***Official 2026 World Cup Thread***

[BryceC]

I personally think it’s a couple things.

3. That contact hurts more than you think

These are just theories of mine though, because I’ve never played soccer at a high enough level to know.

Some of it is flopping to draw attention to fouls. The center ref is sometimes 200’ from the contact.

But the story I always tell is my son got his hand broken playing soccer once, just but the ball being kicked into it… and that was in 6th grade. It’s hard to describe the power in the legs of elite players.

 

[enisthemenace]

Some of it is flopping to draw attention to fouls. The center ref is sometimes 200’ from the contact.

But the story I always tell is my son got his hand broken playing soccer once, just but the ball being kicked into it… and that was in 6th grade. It’s hard to describe the power in the legs of elite players.

I get it. Look at what MMA or K-1 fighters do with leg kicks. I know they are actually trying to do damage, whereas soccer players aren’t (necessarily), but still.

 

[AlaCyclone]

Hooray for RSA!

 

[cycloneman003]

Looking through the paths for the US and rooting interest for a favorable path.

Bosnia is pretty much guaranteed as the R32 opponent and you should absolutely expect to beat a team ranked in the 60's.

R16 opponent would be either Group G winner or a 3rd place team TBD (in most scenarios South Korea if they qualify). I think we're probably cheering for Egypt to win Group G and they are in the drivers seat there.

Quarterfinals is probably looking too far ahead, but it'd be one of the Runners up from groups J, K and L and the Group H winner. Right now that looks like Algeria/Austria, Portugal, Ghana/Croatia and then Spain. Spain is obviously the monster there but, after that shocking draw against Cape Verde, if they lose to Uruguay tomorrow then Uruguay likely wins the group and jumps in that slot.

So, short version of my personal rooting interests the next few days to try and set up the easiest theoretical path...

• Uruguay win against Spain (6/26 - 7pm)
• Egypt win against Iran (6/26 - 10pm)
• Ghana win/draw against Croatia (6/27 - 4pm)

 

[AgronAlum]

Some of it is flopping to draw attention to fouls. The center ref is sometimes 200’ from the contact.

But the story I always tell is my son got his hand broken playing soccer once, just but the ball being kicked into it… and that was in 6th grade. It’s hard to describe the power in the legs of elite players.

That happened to me right around middle school age playing keeper. Right off the fingers and the snap was enough to break my wrist. I've broken six bones and three of them were playing soccer.

 

[Bigman38]

That happened to me right around middle school age playing keeper. Right off the fingers and the snap was enough to break my wrist. I've broken six bones and three of them were playing soccer.

That one sounds painful.

Played football and soccer and all 3 of my broken bones were in soccer. Also broke a guys leg in soccer. Swinging legs at each other with hardly any protection will do that.

 

[AgronAlum]

That one sounds painful.

Played football and soccer and all 3 of my broken bones were in soccer. Also broke a guys leg in soccer. Swinging legs at each other with hardly any protection will do that.

Yeah, it didn't feel great. Broke the other wrist falling on it after a tackle and broke my nose taking a ball to the schnoz playing keeper.