World Cup 2026 - A General Thread (Includes ‘Hydration’ Break Discussion)

[jackharris]

In 1986 I was 10 and it was my first World Cup that I was really in to. I was gutted Wales weren’t there and Scotland were. I was thinking that if Wales, Scotland and England had had a combined team we would have perhaps won it? With the likes of Southall, Nichol, Sansom, Ratcliffe, Butcher, Hanson, Souness, Dalglish, Barnes, Waddle, James, Lineker, Rush, Hughes, Strachan, Hoddle, Robson (if fit), etc - just my little football fantasy.

1990 - the football wasn’t all that, but I felt like football was at home. Decent kick off times. The San Siro in all its glory and the stadiums all round Italy. With the Olympic Stadium being refurbished. The Cameroons with Roger Milla(sp?), it was a memorable World Cup for me. With the music thrown in.

1994 - was not that bad, I like kick-offs being late because I was in University and we had finished for the year. I was gutted when we nearly qualified. I followed Ireland in this one. Loved Jack Charlton and loved watching Ray Houghton score in New York. A stadium full of Irish and Italians. The final was not very memorable.

1998 - I was down St Davids doing my Teaching Practice in a tiny school of 68 pupils. Watched the England v Argentina match in Haverfordwest. For some unknown reason a local got angry at me and started chasing me around the town, he was slow. Thankfully.

2002 - I was in London and I had to get the England v Brazil 1/4 final set up for all the children to watch on a big screen in the Hall. Using a projector and a few bits of equipment we managed it.

2006 Germany - still living up in London. Watched a few of the matches with some of the other teachers.

2010 - Back in Swansea, great having a World Cup in South Africa. So much passion for the game.

2014 - I enjoyed the kick-off times being later in Brazil. Glad Germany took their foot off the gas in the semi-final v Brazil.

2018 - nice stadiums in Russia and some tidy football.

2022 - football was really good in Qatar. Just didn’t like the whole tournament being in one area. I love World Cups being spread around in different cities. With stadiums that have some sort of history. I was gutted with Wales and it was a bridge too far for Bale and co. Didn’t like it being played in the winter. Love that world cups are in the summer when there are no Swans matches.

2026 - Looking forward to watching matches later in the night. There are some tremendous stadiums being used. There will be lot of games. There will be more matches in the group stages than the entire tournament in Qatar. Fingers crossed Wales get there.

 

[K23]

I assume it will allow the American TV stations to show adverts.

Wait until the final half time show line-up is announced.

If anyone actually believes the obligatory 3 minute break is for any reason other than selling advertising rights, they are fooling themselves. American football is played as 4 quarters and potential advertisers must have been up in arms and frothing at their mouths about 2 halves so calling them 3 minute 'hydration breaks" is the only way they can appease them and justify doing the same with 'soccer' (I felt dirty even typing that word )

 

[Jackareme]

For a long time it was a desire of mine to live in an environment with four seasons. I once passed up a foreign assignment in Michigan and regularly kick myself that we never took it up. Visiting Detroit regularly never delivered what living in Michigan could have. When it comes to climate, I am as comfortable in snow and ice as I am in heat.

I literally look at Detroit from my house - across the Detroit river it is less than a mile away. Ford Field Comerica park and the LCA are less than 5 miles away.
Was a time i crossed about 10 times a month - now the border is much more hostile, US prices have equalized with Canadian - and no Canadian wants to support the US economy.
VERY sad - but now i just selectively cross for sports/concerts and maybe an airport run to DTW.
Worry is the damage done may never be undone - there is a tangible and seismic change in Canada/US relations - totally ridiculous and unnecessary

 

[Jackareme]

If anyone actually believes the obligatory 3 minute break is for any reason other than selling advertsing rights, they are fooling themselves. American football is played as 4 quarters and potential advertisers must have been up in arms and frothing at their mouths about 2 halves so calling them 3 minute 'hydration breaks" is the only way they can appease them and justify doing the same with 'soccer' (I felt dirty even typing that word )

Wait until they start with the 2 minute warning mate!

