Futbol

[GoCubsGo]

I fully intend to boycott the world cup.

It's a bit of a shame, I've become a very casual fan and it is the most popular sporting event in the world. I do enjoy watching the matches (couldn't name a player) but between corrupt FIFA and DonOld I'll probably be taking a pass too.

[O Really]

I fully intend to boycott the world cup.

It's a bit of a shame, I've become a very casual fan and it is the most popular sporting event in the world. I do enjoy watching the matches (couldn't name a player) but between corrupt FIFA and DonOld I'll probably be taking a pass too.

Yeah, that was kinda a reference to Vrede's suggestion to me that I take credit for "boycotting" Bezos' Prime even though I choose not to use it for other reasons. I might read game results and say something like "yay England" but my interest in watching games is right up there with a croquet tournament.

[Vrede too]

I fully intend to boycott the world cup.

It's a bit of a shame, I've become a very casual fan and it is the most popular sporting event in the world. I do enjoy watching the matches (couldn't name a player) but between corrupt FIFA and DonOld I'll probably be taking a pass too.

Yeah, that was kinda a reference to Vrede's suggestion to me that I take credit for "boycotting" Bezos' Prime even though I choose not to use it for other reasons. I might read game results and say something like "yay England" but my interest in watching games is right up there with a croquet tournament.

They televise croquet tournaments?!

I got it. You never watch the games, men at least.

Maybe I'll mostly try to watch games played in Canada and Mexico . If I'm lucky I may also get to watch DonOLD get booed at a US stadium.

[O Really]

They televise croquet tournaments?!

You can watch croquet tournaments on TV or live stream them, primarily through YouTube channels like the USCA (rdilleyUSCAcroquet) and Croquet England, as major events such as the U21 World Championship (April 2025) and US Open GC (January 2025) were streamed, with replays and upcoming event schedules available on the World Croquet Federation website and Croquet Network. Look for announcements on the USCA website, Croquet England YouTube channel, or the World Croquet Federation site for live broadcasts and match highlights.
Where to Find Live & Past Croquet:
YouTube Channels: Subscribe to "rdilleyUSCAcroquet" for US events or "Croquet England" for UK action.
World Croquet Federation (WCF) Website: Check their schedule and news for upcoming events and streaming links.
Croquet Network: Provides updates and streaming info for major US tournaments.
Recent/Upcoming Events (Examples):
2025 U21 Golf Croquet World Championship: Held in Florida, with live streams available.
2025 US Open Golf Croquet: Live-streamed on the USCA YouTube channel.
2025 World Championships: Various Association & Golf Croquet events across the globe, often streamed.
How to Stay Updated:
Follow the WCF and USCA websites and YouTube channels.
Look for announcements on social media platforms like Facebook.
US Open GC 2025: Live Streaming - Croquet Network
Jan 9, 2025 — US Open GC 2025: Live Streaming Brings Croquet Action to Fans. January 9, 2025. Catch the Excitement of the US Open Golf Croquet C...

Croquet Network

2025 GC World Championship Tier 1- Champions USA
Feb 23, 2025 — Website: There will be a dedicated website for the championship. Until this is created, please keep an eye on this webpage for fur...

World Croquet Federation

2024 GCWC - Livestreaming link here - World Croquet Federation
The 2024 WCF GC World Championship will be live streamed on the USCA YouTube Channel: “rdilley USCA Croquet”. The livestream will ...

World Croquet Federation

Show all

[Vrede too]

Oookay, sounds like you're really into croquet, nttawwt.

Do players get injured? That might be about my speed for performing 1st aid these days.

[GoCubsGo]

Oookay, sounds like you're really into croquet, nttawwt.

Do players get injured? That might be about my speed for performing 1st aid these days.

Splinters.

[O Really]

Actually I thought I had made that up, but since you asked about TV ...

[Vrede too]

I fully intend to boycott the world cup.

You're in good company.

Former FIFA chief’s shocking World Cup warning: ‘Stay away from the USA!’

... Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter (Switzerland) is urging soccer fans to boycott the international soccer tournament, warning international travelers to avoid the United States due to political instability and human rights concerns.

In a post on X on Monday, the 89-year-old Blatter wrote, “Stay away from the USA!” while mentioning Donald Trump and expressing support for legal experts who have labeled the country a “rogue state,” according to usatoday.com.

We have become Russia.

