FIFA World Cup 2026

[ramAnag]

GP please stop the endless trying to wind rA up by purposely misunderstanding what he has posted. It is incredibly childish.

Thanks RP, but he never winds me up despite his repeated and, as you suggest, ‘childish’ attempts.

[SithHappens]

I don't think RA post was really whataboutery, it was as he says highlighting double standards.

For me whataboutery is when someone offers an opinion / criticism against a thing or person you support and you respond with yeah but what about that thing about the thing or person you support.

I don't think RA is supporting Mills, just pointing out hes getting sacked for historical offences where the authorities have already said there is no evidence to prosecute. Where Trump HAS been proven guilty in a court of law yet has been elected and re elected.

Bit like Mason Greenwood being sacked by Man Utd for an offence not proven, yet they re signed Cristiano Ronaldo. Now personally I think Greenwood was guilty and good riddance but Ronaldo is a convicted criminal and you might say a self confessed rapist for paying her off to silence her.

[Geoff Parkstone]

1. I think both the cricket and rugby boycotts of long ago and the role they played in ending apartheid in South Africa would suggest otherwise. I?m struggling to understand how I can ?politicise? politicians I dislike. They?re politicians and, by definition, are therefore already politicised.

2. Agree with the first bit and I also opposed Qatar being chosen however I think it was chosen 14 years before the event. Trump?s behaviour and the worldwide chaos and suffering his actions are causing is happening now.

3. Silly point. I?m questioning whether the U.S. under a Trump administration remains an appropriate venue, not trying to stop people going or ?impose? my view. It?s an opinion, a point of view?nothing more. Thought that?s what forums are for.

4. No, not a joke and its Scott Mills btw. You?re right, I?ve absolutely no idea about his alleged wrong doing, know nothing about the bloke and rarely listen to R2. If he?s done wrong he deserves what?s coming, it was just an observation about the double standards we operate under. A Radio 2 employee, rightly or wrongly, gets sacked for an alleged, but currently unproven, *** crime. Trump in comparison is lauded by FIFA when he has actually been found guilty of a *** crime and is linked with many others. No idea what your closing comment means.

Re 1 you have a point that the sporting boycott of South Africa likely did help end apartheid in some wayt, but the economic sanctions were much more central, also that was a ban on sporting connections with sports that the South Africans loved. In the USA "soccer" is still a minority sport - for men at least - and I dont think it would have the same impact. Banning the USA from other global sports events would be more impactful - eg Olympics (oh bugger they are hosting that too). Difficulty is that the major sports in the USA are primarily not significantly globalised.

2. The World Cup is shared by Canada and Mexiuco so boycotting it would "punish two innocent countries" neither of whom has the infrastructure to take over full hosting. But the key to me is that the US element of hosting was awarded to the USA, not to Trump and likely to the USA when Trump was not in power. To punish an entire nation and stifle the aims to develop the sport in USA more seems to be wrong as a way of showing global disquiet at the actions of a loose cannon who is not representative of the whole country, but sadly is their appointed representative.

3. We can agree to differ. The individual should have the right to boycott the tournament, but advocating its cancellation is quite different and I for one would not support that perspective

4, Apologies to the wrong Mills - Id never heard of Scott either. However I dont think the allusion is relevant: Mills just seems to be a victim of more BBC hand wringing (whether meritted or not). Trump as I said should face impeachment if found guilty: his situation is way more serious in the overall scheme of life and thats said without throwing the Iranian attacks into the equation.

RP - I wasnt trying to wind rA up and by his asserton rA wasnt wound up by it. Seems like the only one who was, was you. As they say - if you dont like it, dont read it. I find some of your continual personally insulting comments about Trump/orange/Fanta etc to be childish, but I dont whinge. Get over it.

[swaledale]

I did misconstrue your somewhat ambiguous comment 'I'm beginning to wonder if we should even bother going' as referring to you personally rather than the 1england Mens Football Team. As for your various suggestions, you are in a dream world I'm afraid, and I doubt that you and the other indignant ones on here and elsewhere have enough courage in your convictions not to watch any USA-hosted games.

Your last paragraph is whataboutery

Well, I can confirm that I didn't watch one world cup game in Qatar, I'm sure my not doing that didn't change a thing, it was partly on principle and partly becuase I have not watched England games either live or on TV for about a decade. I did make an exception for the Euro Final v Italy, largely because I was invited to watch at a friends house, but the failure to take the best chance of winning a trophy, through Southgate's excessive caution and tactical incompetence further reinforced my view it wasn't worth watching England.

I shall not be watching the World Cup this year, unless I'm in a similar situation. I won't be travelling to the US until Trump's term ends, Thats no hardship, as I've travelled there extensively and have virtually cut out all long haul flights over the past 8 years, indeed I rarely fly these days.

