Move the World Cup out of the US now

[Are_grits_groceries]

Move the games that are scheduled to be played in the US into Canada and Mexico.
I do not believe that we can vouch for the athletes safety.
ICE is at this point a law unto itself. If they detain an athlete, the protests will fall on deaf ears. Trump would love to detain an athlete and use and use them for some kind of bargain.
And don’t tell me he won’t do that.

[malaise]

1. We're still in qualifying but not one person I know plans to

Travelling to the US for the WC. The view is that dem done mash up footie vibes.

Rec

[Are_grits_groceries]

25. So we get good beats?

They gonna screw that up too.
I think you would know this. Trump banned all those countries from entering the US. Did any of them have good soccer teams? Just curious.

[malaise]

30. The ban is for folks looking immigrant visas not

visitors, work, college students or sports.
Still most folks I’ve seen discussing it on TV aren’t planning a trip to the US for any reason.
US tourism is going to take a beating.

[Are_grits_groceries]

32. Welp,

There are those groups like farmers who voted for Trump. FAFO
As difficult as it is, people will have to hurt to get them to wake up.
I wouldn’t visit here either. Nobody is safe with the way ICE is allowed to run wild.
Ending up in a detention camp in Louisiana is a nightmare.

[malaise]

36. Agree

What a mess

[stage left]

35. Who in their right mind

would want to come here.

[MadameButterfly]

2. And who is going to come?

[Whyisthisstillclose]

3. Britney Griner and Putin's prisoner trade comes to mind

[Johnny2X2X]

4. FIFA and IOC are two of the most corrupt organizations in history

Neither will care that fans are getting abducted and brutalized, as long as they can line their pockets unabated.

[Are_grits_groceries]

5. Infantino is no better than Sepp Blatter.

He is just not as well known yet.
Whole teams could disappear and they wouldn’t lift a finger.

[Johonny]

7. But if the stadiums are empty

They'd care. They're all about economics and if the US cash cow doesn't materialize due to Trump marginalizing their biggest markets . . .

I will believe it when I see it, fans boycotting watching and attending.

[calimary]

23. They'd REALLY care about all those rows of empty seats.

I’d say INTENSELY, and yes, in ALL-caps.

In fact, I’m tempted to think officials are making plans for strategic camera positioning, and crowd seating. There will be one section of the stadium for fans, and they’ll make sure that’s as full as possible. Even if they have to empty out all their floors of offices to get that look.

[MaineNative]

6. Sports

This is giving me a little spark of hope - From Heather Cox Ricardson, Substack

"The National Basketball Players Association said it could no longer remain silent. “Now more than ever,” it said, “we must defend the right to freedom of speech and stand in solidarity with the people in Minnesota protesting and risking their lives to demand justice. The fraternity of NBA players, like the United States itself, is a community enriched by its global citizens, and we refuse to let the flames of division threaten the civil liberties that are meant to protect us all. The NBPA and its members extend our deepest condolences to the families of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, just as our thoughts remain focused on the safety and well-being of all members of our community.”

[peppertree]

8. Hear, hear. This is worse than Argentina '78.

When it was awarded hosting rights, Argentina was already descending into an authoritarian nightmare under Perón's hapless widow, Isabel, and their fascist astrologer, José López Rega.

(imagine Melania being President - with Stephen Miller having the run of the country)

And '76 - the last shoe dropped: a pseudo-Nazi military coup (supported by George Bush's CIA).

As the '78 World Cup neared, the teams of some European countries - especially the Dutch - openly objected to holding the World Cup in a country where dissidents were literally being tortured to death just blocks away from the final stadium.

Suffice it to say, there were concerns for athletes' safety - particularly for the Dutch team, and of course for the press corps in general.

And while the dictatorship did spy on visitors they considered "anti-Argentine" (and many others besides), they took care not to harass them - or allow any local right-wing fans to do so (and so many wanted to!).

They at least cared about optics - something Jabba-the-Trump and his regime certainly don't.

In fact - Cheeto knows that his Chumpkins would hoot and holler at the sight of faw'n athletes and press being manhandled (and even shot) by the ICEstapo.

[OldBaldy1701E]

41. "(imagine Melania being President - with Stephen Miller having the run of the country)"

He is already running the country.

Surely you don't think that orange idiot is doing it? He is slobbering in his lap while sleeping during cabinet meetings. The only time he is awake is when he is tweeting.

MIller and Voight are the people running things right now. Which should terrify anyone with a brain.

[maxsolomon]

9. Pipe dream, Mate.

You don't understand FIFA.

[peppertree]

10. Sad - but true. Infantino owes THE Infant big-time for having AG Loretta Lynch's bribery probe into FIFA dropped

It had long been suspected that FIFA - and its myriad national football associations - sold broadcast rights on the basis of bribes.

