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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Leander Schaerlaeckens is a long-time soccer writer, currently contributing to The Guardian and elsewhere. He is the author of <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/722130/the-long-game-by-leander-schaerlaeckens/">The Long Game: U.S. Men&#8217;s Soccer and its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts</a>. He teaches journalism and sports communication at Marist University. He will cover his fourth World Cup in 2026.

A photo of the author Leander Schaerlaeckens taken by Asha Fuller.

Leander Schaerlaeckens

U.S. President Donald Trump reacts next to FIFA President Gianni Infantino after presenting the FIFA World Cup Winner's Trophy to Spain in the World Cup Final. Trump's kind of leaning like there's a very heavy wind.

Soccer

FIFA Got What It Came For

Ray Ratto

U.S. President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino look on after presenting the FIFA World Cup Winner's Trophy to Spain during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

A Hater’s Coda To The World Cup

Tom Ley

FIFA President Gianni Infantino directs U.S. President Donald Trump after the team’s victory following during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina

Looking Good, Sir!

Luis Paez-Pumar

Rodri #16 of Spain lifts the FIFA World Cup Winner’s Trophy after the team’s victory following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Spain Won As Only Spain Can

Jude Bellingham #10 of England scores his team’s sixth goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Bronze Final between France and England at Miami Stadium on July 18, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

All 10 Goals In That Bonkers Third-Place Match, Ranked

Billy Haisley

Lionel Messi of Argentina weaves around Elliot Anderson, Anthony Gordon and Jude Bellingham of England during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina

The World Cup Is About Great Players And Nothing Else

On the left, an english fan with his face painted withe the georgian cross. On the right, the same fan with his makeup running due to crying

It’s Time To Look At Photos Of Sad England Fans

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Better Hate An Owner

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Lautaro Martinez #22 of Argentina celebrates with Lionel Messi #10 after scoring the team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi Final match between England and Argentina at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

You Have To Kill Argentina Dead

Hassan Abo Qamar is a writer based in Gaza.

Hassan Abo Qamar

Palestinian football fans displaced from their homes, which were destroyed by Israeli military strikes, watch Belgium vs. Egypt on a giant screen at the Nuseirat refugee camp in Gaza.

What It’s Like To Watch The World Cup From Gaza

Spain’s Perfect Game Needed A Perfect Goal

Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99

Diana Moskovitz

A screenshot from a recap of USA vs. Paraguay on Peacock. It says "Estados Unidos v. Paraguay" with flags for both countries.

Telemundo Is The Real Winner Of This Year’s World Cup

Referee Joao Pedro Silva Pinheiro arguing with Nico Elvedi of Switzerland, Breel Embolo of Switzerland after giving Breel Embolo of Switzerland a red card during the World Cup match between Argentina v Switzerland at the Kansas City Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas City United States

You Can’t Do That, Man

Mikel Merino #6 of Spain celebrates after scoring the second goal for Spain during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between Spain and Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on July 10, 2026 in Inglewood, California.

Mikel Merino Is Spain’s Much-Needed Closer

Barry Petchesky

METLIFE STADIUM, EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES - 2026/07/05: Erling Haaland of Norway beats the drum as players and staff of Norway perform the 'Viking Row' to celebrate the victory at the end of the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 football match between Brazil and Norway. Norway won 2-1 over Brazil. (Photo by Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty Images)

I Sit In Solidarity With The Norway Fan Who Refuses To Do The Viking Row

Kylian Mbappe (L) and Ousmane Dembele (R) of France reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Final match between France and Morocco at Boston Stadium on July 9, 2026 in Foxborough, United States.

France Feels Inevitable

Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates after the 3-2 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 07, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Lionel Messi Refuses To Let Time Win

France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates past Paraguay's goalkeeper #12 Orlando Gill after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Paraguay and France at the Philadelphia Stadium in Philadelphia on July 4, 2026.

Paraguayan Senator Gets Shockingly Racist Toward Kylian Mbappé

It’s The Hype That Kills

The USMNT’s World Cup Exit Was Too Sad And Too Familiar

Folarin Balogun #20 of the United States fouls Tarik Muharemovic #4 of Bosnia and Herzegovina which is later reviewed by VAR and awarded as a red card foul a during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 match between USA and Bosnia and Herzegovina at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on July 01, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.

The Folarin Balogun Red Card Brouhaha Is A Vintage FIFA Disaster

Cesar Montes #3 of Mexico shoots and misses a chance against Jude Bellingham #10 of England

That’s Why This Shit Rules

U.S. President Donald Trump poses for photographs with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the Oval Office at the White House.

FIFA Makes Good And Right And Not At All Corrupt Decision To Rescind Folarin Balogun’s Red Card Suspension

Kathryn Xu

A LA Metro shuttle bus transports fans after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay.

A Shockingly Positive Review Of World Cup Public Transit In Los Angeles

Belgium Cannot Be Understood By The Pedestrian Soccer Mind

Malik Tillman celebrates with his teammates

The USMNT Suffered In Style

Michael Olise of France attempts an overhead kick which hits the crossbar during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden

Michael Olise And France Are Soccer’s Greatest Evangelists

Harry Kane celebrates as his teammates cheer behind him

The Game’s About The Ballers

Julian Quinones #16 of Mexico is thrown in the air by team mates as they celebrate after the team's victory and progression to the Round of 16 after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico.

There’s No Team Scarier Than Mexico At The Azteca

Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

Erling Haaland watches a ball fly over the heads of Ivory Coast players

Funbag

A Clueless Soccer Guy’s Favorite World Cup Things

Ronald Koeman puts his face in his hand while watching his team lose

World Cup Recrimination Is The Best Recrimination

Sohini Desai

Colombia's singer Shakira holds the Jo'bulani football that will be used for the final of the tournament during a press conference on July 10, 2010 at Soccer City Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.

A Brief History Of The World Cup Song

Orlando Gill #12 of Paraguay celebrates after saving the sixth penalty by Jonathan Tah #4 of Germany in a penalty shootout during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.