***Official 2026 World Cup Thread***

The penalty is too severe, and the rules aren't evenly applied within the game or across the tournament.

How is this any different than any other sport like basketball? Different crews are going to call games differently. Crews aren’t always going to be consistent. That’s officiating and that’s sports.
 
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Show that Balogun was intentionally trying to rake his cleats down the other player's calf and step on his turned ankle.
I didn't like the red there, and really, I just generally don't like adding/reviewing penalties via slo-mo in most sports. The same event looked very different in slo-mo than it did in real time. Similar things happen in targeting reviews for football, for example. I would've been fine with a yellow on Balogun for this particular incident as it was a pretty rough play, but I don't really think either player is especially at fault. It's just a function of how the sport and how officiating works. It's all human interpretation.

I would expect the US to appeal it today to try to get him eligible for the next game, IIRC, they are empowered to try that.
 
Like I said, the penalty is too severe for a clearly unintentional foul.

Okay, I don’t disagree. But it’s been that way forever and it’s not changing… so either deal with it or tune out.

Believe it or not it’s more severe in youth soccer. Our goalie touched the ball about 2 inches outside the box about 10 minutes into the first game at state 2 years ago in a bang bang play. That’s a red card and he was actually banned the rest of the tournament, which was 3 games minimum and potentially more.
 
I didn't like the red there, and really, I just generally don't like adding/reviewing penalties via slo-mo in most sports. The same event looked very different in slo-mo than it did in real time. Similar things happen in targeting reviews for football, for example. I would've been fine with a yellow on Balogun for this particular incident as it was a pretty rough play, but I don't really think either player is especially at fault. It's just a function of how the sport and how officiating works. It's all human interpretation.

I would expect the US to appeal it today to try to get him eligible for the next game, IIRC, they are empowered to try that.
It's been clarified and there isn't a chance for appeal. It's automatic.
 
I didn't like the red there, and really, I just generally don't like adding/reviewing penalties via slo-mo in most sports. The same event looked very different in slo-mo than it did in real time. Similar things happen in targeting reviews for football, for example. I would've been fine with a yellow on Balogun for this particular incident as it was a pretty rough play, but I don't really think either player is especially at fault. It's just a function of how the sport and how officiating works. It's all human interpretation.

I would expect the US to appeal it today to try to get him eligible for the next game, IIRC, they are empowered to try that.
My understanding is they can't appeal an automatic suspension, only if they upgrade it to multiple games. The ruling really is terrible. I like how the NHL handles high stick penalties....minor penalty if there is no injury.
 
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I am indifferent to soccer but have been tuned in to matches on tv with the sound off while occupied with other entertainment. I do like the aspect of the WC including all countries and the unknown’s having a shot at the Big Boys. The Red Card call was not fair as it was unintentional. Meh… step it up next man in and take the opportunity.
 
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My daughter is a soccer player and we were discussing some changes they could make last night.

1. If you sell an injury or a flop and they review and they believe you flopped you have to go stand on the other side of the field for a minute in a penalty box. The amount of rolling around in agony to sell a foul is beyond stupid at this point. Quick review in the booth and send them off in a box. That would cut it way way down.

2. The play last night should have got a yellow card. However, they should be able to review the call after the game with a panel of soccer experts from around the country to determine if a red card should be granted. Just in World cup though. Not normal league soccer. In league soccer you just deal with it. To high of stakes in the world cup.

3. Stop the clock. I am sick of this "How much longer is the game going to be. We can just stop the clock like every other sport


I know none of this will happen btw. Just some improvements to make it more watchable
 
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It’s an example of why soccer will continue to struggle

This and the bull **** red for covering the face.

I have zero problems with carding people for covering their mouths. If you’re confronting an opponent and what you’re about to say is so heinous and/or racist that you can’t allow yourself to be caught on camera saying it, then you should get tossed. It’s a zero-tolerance rule, and these idiots know the rule and yet continue to defy a zero-tolerance rule.
 
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My daughter is a soccer player and we were discussing some changes they could make last night.

1. If you sell an injury or a flop and they review and they believe you flopped you have to go stand on the other side of the field for a minute in a penalty box. The amount of rolling around in agony to sell a foul is beyond stupid at this point. Quick review in the booth and send them off in a box. That would cut it way way down.

2. The play last night should have got a yellow card. However, they should be able to review the call after the game with a panel of soccer experts from around the country to determine if a red card should be granted. Just in World cup though. Not normal league soccer. In league soccer you just deal with it. To high of stakes in the world cup.

3. Stop the clock. I am sick of this "How much longer is the game going to be. We can just stop the clock like every other sport


I know none of this will happen btw. Just some improvements to make it more watchable
#1 is sort of already implemented. The “mistaken identity” rule. Happened in the US/Paraguay game. US was called for a trip and given a yellow card on the field. VAR saw no contact was made and Paraguay flopped. Yellow card to the US player was taken back and assessed to Paraguay instead.
 
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Sure, but not every challenge that results in a head injury is a red card worthy challenge. Just like not every challenge that results in any injury is automatically a red card.

The question isn't necessarily dangerous, it's did the person's actions endanger the safety of another player. Lots of things are dangerous but fair play, or don't rise to the level of a red card.

In the context of the game I said I didn't think it was a red, but when you see Balogun step on the guy's ankle it obviously is open for interpretation.

This is a good explanation, kind of like targeting when the offensive player lowers his head. Obviously not intentional but you can’t put yourself in a position where that can happen.

Live I thought it was a yellow but the replay was brutal, that was an ankle breaker. Red was harsh but I wasn’t surprised to see it.
 
World Cup a smash hit for Fox.
 
My daughter is a soccer player and we were discussing some changes they could make last night.

1. If you sell an injury or a flop and they review and they believe you flopped you have to go stand on the other side of the field for a minute in a penalty box. The amount of rolling around in agony to sell a foul is beyond stupid at this point. Quick review in the booth and send them off in a box. That would cut it way way down.

2. The play last night should have got a yellow card. However, they should be able to review the call after the game with a panel of soccer experts from around the country to determine if a red card should be granted. Just in World cup though. Not normal league soccer. In league soccer you just deal with it. To high of stakes in the world cup.

3. Stop the clock. I am sick of this "How much longer is the game going to be. We can just stop the clock like every other sport


I know none of this will happen btw. Just some improvements to make it more watchable

#3. I’m fine with a running clock on fouls and such. But for planned 3:00 hydration breaks, let’s just plan to stop it or just give up and go to quarters. The running clock and extra time allows for judgement by the official to hold off calling full time until a team can finish an attacking set. Basically, you don’t get to be saved by the clock and have to make a play on defense to end the game.
 
Based on the the past many pages of this thread, it's a good thing that the World Cup is only once every 4 years.