Everything Soccer

[jerseyborn1971]

France has 6 stadiums that hold over 40k people. This World Cup needed 16 stadiums and there were only 48 teams. You can't realistically use a bunch of stadiums that hold less than 40k people. The logistics of that would be crazy. Plus, you'd have to have that many local govt involved with approving it and managing the infrastructure, security, etc.

 

[dublinirish]

The Infanntino rampant capitalism era won't be forever. I could see FIFA moving back to a more culture focused WC in future

 

[Dale]

Anyone on Argentina conspiracy theory twitter or just me?

 

[dublinirish]

France has 6 stadiums that hold over 40k people. This World Cup needed 16 stadiums and there were only 48 teams. You can't realistically use a bunch of stadiums that hold less than 40k people. The logistics of that would be crazy. Plus, you'd have to have that many local govt involved with approving it and managing the infrastructure, security, etc.

6/8 venus at Qatar WC had 45K seats or less. I dont think having huge venues matters that much

 

[Dale]

6/8 venus at Qatar WC had 45K seats or less. I dont think having huge venues matters that much

Money matters. Qatar factually found ways to put money in FIFAs pockets. Large stadiums, ticket sales, sponsorships are the conventional way to profit of it unless you’re otherwise being bribed by oil money.

 

[dublinirish]

Money matters. Qatar factually found ways to put money in FIFAs pockets. Large stadiums and ticket sales are the conventional way to profit of it unless you’re otherwise being bribed by oil money.

but FIFA is a non profit organization!

 

[stlnd01]

Ticket revenue is probably more variable/dependent on the host countries and their stadiums than TV rights or sponsorships are.
And with 48 teams playing mostly in 60K+ seat stadiums and all the pricing games FIFA played, ticket revenue this time was probably orders of magnitude higher than previous World Cups.

Maybe, to Dub’s point, culture wins out over commerce. But probably I’d just start planning for 2038 now.

 

[OrlaNDomer]

Anyone on Argentina conspiracy theory twitter or just me?

I've seen a bunch of Argentina supporters claiming the red card was BS and clear proof FIFA isn't rigged for them. I've also seen some insane claims that Argentina was told they're going to lose pre-game and players were crying in the tunnel.

 

[greyhammer90]

I've seen a bunch of Argentina supporters claiming the red card was BS and clear proof FIFA isn't rigged for them. I've also seen some insane claims that Argentina was told they're going to lose pre-game and players were crying in the tunnel.

Did no one tell Argentina's goalie?

 

[dublinirish]

I've seen a bunch of Argentina supporters claiming the red card was BS and clear proof FIFA isn't rigged for them. I've also seen some insane claims that Argentina was told they're going to lose pre-game and players were crying in the tunnel.

this is their whole mentality, everyone is out to get them always. Total inferiority complex

 

[Dale]

I've also seen some insane claims that Argentina was told they're going to lose pre-game and players were crying in the tunnel.

This is what I’ve seen. Video pre game shows them being very somber in the tunnel and Messi telling them to just forget about it and play. That part is definitely true. The possible fake news because they Spanish twitter translations is cryptic social media/interview stuff. Benching/injuries. The murmurs of probes into the national team that happened earlier. Also reports many of the families including Simeone were not there + President not being there for “good luck”

Most likely just Messi gave a somber last game speech and everything else is BS noise but I wouldn’t exactly rule out a rigged FIFA event.

 

[OrlaNDomer]

This is what I’ve seen. Video pre game shows them being very somber in the tunnel and Messi telling them to just forget about it and play. That part is definitely true. The possible fake news because they Spanish twitter translations is cryptic social media/interview stuff. Benching/injuries. The murmurs of probes into the national team that happened earlier. Also reports many of the families including Simeone were not there + President not being there for “good luck”

Most likely just Messi gave a somber last game speech and everything else is BS noise but I wouldn’t exactly rule out a rigged FIFA event.

This seems like the obvious answer. The idea that FIFA rigged the game against them is absurd. If anything it was regression to the mean from prior games.

 

[Dale]

and there it is.

 

[OrlaNDomer]

I liked when the WC was hosted by just one nation...

 

[slick7410]

Who could do it as an individual nation? It seems like multi-nation will be the play now.

USA, China, India(possibly in the near future) , Brazil?, the UK wouldn’t count but area wise they probably have 15 or so.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

The breakdown of single country host

 

[ACamp1900]

and there it is.

They would have to change some rules here right?? My understanding is only CONCAF and Oceania can bid on 38 currently

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

this is their whole mentality, everyone is out to get them always. Total inferiority complex

Are you referring to Argentinians or Irish people?

 

[Dale]

I liked when the WC was hosted by just one nation...

