Tag: World Cup 2026

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2026 World Cup–Our Continent is Eliminated

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Team USA Chris Richards takes a pause after their loss in the World Cup to Team Belgium in the 16th round at Lumen Field/Seattle Stadium on Mon Jul 6, 2026 (AP News photo)

2026 World Cup: Our Continent is Eliminated

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

2026 marked the first time that Canada, the United States, and México jointly hosted a FIFA World Cup. It is also the first World Cup in history to be co-hosted by three nations..From North to South. Canada, the United States of America, and México were all eliminated in Round 16 in their respective groups. That means these countries here on our Continent will have to wait until 2030. The next Men’s FIFA World Cup in 2030 will be jointly hosted across three continents by Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.

Every FIFA World Cup champion in history has come from only two continents: Europe (12 titles) and South America (10 titles). Only eight nations have ever won the tournament. Not a surprise that Canada, United States of America, and México did not go far; the US is by far the most sports-oriented country in the world, but Fúbol (Soccer in the US) is not a top-tier sport. The best league is MLS (Major League Soccer), but the only “major” thing is the title.

Here is one example of why the MLS is just “major “by name. Landon Donovan is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in U.S. soccer history, but his club stints in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen had mixed results. He signed with the Bundesliga at age 16 but never really made it overseas. As a matter of fact, he spent most of the time on the bench and never established himself as a regular starter for the German team.

As much as Fútbol/Soccer has advanced in the US, it is still mostly an amateur sport. There is not much room for other leagues after the NFL, NBA, MLB, and NHL; these are the best leagues in their respective sports, with the highest fan followings and player salaries in the world.

Adiós Canada, USA and México to the Fútbol World Cup an Hasta la Próxima, Baby!

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Gouiri’s late goal lifts Algeria in 2-1 comeback win over Jordan in Group J play

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The flags of Jordan and Algeria are displayed on the pitch before the match between the two countries in Group J play of the FIFA 2026 World Cup at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Monday Jun 22, 2026. (Marko Ukalovic-SRS)

by Marko Ukalovic

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Amine Gouiri of Algeria scored the game winning goal in the 82nd minute as the North African country stormed back with two second half goals to defeat Jordan in a 2-1 come from behind victory in Group J play of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday evening at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

The crowd of 68,371 people, including Jordan’s King Abudullah II, witnessed a spirted match between the two countries as Jordan, who made its World Cup debut, played its second match in Santa Clara. Fans got the wave started early in the first half as each scoring chance produced a roar of excitement.

Hadj Moussa set up Gouiri’s heroics when he sent in a corner kick into the middle of the box. After a deflection off of a Jordanian defender, Gouiri was all alone to poke home the ball past Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila that set off a frenzy of celebration as the entire team jumped over the boards to celebrate with the fans in the first row of the south endzone.

Jordan played well in the first half as they drew first blood in the 36th minute. Mousa Al-Tamari set up Nizar Al-Rashdan with a false touch with a kick up in the air. The ball landed on the foot of Al-Rashdan who perfectly placed a right-footed shot into the lower left corner of the net past Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of former French soccer great Zinedane Zidane, for his first goal of the tournament.

Algeria took control late in the first half with strong possession of the ball but weren’t able to get shots on target once inside the box.

Algeria continued that momentum immediately to start the second half and never looked back. They controlled possession for the majority of the half and limited Jordan’s chances of scoring a second goal. They pressured Jordan’s backline and finally had shots on target only to have Abulaila punch them away and out of danger.

A set piece in the 69th minute is how Algeria scored the equalizer. Riyad Mahrez’s corner kick sailed perfectly over to Nadhir Benbouali whose header was the straw that finally broke Abulaila as he was not able to get across to stop it.

It was Algeria’s first win of the tournament and gave life to a team who now believes they can advance to the Round of 32 with a win against Austria upcoming on Saturday. For Jordan, they have been eliminated in their first ever World Cup and now face the daunting task of having to deal with Lionel Messi and the current World Cup Champions Argentina who lead Group J with six points.

