Topic: America/Canada/Mexico hold the 2026 world cup

[4pool]

It’s not 1994 anymore, there should and will be plenty of facilities for teams to practice at. 

FC Dallas and their impressive facilities could probably host two or more national teams alone up in Frisco.

No kidding and there's tollways people pay to be in traffic jams now as well.


Teams like to have practice facilities near where they stay. Being based in Frisco and playing in Arlington would not be what i'd recommend.

The thing is a team uses one city as a base to fly to their matches. I saw Germany v South Korea at the Cotton Bowl. Germany was based in Chicago. South Korea based in Dallas. Germany won 3-2 but towards the last 15 minutes of the match were out on their feet for not training in the heat. Germany were 3-0 up at halftime. Klinsmann had 2 for Germany. South Korea scored a couple goals, and had the match gone longer, would have levelled or potentially won.

It will be interesting which cities host training during the WC. Especially with Canada and Mexico as hosts as well.

[AndyInVA]

Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and LA are all indoor venues, s

didnt realize that. mexico city will be brutal and miami worse

seems odd now about the Qatar hullaballoo when Miami will not be that much different mid summer

Atlanta is my closest venue and will probably look for the Philly, NYC and Boston games as well

[Statto Red]

The Stadium is in Arlington.

The Cowboys training facilities are in Frisco. Depending on traffic, a good hour away.

I moved away about when it was getting finished. They did help build the High School a new stadium and that was artificial turf, which the Cowboys also use. I think they do have one practice field that is grass.

So what, you don't use the practice facility on the day you're playing, most likely stay in Arlington & travel to Frisco.

Then again, any team based in Dallas most likely playing matches elsewhere, so could easily use Jerry World as base camp, then travel to the city they're playing in the day before the match.

Note, i see FC Dallas play out in Frisco too, the training ground looks like it's behind the stadium

[Lone Star Red]

So what, you don't use the practice facility on the day you're playing, most likely stay in Arlington & travel to Frisco.

Then again, any team based in Dallas most likely playing matches elsewhere, so could easily use Jerry World as base camp, then travel to the city they're playing in the day before the match.

Note, i see FC Dallas play out in Frisco too, the training ground looks like it's behind the stadium

Exactly.

[Boston always unofficial]

Weird story coming out of the USMNT camp.https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states-usa/story/4844539/reynas-told-us-soccer-about-past-gregg-berhalter-domestic-violence-incident-sources. Dunno what to make of it was Reyna not getting games because of it or were the parents trying to get him  into the team by blackmail? Berhalter is out of contract at the moment as well.It's like a soap opera!

[skipper757]

Weird story coming out of the USMNT camp.https://www.espn.com/soccer/united-states-usa/story/4844539/reynas-told-us-soccer-about-past-gregg-berhalter-domestic-violence-incident-sources. Dunno what to make of it was Reyna not getting games because of it or were the parents trying to get him  into the team by blackmail? Berhalter is out of contract at the moment as well.It's like a soap opera!

This is insane.  The Reynas bringing up something to US Soccer from 30 years ago that was resolved between the Berhalters because they're mad about Berhalter's comments on Gio?  The Berhalters and Reynas have been family friends for decades.  Throwing all that way for this?

[elsewhere]

I think it looks bad on both sides, if I was in charge, I'd get rid of the coach (not just this domestic violence incident but he has erratic methods such as asking all USMNT to stand up one by one and tell Gio he's not good enough for the team, in the dressing room).
But Gio seems to be a crybaby though, there has to be a reason his teammates don't like him that much.

[Boston always unofficial]

Berhalter might not get a new contract cos he's not a particularly good coach but kicking his then girlfriend decades ago at uni, who he later married should have no impact on it.

[spartan2785]

Yeah Berhalter should probably go, but it's certainly not for something that happened 30 years ago and revealed by something that is the most classic case of "soccer parents" being upset with the coach and trying to get him fired. 

He's not a good manager, doesn't adapt well when plan A doesn't work out, doesn't get the best out of his players, and is way too loyal to MLS based players.  It's criminal that he would put out guys like Shaq Moore over Joe Scally or not using Jordan Pefok over Ferreira or Wright. 

[Ray K]

@tariqpanja
FIFA Will Announce Expansion to 2026 North American World Cup, With 24 Extra Games.
***
Basically 12 groups of 4, top 2 + 8 best 3rd place teams into knock out round of 32.

So basically all the drama that we had in the group stages gone. That evening when Costa Rica and Japan looked like they were getting in ahead of Germany and Spain? Not going to happen next time, when all the good sides will need is a decent win and they'll be safe for the knock outs.  Thanks a lot Gianni. you useless scrotum of a human.

[owens_2k]

Thinking of doing a Canada-USA-Mexico trip and going to some games during this world cup.

