FIFA 2026 World Cup/Ticket Discussion Thread.

[OgNasty]

I think FIFA did a great job promoting the World Cup this year. It was everywhere for quite some time. Maybe the proximity to me played a role, but I feel like the rise in gambling culture was probably a bigger influence. Whatever the reason, soccer seems to be gaining popularity in the United States.

[dwyane36]

I think FIFA did a great job promoting the World Cup this year. It was everywhere for quite some time. Maybe the proximity to me played a role, but I feel like the rise in gambling culture was probably a bigger influence. Whatever the reason, soccer seems to be gaining popularity in the United States.

I think the growing popularity of prediction markets may have been one of the reasons why the last World Cup was the talk of the town. The fact that, on Polymarket alone, the total amount wagered on predictions for the winner exceeded $4.3 billion is a clear indication of the public’s heightened interest in this event. After all, the thrill of betting on the outcome of a sporting event always appeals to many people, even those who aren't interested in sports.

[Agbe]

2026 World Cup has come to an end.
Spain didn't receive any yellow card but Argentina collected 7+1 red  card. Spain got 12 shots on target while Argentina got zero. Spain 5 off shots target Argentina one. Possession, Spain 65 while Argentina 25. Spain goalkeeper saved zero ball while Argentina goalkeeper saved 11 shots.
After the match, there was a fight between paredes and Garcia when the final Whistle had been blown. FIFA is investigating the cause of the fight.

Mbappe still take the highest goal scorer title with 10 goals. Congratulations to the new champions Spain. From the beginning after the first leg, I have been saying that Argentina would not take this trophy. Because their performance was not like the previous World Cup. And I also wanted another club to take the cup. Well coordinated performance from Spain.

[HelliumZ]

I think FIFA did a great job promoting the World Cup this year. It was everywhere for quite some time. Maybe the proximity to me played a role, but I feel like the rise in gambling culture was probably a bigger influence. Whatever the reason, soccer seems to be gaining popularity in the United States.

The popularity of football has always been increasing, especially in the current era due to technological updates and the current increase in gambling. The most bets have been centered on the World Cup matches this year. The way America organized the World Cup this year in a colorful manner, the popularity of football in America has certainly increased. Professional and amateur gamblers were very active in the polymarkets around the World Cup, and gamblers played a much greater role in making the World Cup more attractive than in any previous tournament.

[LordShanken]

2026 World Cup has come to an end.
Spain didn't receive any yellow card but Argentina collected 7+1 red  card. Spain got 12 shots on target while Argentina got zero. Spain 5 off shots target Argentina one. Possession, Spain 65 while Argentina 25. Spain goalkeeper saved zero ball while Argentina goalkeeper saved 11 shots.
After the match, there was a fight between paredes and Garcia when the final Whistle had been blown. FIFA is investigating the cause of the fight.

Mbappe still take the highest goal scorer title with 10 goals. Congratulations to the new champions Spain. From the beginning after the first leg, I have been saying that Argentina would not take this trophy. Because their performance was not like the previous World Cup. And I also wanted another club to take the cup. Well coordinated performance from Spain.

Spain absolutely dominated Argentina in this 2026 World Cup final! Those stats don't lie, Emi Martinez was the only reason it didn't end 5-0 earlier.
Just a small correction: Argentina got 2 red cards in total (Enzo during the game and Paredes after the brawl).

Thanks to Rodri, Spain won the cup. He controlled the entire midfield brilliantly, and that proved crucial. I don't know who deserved Golden Ball more: Rodri, Messi, or Mbappe...

[blue Snow]

In the next few hours, the greatest career of all time is about to end and this is going to be the last time for Messi while playing and with that the story will end.  At the same time, the World Cup is about to end, just one match and then we wait for 2030 for the next edition. In this World Cup, We have lost many of the legends for example Ronaldo, Neymar and now Messi too but some of them have bad ending while Messi have chance to make it happy ending of his career.  

Its over for the best men player. Messi played his last world cup as he lost to Spain. First time I saw him crying in the podium. He wasn't crying because he lost, he  was crying because he wont be in the presence of a congregation on world cup competition.
Age is a blessing and sometimes it is a what proves our limitation as humans. One cannot be a champion forever, if it were possible Messi and Ronaldo will reduce his age in other to stay the best forever.

We won’t see Messi again on the World Cup stage. The world will surely miss him. Messi has achieved everything in soccer. The loss to Spain in the final didn’t mean much to Messi because he had already won the World Cup trophy during his career. As you said, Messi cried on that podium not because he lost, but because he’s about to retire from soccer, and he couldn’t hold back his tears when he saw the fans packing the stadium, fans who respected and supported him so deeply. It’s as if it’s incredibly hard for Messi to leave his fans behind in the world of soccer. However, age is inevitable, and Messi will soon retire from soccer. Best of luck always, and thank you, GOAT (Messi).

