Henry Winter's World Cup Diary, Day 2

Henry Winter's World Cup Diary, Day 2
World Soccer
11 June 2026 / 10:22 BST
11 June 2026 / 14:50 BST

The 2026 finals kicked off today, but World Cup fever had not yet taken hold in the US, according to Henry Winter. The excitement of the World Cup seemed to be overshadowed by the NBA Finals, which dominated the attention of many in the nation. The thrilling playoff series between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs, with the Knicks leading 3-1, captivated the interest of players arriving for the World Cup. Stars like Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi were reportedly caught up in the action, either as huge NBA fans or because they could not escape the extensive NBA coverage available.

Currently, the World Cup captured the enthusiasm of Mexico and Canada much more than it did the US. Meanwhile, visiting footballers could not help but notice the grappling seen in the NBA and might consider it even more pronounced than in football. As the competition got underway, discussions about potential changes to football laws increased. The International Football Association Board (IFAB) addressed grappling during set-pieces, allowing referees to penalize it before the ball was in play.

During a friendly where England defeated Costa Rica 3-0 in Orlando, incidents involving Jude Bellingham being wrestled to the ground and Dan Burn's struggle to reach the ball raised concerns. England manager Thomas Tuchel expressed frustration at the lack of penalties for such actions, stating, "Very good question. I have no answer for that." Despite the new laws being theoretically enforced, inconsistencies persisted.

Tuchel noted that England could use insights gained from observing the refereeing patterns in the 20 matches played before their own game. He remarked, "It will be difficult to have consistency," highlighting the challenges referees faced in enforcing the laws uniformly. With set-pieces being a significant part of England's strategy, Tuchel conveyed confidence in his squad's willingness to adapt and improve.

The size of this World Cup, with 48 teams, raised questions about its quality, as Jamie Carragher pointed out that the group stages might lack drama. However, history shows that surprises can occur, referencing unforgettable moments like Cameroon defeating Italy in 1990 and Saudi Arabia's stunning performances in 1994.

A chance encounter with a disappointed Italian fan at a West Palm Beach gym highlighted the emotional weight of the tournament, as Italy missed their third consecutive World Cup. Reflecting on Italy's 2021 European Championship victory over England, the fan acknowledged that joy at Wembley could not erase the disappointment of not qualifying. As he returned to his conference, it underscored the World Cup's significance and the global passion it ignites.