Futbol

[O Really]

Hi .Oomba - No need to be gentle, just tell us what you really think about them.

[Vrede too]

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

I don't really count Iran as being Asian, though it's accurate to do so.
مرگ بر آمریکا
There are several other Middle East qualifiers:
Jordan
Qatar
Saudi Arabia

Other "Asian" qualifiers:
Australia
Japan
South Korea
Uzbekistan

Most of my Spain time has been spent in Barcelona, over a month. Love the city, did not go to a futbol game.

I did attend a game in Manaus, Brasil. I love that fans sing the entire time.

In 1990 I was living in SF and dislocated my shoulder on my way to work in the ICU. The ER provided my excuse for not showing up. I was fine, but getting a Kaiser orthopedist appt to okay a return to work took weeks, right during the WC. I spent the time collecting CA disability, watching games and drinking hard cider in one of the walking distance Irish pubs . TV was more limited back then.

The Republic of Ireland became the second team in World Cup history to reach the last eight without winning a match (Sweden progressed to the last eight by default in 1938 when Austria withdrew).

What fun.

I spent the Summer of 1994 in the Netherlands. It also lost in the quarterfinals, to Brasil. More fun in Dutch bars.

Congrats on Ivory Coast and Morocco both qualifying. I like Morocco, South Africa and Ghana, and will root generally for Ivory Coast along with the long list of other African qualifiers: Tunisia, Algeria, Cape Verde and Senegal. I'm not a huge fan of Egypt, but I don't hate that it qualified.

I saw Pelé play in DC when I was young.

[.Oomba.]

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

I don't really count Iran as being Asian, though it's accurate to do so.
مرگ بر آمریکا
There are several other Middle East qualifiers:
Jordan
Qatar
Saudi Arabia

Other "Asian" qualifiers:
Australia
Japan
South Korea
Uzbekistan

Most of my Spain time has been spent in Barcelona, over a month. Love the city, did not go to a futbol game.

I did attend a game in Manaus, Brasil. I love that fans sing the entire time.

In 1990 I was living in SF and dislocated my shoulder on my way to work in the ICU. The ER provided my excuse for not showing up. I was fine, but getting a Kaiser orthopedist appt to okay a return to work took weeks, right during the WC. I spent the time collecting CA disability, watching games and drinking hard cider in one of the walking distance Irish pubs . TV was more limited back then.

The Republic of Ireland became the second team in World Cup history to reach the last eight without winning a match (Sweden progressed to the last eight by default in 1938 when Austria withdrew).

What fun.

I spent the Summer of 1994 in the Netherlands. It also lost in the quarterfinals, to Brasil. More fun in Dutch bars.

Congrats on Ivory Coast and Morocco both qualifying. I like Morocco, South Africa and Ghana, and will root generally for Ivory Coast along with the long list of other African qualifiers: Tunisia, Algeria, Cape Verde and Senegal. I'm not a huge fan of Egypt, but I don't hate that it qualified.

I saw Pelé play in DC when I was young.

I spent the summer of 1974 in St. Marys, PA
helping my drunken uncle renovate the VFW
while watching West Germany win the FIFA.

Or maybe it was the American Legion.
Didn't matter, I was rooting for Brazil.

[.Oomba.]

Hi .Oomba - No need to be gentle, just tell us what you really think about them.

They prey on their betters.
They prey on the hopes and
dreams of children worldwide.

FIFA are scum.

[GoCubsGo]

U.S. World Cup Host City Hotels See Fewer Bookings Than Expected
Last updated
1 hour ago
A report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association shows 80% of operators in U.S. host cities like Kansas City facing bookings below forecasts, with some cities at 85-90% shortfalls compared to typical summers. FIFA's cancellation of up to 70% of reserved rooms in places like Boston and Dallas flooded the market after early overbooking drove up prices, while high ticket costs—up to $74,000 for finals resale seats—and U.S. visa hurdles for international fans add barriers. Ticket sales exceed 5 million overall, with strong demand for big matches, but hotels hope domestic travelers fill the gaps as kickoff nears on June 11.
This story is a summary of posts on X and may evolve over time. Grok can make mistakes, verify its outputs.

