World Cup 2026

[jamesdeluxe]

Now is very different with MLS. The are 30 teams with a median value of $670 million and three of them over a billion.

Thanks for the correction. I obviously don't pay attention to the MLS.

I think there's a very direct analogy that may offend James: the NHL outside Canada and the Original Six cities in the US. In terms of widespread attention, neither sport has it but both have enough local fans who fill the arenas for live games.

I'm not offended. I long ago stopped following the NHL because -- I believe I mentioned it in a different thread -- the size of the North American rink results in a mostly crowded, ugly, and overly physical game not dissimilar to futbol! Either play on an Olympic-sized rink (adding 13 feet to the width makes a huge difference) or go 4-on-4!

Patrick often at tepid NHL interest in the US Sunbelt.

I agree with @Patrick and get very aggravated that there are/were teams in Arizona and Florida but not in Quebec City. 30 years later, I'm still angry that they moved the franchise to Denver despite it being well supported there. The NHL should've simply created a new franchise.

 

[Tony Crocker]

Very bad here today in the Northeast. Lots of smoke in the air and the atmosphere has an eerie, yellowish hue to it. Ugh.

Nice call by FIFA to have the World Cup final outdoors in New Jersey this upcoming Sunday.

FIFA's policy on stadium capacity​

FIFA requires the host of a World Cup Final to be a stadium with the capacity of at least 80,000 seats. Under those requirements, just MetLife Stadium, AT&T Stadium and Mexico City's Estadio Azteca are large enough.

Reporting did suggest that Dallas and Arlington made a serious effort to be the host. Jerry Jones and Co. hosted FIFA president Gianni Infantino on multiple occasions. The city was openly optimistic about its chances. Yet, FIFA wanted the global recognition of New York (though the stadium is in New Jersey) and the preferable time zone over holding a final in Texas.

Los Angeles did make a pitch that its 70,000-seat capacity would still present plenty of revenue opportunities through the stadium's many hospitality areas. But according to The Athletic, FIFA still preferred the larger capacity.

Los Angeles had once been considered a direct rival to New Jersey for the World Cup final, with FIFA officials struggling to resist the lure of the global recognition and awareness of L.A. and New York. L.A. officials, meanwhile, made no secret that they viewed the two showpiece events of the tournament as the first match in the United States and the final.

Some at FIFA were under the impression that there may be more revenue to be had through the higher attendances in New Jersey or Dallas, but LA officials always insisted they were both competitive and available to host the final if selected to do so. The timezone also counted against LA's chances, with major European broadcasting contracts also a factor.

We know that TV $$$$$ wag the dog in these situations, and that's a big strike against the West Coast. But 2PM in Dallas vs. 3PM in NYC seems not a big deal to me. And recall that the final in 1994 was at the Rose Bowl.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Nice call by FIFA to have the World Cup final outdoors in New Jersey this upcoming Sunday.

Per NOAA, the smoke clears out of the region by noon Friday. Sunday forecast: partly sunny, with a high near 85.

Anything else you'd like to discuss?

 

[Tony Crocker]

Anything else you'd like to discuss?

I've read quite a few comments that the Meadowlands are somewhat of a dump vs. ATT Dallas or SoFi Inglewood. And do we want the final played in a steambath when better options were available? Recall that most of the outdoor East Coast games were played at 5PM or later local time (including all of them in Miami AFAIK) but the final has to be at 3PM for Euro TV. Only two of the group stage games on the East Coast started that early.

 

[ChrisC]

The locations of the finals are appropriate:

NYC (1st & 2nd) = Capital of the USA - economically and culturally.
Miami (3rd & 4th) = Capital of Latin America - period.

 

[Tony Crocker]

NYC (1st & 2nd) = Capital of the USA - economically and culturally.
Miami (3rd & 4th) = Capital of Latin America - period.

I can't argue with either of those. But still, L.A. hosted the finals the last time, and we have rather strong Latin American influence here too.

