2026 FIFA World Cup Thread

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#432      
the juiceman cometh
Tim Ream decides to take a nap instead of trying to help by closing out Lukaku there, fitting ending. Not just on him though, the complete lack of urgency in the last 10 minutes there was shocking. Balogun leaving off a ball to absolutely nobody when he could have gotten a good shot off. Getting a good cross opportunity with less than 5 minutes left...and having just 2 attackers to 5 defenders. Complete lack of belief at the end there.
 
#434      
WolfpackIllini
Kudos to Belgium.
They came out unfazed and played a great team game.
Had us on our heels most of the game.
I thought the start of the second half we came out strong,
but then Freeze had a brain fart.
Our boys are gong to kick themselves when they watch the replay.
But, not to forget, a great season on the whole.
 
#435      
DeeIL89
US Men Soccer
2010: Round of 16 exit.
2014: Round of 16 exit.
2018: Did not qualify.
2022: Round of 16 exit.
2026: Round of 16 exit.

Still seeking that quarterfinal appearance since 2002.
 
#437      
IlliniUnited
The difference in technical ability and tactically understanding was staggering. 20 seconds into the game and Dest lets the ball roll out when it clearly was off the USA. Didn’t get better all night. Awful first touches, dreadful decisions. Freeman and Robinson exposed all night. Pulisic was a ghost. Even Richards was dodgy. Don’t understand the announcers claiming there is a lot to be proud of. Beat three pretty average teams and got outclassed in the round of 16 good but not great European team. Still levels to go and next World Cup will not have the gift of a seeded pool.
 
#439      
IlliniUnited
DeeIL89 said:
US Men Soccer
2010: Round of 16 exit.
2014: Round of 16 exit.
2018: Did not qualify.
2022: Round of 16 exit.
2026: Round of 16 exit.

Still seeking that quarterfinal appearance since 2002.
Click to expand...
I think Costa Rica has gone the furthest of a Concacaf nation in those world cups listed. Mexico has never won a knockout game outside of Mexico. This region is not close to Europe or South America.
 
#441      
Fly Illini Fly!
Are we really sure that it wasn’t a red card?

IMG_1176.jpeg
 
#443      
OrangeBlue98
While we are on the subject of Big Ten comps, the US men are Minnesota football. Overly inflated expectations because of a wildly overrated key figure (PJ for Minnesota, Pulisic for the USMNT), beat the minnows, and fold up against any better competition.
 
#448      
Second place is 1st loser
Fly Illini Fly! said:
We need more penalty shootouts.
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Agreed. I think the OT should be golden goal with no offsides, followed immediately by a shootout.

It's basically what hockey did. They removed the red lines completely, went to 3 v 3 open ice in OT, followed by a shootout.

I really think that FIFA needs to revisit the offsides rule just like the NHL did with the red lines. If they open the game up, the viewership in the US, where our society embraces scoring and instant gratification.....will rise.
 
#449      
Fly Illini Fly!
I’m really dumbfounded by the Egypt players/coaches cries about the game being rigged.

The goal that was taken off is CLEARLY a foul. Yes it happens far away, but it immediately leads to possession and directly leads to the goal. The play is a foul, and it couldn’t be more blatant.

The one where they’re calling for a penalty the defender indisputably gets the ball first, and makes a clean tackle.

At the end of the day folks just wanted the upset. Egypt choked and their defense crumbled like crackers.
 
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