World Cup 2026

[Jacob]

Very pleased to see Mo Salah score in this world cup, he deserves a good high point to end his career on.*



* Yes I know he's gone elsewhere, but after his Liverpool what else matters?

There's a nice video of Salah celebrating in Vancouver:

[Syt]

A cocktail bar in Dallas:



The Vienna Coffee looks nice, actually.

[Norgy]

What do the neutrals think about the "Row" chant of Norway's fans? 

[Sheilbh]

Triggering

[HVC]

I do not like it. Mainly the rowing action. You just stole the cool Iceland cheer and made it spastic

[Syt]

I mean, it's not a Maori Haka; though that's a very high bar.

[Jacob]

It's dorky, but they're having fun. The underlying concept of working together and working hard is on point.

It's fine.

[crazy canuck]

What do the neutrals think about the "Row" chant of Norway's fans? 

I love it. Absolutely love it.

[Norgy]

It has of course been called nationalistic and fascist already. I find it more funny.

Norway being through is that huge hurdle being passed. Ødegaard was as his best, and proved the pundits wrong.

However, the two teams that have impressed me the most are Japan and France. Morocco look as good as expected, the US better than most thought. I can't enjoy Argentina. Brazil are on shaky ground, I think, but could come good. Germany, I don't know what to make of the performance so far.

[Jacob]

I enjoy how uncertain it is.

[Sheilbh]

It has of course been called nationalistic and fascist already. I find it more funny.

I think it does raise interesting questions of how much historical distance for something to become just benign and fun.

On the nationalist/fascist - I get that it's just runes - but I did have a bit of an intake of breath about the font for names and numbers on the shirts. The row is just quite fun I think.

Edit: And to be clear don't think that is fascist either just from an Anglo perspective very much used by the violent far right so a bit weird to see it in another context. It's my reception not the thing itself.

[Sheilbh]

I enjoy how uncertain it is.

Hate to say it but Infantino was right about the expansion

[HVC]

I enjoy how uncertain it is.

Hate to say it but Infantino was right about the expansion

You really do have a soft spot for morally dubious regimes

[HVC]

The tournament itself has been ok. Pleasantly surprised by the smaller nations. The group stages aren't always super exciting in the world to begin with, but with so many countries I think the first big nations game will be French vs Norway on Friday*. And Norway gets to squeeze into that category on Haaland's Viking sized shoulders



*it's entirely possible I've forgotten a game, there's been so many.

[Josquius]

Sweden - Netherlands was quite a traditional decent team game.

England - Croatia on paper was definitely a big team game. Not long ago Croatia were finalists. Though they seem to have fallen off hard.

Norway rowing... Hey if they're enjoying themselves whatever. Though yes does feel a bit derivative of Iceland.
Runes and viking imagery.... I approve. Germanic countries in general need to be reclaiming dark age stuff from fascists and Norway is the one with the biggest case for vikings being key in their actual history and fascists should bog off.
May they lead the way where others follow and an interest in vikings no longer sets of fasc alarm bells.