But I concur with your view, go if you want to, unless your someone who has been very vocal and critical and insulting about Trump on social media, its doutful that you will have any issues.

Though it might be wise to ensure you have completed all ESTA and other documentation accurately and truthfully and you have all the necessary documents and meet all other requirements. There are well documented cases of people being detained by ICE for weeks and a friend of mine spent 3 days at LAX being interrogated before being admitted, so there is always a chance.

If the Iran war continues, you might find the air fares rather pricey though!

[swaledale]

Re 1 you have a point that the sporting boycott of South Africa likely did help end apartheid in some wayt, but the economic sanctions were much more central, also that was a ban on sporting connections with sports that the South Africans loved. In the USA "soccer" is still a minority sport - for men at least - and I dont think it would have the same impact. Banning the USA from other global sports events would be more impactful - eg Olympics (oh bugger they are hosting that too). Difficulty is that the major sports in the USA are primarily not significantly globalised.

2. The World Cup is shared by Canada and Mexiuco so boycotting it would "punish two innocent countries" neither of whom has the infrastructure to take over full hosting. But the key to me is that the US element of hosting was awarded to the USA, not to Trump and likely to the USA when Trump was not in power. To punish an entire nation and stifle the aims to develop the sport in USA more seems to be wrong as a way of showing global disquiet at the actions of a loose cannon who is not representative of the whole country, but sadly is their appointed representative.

3. We can agree to differ. The individual should have the right to boycott the tournament, but advocating its cancellation is quite different and I for one would not support that perspective

4, Apologies to the wrong Mills - Id never heard of Scott either. However I dont think the allusion is relevant: Mills just seems to be a victim of more BBC hand wringing (whether meritted or not). Trump as I said should face impeachment if found guilty: his situation is way more serious in the overall scheme of life and thats said without throwing the Iranian attacks into the equation.

RP - I wasnt trying to wind rA up and by his asserton rA wasnt wound up by it. Seems like the only one who was, was you. As they say - if you dont like it, dont read it. I find some of your continual personally insulting comments about Trump/orange/Fanta etc to be childish, but I dont whinge. Get over it.

To be fair to RP, unless your a politician who has to try and act professionally when dealing with Trump's childish and bat **** crazy comments and behaviour, making childish insults about the bloke and his inherently unqualified and utterly stupid accolites is perfectly reasonable. Not really sure why such insults would either offend you or why treating the manchild with the lack of respect he deserves would irk you?

[swaledale]

I don't think RA post was really whataboutery, it was as he says highlighting double standards.

For me whataboutery is when someone offers an opinion / criticism against a thing or person you support and you respond with yeah but what about that thing about the thing or person you support.

I don't think RA is supporting Mills, just pointing out hes getting sacked for historical offences where the authorities have already said there is no evidence to prosecute. Where Trump HAS been proven guilty in a court of law yet has been elected and re elected.

Bit like Mason Greenwood being sacked by Man Utd for an offence not proven, yet they re signed Cristiano Ronaldo. Now personally I think Greenwood was guilty and good riddance but Ronaldo is a convicted criminal and you might say a self confessed rapist for paying her off to silence her.

I think you mean historical allegations, Mills wasn't convicted of anything and therefore hasn't committed any offences according to the law. Greenwood's case collapsed due to the allegations beng dropped, I agree it seems very iffy and one can belive he is guilty, but legally he isn't of course.

Obviously there is much we don't know about Mill's case, however when dealng with an employee, an employer can legally sack someone on the basis their conduct has brought the company into disrepute where its pertinent to thier role and of course they do not have to prove beyond doubt what has happened or need a conviction, but can dismiss on the lower civil bar of probability.

I suspect Mills was offered a deal and took it, otherwise the BBC would have suspended him pending the outcome of an investigation.

[Andy_Faber]

Well, I can confirm that I didn't watch one world cup game in Qatar, I'm sure my not doing that didn't change a thing, it was partly on principle and partly becuase I have not watched England games either live or on TV for about a decade. I did make an exception for the Euro Final v Italy, largely because I was invited to watch at a friends house, but the failure to take the best chance of winning a trophy, through Southgate's excessive caution and tactical incompetence further reinforced my view it wasn't worth watching England.

I shall not be watching the World Cup this year, unless I'm in a similar situation. I won't be travelling to the US until Trump's term ends, Thats no hardship, as I've travelled there extensively and have virtually cut out all long haul flights over the past 8 years, indeed I rarely fly these days.

But I concur with your view, go if you want to, unless your someone who has been very vocal and critical and insulting about Trump on social media, its doutful that you will have any issues.

