World Cup Chat

From the BBC, largely,..

After the controversy of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in Russia and Qatar, the 2026 edition was supposed to give everyone a chance to concentrate on the football.

Remarkably, this World Cup is in danger of being more controversial.

The astronomical cost of tickets,
a subpoena over ticket practices,
criticism of Fifa over hotel bookings and
transport prices have dogged the build-up.

But the latest story is about a member of Fifa's own (an African referee) delegation being subjected to hours of questioning before being put on a flight back to from where they came.
And the Iraq team and supporters haven't been discussed yet. Decisions are still pending on that, although most Iraqi' supporters have been denied visa's to travel to the USA.
 
Forest Hillbilly said:
From the BBC, largely,..

After the controversy of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in Russia and Qatar, the 2026 edition was supposed to give everyone a chance to concentrate on the football.

Remarkably, this World Cup is in danger of being more controversial.

The astronomical cost of tickets,
a subpoena over ticket practices,
criticism of Fifa over hotel bookings and
transport prices have dogged the build-up.

But the latest story is about a member of Fifa's own (an African referee) delegation being subjected to hours of questioning before being put on a flight back to from where they came.
And the Iraq team and supporters haven't been discussed yet. Decisions are still pending on that, although most Iraqi' supporters have been denied visa's to travel to the USA.
Click to expand...
The whole thing is an absolute shitshow for sure. A f***ing ridiculously expensive one too.
The fans need to end this. They need to boycott it all.
 
ASCPFC said:
The whole thing is an absolute shitshow for sure. A f***ing ridiculously expensive one too.
The fans need to end this. They need to boycott it all.
Click to expand...
The fans are remarkably low down the list of priorities. CGI will be used to fill the vast empty stands in stadiums, with overdubs of crowds cheering. As long as the TV money comes in, it's all good.
It'll only get serious when sponsors start withdrawing, but many are tied into legally-binding deals.
And there's Trump, sitting with his FIFA Peace Trophy. The man who is setting fire to the Middle East.
 
Forest Hillbilly said:
From the BBC, largely,..

After the controversy of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments in Russia and Qatar, the 2026 edition was supposed to give everyone a chance to concentrate on the football.

Remarkably, this World Cup is in danger of being more controversial.

The astronomical cost of tickets,
a subpoena over ticket practices,
criticism of Fifa over hotel bookings and
transport prices have dogged the build-up.

But the latest story is about a member of Fifa's own (an African referee) delegation being subjected to hours of questioning before being put on a flight back to from where they came.
And the Iraq team and supporters haven't been discussed yet. Decisions are still pending on that, although most Iraqi' supporters have been denied visa's to travel to the USA.
Click to expand...
A follow on from the ref story . . .

World Cup 2026: Banned referee Omar Artan had links with 'terror organisations' - US official
 
"Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States because of his "association with suspected members of terror organisations", says a US official.

The 34-year-old – Africa's referee of the year in 2025 – was set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals but was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Monday despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single entry US visa.

Somalia is one of 12 several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump.

Artan arrived back in Somalia on Wednesday." (BBC)

It's not like the guy has even donated to NORAID, the Contra's, or killed civilians in foreign lands.

Farcical.
 
Last edited:
Forest Hillbilly said:
"Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States because of his "association with suspected members of terror organisations", says a US official.

The 34-year-old – Africa's referee of the year in 2025 – was set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals but was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Monday despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single entry US visa.

Somalia is one of 12 several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump.

Artan arrived back in Somalia on Wednesday." (BBC)

It's not like the guy has even donated to NORAID, the Contra's, or killed civilians in foreign lands.

Farcical.
Click to expand...

But it did give us this comedy gem...

https://twitter.com/x/status/2064670131888746906
 
Pickford keeps mucking about with the ball in the penalty area he is going to screw it sooner or later.

England leading 1-0 but so far not that great.
 
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