I think the only cool part of the multi host nation thing is potentially that third country that could never host themselves like Morocco. If you’re doing France/Germany, just tag on Netherlands to have Amsterdam Arena be a location

 

[OrlaNDomer]

I think the only cool part of the multi host nation thing is potentially that third country that could never host themselves like Morocco. If you’re doing France/Germany, just tag on Netherlands to have Amsterdam Arena be a location

That's fair. I'm planning on going in 2030 and it has given me a real excuse to go to Morocco and I likely wouldn't have otherwise given it much thought. With that said neither Portugal or Morocco have near the capacity to host on their own.

I just feel like the US/Mex/Can 2026 WC was so spread out that it didn't even feel like I lived in a host country. Not having America play a single game within a 20 hour drive of me (and wouldn't have until the semi-final) was very annoying.

With France/Germany both have the infrastructure to host a normal WC, maybe not the expanded version... so not sure how it'll look going forward.

 

[IrishLax]

They would have to change some rules here right?? My understanding is only CONCAF and Oceania can bid on 38 currently

This is what I had heard for awhile, and it was discussed at length pre-world cup that the reason we were a "shoe in" for 38 is that we are the only viable host with the current rules.

ETA: the specific rule is about confederations hosting within a certain window and Spain/Portugal host the 2030 cup.

 

[Bane]

This seems like the obvious answer. The idea that FIFA rigged the game against them is absurd. If anything it was regression to the mean from prior games.

Exactly, no conspiracies needed. Argentina was on a 2024 KC Chiefs like run and got exposed in the championship by a better and deeper team. It happens.

 

[Irish du Nord]

Who could do it as an individual nation? It seems like multi-nation will be the play now.

USA, China, India(possibly in the near future) , Brazil?, the UK wouldn’t count but area wise they probably have 15 or so.

Do a US/China/India World Cup and make the soccer stars travel like a Big Ten Softball team

 

[greyhammer90]

Report: That’s Enough Soccer For Now

WASHINGTON—Saying the nation had enjoyed a perfectly adequate amount of dribbling, passing, and loud chanting, a new report published Tuesday confirmed that was enough soccer for now. “Welp, that was fun, but we’ve got our fill,” the report read in part, adding that after a couple weeks of...

theonion.com

 

[calvegas04]

2038 to the US makes the most sense

 

[Notre Dame Joe]

It's basically just the Patriots or Chiefs or Alabama Effect in that people are jealous, envious. resentful, etc. of their success and search out moral/political reasons to justify this so they feel better about it. Argentina became a boogeyman stand in for whatever the person hates the most: racism, Zionism, etc. Of course this will take one to silly places as they twist themselves into pretzels and led to a lot of people cheering for England/France/Spain (the Triple Crown of Colonization) for "moral" reasons over Argentina.

Also Argentina sometimes is seen as oddly different from South America, like Cinicinatti is to Ohio.

Shoot and we didn't even use any college stadiums, right?

hmm, no use of iconic college football stadia like the Rose Bowl and Lambeau Field.

 

[jerseyborn1971]

Anything in the western hemisphere works for me. I'm not getting up at 5am to watch games.

 

[Bane]

I am trying to stay in soccer mode and have picked up on watching LAFC. I have to say, I have been entertained and can tell the overall talent level has been raised since I last tried to give MLS a try about 10 years ago.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

If you are a "casual fan" and that World Cup wasn't enough for you, carry on with North American sports.

It's been over a week. My lasting impressions are

1. The gains Africa has made. I don't know if an African nation will win a World Cup in my lifetime, but they're getting closer.
2. Argentina is trash. Messi and all. The shithousing and lack of sportsmanship knew no levels.
3. The rest of Europe has two years to figure out Spain for Euro 2028. Enjoy.
4. The United States needs to find centerbacks. Beginning now.
5. The Flo Balogun situation sets a terrible precedent. This won't go away for FIFA and I frankly hope that it doesn't. It was like something out of a Mafia movie. Unfortunate Flo was at the center of it. Dude has more class than the rest of the parties involved.

 

[notredomer23]

If you are a "casual fan" and that World Cup wasn't enough for you, carry on with North American sports.

It's been over a week. My lasting impressions are

1. The gains Africa has made. I don't know if an African nation will win a World Cup in my lifetime, but they're getting closer.
2. Argentina is trash. Messi and all. The shithousing and lack of sportsmanship knew no levels.
3. The rest of Europe has two years to figure out Spain for Euro 2028. Enjoy.
4. The United States needs to find centerbacks. Beginning now.
5. The Flo Balogun situation sets a terrible precedent. This won't go away for FIFA and I frankly hope that it doesn't. It was like something out of a Mafia movie. Unfortunate Flo was at the center of it. Dude has more class than the rest of the parties involved.

Can I interest you in Neil Pierre?

I have no clue on his defending ability, but a 6’6” aerial threat is certainly something I’d love to have in the squad