World Cup 2026

[Norgy]

South Korea beats the Czech Republic, deservedly. The Czech goal might easily have been VAR-ed out, in my opinion. Hospital defending on SK's second goal, but SK is a very good team.

A lot of Koreans I've talked to don't seem very confident, but I think they have their best chance since they hosted back in 2002.

Coming back from going one down, undeservedly, shows strength of character and spirit. Aside from skill and tactical acumen, those two can get teams far.

[Syt]

I only watched the first half of Mexico vs. South Africa. Didn't really grab me. I hadn't watched in a while, so I wasn't aware of the "hydration break". It makes sense and is obviously great for the players. Though I can't help wonder if they shouldn't just divide the game into quarters then, with those hydration breaks turning into small breaks like between full time and extra time during the knock out stage.

Like the time out rule. German commentator mentioned that it would probably not really come into play in the opening match, but "that with the expansion of the field of participating countries the quality of play might be quite uneven" during the group stage.

He also had a snarky comment about Infantino when he presented the trophy during the opening. "I thought it was only supposed to be touched by hands that actually won the trophy, but may that's just another tradition that's being done away with." (Not sure if that was ever in informal rule - it's hard to imagine, actually, especially if maybe a head of state awards the trophy to the team at the end - but it made me chuckle.)

[Duque de Bragança]

South Korea beats the Czech Republic, deservedly. The Czech goal might easily have been VAR-ed out, in my opinion. Hospital defending on SK's second goal, but SK is a very good team.

A lot of Koreans I've talked to don't seem very confident, but I think they have their best chance since they hosted back in 2002.

Coming back from going one down, undeservedly, shows strength of character and spirit. Aside from skill and tactical acumen, those two can get teams far.

Unsurprisingly, the Czechia-Korea in Guadalajara game was not sold out.  High prices and all that jazz .

P-S: drinking game idea.
Every time a commentator mispronounces or struggles with Guadalajara, have a shot or a drink. Won't work for Hispanics though.

[Norgy]

Will work wonders in Scandinavia. 

[HVC]

God dammit

[crazy canuck]

The Bosnians don't look like the lower ranked team

[crazy canuck]

The Canadian side got a lot of practice taking corners-silver lining?

[Gups]

Enjoyable game and good atmosphere but what a dreadful stadium

[Grey Fox]

Enjoyable game and good atmosphere but what a dreadful stadium

It's fake. It's a 30k seat stadium temporarily expanded to 45k for the WC.

[crazy canuck]

Enjoyable game and good atmosphere but what a dreadful stadium

It's a CFL stadium

[HVC]

So close

[HVC]

Enjoyable game and good atmosphere but what a dreadful stadium

It's fake. It's a 30k seat stadium temporarily expanded to 45k for the WC.

Even pre face-lift it's still not the best. Fun atmosphere for MLS games though.

[Gups]

Great game for the neutral. Canada don't deserve to be losing

[Grey Fox]

So we're back to the number 1 objective is to score a goal.

God awful sport when you take for a side.

[crazy canuck]

So close

Yep.