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FIFA World Cup 2026 - It's Called Football, Not Soccer!

The problem is that football isn't your number one sport. It's not in your DNA. It's not a religion.

American Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey and Baseball are all bigger sports in the US.

Honestly, if I was the US I would focus on Rugby. In 2031 the US host the Rugby World cup and honestly, as a Rugby fan, the US team isn't half bad.

The good news is that Rugby is easier to play and a lot of the skills from American football translate well to Rugby. I'm actually shocked that the US aren't already a Rugby power nation like France or New Zealand. They should be with the player pool they have.
Unless it's a sport you can easily transition into after 22, it's hard to see good athletes choosing it over our football since the ceiling for doing well in football is so much higher. Even CFL and other leagues below the NFL pay far better than our pro Rugby league. It'd probably have to come down to the top Rugby leagues trying to recruit football players that don't make the NFL here (assuming they're not already trying to do this) and again assuming it's something you can transition into at 22.
 
Yeah, but were they always in America's world series or did they have their own at first. and join later
Evil Eye Stare GIF by MOODMAN
 
This has happened once in the history of the tournament. I'd say its unusual. This is not about whatever rules different countries FA's have.

The whole football world is up in arms, Trump being involved just makes it even worse.

Regional championships use the same rules as FIFA.
The World Cup is actually FIFA's testing ground. They always do things at the World Cup and then take them to the regional tournaments.

In this World Cup, they've already changed the rules regarding cards, which used to be more punishing, but now they reset the cards more frequently. And there's a financial penalty to encourage players to avoid red cards.
 
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Lmao.

The line isn't random, and the referees don't just make it up on a whim. The offside line is dictated by the positions of the players. A attacking player is in an offside position if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and last defender.
I can't count how many times I have seen Americans not getting offside. Granted, if you are new to fotball it's the hardest rule to get, but the line is always there.
 
Regional championships use the same rules as FIFA.
The World Cup is actually FIFA's testing ground. They always do things at the World Cup and then take them to the regional tournaments.

In this World Cup, they've already changed the rules regarding cards, which used to be more punishing, but now they reset the cards more frequently. And there's a financial penalty to encourage players to avoid red cards.
UEFA rules and FIFA rules are not the same mate. Unsure of anywhere else in the world but they are mostly irrelevant.

You are dead wrong.
 
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Yeah, now, was it always that way is what i'm asking and not getting an answer to.
Yes, they were always part of Major League Baseball with teams in both the National and American leagues.

Now it is just an American league team (Toronto Blue Jays) since the Montreal Expos moved to Washington DC and became the Nationals.

Baseball is a grueling 162+ game a season schedule with constant travel every 3 to 4 days for 7 to 8 months, so it would not work "all around the world."

They also hold the World Baseball Classic now, which is sort of like the World Cup with country based teams. Just like Japan and Brazil are not constantly flying to Liverpool every year to play games in those leagues. Japan, Korea, etc., have their own leagues as well.
 
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Yes, they were always part of Major League Baseball with teams in both the National and American leagues.

Now it is just an American league team (Toronto Blue Jays) since the Montreal Expos moved to Washington DC and became the Nationals.

Baseball is a grueling 162+ game a season schedule with constant travel every 3 to 4 days for 7 to 8 months, so it would not work "all around the world."

They also hold the World Baseball Classic now, which is sort of like the World Cup with country based teams.
The truth is now out there mate.
 
That's why he didn't answer lol, thanks for the clarification, so my first joke post still stands.
No, no it does not. I was trying to understand how far you wanted to shift the goalpost.

There is a reason this meme was born from this sport,

Goalposts Moving GIF


The truth is now out there mate.
What truth? You are not playing 162 games in footyball, nor do these teams travel all over the world until it's time for The World Cup.

MLB has/had Canadian teams, not just "USA"

You don't even understand what you're arguing.
 
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No, no it does not. I was trying to understand how far you wanted to shift the goalpost.

There is a reason this meme was born from this sport,

Goalposts Moving GIF
you talking to the mirror, i'm not shifting goalposts you are, Canada joined in the 70;s and wasn't part of the world series originally and you don't want to admit it , which is great. lol
 
you talking to the mirror, i'm not shifting goalposts you are, Canada joined in the 70;s and wasn't part of the world series originally and you don't want to admit it , which is great. lol
You still don't even know what you're arguing. The "joke" was retarded and played out.
 