Does anyone know how the England ticket system works? Am I going to have to build up credits in the next 3.5 years to have any chance of a ticket or is it a closed shop

[oojason]

'World Cup 2026: four-team groups and 104 game-tournament confirmed by Fifa':-

First 48-nation World Cup will be week longer than past two
Four-game, 16-day international window to start in 2026

www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/14/world-cup-2026-four-team-groups-104-game-tournament-approval-fifa





'The 2026 World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico will feature 104 games, including a new last-32 stage, with plans for three-team groups abandoned.

The Fifa Council approved the format for the first 48-team finals at a meeting in Kigali, Rwanda, on Tuesday. There will be 12 groups of four rather than 16 groups of three as initially proposed. The group winners and runners-up, along with the eight best third-placed teams, will advance to the last 32.

The new format will not mean the tournament has a bigger overall “footprint” than the 2014 and 2018 tournaments when preparation time is included, but the football will stretch across 38 or 39 days for 2026 compared with 32 in 2018 and 2014. The final will be on Sunday 19 July.

The preparation period for 2026 between a player’s release and his country’s first match will be about two weeks, double what was in place for the finals in Qatar last year, but shorter than the previous two tournaments.

The thrilling end to the group phase in Qatar has persuaded Fifa to stick with four-team pools and there had also been integrity concerns raised over three-team groups because teams would be unable to complete the group at the same time, raising the possibility of results being engineered.

Also agreed on Tuesday was a 16-day, four-match international window in September and early October from 2026. There will be nine-day, two-match windows in March, June and November.'

[disgraced cake]

Thanks guys, sounds fucking terrible 

The three-team group stages would have been an entire new level of shit altogether though

[4pool]

Also agreed on Tuesday was a 16-day, four-match international window in September and early October from 2026. There will be nine-day, two-match windows in March, June and November.'

Thanks for slipping this in FIFA.   

[I've been a good boy]

Feel like this is going to be a shite World Cup, especially with all the extensive travelling and current problems USA/Mexico has.

[rafathegaffa83]

The format change will result in a poor tournament. 32 should have always been the max. Just pure greed as usual.

[oojason]

.
'La Liga accuses Fifa of ‘complete disregard’ for football with cup changes':-

Fifa has approved bigger World Cup and Club World Cup
La Liga says leagues, clubs and players negatively affected

www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/15/la-liga-accuses-fifa-football-club-world-cup





a snippet...

'“Fifa continues its malpractice of making unilateral decisions on the world football calendar, showing complete disregard for the importance of national championships, and the football community in general,” Spain’s La Liga said.

“Fifa completely neglects the economic damage these decisions inflict on leagues around the world. Leagues were not consulted about any of the changes presented today, especially about the new annual club competition … These decisions do not take into account the competitive, sporting and economic impact on national leagues, clubs and players, by further cramming an already overloaded schedule. Fifa only takes into account a small group of clubs and players.”'




'One of the main complaints about Infantino’s tenure at FIFA has been a perception of taking unilateral decisions without speaking to those affected by those decisions. Here are two organisations representing leagues today:' - https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/status/1636083131768872964









'PFA: ‘Football calendar needs a complete reset’':-

https://twitter.com/PFA/status/1635697772694208531 & www.thepfa.com/news/2023/3/14/pfa-football-calendar-needs-a-complete-reset




'The PFA has called for a ‘complete reset’ of the footballing calendar following announcements of an expansion to the World Cup format by FIFA.

Today, FIFA's Council met in Kigali, Rwanda. It adopted several key decisions, including the expansion of the men’s World Cup format, taking the competition from its projected 80 matches to 104, including a new round-of-32 stage.

The PFA has consistently highlighted serious ongoing concerns over congested domestic fixture schedules, increased international club competitions and demanding international windows. The players’ union believe that current schedules risk physical fatigue and mental burnout, compounded by a lack of rest periods and resulting in an increased risk of injury.'




'FIFPRO says Club World Cup expansion could have 'serious consequences'' (from December 2022):-

www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/fifa-world-cup/fifpro-says-club-world-cup-expansion-could-have-serious-consequences/ar-AA15o9Gi

a snippet...

'FIFPRO have questioned FIFA over their proposals to expand the men's Club World Cup while also introducing a woman's version of the competition.

Gianni Infantino announced on Friday that the Club World Cup will be expanded to 32 teams in 2025 to make it more like the international version of the World Cup.

A statement from the football player's union said: 'FIFPRO took note with surprise of the decisions by the FIFA Council concerning the international match calendars for men's and women's football that could have serious consequences for and aggravate pressure on the welfare and employment of players.'

[BER]

Are any clubs planning on protesting their Club World Cup plans?

[redgriffin73]

Thanks for slipping this in FIFA.   