World Cup Soccer: Austria takes down Jordan 3-1 in Group J match play

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The flags of Austria and Jordan are displayed on the pitch at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium before the national anthems are played before Austria’s 3-1 win over Jordan on Tuesday JUN 16, 2026. (Marko Ukalovic-Sports Radio Service)

by Marko Ukalovic

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Austria scored two goals in the second half as they defeated Jordan 3-1 in Group J play of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday evening at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

Austria drew first blood in the 20th minute. Xavier Schlager found Romano Schmid just outside the box. Schmid dribbled toward the right before launching a right-footed blast into the upper right corner of the net for his first goal of the tournament.

Jordan had its best chance to score the equalizer in the 34th minute. Ali Olwan received the ball down the right wing and fired a shot from inside the box only to have Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager stoned him away. The rebound attempt by striker Mousa Al-Tamari was blocked by Davia Alaba and cleared out of danger for the Austrians.

Austria controlled the possession in the first half by a two-thirds to one-third margin. Jordan did register three shots on target with just one by Austria in the opening 45 minutes.

Jordan finally tallied the equalizer early in the second half.  A giveaway by Austria led to Noor Al Deen Mahmoud Ali Al Rawabdeh finding Olwan along the left wing. Olwan streaked down into the middle before firing a shot around Philipp Leinhart and off the right post into the back of the net in the 50th minute for Jordan’s first goal in a World Cup match.

A controversial review erased a goal by Austria after a corner kick was pinballed inside the box and was kicked in by Marko Arnautovic in 71st minute. As Austria celebrated what they thought was the go-ahead goal, Jordan argued that there was a handball by Stefan Posch. After a video review it was determined Posch’s arm touched the ball and the goal was wiped away.

The Austrians regained the lead in the 76th minute when they received a fortuitous bounce off a set piece. Marcel Sabitzer’s corner kick into the middle of the box went off the back of Yazan Mousa Mahmoud Al Arab for an own goal.

Austria was awarded a penalty in the 11th minute of stoppage of time when after a VAR review determined Saleem Obaid intentionally put his hand on a shot from Arnautovic inside the box. Arnautovic converted the penalty for his first goal of the tournament and iced the game for Austria.

GAME NOTES: The paid attendance was 68,527, 300 seats shy of a sellout.

UP NEXT: Austria plays Argentina on Monday June 22nd at Dallas Stadium. Jordan plays Algeria also on the 22nd at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s have escape clause out of Las Vegas

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Rending of the Armadillo ball park the Oakland A’s plan to build at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino expected to be finished by 2028 at Tropicana and Las Vegas Blvd on the strip. (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel:

#1 The Oakland A’s have an escape clause out of their 30 year deal at the Tropicana if the A’s were to be taxed. The idea of not taxing the A’s is to keep them in Las Vegas for the 30 years commitment.

#2 The Clause is that if the A’s are taxed different than any other business the will have an out. For example if you go to a show in Vegas your taxed 9% but if you go to a sporting event there is no sales tax on the ticket.

#3 You might recall last year during the Nevada State Legislation A’s team president David Kaval was asked if the A’s were willing to pay the tax. Kaval did not give a yes or no answer but said he and the A’s do not contemplate getting taxed. If A’s players or opposing players are taxed the A’s can exercise the right to move from Las Vegas.

#4 During last year’s presentation to the State Legislature Steven Hill who was one of the key sportspersons to sell the idea of moving the A’s to Vegas said that the projected annual profit the A’s will bring in the neighborhood of $1.3 billion. Most economists have said that is optimistic over reach.

#5 Lastly it should be noted that the Bay Area will be hosting World Cup and the Super Bowl in 2026. What does that say in the face of it for a market this size the sixth largest as the A’s walk away from the Bay Area after this season and will play three years in the 35th TV market in Sacramento and move to Las Vegas in 2028 the 40th sized market.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com