Futbol

[Vrede too]

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.

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.

Even a reelected Moron Don would be gone by 2026. Opps.

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.

It's not like it's all on DonOLD, though:

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.

An axis of evil.

[GoCubsGo]

An axis of evil.

Competing with the IOC to be the greedist scumbags of international sports.

[Vrede too]

An axis of evil.

Competing with the IOC to be the greedist scumbags of international sports.

I would give FIFA the gold medal.

There’s been no World Cup windfall for Airbnb – and hosts are surprised

Thousands of Airbnb hosts expecting a World Cup payday are still waiting for guests as a combination of high travel costs, steep ticket prices and restrictive border policies dampen demand....

I'm no fan of short term rental hosts as a group, but they can blame both MAGA and FIFA.

[GoCubsGo]

I'm no fan of short term rental hosts as a group, but they can blame both MAGA and FIFA.

And their own foolishness if they trusted them.

[O Really]

I'm no fan of short term rental hosts as a group, but they can blame both MAGA and FIFA.

I might think differently if I were going with a group or taking a family along, but after experiences with Airbnb and VRBO, we'll take a hotel 9 times out of 10 and not the 10th time just if all available hotels are fleabags.

[GoCubsGo]

I'm no fan of short term rental hosts as a group, but they can blame both MAGA and FIFA.

I might think differently if I were going with a group or taking a family along, but after experiences with Airbnb and VRBO, we'll take a hotel 9 times out of 10 and not the 10th time just if all available hotels are fleabags.

Not that I've had extensive experience, but all my Airbnb and vrbo stays have been good.

[Vrede too]

I'm no fan of short term rental hosts as a group, but they can blame both MAGA and FIFA.

I might think differently if I were going with a group or taking a family along, but after experiences with Airbnb and VRBO, we'll take a hotel 9 times out of 10 and not the 10th time just if all available hotels are fleabags.

Interesting, thanks. I've had good experiences with short term rentals in Barcelona and Hawaii, but that may be because my SIL is an expert shopper.

We had to cancel one in Maggie Valley, NC because the road was scary steep and icy, but the host was good about letting us out of the contract. Probably a nice spot otherwise. SIL found a fine replacement in town on very short notice.

I was thinking more about what they do, on average, to local economies, housing markets and neighborhoods.

[O Really]

My issues have all been procedure, not so much the facility itself.

[Vrede too]

My issues have all been procedure, not so much the facility itself.

I never dealt with procedure. SIL never complained about it.

[GoCubsGo]

My issues have all been procedure, not so much the facility itself.

I never dealt with procedure. SIL never complained about it.

Every time I've booked the owner has been responsive and accommodating via email. I also tend to like them because there are dog friendly places.

Got this place booked for September. It's older, but clean and on a lake.

https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/9623834666 ... int=1&s=76

[GoCubsGo]

ETTD.

[Vrede too]

ETTD.

https://x.com/Forbes/status/2051726930727342528

That's a shame, a lot of maids and busboys will be hurt.

[GoCubsGo]

ETTD.

https://x.com/Forbes/status/2051726930727342528

That's a shame, a lot of maids and busboys will be hurt.

And restaurant servers.

[Vrede too]

ETTD.

https://x.com/Forbes/status/2051726930727342528

That's a shame, a lot of maids and busboys will be hurt.

And restaurant servers.

And hookers.

[supesalemgr2]

ETTD.

With what I have heard about prices I am not surprised.

[O Really]

They were selling World Cup hats and merch in Walgreens yesterday, with gear supporting a variety of countries. Looked like it had been discounted already.

Golden Goose, meet chopping block.

[supesalemgr2]

They were selling World Cup hats and merch in Walgreens yesterday, with gear supporting a variety of countries. Looked like it had been discounted already.

Golden Goose, meet chopping block.

"Greed is a terrible thing".

[O Really]

They were selling World Cup hats and merch in Walgreens yesterday, with gear supporting a variety of countries. Looked like it had been discounted already.

Golden Goose, meet chopping block.

"Greed is a terrible thing".

Unless you're a fan of Gordon Gekko.
Or are otherwise a fan of capitalism.

[.Oomba.]

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?

Such a beautiful response that I had no right to expect it.

That being said, I grew up a fan of Pelé and Brazilian futbol.
I was a huge fan of Cruyff, though never of the Dutch team.

From Cruyff, I became a life long supporter of both the
side and the team culture of FC Barcelona. There were
days in Franco's Spain where the only safe place to be was
inside the Camp Nou. Barcelona's motto "Més que un club"
translates to "More than a club." Barça to me is resistance.
I digress. I also root for Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan.

In the World Cup, I favor Spain, with France usually second.
I loved rooting for Morocco last WC. My favorite African side
is Côte d'Ivoire. I didn't have a Asian fave until you mentioned
Iran. I'd planned on following them for quite a few months now,
but never as the representative of a continent, and especially
not as a country under direct attack by me and mine. زنده باد ایران.

[.Oomba.]

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

FIFA is a blott on the futbol landscape.
An evil which portrays itself as necessary,
if not essential. Truly, a criminal enterprise.