That is taking the fucking piss 

[rob1966]

Johnny Vaughan on Radio X had a right dig last night about this green, environmentally friendly world cup.

FIFA are c*nts and need fucking off

[In the Name of Klopp]

But the ESL is killing football while Aleksander Infantino and Ceferin are the real culprits.

[ScottScott]

Mad how we've allowed UEFA and FIFA to completely ruin the game and done absolutely fuck all about it. We made sure the ESL could never be a thing but a UEFA run version with more games is absolutely fine. A FIFA run worldwide version with a load of pointless games over a summer break is also absolutely fine

In the last couple of years, we have had a pointless new international tournament that runs throughout the season, a newly announced CL/EL/ELC format which adds more games in at the benefit of nobody, a fucking winter WC, and now we have this new CWC with more teams involved and more games when players should be rested and an expanded WC which means more games and less time off

The sport has died and FIFA/UEFA have killed it with their own greed. It just isn't enjoyable any more

[Ray K]

The Times were reporting yesterday that the new SoFi Stadium in LA is actually too narrow to host FIFA matches and will need to get seats removed in order to comply with regulations.

Might want to check that out before the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final is played there this summer though.

[Crosby Nick]

The Times were reporting yesterday that the new SoFi Stadium in LA is actually too narrow to host FIFA matches and will need to get seats removed in order to comply with regulations.

Might want to check that out before the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final is played there this summer though.

Is that because NFL is played in a weirdly narrow pitch like a giant ruler?

[Statto Red]

I'm already fed up with the September international break, the season had just started, then you have a batch of internationals after 3 club matches & this after a big international tournament in the summer, now the're adding more matches, & we still have the March international break, which every other year is a batch of meaningless friendlies.

I see the c*nt has been reelected to 4 more years as FIFA president, he makes Blatter look sane & compitaint. 

[Ray K]

Is that because NFL is played in a weirdly narrow pitch like a giant ruler?

Possibly, but they have huge sidelines to accommodate all the replacements and coaches. Knowing FIFA it's probably to do with advertising hoardings and camera positions for GLT etc rather than the whole 68m wide pitch thing. 

I am looking forward to Ireland qualifying and we play matches in Dallas and Caoimhin starts doing his Packie Bonner impersonation and lashes clearances against the big telly hanging over the pitch. Might hamper our playing style.

[dalarr]

We must be approaching a point where players finally make a stand? It's not only fatigue, they also have to travel across continents to play meaningless matches, which means even more time away from their families.

[oojason]

'Fifa agrees to pay clubs extra £119m to release players for men’s World Cup':-

Clubs will also get a greater say in football calendar
Deal could make European Super League less likely

www.theguardian.com/football/2023/mar/27/fifa-agree-to-pay-clubs-extra-119m-to-release-players-for-mens-world-cup





a snippet...

'Fifa has agreed to pay clubs an extra $146m (£119m) to release their players for the men’s World Cup and give them a greater say in the game’s calendar. The moves are part of a new deal that indicates a significant thawing of relations between the sport’s governing body and Europe’s top teams.

Relations have been frosty since the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, offered his tacit support for the failed European Super League project and advocated for a World Cup every two years. Infantino signed a new memorandum of understanding on Monday with the European Clubs Association in Budapest.

Fifa has agreed to significantly increase its compensation package to clubs to release players for the World Cup, from $209m for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments to $355m in 2026 and 2030. '

[4pool]

So LFC will get a tenner...great that.

[Lone Star Red]

The 2026 World Cup Final will be held at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, according to @MartinLipton.

Dallas always made more sense than NYC or LA — an indoor stadium that seats 100,000 fans, an airport 15 minutes away, and good for most time zones.

More details are expected next month.

https://twitter.com/JoePompliano/status/1748029750243651964

Can't wait to welcome everyone to Arlington (where the stadium actually is) - the land of strip malls, tire shops and chain restaurants.

The European mind will not be able to comprehend.

[disgraced cake]

I don't know many of the big American stadia because I don't watch NFL but that looks a pretty underwhelming place to hold the final IMO. The areas behind both goals are the smaller parts of the ground.

Azteca would have been the best stadium to hold it IMO but was always going to be America, New York I thought it'd be, maybe one in California.

[Lone Star Red]

I can't stand Jerry Jones and I can't stand the Dallas Cowboys but AT&T Stadium is most definitely not underwhelming. If anything, it's overwhelming! 

And honestly (and unfortunately), it's perfect for FIFA. It's loaded with corporate suites and unbelievably expensive to go and watch a game there. Right up Infantino's alley.

[Samie]

Would've liked the final at the AZTECA.

How far is Arlington from LSR Mansion mate? 

[Ray K]

Thank goodness it's not in the Metlife. It took so much money to make that stadium look so cheap.

