The NCAP Soccerball Thread

[Pblakeney]

Do they only hold them in repressive dictatorships then?

Well, in reverse order we have....
USA Canada Mexico, Qatar, Russia, Brazil, South Africa. Make up your own mind.

 

[AndyRM]

Well, in reverse order we have....
USA Canada Mexico, Qatar, Russia, Brazil, South Africa. Make up your own mind.

2030 - Morocco, Portugal & Spain (with three centenary matches in South America)

2034 - Saudi Arabia...

 

[Pblakeney]

2030 - Morocco, Portugal & Spain (with three centenary matches in South America)

2034 - Saudi Arabia...

Let's see how 2026 goes first.
The appeal to host may wane. I've heard stories that Montreal declined to be part of 2026, and are very glad that they did.

 

[laurentian]

They've got daft rules about it having to be in different continents to "maximise the potential for bribes, backhanders and incentive payments", which works as an idea, but you end up with questionable venues.

FTFY

 

[Beebo]

It’s amazing that it will be well over 70 years at the earliest for a UK based World Cup.
Bearing in mind the fact that the UK has the biggest football product in the world.
It does seem an unusual snub.

 

[AndyRM]

It’s amazing that it will be well over 70 years at the earliest for a UK based World Cup.
Bearing in mind the fact that the UK has the biggest football product in the world.
It does seem an unusual snub.

Sky and FIFA aren't pals.

 

[Pross]

It’s amazing that it will be well over 70 years at the earliest for a UK based World Cup.
Bearing in mind the fact that the UK has the biggest football product in the world.
It does seem an unusual snub.

Not enough funds to bribe FIFA when up against the oil producers.

 

[First Aspect]

Not enough funds to bribe FIFA when up against the oil producers.

The FA when they basically ran FIFA did an excellent job historically of alienating most of the rest of the fooballing world. They have very few allies and very few votes now. It is largely self inflicted.

 

[laurentian]

It’s amazing that it will be well over 70 years at the earliest for a UK based World Cup.
Bearing in mind the fact that the UK has the biggest football product in the world.
It does seem an unusual snub.

Yeah but when England has several world class stadiums and there's no new stadia to be built, contracts to be handed out etc., the potential for back handers and inducements is significantly reduced.

 

[AndyRM]

In which Infantino justifies the ludicrous World Cup Ticket prices, essentially shrugging his shoulders and saying "What can I do?"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/czx2nk2q7lgo

I know it's a showpiece event, and prices have always been high at events like this, but these are the worst I can think of in recent years.

 

[Pross]

I'm really hoping they are playing in front of half empty stadia (and that the crowds for matches in teh US are lower than those in Canada and Mexico).

 

[icowden]

I'm really hoping they are playing in front of half empty stadia (and that the crowds for matches in teh US are lower than those in Canada and Mexico).

Personally I wouldn't be shelling out cash to go to the US if there is a risk of being detained and / or deported as would appear to be the case currently - especially if travelling whilst not white.

 

[Beebo]

In which Infantino justifies the ludicrous World Cup Ticket prices, essentially shrugging his shoulders and saying "What can I do?"

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/czx2nk2q7lgo

I know it's a showpiece event, and prices have always been high at events like this, but these are the worst I can think of in recent years.

It’s the old supply and demand argument.
The only way to solve it is to ban the secondary ticket market.

Canada have banned it, good on them.

if you sell tickets for $50 in USA but they all end up on the market for $400, then you do look a bit silly.

 

[Mr Celine]

Personally I wouldn't be shelling out cash to go to the US if there is a risk of being detained and / or deported as would appear to be the case currently - especially if travelling whilst not white.

Reduce the risk by deleting your social media history, act like a dribbling simpleton and call yourself CRXandy.

 

[laurentian]

The cost to watch England's group games would be c.£6,500

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cpwp81jz7vdo