World Cup 2026

[panda]

He can't. It's just another of his mindless political rants.

No surprises there

[Jockey]

Explain the cheating process which occurred please.

We will be playing a red carded player tonight. No other country is allowed to do this.

That is bending the rules, aka cheating.

[The Sultan]

We will be playing a red carded player tonight. No other country is allowed to do this.

That is bending the rules, aka cheating.

Who determines who is eligible?

[panda]

We will be playing a red carded player tonight. No other country is allowed to do this.

That is bending the rules, aka cheating.

No we won't. If you've been paying attention, Fifa overturned the red card yesterday after incorrect use of Var was applied, USSF lawyers submitted an appeal and an 18-person independent FIFA committee approved the appeal.

You can be angry but a great injustice was corrected because of American ingenuity. Something a Canadian/Canadian sympathizer could never comprehend.

[BM1090]

Expel every team whose government interferes in the World Cup. Cheating should be done by FIFA - not the US and England.

This was a very likable US team until now - easy to root for. Now, I hope the cheaters get blown out.

The team is made up of mostly good dudes. They are still likeable.

[BM1090]

We will be playing a red carded player tonight. No other country is allowed to do this.

That is bending the rules, aka cheating.

It should never have been a red card. Do I wish Trump stayed out of it? Of course. Does it feel a little dirty? Yeah. But Sultan correctly pointed out that US Soccer started this process before Trump got involved. The Athletic has a good article on it today if you subscribe.

Also, other countries WERE allowed to do this. See Portugal/Ronaldo

[TSmith34, Inc.]

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cjwgggp28dlo

Just an absolutely pathetic abuse of power. In no way shape or form should any head of state intervene in an independent competition. This just gives more reason for the world to hate the citizens of England. Shocking

Yes, to ask that the time not be moved up so 3,000 or their fans wouldn't miss the game. Definitely the same thing.

[panda]

Yes, to ask that the time not be moved up so 3,000 or their fans wouldn't miss the game. Definitely the same thing.

Political intervention is political intervention. Can't pick and choose when it suits you buddy

[The Sultan]

Yes, to ask that the time not be moved up so 3,000 or their fans wouldn't miss the game. Definitely the same thing.

I mean...it kinda is the same thing.

[Shaka Shart]

First, I agree, @MU82 and others, please stop.

"Apparently allowed" - I know the Iran thread was off the rails, and yes I allowed plenty of political commentary on that subject.    But I've not spent more that a few minutes on scoop the past few months, so I don't know of any others (nobody has reported anything)

It's mostly Muggsy short "jokes" these days

[Jockey]

The team is made up of mostly good dudes. They are still likeable.

I agree. This is a hardworking, likable team. But when only one team gets to put its thumb on the scale, I'm out.

[panda]

I agree. This is a hardworking, likable team. But when only one team gets to put its thumb on the scale, I'm out.

Still waiting for your explanation. Until then - you will be known as the clown.

[Shaka Shart]

I agree. This is a hardworking, likable team. But when only one team gets to put its thumb on the scale, I'm out.

Belgium probably still has plenty of hands to give you. Albeit not their own

[BM1090]

I agree. This is a hardworking, likable team. But when only one team gets to put its thumb on the scale, I'm out.

Ronaldo benefitted from the same exact article this World Cup, three weeks ago.

[Pakuni]

We will be playing a red carded player tonight. No other country is allowed to do this.

That is bending the rules, aka cheating.

FIFA's rules literally allow for this. And FIFA already did it for another player from another country so he could compete in this World Cup.

27. SUSPENSION OF IMPLEMENTATION OF DISCIPLINARY
MEASURES
1. The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.
2. By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years.
3. If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.
4. Disciplinary measures relating to match manipulation cannot be suspended.

https://digitalhub.fifa.com/asset/5bd452de-0dd6-4342-93d4-53122ccb75b9/FIFA-Disciplinary-Code-2026.pdf

[Pakuni]

Yes, to ask that the time not be moved up so 3,000 or their fans wouldn't miss the game. Definitely the same thing.

It's a government successfully petitioning FIFA to take an action that serves the interests of its national team.
So, yeah, pretty much.

Have we moved on from a principled stand against government intervention, and are now just quibbling over the kind of intervention we're willing to accept?

[panda]

FIFA's rules literally allow for this. And FIFA already did it for another player from another country so he could compete in this World Cup.

27. SUSPENSION OF IMPLEMENTATION OF DISCIPLINARY
MEASURES
1. The judicial body may decide to fully or partially suspend the implementation of a disciplinary measure.
2. By suspending the implementation of the sanction, the judicial body subjects the person sanctioned to a probationary period of one to four years.
3. If the person benefiting from a suspended sanction commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension shall be revoked by the judicial body and the sanction enforced without prejudice to any additional sanction imposed for the new infringement.
4. Disciplinary measures relating to match manipulation cannot be suspended.

https://digitalhub.fifa.com/asset/5bd452de-0dd6-4342-93d4-53122ccb75b9/FIFA-Disciplinary-Code-2026.pdf

Don't confuse the clown with facts

[The Sultan]

Still waiting for your explanation. Until then - you will be known as the clown.

He's been known that for a while. He just says stuff.

[panda]

Forget the clown - tonight we all unite. CMON USA

[MuggsyB]

Brutal start. 

[lawdog77]

The start time should have been moved back 30 minutes. The sunlight on the pitch is annoying

[panda]

Freeman all over the place and ream two steps slow. Looks like we're finally settling into the game

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

USA is completely outclassed.  Makes all the Belgian whining look really lame.

[MuggsyB]

USA is completely outclassed.  Makes all the Belgian whining look really lame.

Do we have a shot on goal yet?  Fk. 

[MuggsyB]

BAM!!  GOAL!!!!!