2026 FIFA World Cup Thread

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Jun 30, 2026

Looks like it may be a little bit before Ecuador-Mexico starts at Azteca.

I don't think Ecuador will struggle with altitude like many other sides would. Not only are they used to playing home matches at altitude (and away in CONMEBOL at Bolivia) but they're used to playing teams at what is perceived as a higher level than them in South America like Argentina and Brazil.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Jun 30, 2026

Ecuador-Mexico scheduled for 10 PM Eastern kickoff and there will be no hydration breaks in either half.

Illini92and96 · Jun 30, 2026

Mr. Tibbs said:
question for all you diehard soccer fans

are 1-0, 1-1, 2-1 scores really what FIFA wants for all these games ?

is that really what satisfies the world wide soccer fan ? for me ? I would prefer scores similar to hockey : 4-3 or so with the knowledge that at any given point in a game a goal could be scored.
I just never have that feeling when watching these games & I lose interest

I still play competitively for Beercelona on D and in goal, and I wish that they could make the goals a foot or two higher and a foot or two wider on each side. It would encourage shooting further out and really open up the defensive side. Kinda like how the 3 pointer has reduced clogging the lane in hoops. I would also substitute like hockey to always maintain fresh players but avoid stopping play.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Jun 30, 2026

Watching the Dutch-Morocco match last night, I gotta say that the stadium in Monterrey seems like it'd be a fun place to watch a match. Not just the stadium itself but the view as a whole.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Jun 30, 2026

Guess the story I read was wrong about there being no hydration breaks in this match.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Jun 30, 2026

Just saw an Ecuador player get the 2nd red card of this tournament for covering their mouth when confronting an opponent.

Illini92and96 · Jul 1, 2026

IlliniFaninHoosierLand said:
Just saw an Ecuador player get the 2nd red card of this tournament for covering their mouth when confronting an opponent.

Crazy rule, but probably necessary to promote civility and sportsmanship.

KBLEE · Jul 1, 2026

Illini92and96 said:
Crazy rule, but probably necessary to promote civility and sportsmanship.

And FIFA made every team / player aware of the rule before the World Cup started. He knew exactly what he was doing. Down by 2 in stoppage time, it had nearly zero impact on the match,

the juiceman cometh · Jul 1, 2026

Illini92and96 said:
Crazy rule, but probably necessary to promote civility and sportsmanship.

Unfortunately necessary. Too many incidents of racist remarks being weaponized by players attempting to bait opponents into a reaction (see e.g. Zidane headbutt). The hand over the mouth is used to dodge lip readers and consequences (can't lose sponsorships!).

myspace · Jul 1, 2026

Absurdly good match to start the day - Harry Kane with the brace.

Fly Illini Fly! · Jul 1, 2026

https://twitter.com/x/status/2072374547207098586

https://twitter.com/x/status/2072377441184616941

TentakilRex · Jul 1, 2026

In the knockout round when it is UEFA vs non-UEFA so far

UEFA in stadiums with AC- undefeated
UEFA in outdoor stadiums- winless

However both Belgium and Bosnia are playing in a much cooler climate than the rest of us.

Fly Illini Fly! · Jul 1, 2026

BELG ties it in 88'

Carter Waller · Jul 1, 2026

Fly Illini Fly! said:
BELG ties it in 88'

Amazing rally. Two goals with almost no time remaining.

Fly Illini Fly! · Jul 1, 2026

PK upcoming

Carter Waller · Jul 1, 2026

Belgium wins on a penalty kick. Verrrry close call on whether it was justified.

Fly Illini Fly! · Jul 1, 2026

Senegal — that’s easily the biggest heartbreak loss of the tournament.

Illini92and96 · Jul 1, 2026

Carter Waller said:
Belgium wins on a penalty kick. Verrrry close call on whether it was justified.

The first view they showed I didn’t think it was. Then they played a view from higher up and it looked like the defender kicked his foot just as the attacker was about to strike at it.

Illini92and96 · Jul 1, 2026

TentakilRex said:
In the knockout round when it is UEFA vs non-UEFA so far

UEFA in stadiums with AC- undefeated
UEFA in outdoor stadiums- winless

However both Belgium and Bosnia are playing in a much cooler climate than the rest of us.

And yet the Europeans resist air conditioning

Illini92and96 · Jul 1, 2026

Anyone think England can win at the altitude in Azteca? I think it will be too much.

Carter Waller · Jul 1, 2026

Illini92and96 said:
The first view they showed I didn’t think it was. Then they played a view from higher up and it looked like the defender kicked his foot just as the attacker was about to strike at it.

It looked like the defender had started his kick before the attacker got there and was playing the ball. But very bang bang.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Jul 1, 2026

Tonight's starting XI:

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Jul 1, 2026

Considering how big the Bosnian population is in the St. Louis area, it's gotta be an interesting atmosphere in that part of the country on a night like this.

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Jul 1, 2026

BALOGUN!!!!!

IlliniFaninHoosierLand · Jul 1, 2026

USA up 1:0 at half.