PF World Cup Chat 2026

[Greg Bernhardt]

Who's watching? Who do you have in the final? I have Argentina vs France with Argentina winning.

I have

 

[PeroK]

Who cares?

 

[Astronuc]

Who's watching? Who do you have in the final? I have Argentina vs France with Argentina winning.

I have

I'll probably just watch the highlights.

I don't have a pick for the finals.

I've heard a lot of criticism about how the World Cup is too expensive for most folks. Some stadiums are not sold out because the ticket prices are too expensive. Then there is the cost of food, lodging and transportation.
https://www.npr.org/2026/05/28/nx-s1-5836514/2026-world-cup-fifa-ticket-prices

A clear example is for the final match, set to take place in New Jersey on July 19. FIFA initially sold the most expensive tickets at $6,730 — already much higher than the about $1,600 price for the most expensive tickets for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

NPR - The 2026 FIFA World Cup is from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Sixteen host cities across North America, including Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, Kansas City, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.​

https://www.npr.org/2026/06/10/nx-s1-5851660/world-cup-2026-soccer-where-to-watch-preview-facts

Which countries are in the World Cup?​

Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
Group B: Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium. Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama

 

[martinbn]

Who's watching? Who do you have in the final? I have Argentina vs France with Argentina winning.

I have

This looks like a four year old prediction.

 

[256bits]

tickets at $6,730

That's about right.
considering Baron T's foray into energy drinks has a can priced at a steal of $70.

It is questionable who dishes out at these prices?

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

Mexico vs South Africa had 3 red cards!

 

[berkeman]

Mexico vs South Africa had 3 red cards!

I watched the highlights to see the red cards, and would the two that were for hindering a drive on goal usually be yellow cards in the Premier League? I can see the one red card for when the player basically attacked and punched the other guy, but the hindering calls seem like they should have been yellow cards, no?

 

[256bits]

Canada has 1 point. USA 3. Mexico 3. If anyone keeping track of the NA teams.

 

[pinball1970]

Not the best live times for us Brits and work is super busy this next week or so. I'll try and catch some highlights.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

What a great game from the Americans. I'm looking forward to Brazil vs Morocco today.

 

[mfb]

Germany beat Curaçao 7:1. The winner isn't surprising anyone, but the score reminds me of something...

With this match Germany took the lead in all-time world cup goals scored. That's right, Germany beat Brazil with a 7:1 again. Without Brazil even playing.
Edit: The 7:1 in 2014 also had Germany surpass Brazil in total goals scored.

 

[pinball1970]

Germany beat Curaçao 7:1. The winner isn't surprising anyone, but the score reminds me of something...

With this match Germany took the lead in all-time world cup goals scored. That's right, Germany beat Brazil with a 7:1 again. Without Brazil even playing.

Probably the best and most satisfying world cup match I have ever seen. I think Neymar was injured but that was no excuse, a complete destruction.

 

[berkeman]

What is that thing on Messi's shoe? This was from the great game yesterday versus Cape Verde.

 

[pinball1970]

What is that thing on Messi's shoe? This was from the great game yesterday versus Cape Verde.

View attachment 372891

Is it some sort of velcro type flap that goes over his laces? To stop the loops flying about when he is running?
I had something similar for five a side.

EDIT: A quick Google

https://www.adidas.co.uk/f50-messi-...m5wsjfE6z2Twcvu_vNiiPZBmJ7Kf41jUaAguPEALw_wcB

 

[pinball1970]

I paid less than £240 from memory. £40 tops.

 

[pinball1970]

England play at 1am Monday morning. Very suspect defence at the moment and a class team like France or Argentina would destroy us, Mexico will be no push over.
Playing at altitude will not suit the English either.

 

[pinball1970]

2am. A very unpleasant match to watch as an England supporter.

One thing I always notice watching England is the fans that make the trip, mount their George Cross banners with the club name. Not the Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool giants of the football league, the smaller non premiership clubs.

Teams you guys will probably not have heard of, Leyton Orient, Barnsley, Aldershot, Sheffield United, QPR.

Singing, "Wonder wall," to the players at the end is a nice touch.

Haarland looked strong, clinical and relaxed against Brazil which is not a good sign for England.
He can destroy a defence in the premier League if he is on form, even 75% form is better than most strikers on the planet.

 

[pinball1970]

Who cares?

Not even to watch England lose?

 

[PeroK]

Not even to watch England lose?

I've lived in England for 40 years and bear English sportspeople no ill will.

 

[Astronuc]

Quarter finals

France vs. Morocco (Thursday, 4 pm EDT)​

Belgium vs. Spain (Friday, 3 pm EDT)​

Argentina vs. Switzerland (Saturday, 9 pm EDT)​

England vs. Norway (Saturday, 5 pm EDT)​

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/soccer...final-games-from-best-to-worst-030555754.html

 

[dextercioby]

To me it looks like it's rigged for Messitina. Spain/France in a final versus the FIFA protégées...

 

[pinball1970]

it's rigged for Messitina

Don't get me started, the England game was ridiculous. Anyway, if we get past Haarland I will be happy.

 

[dextercioby]

 

[pinball1970]

View attachment 372931

That took me two looks!

 

[Astronuc]

Next up

England vs Argentina, Wednesday, 15 July 2026 3pm EDT

France vs Spain, Tuesday, 14 July 2026 3pm EDT

France (Mbappé) vs Argentina (Messi) in the final?

 

[pinball1970]

France (Mbappé) vs Argentina (Messi) in the final?

That's what my money will be on.

 

[Greg Bernhardt]

That's what my money will be on.

Exactly what FIFA wants. I don't think England or even Argentina are a match for France though.

 

[Astronuc]

Spain beat France (2 - 0)!

Spain's win vs. France ends incredible World Cup final streak
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_...ld-cup-final-streak-bayern-munich-inter-milan

World Cup favorites France unravel as Spain book spot in final with ease
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_...tes-france-unravel-spain-book-spot-final-ease

https://www.foxsports.com/watch/fmc-2pxyaiwes40c1wi1





Maybe Spain vs Argentina in the final, unless another upset.

 

[berkeman]

Yeah, Spain really controlled that game from start to finish. I wanted France to win (I really like the amazing skill of Mbappe), but Spain deserved that win in the end. Kudos.

 

[pinball1970]

What is worse, getting beat by Argentina tonight? Or losing to Spain in the final? That is the question.