Match Day Thread FIFA 2026 World Cup Finals

[lardiman]

I thought since this upcoming tournament is going to generate lots of interest and comment, It ought to have it's own thread.
I'll kick it off with this story...

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce8q01d56v7o

Designated LGBTQ+ 'Pride' group stage Match to be Egypt v Iran
Not exactly two Nations known for their tolerance of orientation diversity.

Apparently not a wind-up.
The fixture was selected before it was known which teams would be competing in it

 

[lardiman]

£3,000 each for the cheapest seats at the World Cup Final

 

[Smudger603]

£3,000 each for the cheapest seats at the World Cup Final

My cousin lives in Toronto and said the prices are horrendous throughout the tournament- he won’t be attending

 

[lardiman]

There is no point listening to anything that FIFA says anymore.
They can only be judged by their actions.

FIFA, in collaboration with the Plutocratic Trump Administration, has turned the World Cup Finals into an event to be enjoyed personally only by the super rich.

Because extreme wealth is the only thing Infantino respects.
FIFA is in the pocket of people like Trump and the Saudis.
You only have to look at the awarding of the 2034 World Cup Finals.
Was there a vote?
No.
There was "acclamation". A big round of applause.
What an insult to everyone who believes in democratic process, and who is not a lap-dog of a handful of mega wealthy Autocrats.

FIFA is no longer fit to 'own' World Football.
Before 2034 arrives Nations should rise up and break the stranglehold it has.
Sadly, I think it's time for the monopoly to be broken. Real football loving people should establish a rival code to the one FIFA has stolen.

 

[The Penguin]

I'm hearing fans saying they're going for the atmosphere but can't afford the tickets, especially with the travel costs. They'll be flying in for the odd game.

 

[lardiman]

Only fans who have not been rude about the US President on social media over the past five years.
That will narrow down the field quite a bit - as the obscene ticket prices have already done.

 

[Watameire]

Dreadful decision to hold in the US. Canada and Mexico should have been given it without them

 

[lardiman]

How can FIFA defend a seven fold increase in ticket prices for the Final itself. A 600% rise in four years.
Disgraceful.

I expect prices for all the games will be hiked as well.
More than doubled? I would not be surprised.

Will be interesting to see if there are differences between ticket prices in Canada / US / Mexico.
I don't know how much control FIFA has over those, or how much may be decided locally.

 

[Ponders Revisited]

I'm going to try to get a ticket for a match in each country. I'll also apply for a ticket for the final.

Except for Qatar, I've been to at least one WC match in each tournament since 1998. The atmosphere is always exhilarating. The actual football can be a bit underwhelming, but that's the luck of the draw.

 

[The Penguin]

In 1978 I paid £1200, which got me flights to Argentina, internal flights between Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Mendoza, tickets for the opening game, the final, the 3rd place play-off, all Scotland's games (all 3 of them) and a couple of others. And decent accommodation. I don't know what £1200 in 1978 is worth these days but it was affordable for me, and I was working as a delivery driver. I also sold seafood round the pubs of new Cross for a year 3 nights a week to pay for it, but it was worth it. After all Ally Mcleod told us we would at least get a medal, and probably win it.

 

[TwoWrights]

In 1978 I paid £1200, which got me flights to Argentina, internal flights between Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Mendoza, tickets for the opening game, the final, the 3rd place play-off, all Scotland's games (all 3 of them) and a couple of others. And decent accommodation. I don't know what £1200 in 1978 is worth these days but it was affordable for me, and I was working as a delivery driver. I also sold seafood round the pubs of new Cross for a year 3 nights a week to pay for it, but it was worth it. After all Ally Mcleod told us we would at least get a medal, and probably win it.

Inflation calculator on Google gives it as £6,620 in today's values.


The views expressed in my posts are not necessarily mine.

 

[lardiman]

FIFA's latest gimmick;

2026 World Cup tickets: Fifa brings in £45 seats

Fifa introduces a small number of "more affordable" $60 (£45) tickets for all 104 matches at the 2026 World Cup following criticism of its pricing structure for the tournament.

www.bbc.co.uk

So it's
90% millionaires & corporate hospitality (plus some hardcore fans willing to spend their life savings)
10% affordable tickets - which will doubtless be hoovered up by touts.

Hooray

 

[lardiman]

How many weeks is it since World Cup Finals tickets went on sale?
Heard on the news this morning that England fans have not bought all the tickets allocated to them.

Well done FIFA.
With even group stage games having ticket prices up 200% since 2022, they have priced real fans out of the tournament with their greed.
That organisation does not represent people who really love footyball.
It exists only to line the pockets of Infantino and his cronies.

 

[lardiman]

Just set up a poll as to whether we need a dedicated 2026 World Cup Finals thread, or if World Cup posts can just be made here.

EDIT:

If we do decide on a World Cup Finals thread, any posts after this one which are about the Tournament will be moved to the new thread when it is created.

 

[lardiman]

I see our England manager has made some interesting choices for his squad;

Ivan Toney being the stand-out choice.
Is acclimatised to the hot weather, as some have said.
And England's opponents in the group / 32 / 16 stages are likely to be not much better than Saudi Pro-League standards.
We could play 5 games before having to meet a decent team.

 

[lardiman]

Tuchel makes a valid point about selecting to build a team capable of winning the World Cup, rather than just taking the couple of dozen most talented individual players.

Let's see if England put in better performances and go deep into the competition.
Quarter-Finals would be OK, but we've been there quite a few times.
Last 4, and it's been a decent tournament.

Harry Maguire's mum has a different view though

 

[lardiman]

Some welcome World Cup news...

World Cup 2026: Goalkeeper tactical timeouts banned

Players at the 2026 World Cup will be stopped from going to the technical area to talk to coaches when goalkeepers are injured.

www.bbc.co.uk

It was getting ridiculous.
Goalkeepers feigning a knock or a strain so the gaffer could have a good old tactical chin-wag with players.
As well as wasting some time.

Perhaps FIFA should go further.
Once the regulation 90 minutes has been played, any injury in stoppage time should lead to the clock being paused until play resumes.
Would help with time wasting.

 

[The Penguin]

Some welcome World Cup news...

World Cup 2026: Goalkeeper tactical timeouts banned

Players at the 2026 World Cup will be stopped from going to the technical area to talk to coaches when goalkeepers are injured.

www.bbc.co.uk

It was getting ridiculous.
Goalkeepers feigning a knock or a strain so the gaffer could have a good old tactical chin-wag with players.
As well as wasting some time.

Perhaps FIFA should go further.
Once the regulation 90 minutes has been played, any injury in stoppage time should lead to the clock being paused until play resumes.
Would help with time wasting.

We wouldn't do this at Charlton......

 

[Ponders Revisited]

I'm confident Scotland will not beat Haiti.

If they do, I'll donate £100 to a Scottish charity.

 

[Watameire]

I'm confident Scotland will not beat Haiti.

If they do, I'll donate £100 to a Scottish charity.

Ok so here’s my one - If Scotland win any game in the World Cup and Dykes scores in any I will donate £100 to charity