Mark Valentine

@charlesfourier.bsky.social

Worth reflecting that while England fans celebrate in the stadium supporters of DRC were prevented from even attending the tournament because of, well, reasons #england #drc #worldcup2026 #fifa

Mark Valentine reposted

Matt Binder

@mattbinder.bsky.social

the tech industry is about to invent books

Mark Valentine reposted

Charles Fourier

8 Sept

Bill Bryson’s words seem appropriate to post right now

20 Aug

It takes a special talent to craft a headline about an anti-Palestinian chant that manages to convey the complete opposite. #palestine #westhamfc #guardian

bbc.co.ukWorld Cup 2026: FA could appeal after Jarell Quansah red card v MexicoThe Football Association is considering whether to appeal after England defender Jarell Quansah's red card against Mexico.

Instead of working to uphold the integrity of the game with Norway, Switzerland, Belgium & UEFA , the English FA seems more preoccupied with seeking to profit from it’s demise. #fifa #balogun #infantino #trump #usmnt

Trump and Infantino finally unite the world #worldcup2026 #fifa #usmnt #balogun #belgium

As shameless as Gianni is, this really should finish him as head of Fifa #worldcup2026 #fifa #infantino #balogun #usmnt #belgium #usabel

The Bulwark@thebulwark.com

Ted Cruz: "On behalf of all Americans, thank you for getting rid of that ridiculous red card." Trump: "That was interesting." Cruz: “There’s a reason the FIFA trophy sat here for as long as it did.”

He’s a little bit suspect. You should check out his past. #trump #worldcup2026 #fifa #balogun #usmnt #usabel #belgium

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com

Trump on Balogun: "That wasn't even an infraction...this referee, who is a little bit suspect if you check his past. He made a call nobody could believe...he's our best player, or one of our best players. And he gave him a red card. I didn't know what that meant...yes, I asked for a review by FIFA."

theguardian.comFace-clutching Rivaldo faces fineRivaldo faces disciplinary action today for his over-reaction in an incident with Turkey defender Hakan Unsal.

Hasan Unsai was suspended at the 2002 world cup in an incident in which Rivaldo was subsequently fined for cheating. Fifa did not rescind the clearly outrageous red card and has done nothing in the intervening years to change things. And yet the moment Gianni takes a phone call from Trump… #fifa

Mark Valentine reposted

Philippe Auclair

@philippeauclair.bsky.social

uefa.comUEFA statement on the Balogun caseStatement on decision related to Folarin Balogun

UEFA statement on Balogun case. "An unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision".

forbes.comWhy The USMNT Can't Appeal Folarin Balogun's Red CardThe U.S. Men's National Team cannot appeal Folarin Balogun's red card or subsequent suspension from the Round of 16 game against Belgium at the World Cup.

5 July

Life comes at you fast. Especially when the sports governing body is Fifa. #fifa #worldcup2026 #balogun #usmnt

5 July

Fifa’s lifting of Ronaldo’s ban was equally corrupt.

Nancy Armour@nrarmour.bsky.social

HUGE news for the USMNT. FIFA disciplinary committee has lifted the one-game suspension on Balogun. It’s … curious, but FIFA did something similar so Ronaldo didn’t miss any of Portugal’s games at this World Cup.

4 July

Mexico host England at altitude in their final #worldcup2026 game at the Azteca, win or lose. Fellow host Canada are playing their second knockout game in a country that isn’t Canada. USA enjoy home advantage all the way. Some deal Fifa have concocted for 2 of the 3 hosts here #fifa #infantino #usa

4 July

Black woman endures metro ride with masked racist muppets #usa #4thJuly #worldcup2026

Cas Mudde@casmudde.bsky.social

Even when they are in power they don’t dare to show their faces… just as it was with the Klan in the South.