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UEFA is hierarchically below FIFA, there are no rules that FIFA has that UEFA doesn't.
Disciplinary Codes: Red and yellow card suspensions can vary. Disciplinary decisions and appeals can occasionally create conflict between the two bodies, as seen in disputes regarding jurisdiction over bans and appeals

Tournament rules are not exactly the same. While both organizations follow the same core Laws of the Game governed by the International Football Association Board, their specific competition regulations—such as tie-breaking procedures, disciplinary codes, and substitution rules—frequently differ.
 
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About 30% of MLB players are born outside of the US so it's not like it's just Americans playing. There's a few countries where baseball is the top sport like Japan, Cuba, the DR, and some others.
 
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Disciplinary Codes: Red and yellow card suspensions can vary. Disciplinary decisions and appeals can occasionally create conflict between the two bodies, as seen in disputes regarding jurisdiction over bans and appeals

Tournament rules are not exactly the same. While both organizations follow the same core Laws of the Game governed by the International Football Association Board, their specific competition regulations—such as tie-breaking procedures, disciplinary codes, and substitution rules—frequently differ.

Ok chatgpt, these are just ways to apply an existing rule.
 
About 30% of MLB players are born outside of the US so it's not like it's just Americans playing. There's a few countries where baseball is the top sport like Japan, Cuba, the DR, and some others.
Do they not get invited into the world series? Do they just not qualify?
 
They're trolling. They must be.
Unless it's a sport you can easily transition into after 22, it's hard to see good athletes choosing it over our football since the ceiling for doing well in football is so much higher. Even CFL and other leagues below the NFL pay far better than our pro Rugby league. It'd probably have to come down to the top Rugby leagues trying to recruit football players that don't make the NFL here (assuming they're not already trying to do this) and again assuming it's something you can transition into at 22.

I think the transaction from NFL to Rugby would be easy. There are guys who have left Rugby and tried the NFL who have been older than 22.

Trouble is, the US Rugby league is a mess right now. I think they're down to six teams, which isn't great when you're hosting a world cup in five years.
 
Ok chatgpt, these are just ways to apply an existing rule.
I just woke up I can't be arsed typing it out but like i said rules vary. Your wrong.

Edit: One more just for you .

UEFA: applies FIFA laws but issues additional regulations for European competitions (club licensing, financial fair play variants, eligibility, disciplinary measures) and enforces them within its competitions and member associations

Like i said rules vary(lol).
 
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Edited to add more detail. So yes, I replied. Refresh your page before trying to throw shade.
Look lets end it here, im having a laugh and your starting to be annoying, i take it your Canadian and a baseball fan, i'm not and we were talking about the world series, not any other baseball tournaments in a football thread and i never claimed to know much about it.
 
Lmao.

The line isn't random, and the referees don't just make it up on a whim. The offside line is dictated by the positions of the players. A attacking player is in an offside position if they are nearer to the opponent's goal line than both the ball and last defender.

The line is locked in place at the exact millisecond the ball is passed forward by a teammate. Before VAR, this was the job of the linesman to decide, and in clear cut cases the linesman still does flag offside.

Officials also don't juat make up extra time.

Come on, America. You should know this as you have a professional league in the MLS. You have been playing the sport professionally for a very long time. This shouldn't be a shock to anyone.

Americans absolutely hate losing, which isn't a bad mentality to have at all. The extreme alternative is ending up like Scotland where your fan base becomes mock Scotsmen at every tournament. Despite them being the joint oldest international side and having one of the better fan attendences in Europe who deserves far better.

That being said some of the shit I'm reading on twitter is hilarious. Apparently football isn't an athletic sport because the players aren't bloated juice heads that have to stop play every 12 seconds. Or that Messi or even a Matt le Tissier back in the 90's look like regular fellas so it can't be a real sport lol.

If they put up a fight like Mexico did I think it'd be a much easier pill for the fans to swallow.
 
They're trolling. They must be.


I think the transaction from NFL to Rugby would be easy. There are guys who have left Rugby and tried the NFL who have been older than 22.

