Been a minute since I gave you the yin, a sobering view of the current state of affairs. I promised you the other side of the coin, a joy-filled palate cleanser, so here it is.
The FIFA men's World Cup has expanded to 48 teams for next year's event in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Don't overthink it: as the great Georgio Chinaglia was wont to say, it's the money, you moron.
I think it'll be bad for the event, at least in the early stages. More mediocre teams against the world's top sides means more lopsided results. It's a bit reminiscent of the women's version in 2019, when the U.S. memorably pasted an overmatched Thailand by a 13-0 tally. I don't know if Germany will drop a baker's dozen on New Caledonia, but I also don't think I'd care to watch that match.
The silver lining to FIFA's greed-grab (or, more simply said, FIFA) is that we get more celebrations as teams unaccustomed to the World Cup stage qualify for the event for the first time, or the first time in decades.
And so I give you celebration this fine morning:
Cape Verde qualified out of Africa, the first time the Blue Sharks have ever made the big bracket.
Cape Verde after they qualified for the 2026 World Cup
byu/Shroft insoccer
Ireland trailed Hungary heading into stoppage time, then scored twice to keep their hopes alive. Go to the 4:00 mark to see Troy Parrott's third goal of the game, the one that means the Irish qualify for the UEFA knockout round.
Cape Verde set a record as the smallest nation to ever qualify for the World Cup. And then Curacao beat it. The island nation has a population of 155,000, or roughly one third of that of my county. I'm putting a squad together for 2030.
Full time scenes at Jamaica vs Curaçao
byu/Critical_Mountain851 insoccer
Incredible scenes in Curaçao after their historic world cup qualification
byu/Shroft insoccer
Scotland and Denmark were knotted at two late in their match, with the Scots needing a win to clinch qualification. See the video at 18:51 for Kieran Tierney's go-ahead goal and 21:50 for Kenny McLain's clincher from midfield.
And finally, no nation had to overcome more than Haiti, who haven't played in a World Cup since 1974 and weren't permitted to host any qualifying matches due to unrest at home. They went ahead and qualified anyway.
Joyous scenes as Haiti, who have not played at home in four years due to civil unrest, qualify for their first World Cup since 1974
byu/turmericist insoccer
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we're in boulder for the kidlet's final home game as a buffs cheerleader. stayed up pretty late last night celebrating with her. seems the "altitude" might've been a bit much for the missus, who's going through it this morning.
ReplyDeletewho says my version of "physical graffiti" is a parody? it's very useful!
ReplyDeletei'm excited for this truncation of "tusk"-- i love that song and that album, but don't listen to it very often because it is long and rambling. thanks whit!
if you recall the critically acclaimed rob lasso series, you’ll remember sid, a talented but mentally fragile freshman. she’s now a sophomore at mary washington, playing meaningful minutes off the bench. the eagles beat penn state harrisburg this afternoon to move into the d3 elite 8 to face the tufts jumbos. big excite.
ReplyDeleteI have 4 teenage girls sleeping at the house tonight (mine being one of them). And my wife is working at her restaurant. Pray for me.
ReplyDeleteIn better news, I planted five more tomato plants this afternoon. We’re now at 13 tomato plants. Gonna be swimming in tomatoes.