3 July

Making a late substitution to take the number of Portuguese players on the pitch up to eleven was a masterstroke from Martinez #porcro #ronaldo #worldcup2026 #croatia #portugal

aljazeera.comIsraeli forces kill Palestinian goalkeeper in GazaPalestinian goalkeeper Saleem Al-Ashqar was shot dead by Israeli forces in Gaza.

2 July

Well this is bleak. #fifa #gaza www.aljazeera.com/video/newsfe...

Mark Valentine reposted

Sachin Nakrani

@sachinnakrani.bsky.social

Cannot tell you how much I want the BBC to open their coverage of Mexico v England on Monday with Des Lynam looking straight down the camera and saying: “Shouldn’t you be in bed?”

Was looking forward to an early night on Sunday tbh #england #1am #mexico #mexeng

England DRC in Atlanta. It’s hot outside the air con stadium, best stop for some ads. #engdrc #engcod #worldcup2026 #atlanta

theguardian.comInfantino using private jet in attempt to watch two World Cup matches per dayFifa president sets gruelling itinerary across North America in a World Cup expected to generate about 9m tons of carbon dioxide

Gianni Infantino’s unwavering commitment to be the living embodiment of Fifa’s total indifference to it’s own net zero goals is outstanding. #worldcup2026 #fifa #infantino

30 June

Avoiding humiliation against France presumably easing German angst at their early exit #worldcup2026 #fraswe #france

30 June

Players need to hydrate right now. Crowd boo. Well done fifa, that’s on you #worldcup2026 #fifa #france #sweden

@oldfirmfacts.bsky.social

30 June

Oh my word #ivorycoast

Mark Valentine reposted

Oldfirmfacts

“Okay, if you’ve just joined us, we’re talking about who is the best DR. “Dre, No, or Congo”

Attend DRC v Uzbekistan and see a CAF nation make history or hang out with Gianni Infantino? A no brainer you would have thought for the president of CAF Patrice Motsepe. #motsepe #infantino ##fifa #caf

Aparna@maparna.bsky.social

On the far left on the back row is CAF President, Dr. Patrice Motsepe. He was not there to watch one of the CAF Teams (DRC-UZB) playing at the same time?🤔

And so we reach the round of 32. Or, as we used to call it, the world cup. #infantino #worldcup2026 #fifa

Mark Valentine reposted

Daily Cannon

@dailycannon.com

www.aljazeera.com/sports/2026/...

aljazeera.comDR Congo superfan denied US visa to support team at World CupMichel Kuka Mboladinga is iconic for his motionless tribute at DRC games, but a US World Cup repeat has been denied.

27 June

Guess which of the world cup hosts has been bombing one of the competing nations again. #fifa #worldcup2026 #peaceprize

27 June

“It’s like watching Scotland….it’s been that bad” Roy Keane with the casual drive by #engpan #england

theguardian.com‘This must never happen again’: Iran coach hits out at the US and tells Infantino to stand up against hostsIran’s head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, has said Fifa’s president, Gianni Infantino, must ‘stand up’ to the US

27 June

So Gianni told them to just chill and relax? #iran #worldcup2026 #fifa “Mr Infantino came to our changing room after the 1st game and said “It’s just the beginning.’ But [the] group stage finishes tomorrow and we don’t have our logistic people here, they don’t have a visa. How [is that] possible?”

Far from a warm welcome but Senegal making themselves at home now #senegal #worldvup2026 #senira

edition.cnn.comTrump remark moves NFL player to kneel during anthem | CNN PoliticsColin Kaepernick first knelt during the national anthem on September 1st, 2016.

Fifa are apparently “disgusted” at a commentator who repeatedly called them “sons of bitches” and have ejected him from the world cup. Wait until they find out about this guy #worldcup2026 #trump #Kaepernick

www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...

nytimes.comFIFA revokes credentials of World Cup commentator after expletive-laden on-air rantJorge Chipi Vera had what he called "an outburst" after Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón was sent off for covering his mouth against Turkey.

