball Sage said:
This new FIFA penalty governing adjudication system now emerging has an easy fix!

Just send all Red Cards from now on for review at the United Nations! Lobby! Take a vote on it. They are there to promote World peace, are they not? This World discontent over futbol calls could easily get of hand! Quick, get the diplomats involved. They always solve everything, right?
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As a "Roundball Sage" you are not limited to just basketball are you. Now that is truly wisdom.
 
#380      
wpr
the juiceman cometh said:
I guess technically, in the same sense that there is a precedent for potential host countries to buy votes (Qatar 2022) and players to score goals with their hands (Maradona). But should we be ok with that?


I do think that was wrong but the justification was giving all teams a free slate for the World Cup. I don't like it, and clearly it was just cover for Ronaldo, but at least it was applied evenly. This one has not been, and cannot be, as Balogun's situation happened after other players received and served similar red card suspensions.

Based on reporting, and based on the last decade of observing Trump, that's not how it went down and I think we all know that.

And sure anyone can call Infantino I guess, but it's a problem that if you're powerful enough he will answer and actually listen. Not every country/FA will have that option.
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Initially I didn't want to comment on this but the pull is too strong. (I am not going to break out my replies as neatly as you do. )

Yes. I find it interesting that people always want everything to be fair beyond question in sports. It's never going to happen. As I am sure you have as well, I have lived with a great many "wrong calls" in sports. Off the top of my head there is the US and USSR men's basketball debacle in 72. The Denkinger call in the Royals-Cardinals WS in 85. The Jeter "HR" where Jeffrey Maier reached out on to the field of play and took an out and turned it into a HR. The Fail Mary interception that was ruled a TD by the replacement refs in the Seattle Green Bay game. There are dozens of times various Illinois teams were left holding the bag on poor calls that cost them the game. Illinois vs scUM semi finals in 89.

Agreed. That set the precedent. But should we ignore it and walk away because Balogun isn't as prestigious as Rolando?

I don't care. I won't say I would want every single President to try and get an assessment of the suspension EXCEPT TRUMP. I don't care if he is a self serving blow hard looking to take credit for the change. I simply want Balogun on the field. As every single other country would want for their best players.

Probably not. The US is not South Sudan or Bhutan. I am not going to apologize because we are not one of the smallest or poorest or lowest ranked nations. That would be disingenuous. There was a comment made on the ESPN website earlier by Mark Ogden -
Who wants to win if victory becomes tainted by murky interventions that take place without any explanation or transparency?
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Me and a great many others. Nothing's perfect. If so the non-call made at the time of the incident would have stood and we wouldn't have to discuss this.

He's something I have not heard anyone mention- If it had been a South Sudan player would the red card been made in the first place? Is there some Anti American bias in the world? They got tangled up while fighting for position. No intent to harm was there. All the shouting isn't claiming Balogun has trying to hurt him The shouting is "How DARE you try and change our hallowed and sacrosanct rules?" If Belgium had to face South Sudan they would not be as offended.
 
#381      
jamarvelous31
wpr said:
Initially I didn't want to comment on this but the pull is too strong. (I am not going to break out my replies as neatly as you do. )

Yes. I find it interesting that people always want everything to be fair beyond question in sports. It's never going to happen. As I am sure you have as well, I have lived with a great many "wrong calls" in sports. Off the top of my head there is the US and USSR men's basketball debacle in 72. The Denkinger call in the Royals-Cardinals WS in 85. The Jeter "HR" where Jeffrey Maier reached out on to the field of play and took an out and turned it into a HR. The Fail Mary interception that was ruled a TD by the replacement refs in the Seattle Green Bay game. There are dozens of times various Illinois teams were left holding the bag on poor calls that cost them the game. Illinois vs scUM semi finals in 89.

Agreed. That set the precedent. But should we ignore it and walk away because Balogun isn't as prestigious as Rolando?

I don't care. I won't say I would want every single President to try and get an assessment of the suspension EXCEPT TRUMP. I don't care if he is a self serving blow hard looking to take credit for the change. I simply want Balogun on the field. As every single other country would want for their best players.

Probably not. The US is not South Sudan or Bhutan. I am not going to apologize because we are not one of the smallest or poorest or lowest ranked nations. That would be disingenuous. There was a comment made on the ESPN website earlier by Mark Ogden - Me and a great many others. Nothing's perfect. If so the non-call made at the time of the incident would have stood and we wouldn't have to discuss this.

He's something I have not heard anyone mention- If it had been a South Sudan player would the red card been made in the first place? Is there some Anti American bias in the world? They got tangled up while fighting for position. No intent to harm was there. All the shouting isn't claiming Balogun has trying to hurt him The shouting is "How DARE you try and change our hallowed and sacrosanct rules?" If Belgium had to face South Sudan they would not be as offended.
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"Our hallowed and sacrosanct rules"...that we already made an exception for Renaldo on to play the first 2 games in.

Really curious to see how the England defender Quansah's red card is handled.. seems like FIFA just opened a box that will be exceptionally hard to close.
 
#382      
BWBW
If Balogun and the coach take the high road and he sits out today's game, what will people say?

Not going to happen??? Probably not. But it's a possibility.
 
#400      
DeeIL89
Sloppy first half from Team USA. Really poor defending that led to the two Belgium goals. Pulisic a complete non factor. This was my concern about Belgium coming off of their come from behind win against Senegal. That win gave them a new life. A new sense of confidence.
 
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