Trouble is, the US Rugby league is a mess right now. I think they're down to six teams, which isn't great when you're hosting a world cup in five years.
Clanker edition


While a small number of rugby players have succeeded in the NFL, the vast majority of professional rugby crossovers do not succeed in making the regular-season roster, particularly at skill positions like running back or wide receiver. Success is typically limited to players who transitioned to the NFL as youths rather than established professionals, or those who fit the rare physical profile required for offensive/defensive line positions.

Failed High-Profile Crossovers Most professional rugby stars who attempted the switch mid-career struggled with the complexity of NFL playbooks and the physical differences of the sport. Notable examples include:

  • Louis Rees-Zammit: The Welsh rugby international spent 18 months with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars but was released in 2025 and returned to rugby union.
  • Christian Wade: Despite scoring a 65-yard touchdown on his NFL debut, the former England international was waived by the Buffalo Bills in 2022 and returned to rugby.
  • Valentine Holmes and Jared Hayne: Both Australian rugby stars attempted NFL trials but failed to adjust to the structured system.
  • Christian Scotland-Williamson: Spent time on the Pittsburgh Steelers' practice squad before being released and returning to rugby before becoming a barrister.
Successful Exceptions Success stories are rare and often involve different circumstances:

  • Jordan Mailata: A former rugby league player who was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. His exceptional size (6ft 8in) made him ideal for the offensive line, a position where he eventually won a Super Bowl.
  • Nate Ebner: A two-time Super Bowl winner who successfully balanced his NFL career with the US national rugby sevens team, even playing in the 2016 Olympics.
  • Gary Anderson: A South African-born kicker who had a long NFL career, though he began playing football in high school after moving to the US, rather than transitioning from professional rugby.
Reasons for Failure The transition is difficult because NFL playbooks are significantly more complex than rugby tactics, requiring intense mental processing. Additionally, NFL players at skill positions are often unparalleled in athleticism compared to rugby counterparts, and the physical conditioning for short, explosive bursts differs from the endurance required in rugby. Players who succeed usually start learning American football as children or possess rare physical traits suited for the line.

 
Look lets end it here, im having a laugh and your starting to be annoying, i take it your Canadian and a baseball fan, i'm not and we were talking about the world series, not any other baseball tournaments in a football thread and i never claimed to know much about it.
Now that's more insulting than us just gently ribbing each other.

angry willy wonka GIF
 
I know Harry Kane has talked about wanting to see if he could be an NFL kicker once he retires from football. I guess that could be an interesting one since it's quite a specific skillset and not as physical as other positions. But I imagine it would still be hard for someone to walk in and be comparable to others who have been playing that role for decades.
 
Their best players get recruited to the MLB and they get invited that way. It just wouldn't be feasible to have MLB teams far outside of the US since they play almost every day.
Im not super into baseball i only have a passing interest, isnt it the champions of each league against each other? What's stopping you inviting the Japanese champions to compete, like say the Champions league we have in European football?
 
Come on, America. You should know this as you have a professional league in the MLS. You have been playing the sport professionally for a very long time. This shouldn't be a shock to anyone.
No one watches that except immigrants lmao. This tournament probably hurt soccer in the US more than it helped. If this is the best the US can field I'm not watching some D tier league, and the rules are too retarded to follow a euro team.
 
Im not super into baseball i only have a passing interest, isnt it the champions of each league against each other? What's stopping you inviting the Japanese champions to compete, like say the Champions league we have in European football?
It'd be interesting to at least try it for an exhibition. It probably wouldn't be very competitive though since MLB is overall a lot better and the best players, like the generational talent Ohtani, come to the US to play. Advertisers wouldn't be happy if the finals are basically guaranteed to be lopsided.
 
Im not super into baseball i only have a passing interest, isnt it the champions of each league against each other? What's stopping you inviting the Japanese champions to compete, like say the Champions league we have in European football?
They would get fucking slaughtered lmao. MLB sucks up all the best players around the world because the pay is so much higher.
 
Im not super into baseball i only have a passing interest, isnt it the champions of each league against each other? What's stopping you inviting the Japanese champions to compete, like say the Champions league we have in European football?
Baseball plays 162+ games a year and teams play mostly daily with grueling travel schedules. It would not work. Just like it doesn't happen on footyball until the World Cup. Other championchips they do are more manageable due to less games and the countries being so close together (in Europe) like states in the US.

Baseball now has World Baseball Classic that fits the "World Cup" bill of players from their respected countries and teams.

 
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