2018 & 2026 World Cup
 

The 2018 World Cup starts today. Without the US, I really have no interest. I find it interesting the marketing campaign being done by Fox and their sponsor, 23 & Me. They are pushing genetic connections to other countries to draw interest, because they know without the US, it's a more select crowd in the US that will be watching (still a good amount, though).

North America - US, Canada, Mexico - won a bid to host the 2026 World Cup. Very cool stuff. Ironically, it will be the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. All I have to say is bring on England...

The US is never going to be a soccer country IMO. Not enough scoring or statistics.

Not having a US team qualifying doesn’t change my interest. I’m looking forward to watching quite a few matches. I’m a Portugal 🇵🇹 supporter but I have no illusions of them getting far.

I’m baffled by the fact that a country as large as ours can’t field a soccer team.

Hey, you guys are still good at soccer. Look how many times the US qualified:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United...FIFA_World_Cup

Now look at Canada:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canada...FIFA_World_Cup

I think the talent is there. Our coaches have SUCKED.

No, it's LeBron's fault. ;)

Alright, listen here Canada... ;)

Due to the large diverse population in the U.S. you will always have quite a bit of interest in real football. It is not hard to go on cable and find a game. The Peruvian chicken place near my house always has on a Mexican league game when I go in. If you live near a city where there is a large Latino, Middle Eastern or 1st generation European population you are bound to see jerseys of the popular teams. Last weekend I was in Canastota, NY for the Boxing Hall of Fame inductions. It sits about 20 miles east of Syracuse. I was in some store either in East Syracuse or Canastota and the girl at the cash register was wearing an FC Barcelona shirt.

Not only did the US not qualify, which is a disgrace in the soup can group they have to go through, but traditional powerhouses Italy and the Netherlands are also not competing. Still will be watching intently and trying to pick out an outsider or two to try and root home. With the Mets not playing meaningful baseball again this year the Cup will fill the summer doldrums until racing season at Saratoga.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H__qAxjV89U

Errrr I blame my kids??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEiRE_-qdo8


One of my favorites.

I actually do like soccer.