If there was ever a time for the “Sure, Jan” meme, it’s in response to FIFA’s last statement.

Manuel Veth@manuelveth.bsky.social · 6d ago

Statements flying everywhere. Here is FIFA’s response posted at 8:15pm Pacific Time. “Nono we never wanted to sell the game.” “Hear us out. We were rushed by media reports.” This is the biggest trying to back off without backing off statement I have seen in some time.

Damn Charles taking all the puns before I can get them in the paper boooooooo

Charles Boehm ⚽️@cboehm.bsky.social · 4w ago

Loose thread: Merino pulls wool over Red Devils' eyes Good shepherd Merino shears Belgian hopes Two shakes of a lamb's tail: Merino weaves late magic

Can't wait to use this lede. Bono save. Morocco wins. Canada looks at despondent France: "You, too?"

I don't think we've seen a one-sided crowd at BC Place like this during the World Cup, save Canada. There are a billion yellow shirts here. Since visas have to be approved in advance, and the BC Colombia population is +/- 4.6K (2021), the majority have to be from the US. #FIFAWorldCup #Colombia

I’ma give Onetario Soccer this one. It’s a good skeet. *tips hat

OneSoccer@onesoccer.bsky.social · 4w ago

FT’ | FINAL SCORE 🏆 Belgium 🇧🇪 show the USMNT 🇺🇸 to the exit door down the tunnel. Traditionally, this means they’re eliminated from the tournament. You never know, though... 📞

Canada soccer CEO Kevin Blue on the Balogun red card situation: “I’ve only heard bits and pieces so I can’t comment.” Riiiight 😅 TBF, that is a toxic cesspool to wade into needlessly #canmnt

Time for #CanMNT to channel their inner Cabo Verde

JJ Adams 🅿️ @jjadams.bsky.social · last mo.

Canada better not be switched off to start the second half, à la Switzerland

Canada better not be switched off to start the second half, à la Switzerland

Make that four yellows on Morocco, with El Khannouss going in the books just before the halftime whistle. Time for Richie Laryea to do Richie Laryea things. #Canmnt #FIFAWorldCup

Dave Chappelle: Black Magic Darkness

ALT: Dave Chappelle: Black Magic Darkness

static.klipy.com

JJ Adams 🅿️ @jjadams.bsky.social · last mo.

Why do I get the feeling one of these sides will be down to 10 men in the second half? Three yellows for Morocco, two for Canada. One whistle from English referee Michael Oliver could change this game completely. #CanMNT #FIFAworldCup

Why do I get the feeling one of these sides will be down to 10 men in the second half? Three yellows for Morocco, two for Canada. One whistle from English referee Michael Oliver could change this game completely. #CanMNT #FIFAworldCup

I think the Netherlands' decision to let Morocco have so much of the ball, and dominate that game, coloured the perception of a lot of people of how good the Lions are. Canada showing you don't have to bunker. #CanMNT #FIFAworldCup

We're a half hour into Canada-Morocco, and the Atlas Lions have yet to have a shot or touch in the #canmnt box. The Canadians really on the front foot here, with a couple big chances already. It's gotta be Jesse Marsch's jeans. #FIFAworldCup #AtlasLions

Some of my favourite lines: “We swear by the lightning that destroys,
By the virtuous and fragrant blood “We have taken the drum of gunpowder as our rhythm
And the sound of machine guns as our melody” 
“O France, the day of reckoning is at hand”

Patrick Johnston 🇨🇦@risingaction.bsky.social · last mo.

They only put the lyrics for the Algerian anthem in Arabic on the big screen so I joked to @jjadams.bsky.social that they probably say "F the French, we beat the French" And, well, holy shit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kassaman

They only put the lyrics for the Algerian anthem in Arabic on the big screen so I joked to @jjadams.bsky.social that they probably say "F the French, we beat the French" And, well, holy shit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kassaman

Kassaman - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Forgot to post but did a “day in the life” vlog for fifa the day of the Canada-Switzerland game. #canmnt m.youtube.com/watch?v=gB-x...

Team Feature: Canada | Inside J.J. Adams' Coverage: Canada's Bittersweet Loss to Switzerland

YouTube video by FIFA

m.youtube.com

That was a blue-collar, blue jean type win for the #canmnt. DENIM CAN’T BE DENIED

Ella Brockway@ellabrockway.bsky.social · last mo.

