World Cup 2026

[Gresto]

Originally Posted by Surrealplaces

I was around to see Canada in the 86 Cup (yes, I'm that old) There was almost no interest at all back then.

I was 11, feverishly interested in soccer, and a very good player. Let's face it, the Canadian team was laughable until just a few years ago. Canada had never scored a single goal until the last World Cup, or won a match until this one.
I was in Germany visiting relatives in summer '86 cheering on "my team", which was not Canada. During the final we were in Munich, and I exulted when we came back from a 2-goal deficit, and was heartbroken when we lost. But Canada was on no one's radar as a contender, and isn't even now. But Canada should be proud of how far it has come.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

The World Cup 2026 fully leaves Canada and Mexico after tomorrow’s matches.

Au Revoir, Adios!

I wonder why none of the higher level matches are outside the US? Seems a bit odd if we're supposed to be sharing the hosting between three countries.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

I wonder why none of the higher level matches are outside the US? Seems a bit odd if we're supposed to be sharing the hosting between three countries.

Why do you think president Dump got the inaugural FIFA peace prize?

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

It's just been announced that the White House directly appealed to FIFA in regards to the red card issued to American star player Folarin Balogun. It has been rescinded, and he will play against Belgium tomorrow.

I'm going out on a limb, and predicting a lot of strange calls and disallowed goals going against Belgium tomorrow.

Aaaaaand Trumps fingers have now fully tainted the tournament play itself.

I see two paths forward if Americans, especially those who claim to be better than Trump and MAGA, want to save face:

Despite what Trump and FIFA have done, Balogune refuses to play out of principal, therefore not tainting any progression the American team has at this point in the tournament.

Or, if he does play, the Americans who are against Trump's corruption refuse to support the American team beyond this point due to the clear contamination it now has.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by EnvisionSaintJohn

Haaland is a freak of nature. Norway remains undefeated at the World Cup against five time World Cup Champions, Brazil.

Viking power! #SKOL

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Aaaaaand Trumps fingers have now fully tainted the tournament play itself.

I see two paths forward if Americans, especially those who claim to be better than Trump and MAGA, want to save face:

Despite what Trump and FIFA have done, Balogune refuses to play out of principal, therefore not tainting any progression the American team has at this point in the tournament.

Or, if he does play, the Americans who are against Trump's corruption refuse to support the American team beyond this point due to the clear contamination it now has.

Balogun will play and Americans will support the U.S. team. Everybody already knows how corrupt FIFA is and business, after all, is business.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Balogun will play and Americans will support the U.S. team. Everybody already knows how corrupt FIFA is and business, after all, is business.

This will make it that much sweeter, when Belgium sends the Americans packing. All of Europe are now cheering for them.

[SpongeG]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

I wonder why none of the higher level matches are outside the US? Seems a bit odd if we're supposed to be sharing the hosting between three countries.

the stadiums are small, the USA stadiums can fit aka sell way more tickets for the remaining games.

[EnvisionSaintJohn]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

the stadiums are small, the USA stadiums can fit aka sell way more tickets for the remaining games.

Estadio Azteca has the highest capacity in the tournament, but yes, the US stadiums do have a far higher average capacity compared to the Canadian and Mexican stadiums.

If Canada ever hosts a World Cup again, I hope we do it with the other middle sized English speaking countries, but def not with the US or England.

Between Canada, Australia, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, and Wales, there’s more than enough stadiums to host a proper World Cup. Toronto; however, would need to build a 70,000+ person stadium by 2050 if Canada wants to host the final.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Balogun will play and Americans will support the U.S. team. Everybody already knows how corrupt FIFA is and business, after all, is business.

Then perhaps someone will break his leg.

[svlt]

Originally Posted by MonctonRad

What we miss by hiving off our three largest markets and letting them join a foreign league (MLS) is a well constituted multi-tiered national league with opportunities for promotion and relegation. Such a system builds interest and enthusiasm across many cities in the country, with the hope that hard work and good management might create a Cinderella story for a local team.

Imagine a multi-tiered CPL with as many teams as the CHL. Every regional town and city would have their own team in the system. Wouldn't his create more interest and excitement nationwide than the current system? This is what happens in the UK. Look at what the Wrexham story has done for the game over there.

Right now Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal are the sloppy seconds of the MLS, and, in turn, the existing CPL teams are considered the sloppy seconds to the Canadian MLS teams. And, finally, there are multiple mid sized Canadian markets with no hope of getting a professional soccer team at all.

We can do better.........

Sloppy seconds? TFC fairly recently made 3 finals winning one of them, Vancouver was runner up in the continental championship and the final last year and is a favorite this year.

Even the "afterthought" raptors of the NBA won a chip in 2019.

The sloppy second Canadian teams are the ones that play with skates and sticks.

[MonctonRad]

This made me laugh out loud. Perfect!

[harls]

Someone's going to make an UNO deck with those 'trump cards', I am sure of it.

[MolsonExport]

UNO Trump Edition: The AHOLE

[MolsonExport]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

I wonder why none of the higher level matches are outside the US? Seems a bit odd if we're supposed to be sharing the hosting between three countries.

President Poopy Pants would have a giant 🞵🞵🞵🞵 if higher level games were otherwise. Mexico and Canada are like the farm team locations of MLB. The USA and Trump are one and the same. L'État, c'est moi.

[ssiguy]

Originally Posted by BlackDog204

This will make it that much sweeter, when Belgium sends the Americans packing. All of Europe are now cheering for them.

The entire planet is now cheering for Belgium.

I hope the Belgians clean the US's clock. That said, if they do, guess which country will be on Trump's next hit list for invasion?

[savevp]

Unsurprisingly, Fifa have now officially rejected Belgium's appeal into the Balogun affair, claiming they aren't a party to the matter.

[jc_yyc_ca]

Originally Posted by Gresto

I was 11, feverishly interested in soccer, and a very good player. Let's face it, the Canadian team was laughable until just a few years ago. Canada had never scored a single goal until the last World Cup, or won a match until this one.
I was in Germany visiting relatives in summer '86 cheering on "my team", which was not Canada. During the final we were in Munich, and I exulted when we came back from a 2-goal deficit, and was heartbroken when we lost. But Canada was on no one's radar as a contender, and isn't even now. But Canada should be proud of how far it has come.

Canada has come a long way in short period of time. I barely knew the Canadian team existed before 2022.

[BlackDog204]

Originally Posted by ssiguy

The entire planet is now cheering for Belgium.

I hope the Belgians clean the US's clock. That said, if they do, guess which country will be on Trump's next hit list for invasion?

Today, we are all Belgians.

[TorontoDrew]

Hoping to catch the USA Belgium game here tonight. If we can snag a loveseat or a couple arm chairs. The Distillery looks like a great place to watch. I hope Belgium destroys the US.

Distillery District Watch Party by aida_dasilva, on Flickr

Distillery District Watch Party by aida_dasilva, on Flickr

Distillery District FIFA Watch Party by aida_dasilva, on Flickr