It's coming... 😎
I don't know if you have read lately, but FIFA is having a real problem selling tickets. I mean let's face it. The U.S. does not have a huge fan base because "football" does not mean soccer. FIFA overestimated (by a lot!) interest in the Cup.
Then add the unbelievable ticket prices when they became available which were breathtaking in there scale. Prices have dropped by 25% recently and many are being given away to corporations to hand out.
I wonder how TV is going to handle the PR for FIFA when they only have half-filled stadiums?
"If brute force doesn't work you aren't using enough brute force." - mTk
War does not determine who is right, but it does determine who is left. - B.Russell
"Turn based games don't need a pause key". - mTk
"Overkill is underrated." - Col John "Hannibal" Smith
Senatus Populusque Romanus- SPQR - The Senate and People of Rome (circa 60 BC)
The 2026 WC. promises to be one of the most expensive in history. In addition to the high prices of tickets and hotels, transportation is now a key expense. (That's why I'll be watching it on TV. 😆 Just kidding, I didn't go to the one in Brazil in 2014 which was closer, much less this one 😥 ).
And yes, I'm aware that football isn't the number one sport there, but anyway, as is my custom for every World Cup, I'll keep this thread updated with the game results.
I'll be doing my part to support the tournament... from my recliner, with a cold drink and the TV remote. ⚽🥅🍺📺😎
"Si vis pacem, para bellum." — Vegetius
"Do not hurry to the sound of the guns without knowing why they are firing." — British maxim
"In war, the simplest things are difficult." — Clausewitz
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy." — Moltke
"The side that can most quickly exploit success is the side that will win." — Guderian
Some days you’re the hammer, some days you’re the nail. 🪖🎲
Looking for a game? Challenge me here:
@louis -- yes, for some reason, prices are insanely high this time round -- we'll see if that will affect crowds at games.
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
Looking forward to the opening match on Thursday -- exact same teams as opening game for our 2010 World Cup down here -- South Africa vs Mexico -- should be a great match ... and I'm sure the atmosphere in Mexico will be awesome!
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
Norway already scoring points for a very, very cool shirt design!
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
I don't know if you have read lately, but FIFA is having a real problem selling tickets. I mean let's face it. The U.S. does not have a huge fan base because "football" does not mean soccer. FIFA overestimated (by a lot!) interest in the Cup.
Then add the unbelievable ticket prices when they became available which were breathtaking in there scale. Prices have dropped by 25% recently and many are being given away to corporations to hand out.
I wonder how TV is going to handle the PR for FIFA when they only have half-filled stadiums?
..and the ludicrous costs added to the difficulties/impossibilities for fans (and even officials & players) from many countries to even get visas to travel to US ... So a LOT teams will have to rely on expat support within the USA ... we'll have to see how that pans out.
Would be sad and embarrassing if it was played in front of half-empty stadiums.
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
I'll be doing my part to support the tournament... from my recliner, with a cold drink and the TV remote. ⚽🥅🍺📺😎
I'll be doing my part to support one of the top ten most corrupt organizations on the planet by trying really really hard to ignore the whole thing. 🙂
It's nice, although in my opinion they got the printed numbers wrong. Look at the number 8; it looks like an hourglass.
This guy Haaland is really tall, luckily he's sitting down, although he's not the tallest player on the team.
By the way, the wait is over, the tournament starts tomorrow. 👍
@a-canadian-cat My sentiment entirely. I normally watch but I am having a total boycott this year. Infantino makes me feel physically sick, FIFA morally stink.
"En cualquier dirección que recorras el alma, nunca tropezarás con sus límites." Sócrates
Liked this I heard in a German doccie about FIFA: "The football always rolls towards the money."
"Der Ball rollt immer zum Geld."
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
There's a great book by Edoardo Galeano, great Uroguayan author, 'Football, in Sun and Shadow' (Might be my slightly dodgy translation from Spanish). He's a real lover of football and talks about its history in the Americas. However, he is a big critic of FIFA and the massive blind eye they turned to Argentina in 1978 as they hosted the World Cup. A few blocks from River Plate’s Estadio Monumental, where the final would be played, the ESMA detention center continued to hold prisoners. Former detainees later recalled hearing the stadium roar. The World Cup was exploited by the Junta to legitimise itself and FIFA was complicit in every way. I'm quoting 433 futbol: Ask Argentines about 1978 and you hear two stories. There is the joy of a first title, Kempes carried on shoulders. There is also a tournament used to distract from people who had vanished. After democracy returned, families and survivors said so plainly, and “El Mundial de la Vergüenza,” the World Cup of Shame, stuck.Liked this I heard in a German doccie about FIFA: "The football always rolls towards the money."
"Der Ball rollt immer zum Geld."
Anyway, I don't want to try to hijack the thread so I'll respectfully bow out now I've had my say.
"En cualquier dirección que recorras el alma, nunca tropezarás con sus límites." Sócrates
Just like @panzer-lehr said, the party's started, and like him, I'll have to watch it on TV. 🙂
Today's results:
South Korea and the Czech Republic are playing now. 🖐️
That was dismal performance by the South African team... they can do so much better. 😭
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
All those red cards didn't help much, almost playing with half the teamThat was dismal performance by the South African team... they can do so much better. 😭
Happily retired, I worked till I was 72, am now 88, this year 2026 I will be 89
you could say I have earnt my crust
TBH Mexico did not do much with the 2 player advantage.
Pending from yesterday, Thursday...
That was dismal performance by the South African team... they can do so much better. 😭
They were not only playing against Mexico, but also against the local crowd; the first match, was predictable.
The good thing about this first phase is that there are two more games, good luck South Africa!.