... He specifically cited comments from Swiss-German lawyer Mark Pieth, who previously oversaw FIFA’s reform process. Pieth cited the killing of protester Renee Good by an American immigration agent in Minneapolis earlier this month as one reason for supporters not to travel to the US. Blatter’s endorsement of Pieth’s comments comes in the wake of the death of a second US citizen, Alex Pretti, last weekend.

In response, Blatter wrote, “I think Mark Pieth is right to question this World Cup.”

... Oke Göttlich, a vice president of the German Football Association and president of FC St. Pauli, urged European nations to “seriously consider and discuss” avoiding the event in protest of Trump’s geopolitical rhetoric, accoding to politico.eu.

“What were the justifications for the boycotts of the Olympic Games in the 1980s?” Göttlich told Hamburger Morgenpost in an interview translation provided by Politico Europe. “By my reckoning, the potential threat is greater now than it was then. We need to have this discussion,” espn.com reported.

Great minds . . .

You're doing a heckuva job, MAGA.

[Vrede too]

Oookay, sounds like you're really into croquet, nttawwt.

Do players get injured? That might be about my speed for performing 1st aid these days.

Splinters.

O Really needs higher quality mallets, but I am really good with splinters.

Iran negotiating with FIFA to move World Cup games to Mexico from US

Iran’s soccer federation is in discussions with FIFA about moving their World Cup matches to Mexico from the United States due to concerns about the safety of their players, Iranian soccer president Mehdi Taj said on Monday.

Reasonable.

Iran’s participation in the global soccer showpiece was thrown into doubt after co-hosts the United States launched joint air strikes at the country along with Israel.

Yep, entirely our fault.

US President Donald Trump said last week that Iran were welcome to participate but suggested it might not be appropriate for them to play in the US “for their own life and safety.”

He and his MAGAts are assholes.

“When Trump has explicitly stated that he cannot ensure the security of the Iranian national team, we will certainly not travel to America,” said Taj in a post on the Iranian embassy in Mexico’s X account.

“We are negotiating with FIFA to hold Iran’s World Cup matches in Mexico.”

Hell, treat the US like the world did Russia. Move ALL games to Mexico and Canada.

... Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said during a daily press conference that her country would have no problem hosting Iran’s World Cup matches, if FIFA agrees to it.

GoClaudiaGo.

... Should FIFA reject a switch of venue to Mexico it seems unlikely that Iran would travel to the US and take part in the tournament while at war with one of the co-hosts.

Iran’s sports minister said last week it was not possible for the Iranian players to participate after the US launched airstrikes alongside Israel against Tehran, killing the Islamic Republic’s supreme leader....

We are not a safe country. Too many bigots.

[GoCubsGo]

Whoa.
And you can't drive there.

[Vrede too]

Whoa.
And you can't drive there.
https://x.com/nytimes/status/2045187881115734125

"alternative bus priced at $80 per seat"

Only 8.6 miles, might be a good day for taxis and rideshares. Every article about the US part of this WC pisses me off. No way will I try to attend in Atlanta.

[O Really]

I'll join you in your boycott.

[GoCubsGo]

Whoa.
And you can't drive there.
https://x.com/nytimes/status/2045187881115734125

"alternative bus priced at $80 per seat"

Only 8.6 miles, might be a good day for taxis and rideshares. Every article about the US part of this WC pisses me off. No way will I try to attend in Atlanta.

You'd need to take out a second mortgage.

[Vrede too]

No way will I try to attend in Atlanta.

You'd need to take out a second mortgage.

Pass.

I'll still root for teams, though.

Format and expansion


Starting with this edition, the FIFA World Cup expanded to 48 teams, an increase of 16 teams compared to the previous seven tournaments. The teams will be split into twelve groups of four teams, with the top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams progressing to a new round of 32, as approved by the FIFA Council on March 14, 2023. This is set to be the first expansion and format change since 1998.

The total number of matches played will increase from 64 to 104, and the number of matches played by teams reaching the final four will increase from seven to eight. The tournament will last 39 days, an increase from 32 days of the 2014 and 2018 tournaments. Each team will still play three group matches.

More for O Really to sneer at.

