World Cup 2026. General thread

[B. Oddie]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

The USA flag was booed before the mics were quickly quietened.

[az city]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

Have Fox poached Rebecca Lowe from NBC?

[the other bob wilson]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

On the other hand

I was listening to a discussion on Nicky Campbell’s phone in on 5 Live about the World Cup this morning and there was an Englishman joining in the discussion saying he had tickets for games in the USA which he was trying to sell because his visa application was taking so long to come through that he was thinking he was going to be denied entry. He then said that he’d just had an e-Mail message to say he would not be granted a visa because he’d gone on a cruise to Cuba in 2025. As it turned out, someone else in the discussion said he was granted a USA visa in 2023 and he’s gone to Cuba in 2006.

[PontBlue]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

I was listening to a discussion on Nicky Campbell’s phone in on 5 Live about the World Cup this morning and there was an Englishman joining in the discussion saying he had tickets for games in the USA which he was trying to sell because his visa application was taking so long to come through that he was thinking he was going to be denied entry. He then said that he’d just had an e-Mail message to say he would not be granted a visa because he’d gone on a cruise to Cuba in 2025. As it turned out, someone else in the discussion said he was granted a USA visa in 2023 and he’s gone to Cuba in 2006.

That's why I'm holding off going to Cuba until I've completed the last few USA locations I want to go to, once Trump has shuffled off of course. I think it was under Obama restrictions were increased which is why the 2006 visit didn't prevent a visa being issued.

[splott parker]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

I wonder if having a USA stamp on your passport will one day make you a pariah?

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

I wonder if having a USA stamp on your passport will one day make you a pariah?

Getting into Iran could be problematic.

[The Lone Gunman]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

This is a very hard World Cup to get enthusiastic about.

Indeed. For a variety of reasons. The fact that 48 teams are competing is farcical. The fact that only 16 of them get eliminated at the group stage is even more ridiculous. And then there's the Trump factor combined with lots of unappealing kick-off times.

I've been through all of the group fixtures and there's only five games I intend to try to watch: England v Croatia, England v Ghana (although I'll be out at a quiz), Brazil v Scotland, France v Norway and England v Panama (although I'll be out at a party). I've got no interest in the rest, at least until we get to the knock-out stages.

[blue matt]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

I was listening to a discussion on Nicky Campbell’s phone in on 5 Live about the World Cup this morning and there was an Englishman joining in the discussion saying he had tickets for games in the USA which he was trying to sell because his visa application was taking so long to come through that he was thinking he was going to be denied entry. He then said that he’d just had an e-Mail message to say he would not be granted a visa because he’d gone on a cruise to Cuba in 2025. As it turned out, someone else in the discussion said he was granted a USA visa in 2023 and he’s gone to Cuba in 2006.

I believe the Cuba / ESTA ban is only if you have Visited Cuba since Jan 21, so 2006 was ok, 2025 not

you can still apply for a Visa, just not use the ESTA program

[Rock_Flock_of_Five]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

This World Cup is already proving a disaster for 'football crazy' China. I would normally head to packed out bars to watch the games, but not this time.
This tournament will have zero primetime slots for the Chinese audience. To put it in perspective, the previous World Cup in Qatar had 31 matches kickoff during China's prime evening viewing hours (6 PM to midnight). The North American tournament has zero prime-time slots for Chinese audiences.
All the games here kick off between midnight and midday.

[Jordi Culé]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

Anyone got any Visa tips for this bloke?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cn8qgny4186o

[bobh]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

This World Cup is already proving a disaster for 'football crazy' China. I would normally head to packed out bars to watch the games, but not this time.
This tournament will have zero primetime slots for the Chinese audience. To put it in perspective, the previous World Cup in Qatar had 31 matches kickoff during China's prime evening viewing hours (6 PM to midnight). The North American tournament has zero prime-time slots for Chinese audiences.
All the games here kick off between midnight and midday.

On a similar note, I can't recall 1am and 3am kick-off times in previous WCs in Mexico or USA - were there?

[Bluebirdman Of Alcathays]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

Anyone got any Visa tips for this bloke?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/cn8qgny4186o

No, but maybe they can let him play five minutes in the Super Cup.

[Michael Morris]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

If you are looking for match highlights without spoilers this is the place to go:

https://spoilerfreefootball.lovable.app/

Just don't check your notofications or social media feeds before you watch the highlights

[MacAdder]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

If you are looking for match highlights without spoilers this is the place to go:

https://spoilerfreefootball.lovable.app/

Just don't check your notofications or social media feeds before you watch the highlights

Just watched the USA v Paraguay game from this link which I forgot was on.
Some great goals in there 👏

[Heathblue]

Re: World Cup 2026. General thread

Controversy over the Swiss pen, looks off