[POPOLUV]

2026 World Cup has come to an end.
Spain didn't receive any yellow card but Argentina collected 7+1 red  card. Spain got 12 shots on target while Argentina got zero. Spain 5 off shots target Argentina one. Possession, Spain 65 while Argentina 25. Spain goalkeeper saved zero ball while Argentina goalkeeper saved 11 shots.
After the match, there was a fight between paredes and Garcia when the final Whistle had been blown. FIFA is investigating the cause of the fight.

Mbappe still take the highest goal scorer title with 10 goals. Congratulations to the new champions Spain. From the beginning after the first leg, I have been saying that Argentina would not take this trophy. Because their performance was not like the previous World Cup. And I also wanted another club to take the cup. Well coordinated performance from Spain.

I was so surprised when i heard it on the News this morning and i quickly saw it allover social media about  the behavior of Argentina after the end world cup final and which draw the attention of the FIFA to conduct an investigation to know what really caused the fight between paredes and Garcia, FIFA is still undergoing investigation and probably i believe that they will be able to identify who is at fault and settle everything amicably.

It was really amazing to see Spain team dominating in all the futures of the FIFA world cup final and the ball possession as well, messi could not believe they will lose that very day, until it happened to Argentina team.

[Agbe]

I was so surprised when i heard it on the News this morning and i quickly saw it allover social media about  the behavior of Argentina after the end world cup final and which draw the attention of the FIFA to conduct an investigation to know what really caused the fight between paredes and Garcia, FIFA is still undergoing investigation and probably i believe that they will be able to identify who is at fault and settle everything amicably.

With careful looking at the match, you will discovered that the referee favored Argentina more because Argentina players were attacking Spain players in many time on the pitch. In the 51 minutes or there about Yamal was attacked when he was running with the ball at the right side of Argentina area and the referee didn't blow for them. Spain won that match because they were very strong and tough for Argentina. Argentina was looking for penalty but they could not get it. Now the question everyone is asking now is will FIFA sanction the Argentina players attacked Spain player Garcia. paredes should be sanction for the violation on the pitch after the match.

[Decimetre]

I was so surprised when i heard it on the News this morning and i quickly saw it allover social media about  the behavior of Argentina after the end world cup final and which draw the attention of the FIFA to conduct an investigation to know what really caused the fight between paredes and Garcia, FIFA is still undergoing investigation and probably i believe that they will be able to identify who is at fault and settle everything amicably.

With careful looking at the match, you will discovered that the referee favored Argentina more because Argentina players were attacking Spain players in many time on the pitch. In the 51 minutes or there about Yamal was attacked when he was running with the ball at the right side of Argentina area and the referee didn't blow for them. Spain won that match because they were very strong and tough for Argentina. Argentina was looking for penalty but they could not get it. Now the question everyone is asking now is will FIFA sanction the Argentina players attacked Spain player Garcia. paredes should be sanction for the violation on the pitch after the match.

All I see there was frustration and rage for not winning at the end. Even though the camera was not focused early on the two before the fight but from the period they were captured, I felt the the cause of the fight was have been from an after match argument about how the Argentine players attacked the Spanish team. Paredes would go on to be punished if the investigation proves him guilty since even the initial red card that was recorded against him has been removed by FIFA while waiting for the outcome of investigation. Other people including The Argentina assistant coach and even Molina may also face disciplinary action for the post match behaviour against the Spain side. I doubt if there will be a fair investigation because the Argentina team believe they are backed by FIFA and we saw how even referees have been favouring them.

[blue Snow]

I don't know who deserved Golden Ball more: Rodri, Messi, or Mbappe...

In my opinion, Messi is the one who should have won the Golden Ball, not Rodri. Messi posted impressive stats throughout the tournament, scoring in every match leading up to the final. Rodri, on the other hand, didn’t score a single goal or record a single assist. In fact, many soccer legends believe that Messi was robbed of the Golden Ball. To me, no matter how you look at it, Messi is the one who should have won the Golden Ball.

[laspol65]

I don't know who deserved Golden Ball more: Rodri, Messi, or Mbappe...

In my opinion, Messi is the one who should have won the Golden Ball, not Rodri. Messi posted impressive stats throughout the tournament, scoring in every match leading up to the final. Rodri, on the other hand, didn’t score a single goal or record a single assist. In fact, many soccer legends believe that Messi was robbed of the Golden Ball. To me, no matter how you look at it, Messi is the one who should have won the Golden Ball.