My wishes, not predictions:

Group A
1 Mexico (Host)
2 South Africa
3 Czech Republic
4 South Korea

Group B
1 Canada (Host)
2 Bosnia and Herzegovina
3 Switzerland
4 Qatar

Group C
1 Haiti
2 Morocco
3 Scotland
4 Brazil

Group D
1 Australia
2 United States (Host)
3 Turkey
4 Paraguay

Group E
1 Curaçao
2 Ivory Coast
3 Ecuador
4 Germany

Group F
1 Netherlands
2 Sweden
3 Tunisia
4 Japan

Group G
1 New Zealand
2 Iran (if it shows up)
3 Belgium
4 Egypt

Group H
1 Cape Verde
2 Spain
3 Uruguay
4 Saudi Arabia

Group I
1 Senegal
2 Norway
3 France
4 Iraq

Group J
1 Jordan
2 Austria
3 Argentina
4 Algeria

Group K
1 Portugal
2 Uzbekistan
3 Colombia
4 DR Congo

Group L
1 Ghana
2 Croatia
3 England (GoO ReallyGo)
4 Panama

The eight best third-placed teams that I want progressing to the round of 32:
Uruguay
Ecuador
England (GoO ReallyGo)
Czech Republic
Belgium
Scotland
Tunisia
Switzerland

Seems kind of dumb to play so many games just to eliminate 4 teams. It's not like seeding will make that much difference.

[.Oomba.]

No way will I try to attend in Atlanta.

You'd need to take out a second mortgage.

Pass.

I'll still root for teams, though.

Format and expansion


Starting with this edition, the FIFA World Cup expanded to 48 teams, an increase of 16 teams compared to the previous seven tournaments. The teams will be split into twelve groups of four teams, with the top two teams in each group and the eight best third-placed teams progressing to a new round of 32, as approved by the FIFA Council on March 14, 2023. This is set to be the first expansion and format change since 1998.

The total number of matches played will increase from 64 to 104, and the number of matches played by teams reaching the final four will increase from seven to eight. The tournament will last 39 days, an increase from 32 days of the 2014 and 2018 tournaments. Each team will still play three group matches.

More for O Really to sneer at.

My wishes, not predictions:

Group A
1 Mexico (Host)
2 South Africa
3 Czech Republic
4 South Korea

Group B
1 Canada (Host)
2 Bosnia and Herzegovina
3 Switzerland
4 Qatar

Group C
1 Haiti
2 Morocco
3 Scotland
4 Brazil

Group D
1 Australia
2 United States (Host)
3 Turkey
4 Paraguay

Group E
1 Curaçao
2 Ivory Coast
3 Ecuador
4 Germany

Group F
1 Netherlands
2 Sweden
3 Tunisia
4 Japan

Group G
1 New Zealand
2 Iran (if it shows up)
3 Belgium
4 Egypt

Group H
1 Cape Verde
2 Spain
3 Uruguay
4 Saudi Arabia

Group I
1 Senegal
2 Norway
3 France
4 Iraq

Group J
1 Jordan
2 Austria
3 Argentina
4 Algeria

Group K
1 Portugal
2 Uzbekistan
3 Colombia
4 DR Congo

Group L
1 Ghana
2 Croatia
3 England (GoO ReallyGo)
4 Panama

The eight best third-placed teams that I want progressing to the round of 32:
Uruguay
Ecuador
England (GoO ReallyGo)
Czech Republic
Belgium
Scotland
Tunisia
Switzerland

Seems kind of dumb to play so many games just to eliminate 4 teams. It's not like seeding will make that much difference.

It doesn't seem so dumb to the teams you'd exclude.
Do you have any sides which you actively support,
if only for their elevation of sport to a form of art?

[Vrede too]

It doesn't seem so dumb to the teams you'd exclude.
Do you have any sides which you actively support,
if only for their elevation of sport to a form of art?

Welcome back!

Somewhat. None that I follow closely between WCs, but:
It's fun for fans here when the US does well;
I like our neighbors - Mexico, Canada and any Caribbean nation that's qualified. Haiti has had such a rough go of it, maybe some wins can create pride and inspiration;
I've spent significant time in the Netherlands, Australia and Spain;
I root for most African teams - I've been to South Africa and had a Ghanaian crewmate who I liked;
I'm sorry to see China, South Asia and Southeast Asia unrepresented;
Iran and Lebanon are suffering from US munitions.

You?

[O Really]

I suppose there is some argument for an "art form" that features intentionally banging ones bare head into a flying object while leaping ballet-like into the air.

[GoCubsGo]

FIFA may want their award back before this is over.

BREAKING: DARK AGE! Amnesty International and the ACLU issue a formal warning about Trump's brutal policies to all foreign citizens planning to visit the United States for the World Cup.

How have we fallen so far?

“While the Trump administration’s rising authoritarianism and increasing violence pose serious risks to all, those from immigrant communities, racial and ethnic minority groups, and LGBTQ+ individuals have been and continue to be disproportionately targeted and affected by the administration’s policies and, as such are most vulnerable to serious harm when traveling to and/or within the United States,” stated an advisory from the organizations, along with 120 other human rights group.