 

[Frankie Burrows Cap]

In 1986 I was 10 and it was my first World Cup that I was really in to. I was gutted Wales weren’t there and Scotland were. I was thinking that if Wales, Scotland and England had had a combined team we would have perhaps won it? With the likes of Southall, Nichol, Sansom, Ratcliffe, Butcher, Hanson, Souness, Dalglish, Barnes, Waddle, James, Lineker, Rush, Hughes, Strachan, Hoddle, Robson (if fit), etc - just my little football fantasy.

1990 - the football wasn’t all that, but I felt like football was at home. Decent kick off times. The San Siro in all its glory and the stadiums all round Italy. With the Olympic Stadium being refurbished. The Cameroons with Roger Milla(sp?), it was a memorable World Cup for me. With the music thrown in.

1994 - was not that bad, I like kick-offs being late because I was in University and we had finished for the year. I was gutted when we nearly qualified. I followed Ireland in this one. Loved Jack Charlton and loved watching Ray Houghton score in New York. A stadium full of Irish and Italians. The final was not very memorable.

1998 - I was down St Davids doing my Teaching Practice in a tiny school of 68 pupils. Watched the England v Argentina match in Haverfordwest. For some unknown reason a local got angry at me and started chasing me around the town, he was slow. Thankfully.

2002 - I was in London and I had to get the England v Brazil 1/4 final set up for all the children to watch on a big screen in the Hall. Using a projector and a few bits of equipment we managed it.

2006 Germany - still living up in London. Watched a few of the matches with some of the other teachers.

2010 - Back in Swansea, great having a World Cup in South Africa. So much passion for the game.

2014 - I enjoyed the kick-off times being later in Brazil. Glad Germany took their foot off the gas in the semi-final v Brazil.

2018 - nice stadiums in Russia and some tidy football.

2022 - football was really good in Qatar. Just didn’t like the whole tournament being in one area. I love World Cups being spread around in different cities. With stadiums that have some sort of history. I was gutted with Wales and it was a bridge too far for Bale and co. Didn’t like it being played in the winter. Love that world cups are in the summer when there are no Swans matches.

2026 - Looking forward to watching matches later in the night. There are some tremendous stadiums being used. There will be lot of games. There will be more matches in the group stages than the entire tournament in Qatar. Fingers crossed Wales get there.

Great summary and some similar memories (if in different locations).

International football isn't for everyone, but I love a World Cup. Always some great stories and as long as England don't win it I'll thoroughly enjoy this one as well!!

 

[jackharris]

World Cup 2026: BBC TV schedule confirmed with Scotland and England fixtures

The BBC will broadcast Scotland's first World Cup match since 1998, when they take on Haiti on 14 June, plus their final group match against Brazil and England's group match against Ghana.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[jackharris]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1998716743884398747

 

[Longlostjack]

I saw them at a Serie B game in 2019, probably a third full. Also saw a Bari game in the same year, they were in Serie C and there was about 3,000 inside a 55k capacity stadium. An incredible sight. Bari was also in a huge state of disrepair.

Worst stadium I’ve seen was Como! Naples stadium has a part of the upper tier blocked off due to structural issues with the concrete. I presume that the rest of the concrete has passed the safety checks

 

[JackSomething]

Imo your first World Cup is always the one that means the most, so for that reason it has to be Italia '90 for me. The tournament that got me into football full stop.

Cameroon.
Baggio's wonder goal.
Rijkaard's flob.
Schillaci winning the golden boot out of nowhere.
Ireland's run.
Waddle blazing over the bar.

Great memories.

(Whilst acknowledging it was a low scoring tournament, with several boring and cynical games)

Agree with every word of that.

I do think the ability to watch nearly every match around the world on tv/streaming/internet if you want to means World Cups will never be as special as they were, even if the football is better. It's the same reason Football Italia on Channel 4 was such an event when it started in the early 90's, it was the only way for most of us to watch brilliant players like Baggio, Maldini, Batistuta, etc.