OT: The 2026 World Cup Thread

varjao · Jul 7, 2026

This is watching history, can't root against Messi

mgteich · Jul 7, 2026

Perhaps, in order to succeed, we will need to get more "foreign" stars to play for us, much as what happens in the Olympics.
Our star was born in the US because his mother was too far along to get on the plane home. I believed he lived in the US for a month.
We are lucky that the law still allows him to be an American citizen.

The Brandon Five · Jul 7, 2026

mgteich said:
an interesing attitude

So, do you expect India and China to be the top of every sport because of their large populations. That simply isn't how it works.

Norway holds the record for the most gold medals in Winter Olympics history, capturing 166 all-time golds. The United States ranks second with 125, followed by Germany with 120. [1]
All-Time Winter Olympic Gold Medal Leaders

Norway: 166 golds (466 total medals)
United States: 125 golds (330 total medals)
Germany: 120 golds (266 total medals)
Canada: 82 golds (246 total medals)
Soviet Union: 78 golds (194 total medals) [1]

Norway has a population of about 6 million people.

Guts · Jul 7, 2026

PatsFan2 said:
What choke job by Egypt catastrophic collapse there. The mother of all choking.

well it was in Atlanta a certain nfl team from that city choked the biggest nfl game

ctpatsfan77 · Jul 7, 2026

PatsFan2 said:
What choke job by Egypt catastrophic collapse there. The mother of all choking.

After some FIFA bullcrap.

ctpatsfan77 · Jul 7, 2026

varjao said:
This is watching history, can't root against Messi

Sure you can. I was doing it just an hour or two ago.

PATSNUTme · Jul 7, 2026

The Brandon Five said:
Norway holds the record for the most gold medals in Winter Olympics history, capturing 166 all-time golds. The United States ranks second with 125, followed by Germany with 120. [1]
All-Time Winter Olympic Gold Medal Leaders

Norway: 166 golds (466 total medals)

United States: 125 golds (330 total medals)

Germany: 120 golds (266 total medals)

Canada: 82 golds (246 total medals)

Soviet Union: 78 golds (194 total medals) [1]

Norway has a population of about 6 million people.

I will accept defeat to Norway in winter "sports".

Guts · Jul 7, 2026

ctpatsfan77 said:
After some FIFA bullcrap.

Guts · Jul 7, 2026

Triumph · Jul 7, 2026

PATSNUTme said:
I'm not a big soccer fan. I try to watch it but I get really bored. So maybe I'm not looking at it the right way.
The US has a population of about 320,000,000. Every city and town has a youth soccer program. Most high schools and colleges have soccer teams.
We just lost to Belgium, a country of 12,000,000. I've also heard on sports shows and even news shows how great it was that the US made it to the round of 16.
We just got crushed by Belgium a country with 4% of our population. I find it embarrassing that with all the people we have participating in this sport that we get crushed in the round of 16 by a tiny country.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

Soccer is still somewhat new in the USA.

Of all the World Cups, this is the very first one that I have followed and there are many more just like me.

Triumph · Jul 7, 2026

PATSNUTme said:
My conclusion is that our education system has been failing our country badly for the past 20+ years.

Look who controls it and you have found the reason why.

brdmaverick · Jul 7, 2026

Tunescribe said:
I'm a Patriots season ticket holder as well (33 years) and wasn't aware of that offer. Not sure whether I would've pulled the trigger but you made the right choice for a unique experience. Was getting there and parking any different than usual?

I was fortunate enough to have a high school friend who lives in the neighborhood behind the stadium. So I parked at her place and walked (30 min) to the stadium. I walked back to my friend's house and watched the Argentina game with her family. By the time I left there was zero traffic (but I had the added advantage of not going on Route 1 and being able to leave well after the crowd surge).

I did noticed LONG lines to get to the train. I can't imagine that was a fun experience for those taking the train.

But as you alluded, the World Cup is such a unique experience in which most fans are just 'generally happen' and are willing to accept some of the 'headaches' (like crowds, waiting for the train) as part of the process.

I've never been to an international soccer game, so seeing the passion and energy that these fans bring (not to mention just the aura from it being a 'full house') definitely added to the overall atmosphere.

And yes, I realize I was extremely lucky....
1.) Turned out to be great weather
2.) Didn't have to pay an arm and a leg (due to Revs offer)
3.) Got to witness 5 goals in the game (including 2 from Haaland)

So I realize I was extremely fortunate, but with the energy these crowds bring, I'm sure even the scoreless England-Ghana game would have been a great time. Definitely a cool experience that I'm glad I took advantage of.

patman12 · Jul 7, 2026

varjao said:
This is watching history, can't root against Messi

Sure you can, you just can’t deny his immense talent.

mosi's man · Jul 7, 2026

Just shy of 37 million viewers at its peak during the U.S. vs Belgium game. Imagine the number if it had been a decent game?

mosi's man · Jul 7, 2026

Double checked. Turns out I was wrong. It was actually 42 million viewers.

Boomer B · Jul 7, 2026

PATSNUTme said:
I'm not a big soccer fan. I try to watch it but I get really bored. So maybe I'm not looking at it the right way.
The US has a population of about 320,000,000. Every city and town has a youth soccer program. Most high schools and colleges have soccer teams.
We just lost to Belgium, a country of 12,000,000. I've also heard on sports shows and even news shows how great it was that the US made it to the round of 16.
We just got crushed by Belgium a country with 4% of our population. I find it embarrassing that with all the people we have participating in this sport that we get crushed in the round of 16 by a tiny country.

That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

The academy’s in Europe and South America are much better than elsewhere. They identify talent very young. Then they get them in youth programs with top level coaching and development. It’s engrained in the culture. Similar to hockey here in Canada. The best kids get identified early and get put into academy’s. We may not have a huge population but we always compete against the bigger countries.

JoeSixPat · Jul 7, 2026

patman12 said:
Everything he touches turns to ****.

The US may still be given the win... Trump apparently called Infantino after the match and asked him to "just find four more goals" for the US.

Tunescribe · Jul 7, 2026

Triumph said:
there are many more just like me.

God help us.

Triumph · Jul 7, 2026

Stalkerscibe is back!

He/she is one weirdo.

Triumph · Jul 7, 2026

Who do you got.

Argentina vs Switzerland - I have a hard time seeing the Swiss winning.
Norway vs England - Should be a good game.
France vs Morocco - Ditto
Spain vs Belgium - Ditto

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