They stated that "fans, players, journalists and other visitors … could be at risk of serious violations as the Trump administration doubles down on its draconian immigration and anti-human rights agenda.”

The 2026 FIFA tournament is slated to run from June to July and will be jointly hosted by the Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.A. This kind of advisory against fascist policies will not be necessary for travelers visiting the former two countries.

Citizens from countries with travel bans like Afghanistan, Burma, Iran, Somalia, Syria and Yemen could be denied entry into the U.S. upon arrival. But those aren't the only people who should be worried. Thanks to the Orwellian policies of this White House, points of entry often conduct “invasive social media screening and searches of electronic devices." In other words, if you have an unflattering meme of J.D. Vance or Donald Trump on your phone, you might be sent home — regardless of how much you spent on tickets, lodging, or travel.

The advisory also warned of possible “violent and unconstitutional immigration enforcement, including racial profiling and other discrimination by law enforcement.”

“Law enforcement officers have intimidated, harassed, and used force against protesters in retaliation for their protected speech activity, including against protesters observing unlawful immigration enforcement,” they wrote.

Given the brutal treatment of detainees at ICE detention facilities, the groups also warned of “serious risk of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and in some cases, death, while in immigration detention facilities or custody.”

The World Cup should represent a coming together of the global community to celebrate our shared humanity. Thanks to Trump, it could turn into something very ugly.

To the rest of the world: We're sorry. We didn't vote for this hateful monster.

[Vrede too]

FIFA may want their award back before this is over.

BREAKING: DARK AGE! Amnesty International and the ACLU issue a formal warning about Trump's brutal policies to all foreign citizens planning to visit the United States for the World Cup.

How have we fallen so far?



Given the brutal treatment of detainees at ICE detention facilities, the groups also warned of “serious risk of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, and in some cases, death, while in immigration detention facilities or custody.”

The World Cup should represent a coming together of the global community to celebrate our shared humanity. Thanks to Trump, it could turn into something very ugly.

To the rest of the world: We're sorry. We didn't vote for this hateful monster.

https://x.com/OccupyDemocrats/status/20 ... 6719398336

I don't see FIFA being the arbiter of moral behavior.

We were told the 2026 World Cup would be a unifying force. The reality is far different

When Fifa announced that the United States would host the 2026 World Cup, everyone knew that the tournament would turn into a money-drenched political spectacle. But back in 2017, when the “United 2026 bid” advanced by the US, Mexico, and Canada was promising that “UNITED AS ONE” it would “bring the game to all,” it was hard to imagine the intensity of the capitalist hellscape and political mayhem to come. Nine years later, Donald Trump has threatened the US’s co-hosts: he has discussed making Canada the 51st state and sending US soldiers to Mexico to attack drug cartels. Meanwhile, Fifa’s avarice has been on full display in prices for tickets, parking, and demands upon cities. And it’s giving aspiring grifters a license to fleece.

... A single ticket to the World Cup final can cost a whopping $10,990, up from $1,600 at the Qatar World Cup in 2022....

(too many other abuses of fans, the public and local governments to excerpt )

... The gap between the rosy “United 2026 bid” and the rip-off reality of 2026 is an affront, and one that must be confronted by those who want fairness. (New Jersey governor Mikie) Sherrill and Unite Here Local 11 (Los Angeles) have the right idea. And the fightback is only getting started.

Not much time left for fighting. Kickoff is June 11.

FIFA

[GoCubsGo]

I don't see FIFA being the arbiter of moral behavior.


We were told the 2026 World Cup would be a unifying force. The reality is far different

When Fifa announced that the United States would host the 2026 World Cup, everyone knew that the tournament would turn into a money-drenched political spectacle. But back in 2017, when the “United 2026 bid” advanced by the US, Mexico, and Canada was promising that “UNITED AS ONE” it would “bring the game to all,” it was hard to imagine the intensity of the capitalist hellscape and political mayhem to come. Nine years later, Donald Trump has threatened the US’s co-hosts: he has discussed making Canada the 51st state and sending US soldiers to Mexico to attack drug cartels. Meanwhile, Fifa’s avarice has been on full display in prices for tickets, parking, and demands upon cities. And it’s giving aspiring grifters a license to fleece.



FIFA

When Fifa announced that the United States would host the 2026 World Cup, everyone knew that the tournament would turn into a money-drenched political spectacle.

That's why.