2026 World Cup - General Discussion & Non-USA teams thread

[LaJollaCreek]

Some of these suggestions are decent and some ridiculous. Some of what you are saying is analagous to making the soccer goal bigger or smaller. I doubt you want to do that.

No other team sport forces a man down not even if the guy just walks over and punches a guy. For some reason, soccer does it and for much less of a foul. Even inadvertent contact.

I get the fact you are vested in the sport and love it. I actually played soccer in high school and coached my son's teams when he was in elementary school but admittedly don't follow the sport. I respect the game but would like to see this change.

He was on the yellow already and broke a known rule on purpose...so his selfishness and lack of awareness cost his team a player. He made the decision to dive. More sports should do it IMO. Do it in football as well, second personal foul,,,ejected and you lose a man on that side of the ball. Basketball, second personal...ejection and down a man. Baseball, intentionally beam someone, throw hands, and lose an outfielder. I'm not sure why you think your opinion is going to sway anyone, but it has for me....more sports should be doing this. Bad calls will happen in all sports, but he broke a known rule where a card was a very real outcome. We call that FAFO.

 

[BobPSU92]

Frankreich will beat España today.

 

[BobPSU92]

Frankreich will beat España today.

Maybe not. 1-0, España.

 

[LionJim]

Since I’m rooting for England to win it all, I’m rooting for Spain today.

 

[LionJim]

Oof, France, Saliba has to come out.

 

[BobPSU92]

Oof, France, Saliba has to come out.

I didn’t see what happened, but he walked off on his own power and didn’t look to be in pain. Hamstring?

 

[BobPSU92]

Holy crap. 2-0, España!

 

[Grant Green]

Since I’m rooting for England to win it all, I’m rooting for Spain today.

I'm probably rooting for England overall, but would be cool to see Yamal vs Messi.

 

[NittPicker]

Wearing collared shirts finally caught up to them.

 

[rudedude]

Tottenham’s finest, Porro with the goal on a brilliant play!

 

[LionJim]

I didn’t see what happened, but he walked off on his own power and didn’t look to be in pain. Hamstring?

Dunno what the diagnosis is but Saliba seemed to be limping pretty significantly.

 

[rudedude]

Mbappe? More like…..

 

[BobPSU92]

Dunno what the diagnosis is but Saliba seemed to be limping pretty significantly.

Thanks. I missed that.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[BobPSU92]

España attacking the French press. ☕️

 

[Erial_Lion]

Spain's composure on the ball, ability to control the ball and pass out of pressure, and ability to win 2nd balls has really been the difference. France is very explosive, but Spain is just giving them nothing.

 

[BobPSU92]

Frankreich had to get Digne out of there. He was a brick.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Such a nice goal, which came from a pretty innocent play.

 

[LionJim]

This was almost identical to the foul by Modric in the England-Croatia group stage match.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Nice play by the defender to deflect the ball just wide

 

[Chumboshifko1]

France is soiling the motel/dorm bed!!!!!

 

[LionJim]

Seven minutes stoppage time. France just doesn’t seem to have it today. Last time I checked, ten minutes ago, they had zero shots on target.

 

[BobPSU92]

Frankreich will beat España today.

I’m such an a$$hole.

 

[LionJim]

Seven minutes stoppage time. France just doesn’t seem to have it today. Last time I checked, ten minutes ago, they had zero shots on target

Finally a shot on target. Another.

A most uninspiring game. Shucks. Was hoping for a barnburner.

 

[LionJim]

I’m such an a$$hole.

We love you anyway.

 

[kgilbert78]

One funny thing about VAR--I've ben watching "For All Mankind", an alt-history show on Apple TV. One scene shows Maradona's Hand of God goal being disallowed in that history due to the earlier intro of VAR due to the technical advances in that timeline.

 

[DELion]

Domination by Spain.

 

[LionJim]

Domination by Spain.

Yes, France was just lacking.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[LionJim]

Damn, a disappointing match. These are the semifinals, ffs. Wow, what a dud. Hope tomorrow’s match is better.

 

[BobPSU92]

Frankreich had no oomph, no energy. España was methodical.

 

[BobPSU92]

Unraveled.

World Cup favorites France unravel as Spain book spot in final with ease

Spain have sealed their place in the 2026 World Cup final, but why did France collapse so easily?

www.espn.com

 

[KingLando]

Do people like the fact there's a 3rd place game?
If you're France do you really want to play again on Saturday?

 

[LionJim]

Do people like the fact there's a 3rd place game?
If you're France do you really want to play again on Saturday?

$$$

But to answer your question, I think consolation matches are a stupid idea.

 

[KingLando]

$$$

But to answer your question, I think consolation matches are a stupid idea.

Oh, I agree about the $$$ aspect--it definitely drives everything