Other Games - 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Edition (+ warm-up matches): Villa-watch

[rob_bridge]

The commercial TV companies are going to love the 3 minute rehydration breaks midway through each half. When they see the extra advertising revenue this generates I can see it becoming a regular thing in all live games irrespective of climate. May as well then start changing ends so it becomes a game of four quarters.

The 4 quarters was touted in early 1990s for 1994 World Cup

[Nev]

Scotland are getting a BH after their first game which kicks off at....2am on Sunday morning.....

Boiled gammon incoming.

[ChicagoLion]

I'll no doubt watch a load of it but this really is the WC i've been least excited by. Which is some going after Russia and Qatar. I think the political climate, the fact the corruption isn't even hidden any more, the hideous greed and pricing and the increase in games has removed the feeling of it being 'special'.

I dunno how else to explain it.

...agree with all that. Corruption hiding in plain sight kills it for me.
The Golden Age for me was 1970 to 1994.
Since then a mixture of left field hosts and envelopes under the table have ruined the best thing in the sporting calendar.
And it will only get worse.
I hope England never again bid to be hosts in any capacity.

It’s  the disneyfication of fkin everything.

[Mellin]

I’m just not feeling any excitement right now for the World Cup, and I live in a city hosting games. The prices, the politics, the expansion of the tournament have all contributed to it. Maybe I will get into it once the games start.

Same. Russia, Qatar, US and Saudi Arabia, with a brief and much needed interlude to Spain/Portugal/Morocco.

Connect the dots. They can get fucked.

[andyh]

Award winning Somali referee denied entry into the US.

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20260608-somali-referee-denied-entry-to-us-for-world-cup-official

Can you imagine how this poor chap must feel, having what should be the pinnacle of his career ruined.

[Toronto Villa]

The tournament itself in Qatar was superb. In large part because players were fit and in mid season form. The US by comparison will be after a long season for top players with many games played in incredible heat. Toss in all the other shit; pricing, players/fans/officials being harassed or denied entry, the expanded format, likely atmospheres in many stadiums, it all feels a little flat. Could change and maybe as the competition hits the QF stage all that will be forgotten. But not right now.

[LeeB]

The tournament itself in Qatar was superb. In large part because players were fit and in mid season form. The US by comparison will be after a long season for top players with many games played in incredible heat. Toss in all the other shit; pricing, players/fans/officials being harassed or denied entry, the expanded format, likely atmospheres in many stadiums, it all feels a little flat. Could change and maybe as the competition hits the QF stage all that will be forgotten. But not right now.

It's already a disgrace of a tournament and it hadn't kicked off yet.

[PeterWithesShin]

It's quite impressive to be more of an unpleasant host nation than the two previous ones. Which were a nation that hates gays and numerous workers died while building the stadiums and one run by Putin.

[pauliewalnuts]

FIFA as an organisation has reached such a desperately low, despicable, morals-free level, it has managed to put people off the World Cup.

Infantino is every bit as vile as Blatter.

You can't trust the Swiss with this sort of thing.