OK, Iran wants to play but in Mexico, not USA. Two of their matches are in LA. That’s pretty safe. Tons of former Iranian Nationals and their families. Town speaks a lot of Mexican…
And if they advance? Then what?
None of the US is safe.
Still think Vancouver makes more sense for Iran’s games, even if they advance. Their Group play here as well as in US West Coast cities.
It might mean moving other matches to other places. Logistics are hard, for both the other countries and fans affected.
Maybe in Calgary or something. Is there grass ready?
BC Place has matches on 6/13 (AUS-UEFA(C), 6/18, 6/21 (NZ-EGY, 6/24, 6/26 (NZ-BEL), then hosts the 32 on 7/2 and 16 on 7/7.
Iran play on 6/15, 6/21, 6/26.
So, switching matches would be the lowest disruption, involving 5 other teams.
They are in Group G. Winners play in Seattle on 7/1. 2nd Place play in Arlington on 7/2. 3rd Place could play in Vancouver 7/2.
I foresee BEL and EGY as #1/#2. Iran 3rd, but still need to qualify for 3rd place match.
Realistically, Toronto is the only Canadian city other than Vancouver that could host Iran games. They would be well-attended there as there is a large Iranian population in Toronto. However geographically Toronto is more challenging than Vancouver as other Group games are played on the West Coast.
The continuing STOOOOOOORY about Iran and the WC26 that has gone to the dogs:
OK, again, Iran: Canada would be easier. Your Group’s teams play in Vancouver. Moving these matches around will be slightly easier, logistically.
Failing that, your team can train somewhere in Mexico, fly in the morning of matches, then fly out right after, thus “boycotting” USA.
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I say Vancouver so @Cooke can pick up some last minute tickets.
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But should I sit in the Iranian fan section…
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Iran would fan favourites either either other host if they go through with getting games moved out of the US.
Infantino in line for contract extension to 2031 which would give him 15 years as FIFA chief.
Eat your heart out DJT.
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Guessing that the “BC” (short for British Columbia) in BC Place doesn’t count as branding but it is FIFA…..
Starting 4/1, people can buy specific seats for specific matches.
No statement as to whether “dynamic” also means lowering prices of low-demand tickets.
I’ve been waiting for the April buying opportunity as I want two more tickets for the NZ-Egypt match. Will check resale prices first as this should not be a high demand match in Vancouver.
Seems amazing to me – well, as amazing as the war that was already won yet we still are engaged in it – that the WC had so many requests for tickets (way more than there are tickets) and there are STILL tickets to be sold.
Still waiting for the prices to drop. This is not on my Bucket List. I don’t even have one, tbh.
Only decent reason to go to soccer and not any other sport (except golf and tennis) is the fucking noise level. Game on, no pumped-in artificial noise.
That said, I’ll be back east, in Boston on 6/23, same day as ENG-Ghana. No way I can afford to go to that match. Will be a good day to hit a bar, though.
Could rearrange things an be near Met Life Stadium for Curacao/Ivory Coast that might have 2nd/3rd place implications.
7/2 at SoFi is likely Spain v Algeria or Austria, though if ARG comes in Second in Group J…
Might have to get a few tickets for that, and sell off a few-minus-one so I go for free.
I’ll check the prices of that match.
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I’m now going to at least 3 matches: 2 group stage, 1 knockout.
That might be it, but I’ll look for opportunities for others
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Nice to see that there was a limit on how much tourists were prepared to pay for hotels.
FIFA cancelling thousands of hotel bookings in host cities, including Vancouver and Toronto
PUBLISHED YESTERDAY
An aerial view of the retractable roof the BC Place Stadium in Vancouver on Friday. FIFA organizers have cancelled between 70 per cent and 80 per cent of their booked hotel rooms in the city, the British Columbia Hotel Association says.
And tickets for the matches.
Seems to me that they overestimated a lot of things.
Booking the hotels was a pretty shitty thing to do. Especially if (or because) they did it prior to the draw.
Not only that, but they probably didn’t get charged for it, as some hotels are now doing with their “no cancellation” policies.
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there is a very large discrepancy between the requests for tickets and people who want to buy tickets. I and Arthuritas requested tickets and only one of us was serious about buying tickets. I applied because it was free and I had nothing to lose, once I and likely many others, saw the prices we said no thanks and did not buy which is why so many tickets are still for sale.
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This has to be wishful thinking by the sellers. If not, I may sell mine!