[Vrede too]

U.S. World Cup Host City Hotels See Fewer Bookings Than Expected

https://x.com/Strandjunker/status/2057920763752038661

"authoritarian simulation"?
Feels like the real thing to me.

[GoCubsGo]

U.S. World Cup Host City Hotels See Fewer Bookings Than Expected

https://x.com/Strandjunker/status/2057920763752038661

"authoritarian simulation"?
Feels like the real thing to me.

Pretend president.

[.Oomba.]

U.S. World Cup Host City Hotels See Fewer Bookings Than Expected
Last updated
1 hour ago
A report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association shows 80% of operators in U.S. host cities like Kansas City facing bookings below forecasts, with some cities at 85-90% shortfalls compared to typical summers. FIFA's cancellation of up to 70% of reserved rooms in places like Boston and Dallas flooded the market after early overbooking drove up prices, while high ticket costs—up to $74,000 for finals resale seats—and U.S. visa hurdles for international fans add barriers. Ticket sales exceed 5 million overall, with strong demand for big matches, but hotels hope domestic travelers fill the gaps as kickoff nears on June 11.
This story is a summary of posts on X and may evolve over time. Grok can make mistakes, verify its outputs.

I refuse to attend based on
both prices and principles.

[Vrede too]

I refuse to attend based on
both prices and principles.

Preachin' to the choir. I might have considered Atlanta otherwise.

[.Oomba.]

I refuse to attend based on
both prices and principles.

Preachin' to the choir. I might have considered Atlanta otherwise.

Amen, on the one hand.

On the other, why do we
allow such exploitation?
Or such FIFA corruption?

Corruption runs rampant.
Even Platini was shamed.

Yet the grift goes on.
Platini, for crissake.
Yet the grift goes on.

[Vrede too]

I refuse to attend based on
both prices and principles.

Preachin' to the choir. I might have considered Atlanta otherwise.

Amen, on the one hand.

On the other, why do we
allow such exploitation?
Or such FIFA corruption?

Corruption runs rampant.
Even Platini was shamed.

Yet the grift goes on.
Platini, for crissake.
Yet the grift goes on.

Why?


US President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from Fifa President Gianni Infantino.

I didn't vote for them.

[Vrede too]

Ebola.

Congrats on Ivory Coast and Morocco both qualifying. I like Morocco, South Africa and Ghana, and will root generally for Ivory Coast along with the long list of other African qualifiers: Tunisia, Algeria, Cape Verde and Senegal. I'm not a huge fan of Egypt, but I don't hate that it qualified....

Egypt, is in the northeast corner of Africa, Central Africa adjacent
Ivory Coast and Senegal are in West Africa, Central Africa adjacent

It's like this World Cup, which starts in 2 weeks, is cursed.

[O Really]

It's like this World Cup, which starts in 2 weeks, is cursed.

Why oh why might that be?
See pic, above, and repeat "everything Tru*p touches dies."

[Vrede too]

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?

My favorite African sideis 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.

It's not a done deal yet.

World Cup star suddenly denied entry into US with teammates after visa U-turn
Visa complications have disrupted travel plans for a Swiss World Cup star, who was denied entry to the US at the last minute despite teammates being cleared to travel


Breel Embolo has been suddenly denied entry into US for the World Cup

Black, of course.

... However, Embolo is not the only player to encounter travel complications ahead of the tournament, with several participants facing visa and entry-related issues.

South Africa’s squad was forced to delay its departure to the United States on Sunday after facing unresolved visa issues, before ultimately travelling on Monday once the situation was cleared up.

Mostly Black, of course.

Members of the Algeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Tunisia and Cape Verde national teams are still seeking assistance with their travel arrangements,

Mostly Black, of course.

while several players in Iran’s World Cup squad are also awaiting visas to enter the United States.

Surprise surprise. Wait, who was the recipient of that world-unifying FIFA Peace Prize?

[.Oomba.]

1942 and 1946 are rooting for 2026.

[Vrede too]

1942 and 1946 are rooting for 2026.

I hope that FIFA and Moron Don are embarrassed by this WC, but I'm not hoping for cancellation. I still support the players and many of the represented nations. I'll look forward to watching games on TV, though probably fewer games played in the US than I otherwise would have.

