I’m not that keen on it. I like to watch an occasional game. It seems to me that when you have two evenly matched opponents the outcome is pretty random.

Because of the time difference I'm only watching 1 match per day - the 8pm or 9pm kickoff. Best so far has been the Spain v Cape Verde 0-0 draw. The 'hydration breaks' to allow US TV requirements for frequent ad breaks is slowing things down. But with Messi, Mbappe, Harland in form (and hopefully Harry Kane - we'll see tonight) this could be a good one.

The Guardian reported that about a third of the matches are being played in 90 F temperatures and high humidity—causing FIFA to mandate the hydration breaks for player safety. Anyone who has lived or spent summer in the American South or Midwest gets that.

I only care about the World Cup schedule…to see when games are going, so I know when to avoid driving through Seattle for work.

I played soccer in second grade in 1989….for a season. That’s as far as my interest in it ever went! :)

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Originally posted by Bill Rogers

The Guardian reported that about a third of the matches are being played in 90 F temperatures and high humidity—causing FIFA to mandate the hydration breaks for player safety. Anyone who has lived or spent summer in the American South or Midwest gets that.

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They mandated the hydration breaks for the ads. Referees have always had the power to decide to have a hydration break if needed. You don't need hydration breaks in an air conditioned stadium with a closed roof or in pleasent temperatures as some fixtures have had. But you do need to make sure there's time for an ad break.

Growing up in Canada was being thrust into soccer at an early age. I was never enthused about it and still couldn't care less. On the other hand I'm still surrounded by people like my barber who will be tuning in during the night to see games on the far side of the globe.

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Originally posted by Bill Rogers

I turn on a match here or there, but don’t really watch. I switch to other sports when they come on. I don’t watch or really understand soccer. It does seem to me that the sport has been designed to discourage and limit scoring, which I find unattractive. So how do you feel about soccer and the World Cup?

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Well Bill, your cultural experience is important. Football (Soccer) to you is a game in which you have no cultural affinity - because you have others that fill that space. I, for example, can't be bothered watching American Football (the stoppages kill me) or baseball or basketball (even though I played it in school). Football (Soccer) is first, followed by Rugby & Cricket. 

I could blether on for hours, but I'll just say this. Association Football (Soccer - as opposed to Rugby Football:Rugger) is about winning. The goals are the aim, of course, but the pleasure (or misery) is in the style of play / technique / physical aggression which may result in scoring or not conceding. Yes, it's hard to score in football - unless teams are badly mismatched - but that is as a result of the inherent difficulty of controlling a moving ball with your feet, whilst running and avoiding challenges, passing accurately to a teammate, whilst an opposing defender tries to stop you, by fair means or by a boot in the ankle. ...not to mention a giant bloke between the sticks with an arm reach of intercontinental proportions. I've watched some great nil-nil draws because the football was great. I once watched my team give another side a 6-0 humping, and was bored silly: no jeapordy. And of course the gamesmanship and simulation which is my real bugbear. Who'd be a referee ???? 

Anyway, I better stop. I normally can't be bothered with the FIFA football exhibition. It's like candy floss: all surface fluff and no meat in the middle. 

As a kid over 60 years ago I tried playing soccer with Portuguese immigrants my own age and slightly older.
Great athletes in fantastic condition. Could run non-stop all day in the hot sun. I'm a basketball and football fan primarily, but I consider soccer players second only to hockey in terms of athletic talent. I could never skate.
When I traveled for work in Europe I should have attended a soccer match, but neglected the opportunity. Regret it now.
I've attended a few MSL games at the "Boston stadium in Foxboro". Not a fan.
I find it a boring game to watch, but I might tune into a Team USA match.

I think Scot in Otley nailed it. Those who grew up playing enjoy watching the play for its own sake. Those of us who haven’t played, by and large, don’t. I note that one key difference, for me, anyway, is that the possibility of scoring on any given play is greater for American football, baseball, and certainly basketball, than it is for soccer. 

I think many North Americans miss the nuance - it’s not always about “scoring” that attracts one to a game. Why not give each basketball team 90 points and then let them play the last 10 minutes only? I once turned on a TV hockey game in the company of someone who didn’t grow up with the game - after 5 minutes she said it was boring. I pointed out the constant stoppages in play in American football (she was a die-hard Packers fan).

We didn't have a soccer program in my school district when I was in grade school, unfortunately.

I'm really not interested in sports, but I DO like my food, and I'm really enjoying all the videos of people trying local cuisines for the first time (and realizing that a lot of it is quite good and we don't just live on McDonalds and equally disgusting junk.)

And apparently the Scots are drinking up all the beer in Boston?! Sam Adams reported that they have sold 3 times what they usually sell on holidays such as St Patrick's Day.

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Originally posted by Lizwadsworth65

And apparently the Scots are drinking up all the beer in Boston?! Sam Adams reported that they have sold 3 times what they usually sell on holidays such as St Patrick's Day.

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Yup.  My maternal ancestors love a good time, and are open to party with all.  Well, almost all, anyway.

First they drank almost all of the beer at the Dublin airport, then all of the beer on the planes, and clearly didn't slow down after landing.  Bagpipe marches to the stadium, traffic cones on every statue... there's little end to the frivolity.

They partially took over a Red Sox game singing The Proclaimers' 500 Miles.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-9ZCuNxdc8U

Yes, they brought the pipes.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=zQFuTWMmELg

I think that they're headed to Miami for their next match.  

I am trying to be interested, watching a few minutes here and there. I am already tired of all the “flopping”. Athletes that good on their feet, can’t actually be knocked down so much on such light touches. IMHO.

I too have only been catching bits-and-pieces.  I did see one or two flops but wouldn't want to be on the recieving end of having my foot clipped/dinged/?? while I was running .... I don't see/sense much "embellishment" in those instances.