We’ve got a chance. Tough one though.

My early thoughts are Belgium 2 - US 1.

I think we match up very well with Belgium with one exception. We've got nobody on the back line that can deal with Doku. Robinson gives us our best chance but he's still no match for him. Curiously, Garcia has been playing Doku at right wing this tournament instead of left wing. Freeman is praying to God it stays that way on Monday night.

14 hours ago, TEW said:

assuming the appeal is rejected which I expect

You can't appeal missing the next match. We can only appeal if FIFA extends the suspension beyond the round of 16.

2 hours ago, we_gotta_believe said:

You can't appeal missing the next match. We can only appeal if FIFA extends the suspension beyond the round of 16.

Ah, fair enough.

New pairs of underwear are out of stock on store shelves everywhere in Argentina tonight.

Just getting into WC mode now, finally seen a couple matches. Man, everybody crapping on Lalas for being intolerable wasn't kidding!

BTW, France is winning this. They're winning the next one too. Would have creamed Messi last time if they weren't down 7 guys. It's the most dominating and exciting team since 90's Brazil and I don't understand why the soccer loving world is so loathe to admit it.

1 hour ago, dawkins4prez said:

BTW, France is winning this. They're winning the next one too. Would have creamed Messi last time if they weren't down 7 guys. It's the most dominating and exciting team since 90's Brazil and I don't understand why the soccer loving world is so loathe to admit it.

Cause people don’t like France

23 hours ago, dawkins4prez said:

BTW, France is winning this. They're winning the next one too. Would have creamed Messi last time if they weren't down 7 guys. It's the most dominating and exciting team since 90's Brazil and I don't understand why the soccer loving world is so loathe to admit it.

See above. Cuz they’re frogs. Anyone but France.

Seeing reports that Balogan’s suspension has been suspended, and he’ll be available to play tomorrow. Big if true. Crazy too.

7 minutes ago, The_Omega said:

Seeing reports that Balogan’s suspension has been suspended, and he’ll be available to play tomorrow. Big if true. Crazy too.

True, big, and crazy

17 minutes ago, The_Omega said:

Seeing reports that Balogan’s suspension has been suspended, and he’ll be available to play tomorrow. Big if true. Crazy too.

Probably the craziest thing I've ever seen in international soccer. I don't think I've ever seen this in a world cup, and this isnt the only awful call thats ever happened.

It is 100% the correct call though, should never even been given out.

29 minutes ago, The_Omega said:

Seeing reports that Balogan’s suspension has been suspended, and he’ll be available to play tomorrow. Big if true. Crazy too.

On ESPN.com now. That’s nuts.

Imagine if we had lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina instead of winning

Here’s my main problem with it (other than the fact that anyone who disagrees with it has a legitimate gripe) is there a chance it gets upheld later? If so, they should refuse to accept this reprieve now. I’d much rather he miss the round of 16 then the quarter, semi or finals,

33 minutes ago, devpool said:

Probably the craziest thing I've ever seen in international soccer. I don't think I've ever seen this in a world cup, and this isnt the only awful call thats ever happened.

It is 100% the correct call though, should never even been given out.

FIFA has never had any integrity. The call was horrible but once it was there and final they should have left it alone. There is no recourse in their rules for removing the suspension and now every single incident will be met with endless calls to be overturned afterward. They can add an appeal process ahead of the next tourney but for now this is both great for the US and also horsesheet for Belgium.

7 minutes ago, The_Omega said:

Here’s my main problem with it (other than the fact that anyone who disagrees with it has a legitimate gripe) is there a chance it gets upheld later? If so, they should refuse to accept this reprieve now. I’d much rather he miss the round of 16 then the quarter, semi or finals,

Looks like they’ve basically changed it from a suspension of one game to a probationary period instead. Should be no risk of anything changing at this point. Of course we are talking about FIFA so ya never know.

Just saw they lifted the suspension. Wowww.

I've been watching world cups since '94 and I've never seen them rescind a red card.

On 7/4/2026 at 12:49 PM, dawkins4prez said:

Would have creamed Messi last time if they weren't down 7 guys.

lolwut? Who were they down besides Pogba?

Rumor now circulating that Trump contacted FIFA and requested the suspension be lifted. I sure hope that is not the case but hard not to think it may be true.

13 minutes ago, DrPhilly said:

Rumor now circulating that Trump contacted FIFA and requested the suspension be lifted. I sure hope that is not the case but hard not to think it may be true.

As we've seen, Trump can't keep a secret nor act in a modest manner, so we'll know that's not the case if he doesn't even attempt to take credit for it.

54 minutes ago, DrPhilly said:

FIFA has never had any integrity. The call was horrible but once it was there and final they should have left it alone. There is no recourse in their rules for removing the suspension and now every single incident will be met with endless calls to be overturned afterward. They can add an appeal process ahead of the next tourney but for now this is both great for the US and also horsesheet for Belgium.

The precedent was set with Ronaldo's suspension before the cup even began, and there is recourse according to FIFA.

Just now, devpool said:

The precedent was set with Ronaldo's suspension before the cup even began, and there is recourse according to FIFA.

Well of course FIFA says so but they certainly aren't to be trusted given their history of fraud, etc. Others (neutrals who make a business covering the sport) who have reviewed the FIFA rules have said there is no recourse for a single game suspension. The Ronaldo suspension was reduced in the number of games and that possibililty is part of the FIFA rules. That's how I've understood it in any case. Happy to be wrong but one thing is certain and that is that we certainly can't trust whatever FIFA says.