It’s been a mixed bag for Haitians living in America. Two goals to celebrate against Morocco. But, as much as football unites the world™, Trump’s masked goons being given the green light to disappear them off the streets of America has put a bit of a dampner on it. #worldcup2026 #trump #ice #fifa

Shame it’s at 1am.

Mark Valentine@kickerbeat.bsky.social

Uruguay v Spain now appointment viewing #worldcup2026 #uruguay #spain #llaceleste

theguardian.comUS supreme court allows Trump administration to strip Haitians and Syrians of protected statusDecision affects hundreds of thousands with permission to live and work in US because their home countries are unsafe

The prospect of Haitians living in the US having their lives torn apart by the Trump administration sure sucks the joy out of Haiti scoring twice against Morocco. #Worldcup2026 #tps #haiti #footballunitestheworld

Mark Valentine reposted

lilastromech (Mischa)

@mischajaye.bsky.social

The cooling system was installed by the village AC technician, Thermodynamix 😊

Standplaats Kraków could really use some cash!@standplaatskrk.pl

independent.co.ukThis baffling Fifa decision could ruin the World Cup’s famous group stage dramaThe final round of group stage games will lack the drama of 2022, with a strange decision to revamp the tie-breaking rules likely to produce a number of dead rubbers

In a facinating group D the USA need a point to guarantee top place against a Turkish side desperate to win big. The winner of Australia v Paraguay could still pip the Americans for top spot….oh hang on, no there’s been a rule change #worldcup2026 #fifa #infantino

Miguel Delaney@migueldelaney.bsky.social

Fifa’s shift from goal difference to head-to-head to decide groups is an inexplicably terrible decision that has needlessly killed or muted loads of final-round group games USA-Turkey would have tonnes on it, for one Now it’s a needless dead rubber www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

The USA resting key players against Türkiye has had the unintended consequence of giving star striker Folarin Balogun more time to focus on his real passion, which is transplanting sharia law. #worldcup2026 #mikejohnson #usa #Türkiye #usatur

Beautiful scenes #ecuador #worldcup2026 #gerecu

theguardian.comDonald Trump to present World Cup trophy to winners, says Gianni InfantinoFifa president says two men will share trophy-presenting because ‘we are together all the time’

Ivory Coast’s fans are not welcome at this world cup, and yet fifa is cool with Trump presenting their trophy to the winner. #fifa #worldcup2026 #ivorycoast #infantino

cup.etcup.et

Jules Boykoff@julesboykoff.bsky.social

Donald Trump will present World Cup trophy to the winners, says FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “We will be together with the president enjoying the final & handing the trophy to the winner, of course,” he said. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

The USA resting key players has had the unintended consequence of giving star striker Folarin Balogun more time to focus on his real passion, which is transplanting sharia law. #worldcup2026 #mikejohnson #maga

Aaron Rupar@atrupar.com

Mike Johnson suggest birthright citizens like US Men's National Team leading scorer Folarin Balogun are trying to "transplant Sharia Law" into the country

Got to hand it to Gianni. His commitment to be the living embodiment of Fifa’s total indifference to its own net zero goals is unwavering. #fifa #netzero #aramco #infantino #worldcup2026

Jules Boykoff@julesboykoff.bsky.social

24 June

It’s that time again #fifa #brasco #worldcup2026

Alistair Coleman@alistaircoleman.bsky.social

HYDRATION BREAK

24 June

Miami. Stifling heat. Sweltering humidity. The Scots have Brazil just where they want them. #worldcup2026 #brasco #scotland #Brazil #scobra

theguardian.comDonald Trump to present World Cup trophy to winners, says Gianni InfantinoFifa president says two men will share trophy-presenting because ‘we are together all the time’

24 June

Haiti had to ditch their kit depicting freedom’s triumph over slavery because Fifa deemed that political, but a white supremacist who prevented their fans from even attending the world cup is a fit and proper person to present the trophy? #fifa #haiti #worldcup2026

Mark Valentine reposted