***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.

 

[AllInForISU]

I saw Klinsmann saying “you absolutely play everyone that’s on a yellow” for tonight’s games. I feel like that guy is just so dumb. Why risk any of your top players in an essentially meaningless game. Set US soccer back years with what he tried to do during his tenure.

 

[CysFive]

I saw Klinsmann saying “you absolutely play everyone that’s on a yellow” for tonight’s games. I feel like that guy is just so dumb. Why risk any of your top players in an essentially meaningless game. Set US soccer back years with what he tried to do during his tenure.

Pretty sure I saw Poch quoted as saying he's going to protect the players on a yellow. Might see some Pulisic tonight though.

 

[soccercy]

I saw Klinsmann saying “you absolutely play everyone that’s on a yellow” for tonight’s games. I feel like that guy is just so dumb. Why risk any of your top players in an essentially meaningless game. Set US soccer back years with what he tried to do during his tenure.

Yeah, he's way off base there, no reason to risk those guys having to miss a knockout game.

 

[cycloneman003]

Yeah, he's way off base there, no reason to risk those guys having to miss a knockout game.

Agreed. Would be beyond stupid. People making way too much out of the potential of "losing momentum". To make a deep run we're going to need health, depth and minimal suspensions due to cards.

Zero reason to risk a suspension for any of the guys on yellows.
Zero reason to risk any one dealing with any minor injury.
100% reason to rotate your squad and get some playing time to guys who you may need to call upon in the knockout rounds and/or will need of the bench.

I think we'll see 2-3 of our "First XI" at most tonight in the starting lineup and that'll be the right call.

 

[Bigman38]

Pretty sure I saw Poch quoted as saying he's going to protect the players on a yellow. Might see some Pulisic tonight though.

That would be great news for where his injury is at

 

[Clonehomer]

Pretty sure I saw Poch quoted as saying he's going to protect the players on a yellow. Might see some Pulisic tonight though.

Might see some Pulisic tonight as in we’ll sub him in around 85’ if we have a comfortable lead just to get him stretched out, or we’ll see him starting? Cause with limited subs it isn’t like you can just throw him out there to test it like a basketball player.

 

[harimad]

Why is the host country playing at 9pm??

 

[theshadow]

Why is the host country playing at 9pm??

7pm local (Los Angeles). Also, probably because FIFA said so.

 

[coolerifyoudid]

The Netherlands Oranje Walk is pretty cool to see in person

 

[soccercy]

Might see some Pulisic tonight as in we’ll sub him in around 85’ if we have a comfortable lead just to get him stretched out, or we’ll see him starting? Cause with limited subs it isn’t like you can just throw him out there to test it like a basketball player.

I think you start Pulisic, I'd rather have him playing off a full warmup, then can sub him out whenever needed. Guys like Weah, Aaronson and McKenzie all deserve some run, probably Arftsen as well. Pepi and Haji Wright get more minutes with Balogun out.

Want to protect guys, but Pulisic also needs some full speed reps if he is completely recovered.

 

[theshadow]

The Netherlands Oranje Walk is pretty cool to see in person

The photos and videos coming out of that are crazy.

This looks like it stretched from P&L/T-Mobile past The Green Lady, which would make it just over a half-mile.

 

[JP4CY]

Didn't expect Germany to lose today.

 

[harimad]

Ecuador is on cloud nine. Look at those *******. The enthusiasm is fun to watch.