After wearing a full three-piece suit and fancy sneakers for the three group-stage matches, Marsch elected to mark the occasion of Canada's first-ever men's knockout World Cup game with ... a quarter-zip and jeans? Ominous

CANADA AVOID BAFANA BANANA #Canmnt don’t the opportunity slip away, beat South Africa 1-0 in the knockout round! Stephen Eustachio with the goal in injury time! #Fifaworldcup

That’s stone cold pen #canmnt

Yeah, so, how's everyone else's night going?

JJ Adams 🅿️ @jjadams.bsky.social · last mo.

not for us, no. our WP SUCKS

I'm live blogging Belgium-New Zealand tonight at B.C. Place... come follow along with the Red Devils' Olden Gener... I mean Golden Generation as they try to avoid missing the knockout round two World Cups in a row. t.co/qr5qleVMzw #RedDevils #Allwhites

"You all think I'm a liar? Like I'm an American liar speaking to the Canadians? I would think that people would appreciate that this is a competitive environment, and that we're doing everything we can to gain every little edge." — Jesse Marsch #Canmnt #cansoccer theprovince.com/sports/canad...

Canada coach Jesse Marsch speaks on South Africa, lies and World Cup decoy Alphonso Davies

Coach Jesse Marsch defended his "decoy" use of Davies as gamesmanship, as his team prepares for the knockout round and South Africa.

theprovince.com

A ton of “decoy” questions for Jesse Marsch re: Alphonso Davies at training. He said Phonzie asked to play before the game but he denied it because of RTP protocols. #canmnt

Our @theprovince.com photographer Jason Payne pulled out the big lens to catch me and @risingaction.bsky.social at today’s #canmnt game

The #CANMNT had all the enthusiasm of someone identifying a body at the morgue after the game but look say they’re feeling positive as they look to turn around their fortunes in LA. #FIFAworldCup theprovince.com/sports/socce...

World Cup: The saddest moment of triumph ever for Canada

It was a historic day for Canadian soccer, but the mood was muted by a loss to Switzerland, spelling an end to Canada's games in Vancouver.

theprovince.com

Ladies and gentlemen: Granit Xhaka

ℳatt@matttomic.bsky.social · last mo.

Punting a guy straight in the shit while motioning to the ref "I didn't do anything" in one fluid motion is crazy work

It’s a good thing @risingaction.bsky.social speaks French, cause I missed this completely in our scrum at Canada’s World Cup training session today 😅 C’est bon, Patrick! #cansoccer #canmnt #FIFAworldcup theprovince.com/sports/fifa-...

World Cup: Moïse Bombito's despair about Ismaël Koné

Moise Bombito made his return to the lineup. Five minutes later the same tragedy he'd recovered from befell his best friend.

theprovince.com

A quick hit off training before we head to the pressers. Looks like #newzealand got special dispensation from FIFA to stay in Vancouver for the rest of the group stage. #FIFAWorldcup theprovince.com/sports/world...

World Cup: New Zealand tires of entertaining, looks for historic win against Egypt

After a vibrant draw, New Zealand takes on Egypt in what could determine who advances out of Group G at the tournament.

theprovince.com

JJ Adams 🅿️ @jjadams.bsky.social · 2mo ago

The Kiwis are out in the sun at Killarney, getting ready for Sunday’s game with Egypt. #FIFAworldcup #Newzealand

The Kiwis are out in the sun at Killarney, getting ready for Sunday’s game with Egypt. #FIFAworldcup #Newzealand

Nathan Saliba stepped in during the #CanMNT game against #qatar and balled out. He’s the natural choice moving forward in the #FIFAworldcup #cansoccer theprovince.com/sports/world...

World Cup: How does Canada replace Ismaël Koné — the 'heart of our team'

If there's a riddle in the middle for Canada, the answer must be Nathan Saliba, whose goal and celebration showed both his heart and talent

theprovince.com

Patrick Johnston 🇨🇦@risingaction.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Ismael Kone is just such a massive loss. Jesse Marsch and his staff gonna have to think long and hard about how they can reshape their midfield, even with the talents of Nathan Saliba in the wings. @jjadams.bsky.social will have more tomorrow. For now, the story from BC Place:

Well, so much for that. Switzerland score and now Bosnia down to 10 men in the 80th minute. #Canmnt need to win today - it’s not essential - makes the showdown with the Swiss for first place if they do. Knockout round game in Vancouver on the line

JJ Adams 🅿️ @jjadams.bsky.social · 2mo ago

#canmnt probably aren’t watching this game with their focus on Qatar but this bodes well for group B. A scoreless tie, Swiss with 68% possession and *four* shots? LFG #cansoccer