2026 FIFA World Cup Thread

[kphoger]

It would be hard for someone who's not already a soccer fan not to root for Mexico.  It's the first time they've hosted the World Cup since 40 years ago, and they've never lost a World Cup match in the Azteca:  two draws, and everything else has been a win.

Not hard for someone that has religiously followed the USMNT since 1994 since Mexico is our main rival.

There, that's better.

[Max Rockatansky]

I should probably clarify that most of my local friends and my wife's family have ties to Mexico.  Even still, pretty much everyone who was born in the United States seems to still be primarily fans of the Mexican team. 

[1995hoo]

As much as I dislike the Mexican team, I'd like to see them beat England just to stick it to the English fans, who are arguably worse than Canadian hockey fans in terms of their overall condescending attitude.

[thspfc]

Even still, pretty much everyone who was born in the United States seems to still be primarily fans of the Mexican team. 

Nope.

[JayhawkCO]

Harry Kane is the most underrated footballer of all time.

[Max Rockatansky]

Even still, pretty much everyone who was born in the United States seems to still be primarily fans of the Mexican team. 

Nope.

Are you one of my local friends and family from California?

[kphoger]

As much as I dislike the Mexican team, I'd like to see them beat England just to stick it to the English fans, who are arguably worse than Canadian hockey fans in terms of their overall condescending attitude.

Aren't the English worse in that regard in all sports?

—  The Open.
—  Which Open?
—  THE Open.

Of course, it isn't just sports.

—  The Times.
—  Which Times?
—  THE Times.

[NWI_Irish96]

As much as I dislike the Mexican team, I'd like to see them beat England just to stick it to the English fans, who are arguably worse than Canadian hockey fans in terms of their overall condescending attitude.

Aren't the English worse in that regard in all sports?

—  The Open.
—  Which Open?
—  THE Open.

Of course, it isn't just sports.

—  The Times.
—  Which Times?
—  THE Times.

Which Ohio State?

[LilianaUwU]

As much as I dislike the Mexican team, I'd like to see them beat England just to stick it to the English fans, who are arguably worse than Canadian hockey fans in terms of their overall condescending attitude.

Almost like in both cases they're the country the sport comes from.

[1995hoo]

As much as I dislike the Mexican team, I'd like to see them beat England just to stick it to the English fans, who are arguably worse than Canadian hockey fans in terms of their overall condescending attitude.

Almost like in both cases they're the country the sport comes from.

Sounds like the usual sour grapes from a Canadian who's upset that other countries took the sport and improved on it.

[LilianaUwU]

As much as I dislike the Mexican team, I'd like to see them beat England just to stick it to the English fans, who are arguably worse than Canadian hockey fans in terms of their overall condescending attitude.

Almost like in both cases they're the country the sport comes from.

Sounds like the usual sour grapes from a Canadian who's upset that other countries took the sport and improved on it.

We get it, you're an American, no need to act so self-centered all the time. Then again, you call yourself a vaccinated attack helicopter, no fucking wonder you're like that...

[1995hoo]

And if you were at all observant, you'd know exactly why I put those words there and to whom they are a response.

[LilianaUwU]

And if you were at all observant, you'd know exactly why I put those words there and to whom they are a response.

...I might be stupid. Never mind, carry on.

[1995hoo]

And if you were at all observant, you'd know exactly why I put those words there and to whom they are a response.

...I might be stupid. Never mind, carry on.

Having never met you in person, I'm certainly not in a position to disagree with you if that's your impression of yourself.

[kphoger]

We get it, you're an American, no need to act so self-centered all the time.

We get it, you're a Canadian, no need to act so condescending toward the USA all the time.

[JayhawkCO]

We get it, you're an American, no need to act so self-centered all the time.

We get it, you're a Canadian, no need to act so condescending toward the USA all the time.

Yeah! Plenty of us Americans are better than Canadians at that too! (mostly sarcasm)

[Max Rockatansky]

How the fuck did a soccer thread turn into a U.S./Canada national exceptionalism pissing match?

[kphoger]

How the fuck did a soccer thread turn into a U.S./Canada national exceptionalism pissing match?

↓  ↓  ↓  ↓

We get it, you're an American

[NWI_Irish96]

How the fuck did a soccer thread turn into a U.S./Canada national exceptionalism pissing match?

Since 1/20/25, sports is the only realm in which we are superior to Canada, so we have to brag when we can.

[JayhawkCO]

How the fuck did a soccer thread turn into a U.S./Canada national exceptionalism pissing match?

Well, irrespective of any particular posters, international soccer does tend to lend itself to comparing different countries on various merits.

[Max Rockatansky]

How the fuck did a soccer thread turn into a U.S./Canada national exceptionalism pissing match?

Well, irrespective of any particular posters, international soccer does tend to lend itself to comparing different countries on various merits.

If it was hockey sure I could see that.  But soccer?

[Max Rockatansky]

How the fuck did a soccer thread turn into a U.S./Canada national exceptionalism pissing match?

Since 1/20/25, sports is the only realm in which we are superior to Canada, so we have to brag when we can.

I don't particularly have a dog in the fight when it comes to national sports competitions.  Some of you aren't exactly great examples of why I (or anyone) should carry a further than casual investment. 

[1995hoo]

I was busting more on England than on Canada anyway. Don't get me wrong. I love to visit both countries and I still want to get to the three Canadian provinces I have yet to visit (although we are not traveling abroad right now because my wife, who is a naturalized citizen, is afraid of getting hassled re-entering the country). But liking to visit is a different matter from putting up with confrontational sports fans, especially the way the English soccer fans can't seem to find anything positive to say about anything. Given that it's been 60 years since they hosted a World Cup (and, presumably, they won't be hosting in 2038,* given that UEFA already has 2030), they're not exactly in a position to mount a credible evidence-based argument that they'd do a better job than anyone else.

*I'm aware that the four UK realms are apparently going to host the 2035 Women's World Cup. Given how much their fans ridicule US fans' taking pride in our women's team winning it all multiple times, I can't help but wonder what they think about their hosting the women's edition before the men pay another visit.

[LilianaUwU]

We get it, you're an American, no need to act so self-centered all the time.

We get it, you're a Canadian, no need to act so condescending toward the USA all the time.

I can be plenty condescending about Canada too if you want.

[JayhawkCO]

How the fuck did a soccer thread turn into a U.S./Canada national exceptionalism pissing match?

Well, irrespective of any particular posters, international soccer does tend to lend itself to comparing different countries on various merits.

If it was hockey sure I could see that.  But soccer?

I mean, it's only the most internationally popular sport in the world. If you're talking specifically US/Canada? Then sure, there are more hockey fans combined between those two countries than soccer/footy fans. But I was just commenting on soccer around the globe lending itself to talking international shit.