Why Did Rodri Win FIFA World Cup Golden Ball
Rodri had no goals or assists in the tournament, but he was critical to Spain's possession-heavy style of play. He completed more passes than anyone else (753) with 94% accuracy. He was involved in 1,803 plays, according to FIFA stats, nearly 200 more than anyone else at this World Cup.
"The midfielder was a steady presence in the centre of the park for La Roja in their eight matches, helping them win their second global crown," FIFA wrote in a report.

Source link: https://sports.ndtv.com/fifa-world-cup-2026/why-rodri-won-fifa-world-cup-golden-ball-over-lionel-messi-despite-0-goals-0-assists-explained-11796401

Look, FIFA has announced this and based on this announcement, they have given Rodri the Golden Ball.
However, since FIFA has announced this, it is really good, but if we consider all aspects, Messi deserves this Golden Ball. What a father

[CryptSafe]

I think FIFA did a great job promoting the World Cup this year. It was everywhere for quite some time. Maybe the proximity to me played a role, but I feel like the rise in gambling culture was probably a bigger influence. Whatever the reason, soccer seems to be gaining popularity in the United States.

Could it be that FIFA had this in mind to make sure the United States get along with football? Because to the best of my knowledge, football is not as popular  in the US there rather basketball if I am not mistaken which they so much get occupied with as it is one of the best sports activities they like.

This year's FIFA world cup really gave a visible presence of football in the US attracting internationals and tourists into the country letting the US nationals know that a sports activity is really going on which they could be a part of.

I will also agree with you that "the rise in gambling culture was a bigger influence" in the visibility of the FIFA world cup tournament because gambling is not prohibited in the US and as such casinos who promotes the FIFA tournament on their platforms would get the attention of their community in placing bets on matches as it relates to the world cup tournament. This in turn would interest the players to bet for world cup matches and also make them to watch the match live thereby creating more awareness of the tournament all over the world.

[LUCKMCFLY]

It was really amazing to see Spain team dominating in all the futures of the FIFA world cup final and the ball possession as well, messi could not believe they will lose that very day, until it happened to Argentina team.

That happens because they were confident in receiving refereeing help; when they lose they say the refereeing was very bad, but they don't realize that they were always FIFA's favorites. For me, Spain did excellently, impeccable football, they went for it and got a great goal. At first, I didn't really like the final; teams arrived that seemed like a Barcelona against Argentina, but between them and the helped Argentina, I preferred the semi-Barcelona Spain with the exception of Cucurella who is ready for Real Madrid.

[dzonikg28]

It was really amazing to see Spain team dominating in all the futures of the FIFA world cup final and the ball possession as well, messi could not believe they will lose that very day, until it happened to Argentina team.

That happens because they were confident in receiving refereeing help; when they lose they say the refereeing was very bad, but they don't realize that they were always FIFA's favorites. For me, Spain did excellently, impeccable football, they went for it and got a great goal. At first, I didn't really like the final; teams arrived that seemed like a Barcelona against Argentina, but between them and the helped Argentina, I preferred the semi-Barcelona Spain with the exception of Cucurella who is ready for Real Madrid.

What was even more impressive was the number of Atletico Madrid players in the final. I didn't really notice until I read in the news that there were nine Atletico Madrid players in both teams in the final.

Every player has hope to win a final and in that regard Messi is no different. But I think he handled it decently in the end, didn't engage in the violence that happened after the match and just focused on his fans, showed emotions. I don't think there is anything wrong about it.

Spain did a similar thing, they warned upfront and told the referees in press conferences that they expect the referees to be neutral. It's clear what that means. This playing of games before matches is normal. During the match Spain vs. Argentina, I think nobody thought that Argentina would win it. Spain was too dominant and deserved it.

[LUCKMCFLY]

What was even more impressive was the number of Atletico Madrid players in the final. I didn't really notice until I read in the news that there were nine Atletico Madrid players in both teams in the final.

Every player has hope to win a final and in that regard Messi is no different. But I think he handled it decently in the end, didn't engage in the violence that happened after the match and just focused on his fans, showed emotions. I don't think there is anything wrong about it.

Spain did a similar thing, they warned upfront and told the referees in press conferences that they expect the referees to be neutral. It's clear what that means. This playing of games before matches is normal. During the match Spain vs. Argentina, I think nobody thought that Argentina would win it. Spain was too dominant and deserved it.

It was a great match; for me, the final pulled us out of the mud after everything that had happened in this World Cup. I was already fed up with seeing so many injustices and that all the refereeing had been in favor of Argentina. Argentina should have lost to Egypt, but since the blatant disregard was supreme in that game, things kept progressing. I'm very happy and I also congratulate the referee; he delivered justice and everyone was satisfied.