Though it might be wise to ensure you have completed all ESTA and other documentation accurately and truthfully and you have all the necessary documents and meet all other requirements. There are well documented cases of people being detained by ICE for weeks and a friend of mine spent 3 days at LAX being interrogated before being admitted, so there is always a chance.

If the Iran war continues, you might find the air fares rather pricey though!

All my major flights and holidays are paid up to 2028 but thanks

I'm familiar with esta etc but almost fell foul of US Immigration a few years ago when I was asked to offer my right hand into a scanner for biometrics, only for Mrs F, normally totally on point when travelling, repeatedly prevented me doing so, bizarely thinking I was offering my left hand. I could feel the beads of panic-induced sweat beading up on my bonce and it felt like the whole ten seconds of misunderstanding lasted hours. fortunately the young lady behind the glass found it mildly amusing. She's probably been sacked for failing to meet targets

[Ram Pant]

According to BBC brekkie this morning, the Mills accusations are over 30 years old and there were no charges as "the evidence threshold wasn't reached". They went on to add that they have received more information recently which is that the accuser was under 16.That does put a different light on it but is the new light sufficient to justify the sacking as there were never any charges, never mind a conviction?

[ramAnag]

Re 1 you have a point that the sporting boycott of South Africa likely did help end apartheid in some wayt, but the economic sanctions were much more central, also that was a ban on sporting connections with sports that the South Africans loved. In the USA "soccer" is still a minority sport - for men at least - and I dont think it would have the same impact. Banning the USA from other global sports events would be more impactful - eg Olympics (oh bugger they are hosting that too). Difficulty is that the major sports in the USA are primarily not significantly globalised.

2. The World Cup is shared by Canada and Mexiuco so boycotting it would "punish two innocent countries" neither of whom has the infrastructure to take over full hosting. But the key to me is that the US element of hosting was awarded to the USA, not to Trump and likely to the USA when Trump was not in power. To punish an entire nation and stifle the aims to develop the sport in USA more seems to be wrong as a way of showing global disquiet at the actions of a loose cannon who is not representative of the whole country, but sadly is their appointed representative.

3. We can agree to differ. The individual should have the right to boycott the tournament, but advocating its cancellation is quite different and I for one would not support that perspective

4, Apologies to the wrong Mills - Id never heard of Scott either. However I dont think the allusion is relevant: Mills just seems to be a victim of more BBC hand wringing (whether meritted or not). Trump as I said should face impeachment if found guilty: his situation is way more serious in the overall scheme of life and thats said without throwing the Iranian attacks into the equation.

RP - I wasnt trying to wind rA up and by his asserton rA wasnt wound up by it. Seems like the only one who was, was you. As they say - if you dont like it, dont read it. I find some of your continual personally insulting comments about Trump/orange/Fanta etc to be childish, but I dont whinge. Get over it.

Of course economic sanctions are more effective, but that doesn’t mean that that the ‘use’ of sport isn’t significant as shown with South Africa and, more recently, Russia…amongst others.

I accept your alternative view. I don’t agree but in this instance your view is as valid as mine. That’s actually what forums are for but neither of us are trying to ‘impose’ our view on others.

Again you just disagree. I wasn’t actually ‘advocating’ a boycott. I honestly don’t know. I just feel very uncomfortable having a ‘celebration’ of world football being ‘hosted’ by someone who seems to be doing his best to bring about the ruination of the world.

It was just an example of double standards. A juxtaposition of how, rightly or wrongly, a mere radio presenter can be treated so severely alongside the most powerful (?) person in the world who repeatedly escapes with seeming impunity.

My point wasn’t disagreeing with RP. You do, imo, constantly aim to ‘wind me up’. You’re a bit like the forum stalker where I - and at least one other poster - are concerned. It’s just that you don’t succeed as, beyond replying, I take little notice and treat your dafter comments with the proverbial pinch of salt.

[swaledale]

All my major flights and holidays are paid up to 2028 but thanks

I'm familiar with esta etc but almost fell foul of US Immigration a few years ago when I was asked to offer my right hand into a scanner for biometrics, only for Mrs F, normally totally on point when travelling, repeatedly prevented me doing so, bizarely thinking I was offering my left hand. I could feel the beads of panic-induced sweat beading up on my bonce and it felt like the whole ten seconds of misunderstanding lasted hours. fortunately the young lady behind the glass found it mildly amusing. She's probably been sacked for failing to meet targets

Wow that is being organised, I rarely know where I will be going until the actual year I'm in and frequently do last minute deals.

Prebooked and paid maybe, but if things get really sticky, there can be fuel surcharges imposed, as there have been before.