World cup 2026

The conspiracy theory is that FIFA pushed for the games in 2030 so can have the US host the games again in 2038 due to the rotational rules.

Ineligible regions: FIFA rules block continents that hosted the prior two tournaments from bidding.

Open eligibility: Because 2030 spans Europe, Africa, and South America, and 2034 goes to Asia, those four confederations are ruled out for 2038.

Limited competition: Only North America (CONCACAF) and Oceania remain eligible, but Oceania lacks the required stadium infrastructure, leaving the U.S. virtually unopposed. FIFA also has the same issue as the Olympics in finding locations that want to host but won't leave a stain on the organization when the white elephants show up afterwards. There is only a single 40,000+ stadium in all of Oceania while the US has over 150. (Note: Australia is consider part of Asia for FIFA since the Australians wanted to play a harder schedule then Oceania can provide).

The reality is for the rest of the world, hosting a World Cup is normally an economic loser, but for the US it requires almost no effort as they have the stadium capacity could host the World Cup ten straight times and not play in the same stadium twice. They just need to switch to sign on the stadium to the closest city, bring in real grass (which American football players are beyond pissed that the owners then removed it) and they are ready to host.

FIFA may be corrupt (I can probably remove the words "may be") but they understand that World Cups making money is what keeps the best players coming back and owners allowing the players to come back.
Asia, are putting a bid for 2038, Japan, Thailand' & Australia are part of it.
 
Asia, are putting a bid for 2038, Japan, Thailand' & Australia are part of it.
Japan/Thailand/Australia technically cannot as Saudi Arabia is hosting in 2034 (which went unopposed) and would rule out an nations from the Asian Football Confederation for 12 years.

Of course it is FIFA, and if enough money passes hands, FIFA will just adapt the rule to fit the circumstances. FIFA tends to operate off the Golden Rule as in who has the Gold makes the rules.

I did also read a rumor about the possibility of a New Zealand/Fiji/US parting which would be fascinating in the attempt to see how far players could fly around the world in a single tournament. And if that lunacy comes true then I wouldn't be surprised to see future top seeds hosting their group stages in their country and then flying to a central location which would lesson the stadium requirements for the knockout stage hosts. Of course, we'll be dead and gone before that happens so not exactly our problem.
 
What's the definition of chutzpah? 82,000 Argentinians have signed a petition to have the final replayed
because, among other reasons,

“It is a monumental disappointment for the players, coaches, and, above all, for the fans who crave to see a game decided by talent and dedication on the pitch, and not by rigged refereeing decisions.

“If we allow corruption to go unnoticed on this global stage, we are setting a bad example for future generations of athletes and fans".

Meanwhile 23 million round the world have signed another petition to have Argentina permanently banned from the competition.
 
And we thought Blatter was bad. The world game as we know know is not safe in Infantino's hands. Even UEFA are positioning themselves against his nonsense.
UEFA can split from FIFA because it has the money, Champions League revenue plus future revenue from internationals played outside of FIFA.

However this is likely to pass as probably 190 countries need the dough and they know it comes from FIFA.
 
Consider this: do the Americans want a deal with all the shitty South and Central American and African teams and others not even worth mentioning?
Or perhaps would they want a deal with the European teams that include the biggest leagues and competitions in the world by far?
This is the way to do it. UEFA do a deal with the US and say the Saudis (literally just for the money) and split off from FIFA. They can have the cattle mart World Cup. We can have the competitions we already have with some kind of Super Tournament alternating between one of the three continents every four years.
Gradually let in others - at a price. Won't be long until Infantino will be irrelevant then.
We hold far more cards than we're led to believe. We fund all the rest for a start.
 
Consider this: do the Americans want a deal with all the shitty South and Central American and African teams and others not even worth mentioning?
Or perhaps would they want a deal with the European teams that include the biggest leagues and competitions in the world by far?
This is the way to do it. UEFA do a deal with the US and say the Saudis (literally just for the money) and split off from FIFA. They can have the cattle mart World Cup. We can have the competitions we already have with some kind of Super Tournament alternating between one of the three continents every four years.
Gradually let in others - at a price. Won't be long until Infantino will be irrelevant then.
We hold far more cards than we're led to believe. We fund all the rest for a start.
I think the problem with this is that the corruption would just be contained within the fewer teams making up the new format. Unfortunately there is far too much money involved in football and new regime will want to ‘dip their beaks’. Cynical, yes, realistic, also yes.
 
I think the problem with this is that the corruption would just be contained within the fewer teams making up the new format. Unfortunately there is far too much money involved in football and new regime will want to ‘dip their beaks’. Cynical, yes, realistic, also yes.
How much money would there be without Europe? Would people even want to see that? If you got Brazil and Argentina too, that's about it. Get the Saudis and the US in as the money men and the rest would be playing the Afcon.
It might be fun seeing Cape Verde and Haiti but no one wants to pay to see them in a world Cup final against Congo. As for how much money they contribute, I doubt it's as much as the Vanarama.
 
Looks like the hydration breaks have carried on I to the domestic game.

I turned on the west ham game and they were in the middle of a hydration break 🫣
 

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