Someone brought an IRL World Cup meme to a soccer match
The U.S., along with Canada and Mexico, will co-host the World Cup in 2026. This means it has a good chance of getting an automatic bid for the tournament, even if the team doesn't actually qualify.
Fun loophole, right? And considering the U.S. men's team didn't qualify this year, it's a pretty exciting idea for American soccer fans. So exciting, in fact, that the idea has taken on a miniature meme life of its own, courtesy of Roll Safe.
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By this, we mean that everyone is making the same joke.
USA: Can’t miss qualifying for the World Cup if you host it pic.twitter.com/lxfJoYj3Lo
— Michael Putzel (@putzelmike) June 13, 2018
can’t miss the World Cup if you host it #WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/PrLbWcSXmA
— KP (@KyleVeltre) June 13, 2018
Can’t miss the World Cup if you auto qualify as a host pic.twitter.com/L96kBTwtPt
— Victor Andersen (@VictorChermas) June 13, 2018
But one soccer fan took things a step further. At a New York Red Bulls match on Wednesday (that is soccer, in case you were wondering), Joseph Mandil took this photo of the meme in the IRL wild. It later climbed to the top of r/sports on Reddit.
The timing makes sense — the U.S.'s co-hosting gig had just been announced, so enthusiasm was running high. Still, a whole sign? That is dedication.
See y'all in 2026.
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