FIFA World Cup nation files Donald Trump complaint on eve of tournament
Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness sent a letter to FIFA backing a formal complaint against the decision to award Donald Trump the Peace Prize, just days before the World Cup

[Vrede too]

It's like this World Cup, which starts in 2 weeks, is cursed.

Why oh why might that be?
See pic, above, and repeat "everything Tru*p touches dies."

Then, something in your wheelhouse:

Stadium Workers Authorize Strike Ahead Of The World Cup
Thousands of cooks, dishwashers, concessions workers, bartenders and servers at SoFi Stadium are threatening to picket, citing insufficient pay, erosion of jobs, and plans for ICE to be at the games.

Thousands of workers at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium are threatening to strike, citing insufficient pay and plans for ICE officers to be present at the World Cup — and raising the possibility that the massive soccer tournament could start without workers to sell food and drinks to spectators.

Unite Here Local 11, which represents more than 2,000 cooks, dishwashers, concession workers, bartenders and servers at SoFi, announced Friday that members voted 96% in favor of authorizing a strike....

96%, must be some pissed off workers.

SoFi, the most expensive sports venue in the world, is set to host eight World Cup matches and is expected to seat 70,000 spectators. In Seattle, which is hosting six matches, unionized hotel workers represented by Unite Here Local 8 authorized a separate strike on Friday, pushing for better pay, healthcare coverage and protections from ICE.

With ticket prices so exorbitant eight matches could mean losses into the hundreds of millions.

Workers protest outside SoFi Stadium ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Inglewood, California, on May 18, 2026. Members of Unite Here Local 11 are fighting to keep ICE out of their workplace during the tournament.

... When federal agents descended on the city last year, hundreds of SoFi workers stayed home, Fierro told HuffPost last month. The stadium is located near a Home Depot and an El Super grocery store, both of which are frequent sites of immigration raids. Workers alerted one another to suspicious sightings in the parking lot and avoided walking into and out of the stadium alone.

Fears about being snatched up by masked federal agents escalated in February, when then-acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement director Todd Lyons testified before Congress that ICE would play a “key part” in security at the World Cup. In response, Unite Here Local 11 workers called on FIFA and stadium owner Kroenke Sports & Entertainment to commit that ICE and Border Patrol would have no presence at the tournament and warned that they were prepared to strike if their demands were not met.

... A recent Washington Post/University of Maryland poll found that 65% of Americans oppose ICE patrolling stadiums during the World Cup.

USA USA USA!

“FIFA runs a soccer tournament, not Los Angeles,” Petersen said last month. “No one elected Gianni Infantino or Donald Trump to rule Los Angeles. No one gave FIFA the power to decide who is safe and who is hunted, and no one, no one gets to bring ICE into our city,” he continued, as workers behind him began chanting, “SHUT IT DOWN, SHUT IT DOWN!”

With ICE being such a significant factor in this possible strike, as you said ETTD.

Unite Here 11 workers view their organizing efforts ahead of the World Cup as preparation for the 2028 Olympics, which are set to take place in LA. These mega-events create difficult conditions for working-class people who live in the host cities, including increased policing and soaring housing costs. Already, some members report hourslong commutes to their stadium jobs because they cannot afford to live in Los Angeles.

But with strategic planning, mega-events also create an opportunity for leverage. SoFi workers have been adamant that the current contract they are negotiating must expire in early 2028, aligning with major LA unions to create a city-wide strike threat ahead of the Olympics....

GoWorkersGo!

[GoCubsGo]

Odds of this being the worst World Cup ever are increasing.

Only thing to save it would be an outstanding tournament.

[Vrede too]

Odds of this being the worst World Cup ever are increasing.

Only thing to save it would be an outstanding tournament.

The refs suck.


World Cup creates perfect conditions for infectious diseases to spread – here are the biggest threats health experts are watching for

Ebola – scary but unlikely
Measles, flu and COVID-19 – the bigger dangers
Mosquito risks
(Dengue, Yellow fever, Oropouche virus)

Sexually transmitted infections under the radar

... About 1 in 5 international travelers engages in casual sex, according to one study, and nearly half of those encounters are unprotected.

Mpox, a viral infection that spreads through close physical contact, continues to circulate in the U.S and is a particular concern at large public events. Syphilis is also seeing a global resurgence.

[O Really]

I think I'll just root for England and anybody playing USA USA USA.