[rodderzzz]

I can't stand Jerry Jones and I can't stand the Dallas Cowboys but AT&T Stadium is most definitely not underwhelming. If anything, it's overwhelming! 

And honestly (and unfortunately), it's perfect for FIFA. It's loaded with corporate suites and unbelievably expensive to go and watch a game there. Right up Infantino's alley.

I have a crazy storu about AT&T. I moved from Liverpool to Vancouver, Canada in 2009. Shortly after the Vancouver Whitecaps joined the MLS and myself and a few expats who missed going the games would select 2/3 away a season to travel too. In 2016 we went to watch us play in Dallas one weekend, there was about 10/11 of us in total. After the game we went to this bar close to the stadium to have a few drinks and sitting on a table across from us was this lad sitting with, what we assumed was his date/gf, and she was absolutely fuckin gorgeous. Anyway we'd had a few drinks and probably a bit loud and this girl gets up and leaves and this las is just sitting at the table finishing his nachos. We thought maybe we'd been a bit loud and pissed off his girl so we got his attention to apologise. Turned out he worked for the Cowboys and was the guy who hired all the promo girls for match days, it was July and he was hiring for the new NFL season and it was actually an interview he was doing lol. We thought he was bullshitting but he pulled out his business card and said 'call me monday morning and come out to the stadium, Ill give you a tour'. As it happened on Monday morning we planned to travel to New Mexico on our way up to Denver were the Whitecaps were playing the next weekend. We called the guy on Monday morning and true to his word gave us a tour of the stadium, all the offices including Jerry's lol. We went onto the field but sadly at the time they were building the stage for an upcoming Guns N Roses concert so the turf wasnt down. At the end of the tour he let us loose in the gift shop and we all grabbed a bit of Cowboys merch and he promo'd the lot for us. Always had a soft spot for the Cowboys since then!

Anyway, the stadium is second to none and will be a worthy final venue!

[Statto Red]

AT&T Stadium is expandable to 105k [Cowboys average 93k attendances for home NFL games], oh & has a retractable roof, so certainly not underwhelming.

The final was always going to be held in the US, was a case of what stadium they were going to use, at least the final is not on the west coast which because of time zone would have meant the final would have to kickoff around 12pm PST, the 94 final suffered because of that, air temps were 38C [100F] at kickoff.

[afc tukrish]

I have a crazy storu about AT&T. I moved from Liverpool to Vancouver, Canada in 2009. Shortly after the Vancouver Whitecaps joined the MLS and myself and a few expats who missed going the games would select 2/3 away a season to travel too. In 2016 we went to watch us play in Dallas one weekend, there was about 10/11 of us in total. After the game we went to this bar close to the stadium to have a few drinks and sitting on a table across from us was this lad sitting with, what we assumed was his date/gf, and she was absolutely fuckin gorgeous. Anyway we'd had a few drinks and probably a bit loud and this girl gets up and leaves and this las is just sitting at the table finishing his nachos. We thought maybe we'd been a bit loud and pissed off his girl so we got his attention to apologise. Turned out he worked for the Cowboys and was the guy who hired all the promo girls for match days, it was July and he was hiring for the new NFL season and it was actually an interview he was doing lol. We thought he was bullshitting but he pulled out his business card and said 'call me monday morning and come out to the stadium, Ill give you a tour'. As it happened on Monday morning we planned to travel to New Mexico on our way up to Denver were the Whitecaps were playing the next weekend. We called the guy on Monday morning and true to his word gave us a tour of the stadium, all the offices including Jerry's lol. We went onto the field but sadly at the time they were building the stage for an upcoming Guns N Roses concert so the turf wasnt down. At the end of the tour he let us loose in the gift shop and we all grabbed a bit of Cowboys merch and he promo'd the lot for us. Always had a soft spot for the Cowboys since then!

Anyway, the stadium is second to none and will be a worthy final venue!

That's great... what about the girl?

[skipper757]

Jerry dropping the bag.  He cannot wait to have all the celebrities/politicians/stars in the box with him.  The biggest game in the world, and cameras will be panning to him.

Perfect.

[rodderzzz]

That's great... what about the girl?

Sadly, we never saw her again, but we had to wait in the staff lobby area by the gift store when we first arrived for him to come meet us and he came out the elevator with another absolute smokeshow he'd interview haha

[Lone Star Red]

Would've liked the final at the AZTECA.

How far is Arlington from LSR Mansion mate? 

Probably 45 to an hour or so from my estate to the general area of AT&T Stadium. Traffic is usually pretty bad once you get within a half mile to mile or so of the stadium. Don’t worry, I’ve already informed my butler to prep your transportation and get the poolside cabana ready for your stay!!


Oh and also, I’ll write up a Lone Star Red’s Guide to The ‘Plex^TM sometime next year for anyone who’s heading to the area for the group games or WC Final.