And in 2015, Lynch finally got the proof she needed to proceed with indictments.

(among others, a lot of Trump's pal Macri's friends were indicted - including the brother of his Security Secretary)

But then, Snoozalini wins in 2016 - and the charges miraculously disappear.

So before you know it, the U.S. is given hosting rights for the '26 cup...and a beautiful friendship was born...

[BidenRocks]

13. That's a pic of the comedy team

Shit and Stain!

[peppertree]

15. *snort*

Fredo, and the Pedo?

[LudwigPastorius]

38. Ha!

Barney FIFA and Groomer Pile?

[wolfie001]

40. Witty and funny!

[Are_grits_groceries]

24. Oh I understand FIFA.

I am not at all hopeful that a move will happen. Too much money and whatever has been exchanged. I’ll bet the favors granted would dwarf the money.
They were warned.

[Dan]

11. I agree.... This

is becoming more like the 1936 Olympics.

To have the games here in the US is to lend credibility to the lies of this Administration.

[samsingh]

12. it will not be safe for Europeans or Latinos to attend the games

[CountMyVote4Reality]

20. No walk in the park for American citizens anymore either. n/t

[popsdenver]

14. People who don't follow World cup or Professional Soccer

don't know that FIFA is the second most corrupt organization in the world, with Trump Inc. being the first most corrupt.
And that is why the head of FIFA is a bosom bestest buddy of Trump. Birds of a feather, etc
Americans and other nations professional soccer teams should boycott ANY world cup soccer in the U.S.
Fans, and players from ANY country, should be extremely paranoid about even coming here to the U.S. for any match.....
Spread the word.........

[Pas-de-Calais]

16. I've read ticket sales have plummeted

Too expensive
Those attending are wary and scared

[BannonsLiver]

17. Didn't FIFA invent an award to give him?

Yeah moving it isn’t going to happen. Zero chance.

[Are_grits_groceries]

21. Yes

They made up a peace prize for him.

[BaronChocula]

18. Whether or not it's possible,

I salute your sharing the suggestion. I wish there were some courageous players who could have spoken up.

[bdamomma]

19. I think

that would best for everyone, who wants to go to the US.

[Efilroft Sul]

22. I think only the players can effect change with a boycott, but they would probably face tremendous retaliation from...

…FIFA itself directly or from their national football organization being pressured by FIFA.

I doubt the players would take a stance, though, especially those who see this year's event as their last World Cup.

[Are_grits_groceries]

27. I agree.

It would take tremendous courage for many of the players to boycott. I don’t think people in the US understand how important soccer is in a lot of countries. The WC is HUGE to the fans.

[LiberalLovinLug]

26. But the paying live audience are mostly the world's elite

Who probably wish their own political leaders would follow Trump's actions in their own countries.

[Traildogbob]

28. If we are under the insurrection act

And Martial Law, why would countries send their athletes here?
And the hosting states will lose their asses. I am sure millions have already been spent on Stadium prep and the cities planning the host responsibilities.
Mexico and Canada will reap the benefits. And Laugh at MurkKKa, and MAGA will go to NASCAR like they planned anyway. Never go to that “gay football” stuff.

[awesomerwb1]

29. FIFA is corrupt as F*ck

FIFA's president Infantino is corrupt as F.

Infantino created the "Peace prize" just to award it to trump. Zero chance he moves games out of the US.

[malaise]

33. More

😀

[aggiesal]

31. They should move more games into Mexico & Canada, if not all games. ...

The 1st match is in Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. ...

There are 104 games played in the World Cup.
Both Mexico & Canada have 13 games each.
The U.S. has 78 games including the Championship Game

Canada's games will be held in Toronto & Vancouver.
While Mexico's games will be held in Mexico City, Guadalajara & Monterrey.

I say give them more games.

Not to mention that the Olympics will be in El Eh (LA with Spanish accent) in 2028.

[Sympthsical]

34. They last held them in a country with slavery

So . . . not exactly an event marinating in moral fortitude.

[Dread Pirate Roberts]

37. Its going to be the 1936 Olympics again

Hitler and Jesse Owens, Trump and the Cup winning team from some country he called a shithole. I forsee heavily discounted tickets in FIFA's near future.

[C Moon]

39. OMG! You're so right! He would definitely use an athlete as a trading piece.

Freaking scary!
I wouldn't doubt that they have it all planned out.

[Joinfortmill]

42. For a bribe to enrich himself.

[JPK]

43. Our best and our brightest

In ICE, to provide security? For who? Who's bright idea in the admin was this one? Is Bovino getting to go on an all expense paid vacation to the Olympics and Italy on the taxpayers dime? WTF. The optics are just plain stupid.

[Seeking Serenity]

44. The literally what?