World Cup

[Sid]

I haven't watched the World Cup tournament in Quatar because of the situation of the workers there.
Although I'm a football fan, I will not watch the games played in the USA either because... well you all know why.

 

[Free]

Life in this timeline sucks.

The Associated Press (@apnews.com)

Iran was expected to take part in the World Cup that will be held across North America, but the country's sports and youth minister told state television that his country’s soccer team players are not safe in the U.S., according to a video of the interview posted. https://bit.ly/3OZilQ5

bsky.app

 

[Noodles]

Honestly, more countries should do the same. If you are from another country, its not safe here.

 

[Free]

And now the jersey design is taking a hit.

Nike’s high-tech 2026 World Cup jerseys have a shoulder problem

When Nike rolled out its collection of World Cup kits in late March, fans and pundits alike largely approved. The US men’s national team got arguably their most distinctive pair of shirts in decades, while other federations – France, England, Canada and Uruguay among them – earned strong reviews.

Over the last international break, when players took the field in the kits for the first time, many fans couldn’t help but become fixated on one singular detail of the new shirts: a somewhat unsightly bulge along the shoulder seam.

Unsightly bulges...

Anywho, guess what was said to be involved in the design of these jerseys. Take a guess*.


* The dreaded A.I...

 

[Veritable Quandry]

That's clearly intended as a sword breaker to protect the neck from edged weapons.

 

[Free]

FIFA rules allow for swordplay? I did not know that.

 

[Veritable Quandry]

There's no faking a throat wound. So probably not.

 

[Innula Zenovka]

Reuters: Human rights groups issue US travel advisory ahead of World Cup

Fans, players, journalists and other visitors may face racial profiling, searches of electronic devices, or risk of ⁠cruel or inhuman treatment if they end up in immigration detention facilities, according to the advisory.

The groups added that people from immigrant communities, racial and ethnic minority groups, and LGBTQ individuals are "most vulnerable to serious harm" when traveling to the U.S.

For this reason, they said, visitors should exercise caution and have an emergency contingency plan.

That's assuming they can afford the higher air fares as a result of Trump's little excursion in the Gulf

Soaring Jet Fuel Costs Threaten International Travel and Short-Term Rental Traffic Ahead of World Cup

Rising jet fuel prices are emerging as a significant headwind for the global travel industry just months ahead of the World Cup.

www.realtor.com

ticket prices

World Cup 2026: Fifa ticket prices excessive, says FSE in formal complaint

Football Supporters Europe files a formal complaint against Fifa over "excessive ticket prices" and "unfair purchasing conditions" for the World Cup.

www.bbc.co.uk

and local transport to games, at least in New Jersey

England fans facing hugely inflated prices to get to New Jersey's MetLife Stadium for World Cup games

 

[Essence Lumin]

and local transport to games, at least in New Jersey

England fans facing hugely inflated prices to get to New Jersey's MetLife Stadium for World Cup games

That article seem pretty one sided to me. Here is another one.

'To recap...': Sherrill fires back at FIFA in feud over World Cup transit funds

The governor of New Jersey and the soccer organization traded barbs over World Cup transit costs on Thursday after Sherrill demanded FIFA foot the bill.

www.nbcnewyork.com

In general though, I am hoping the whole US FIFA thing will be a terrible failure. Trump loves it. This helps make him look bad to his base, especially if athletes don't show up. Hotels have been slashing prices because a lot of international traffic is not coming.