Fun fact. For the 1966 World Cup, England debated denying visas for North Korea. FIFA responded that if any players from any teams were denied visas,they would relocate the World Cup, even at the last minute.
Qatar said it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from, you can come to the World Cup, just don’t drink alcohol at the stadium.
USA said you can’t come. Who you are or where you come from matters. We’ll decide who can and can’t participate. This isn’t a sport for everyone.
Ian Wright is an absolute hero for saying how we all feel about this World Cup…
“I've just read that the Somalian referee has been denied entry. Every few hours it's another story, another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied, now refs," Wright said.
"You know something I'm laughing but it's not funny, it's actually not funny and something has to be said.
"The expensive tickets, the most expensive tickets ever, expensive accommodation, transport through the roof. It has to be said.
"Is this how the hosts behave really for the greatest game, the greatest tournament in the world, is this how the hosts behave?
"Are we not hearing more? Are we seeing how Qatar got dragged, are we not hearing more? Is this the spirit of football, really?
"You know who I feel for? I feel for the American fans who are desperate for this, American soccer fans who are desperate for this, how embarrassed they must be. How embarrassing for them this must be.
"This is the World Cup, this is a World Cup of chaos. Whoever wins this World Cup is going to have to go through some serious chaos to get this done.
"I hope we can do it, but something has to be said now. This is the World Cup."
So far at the 2026 FIFA Epstein Cup before a ball kicked:
- Senegal & Uzbekistan squads treated like criminals upon arrival given full cavity searches;
- Africa’s best referee sent back to Somalia despite having a diplomatic passport;
- Iraq team photographer sent back despite valid visa;
- AIPS (international sport journalist association) calling on FIFA to sort out unacceptable visa issues of African & Iranian journalists;
- 90% of Moroccan fans with tickets denied entry
- 14 members of Iran backroom staff denied visas
Not a word from Gianni ”today I feel black/gay/disabled etc” Infantino.
Soccer would not exist without immigrants. Immigrants play and coach the game, work in the stadiums, fill the stands, and make celebrations like the World Cup possible. Six of the players on the US Men's National Team are immigrants.
We will not allow ICE or anyone else to sow fear in our communities — especially at this moment. As the world comes to our city, we will stand proudly with our immigrant neighbors and reject these attacks for what they are: an attempt to divide us.
@NOT_MOTD You are really comparing a guy who played 21 league games and 38 in all comps to a guy who has played almost every possible minute in the Premier League (55 games in all comps)
I am a single issue voter anymore. If you support Israel in literally any way shape or form I will not vote for you. I do not care about literally anything else anymore. How can anyone see this and ignore it.
2022: "Arsenal blew their only chance of finishing top 4!"
2023: "Arsenal blew their only chance of winning the league!"
2026: "Arsenal blew their only chance of winning the Champions League!
I remember watching Arsenal lose to Barcelona in 2006 and feeling like it was the end of an era. When the final whistle blew in Paris twenty years ago, we sensed that Henry, Pires, Ljungberg, and Campbell were on their way out. Winning the Champions League was meant to be a swan song for a group of Arsenal veterans and the capstone of Wenger’s decade-long project. That’s what made the loss so hard to take.
Today felt different. Arsenal lost, but it feels like a new era is beginning. The team pushed PSG’s coddled players to the absolute limit, completely neutralized their attack, and were denied a clear penalty. The loss hurts, but you can tell these players are totally committed to the club and to one another. They know there is so much more they can achieve. They can feel the fans are behind them.
Arsenal has all the ingredients to dominate for years to come… and the players know it. Just look at Rice’s expression. Winning the Premier League unlocked a new mentality in the team.
Tomorrow’s parade is a commencement.