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

[LeeB]

UEFA probably being the second biggest (richest?) football organisation after FIFA have always butted heads with FIFA. But they definitely seem to be even more outright hostile to them since Infantino has been there. I wonder what would happen if they decided to pull out of FIFA control and start their own organisation seperate to them. Would all the Euro FA's side with FIFA or UEFA? Euro championships every 2 years?

Depends how much money they stand to get/lose.

One of the key reasons Infantino (or anyone) gets into, and stays in, power is the amount of money they offer all the other federations. Infantino in particular has offered massive increases to all the African FAs for instance, which he is now gathering via all his money grasping tactics.

The more money FIFA pumps into the regional FAs, the more money the top dogs there can pay themselves (and I dare say, in some cases, skim off the top).

Yeah, you need to look at it as a crime syndicate really.

[andyh]

Apparently the US media egged the pudding too by suggesting that Balogun was being penalised twice and effectively being banned for 1 and a third games.
They include the 25 mins or so of the game that was left after he was sent off.

Thats the level of their understanding of the game and a sign of the collective mentality that the whole world has to deal with.

[Rudy Can't Fail]

England, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Wales are all hosting upcoming World Cups so I can't see them wanting to rock the boat too much, sadly.

They should all pull out of the FIFA World Club Championship. Now that would be funny watching the Greedy Top 3 lose out on their millions for playing glorified friendlies. Chelsea 'earned' almost £85m last summer for winning the thing.

[cdbearsfan]

Your third sentence explains why the first won't be happening. Indeed, UEFA are prime movers in the bid to expand said tournament to 48 teams.

[Somniloquism]

England, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, Spain and Wales are all hosting upcoming World Cups so I can't see them wanting to rock the boat too much, sadly.

Which one for those countries?

[andyh]

The c unt giving his press conference and explaining how he got FIFA to suspend the ban for Balogun.
It makes you want to vomit.

Actually no. It makes you want to weep. That someone who knows fuck all about the game and cares even less can influence the most prestigious football event in the world.

[Dave]

One of the key reasons Infantino (or anyone) gets into, and stays in, power is the amount of money they offer all the other federations. Infantino in particular has offered massive increases to all the African FAs for instance, which he is now gathering via all his money grasping tactics.

Obviously the money and corruption stuff is there - but you can make a sporting case too.

If you're a CONCACAF, African, Asian association etc why wouldn't you want the guy who's talking about expanding the tournament and making it easier for smaller nations to qualify?

Unless you're a country that always qualifies (and there are probably no more than a dozen of them in the world) you probably want it to keep getting bigger as you'll compete more often which = money for your FA.

Which yes, probably pays for plenty of lobster buffets. But also - all-weather pitches for your ten year olds to train on in the winter. Paid, qualified coaches. Plane tickets to get you to away matches. Etc.

[Dogtanian]

Henderson out for the rest of the tournament as he needs surgery on his wrist.

It's been described as a freak accident, but I suspect it was already weakened by his trying to grab all that Saudi money.

[Somniloquism]

Trump stating not rescinding the red card would be a "big stain" on the tournament when him and Infantino have now caused one of the biggest ever just shows the shite up for what they are.

[PeterWithesShin]

We're all Spanish ay we.

[Dogtanian]

I think so.

[Somniloquism]

Belgium's appeal against the decision has been dismissed.

The Fifa appeal committee deemed Belgium are not an interested party as they were not involved in the original decision and are merely the United States' next opponents.

"The request was rendered inadmissible on the grounds that the Belgian FA is not a party to the proceedings and, as such, has no standing to appeal the decision," said Fifa in a statement.

This means Balogun will be free to play against Belgium because there is no party who would appeal against the decision.

So an unprecedented decision to allow a valid red card to be suspended so the player can play in the very next match can't be challenged by the opponents even though the decision directly affects them.

[Brazilian Villain]

The Spanish kit is nicer, so I hope they win.

[PeterWithesShin]

Remember when people and organisations used to try and cover up that they were corrupt. Good times.

[Dogtanian]

The Spanish kit is nicer, so I hope they win.

Their shirt does look nice, doesn’t it.