In Reply to: Re: Final thoughts on WC26 posted by ClockBlocker on July 20, 2026 at 14:30:13
They all have miniaturized individual GPS trackers which monitors speed, # of sprints, distance traveled. I would not be surprised if they also monitor temperature and heart rate.
This is done in club football all the time, because top teams play in up to 4 competitions, 60+ games every season, not including international teams.
The metrics are very detailed.
Subs - used to be 3 subs per game. There is an extra sub in cup ties which go into overtime. With 6 subs and 10 outfield players (plus the keeper) that means 4 players can play as many as 120 minutes. 2 of those are centerbacks, who in general are not box to box players (except for set pieces) and don't travel the distances. 1 is usually a deep lying midfielder who also travels less. The full backs generally alternate going forward, to save legs in case it goes to full time, and the striker is usually more forward when the other team is on the ball. Box-to-box players like forwards, attacking midfielders and box-to-box midfielders and some strikers travel the longest distances. International football is generally less arduous than league play, there are parts of the game where the team in possession is kicking it around to save energy.
In terms of officials, FIFA picks 'em and they have meetings. Not out and out rigged, but definitely influenced. Some of the calls in the final were nuts. Clear bias towards Argentina. For example, the call against Merino on Williams's game winner was soft as f*ck. Plus, Otamendi was grabbing and pulling Merino around the waist and spinning him around when Merino's foot came down on Otamendi. Jumped and dived. And no VAR. Like WTF?