 

[jasoncapecod]

I've read quite a few comments that the Meadowlands are somewhat of a dump vs. ATT Dallas or SoFi Inglewood. And do we want the final played in a steambath when better options were available? Recall that most of the outdoor East Coast games were played at 5PM or later local time (including all of them in Miami AFAIK) but the final has to be at 3PM for Euro TV. Only two of the group stage games on the East Coast started that early.

The Meadowlands is a dump. It’s a relatively new stadium. They spent over $1 billion and they built a piece of crap horrible choice.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I've read quite a few comments that the Meadowlands are somewhat of a dump vs. ATT Dallas or SoFi Inglewood

The Meadowlands is a dump. It’s a relatively new stadium. They spent over $1 billion and they built a piece of crap horrible choice.

I pointed out a few pages back that World Cup reviews of MetLife have been negative and deservedly so -- it's a 2010 version of the 1970s multi-purpose toilet bowls that were rightfully demolished (Is Montreal's Olympic Stadium, currently undergoing a $500 million renovation, the last one standing?).

Yes, playing in an enclosed, air-conditioned stadium does ensure predictability; however, it's a weak-sauce way to host professional team sports like American football, baseball, and futbol. Uncontrollable elements should be a part of the equation. You shouldn't be able to flick a switch and remove heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, humidity, etc. As the Winter Classic demonstrates, NHL hockey benefits from it too.

The smoke was supposed to exit the region tomorrow with mostly clear skies over the weekend; however, they now say that it's supposed to get far worse on Friday (above the 300-level) and they're currently not sure if it'll be around for the World Cup final on Sunday.

 

[ChrisC]

The Euros seem very impressed by our Stadium Infrastructure. The fact that we can debate which 10 to 20 mega-stadiums are World Cup-worthy facilities is an unintentional American flex.

Our suburbs are also awe-inspiring:

https://www.wsj.com/us-news/european-soccer-fans-marvel-at-the-splendor-of-americas-suburbs-a04f1b88?st=WwUx4f&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

 

[jamesdeluxe]

I wonder which person (the FIFA grand poobah?) or team (Argentina?) the curse will ruin.

Trump to attend World Cup final, White House confirms

The U.S. president is set to be present at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey for Sunday's game between Spain and Argentina.

www.nytimes.com

 

[jamesdeluxe]

The revised forecast shows the Canadian wildfire smoke departing our region by early afternoon tomorrow so it looks like the two World Cup matches here are going to dodge a bullet.

 

[Tony Crocker]

two

Did the smoke ever get as far as Miami, site of tomorrow 3rd-4th place game?

 

[jamesdeluxe]

Did the smoke ever get as far as Miami, site of tomorrow 3rd-4th place game?

Brutal service-level smoke like we received only made it as far south as Virginia, as I understand. Today was beautiful here: clear blue sky, no smoke, dry, and 85. Not sure if it'll return later.

 

[jamesdeluxe]

There will be no excuses for the weather nor complaints about the dry pitch at "New York New Jersey Stadium" tomorrow; however, there's an excellent chance of poor or rigged officiating.

 

[Tony Crocker]

there's an excellent chance of poor or rigged officiating.

My perception is that FIFA wanted the top 4 rated countries (Argentina, Spain, England, France) as the final 4 for ratings and attendance. Does FIFA care how those 4 sort themselves out at the end? It's easy to guess for whom Trump is rooting based upon his opinion of the respective countries' leaders.

Yes, today's rain is a big help. This was also very helpful for the 2008 Olympics in chronically polluted Beijing, because 70% of Beijing's rainfall is in July/August.

It had not occurred to me before this year that elite soccer players dislike dry grass and thus we see the fields watered immediately before the start of each half.

The specific reasons players prefer a well-watered pitch include:

• • Faster Gameplay: Wet or damp grass reduces surface friction, allowing the ball to glide smoothly and speeding up the overall tempo of passes.
  • Better Ball Control: A slick surface ensures a predictable bounce, making it much easier for players to trap, dribble, and execute precise touches.
  • Injury Prevention: Slightly moist ground offers better shock absorption, easing the impact on knees and ankles during sudden stops.
  • Friction Reduction: Wet grass acts as a lubricant, protecting players from painful skin abrasions or "burns" when they dive or slide tackle.