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Patrick Redford

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 29: Sergino Dest of USA controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between IR Iran and USA at Al Thumama Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

Why Not U.S.?

Billy Haisley

USA's forward #10 Christian Pulisic scores his team's first goal past Iran's goalkeeper #01 Alireza Beiranvand during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between Iran and USA at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 29, 2022.

The USMNT Is What We Thought It Was

Ghana's midfielder #20 Mohammed Kudus celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H football match between South Korea and Ghana at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on November 28, 2022. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Ghana Is Definitely Here For A Good Time, Maybe For A Long Time

Casemiro of Brazil scores their team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Switzerland at Stadium 974 on November 28, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

This Is How Brazil Will Win The World Cup

Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar scores their side's second goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Group G match at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar.

Cameroon-Serbia Was The World Cup’s Weirdest And Wildest Game

Germany's midfielder #14 Jamal Musiala is challenged by Spain's midfielder #26 Pedri and Spain's midfielder #09 Gavi during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Spain and Germany at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on November 27, 2022.

Soccer Gods Reward Spain And Germany’s Spectacular Match With A Good And Just Draw

Ray Ratto

Canada's defender #02 Alistair Johnston (L) reacts after Croatia won the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Croatia and Canada at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 27, 2022.

Canada’s World Cup Is Already Over

Argentina's Lionel Messi (l) cheers with Argentina's Julian Alvarez (r) after his goal for 1:0.

Argentina Saved Its World Cup, And Can Now Begin Again

AL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25: Tyler Adams of United States of America talks with Yunus Musah of United States of America during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USA at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

USMNT Stands Tall Against England

Tom Ley

Richarlison Found What He’s Been Looking For

Marco Asensio of Spain celebrates with team mates after scoring during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Spain and Costa Rica at Al Thumama Stadium on November 23, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Spain Touches The Sky

Japan And Germany Played A Perfect Game

Amos Barshad

Harry Kane of England walks around the pitch after being substituted during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and IR Iran at Khalifa International Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love Harry Kane

Luis Paez-Pumar

A board signifying 14 minutes of first half stoppage time is seen during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and IR Iran at Khalifa International Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Where Is All This World Cup Stoppage Time Coming From?

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 22: Robert Lewandowski of Poland shoots a penalty which is saved by Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Mexico and Poland at Stadium 974 on November 22, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by)

Memo Ochoa Still Has More World Cup Magic In Him

USA's forward #21 Timothy Weah celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between USA and Wales at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on November 21, 2022.

There’s No Weah In Hell I’m Going To Get Too Bummed About The USMNT’s Draw

England Beat Iran While FIFA And Qatar Beat Everyone Else

Salem Aldawsari of Saudi Arabia celebrates as he scores the goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on November 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

Saudi Arabia Had Too Much Fight For Argentina To Handle

World Cup Teams Back Off Plan To Wear Rainbow Armbands

Enner Valencia of Ecuador , Celebrates the 0:1 goal, which was pulled back for offside during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.

Qatar Opened The World Cup By Eating A Bunch Of Shit

Defector Staff

Contained Within This Post Is A Comprehensive Preview Of Every Goddamn Team In The World Cup

An empty Budweiser beer stand at Fan Festival ahead of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 on November 18, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

FIFA Is Getting The Beerless World Cup It Deserves

Heung-min Son of Korea Republic poses during the official FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 portrait session at on November 16, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

South Korea Will Need Son Heung-Min To Be Heroic


<p>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</p>


Diana Moskovitz

Luis Suarez of Uruguay celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal of his team during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification match between Chile and Uruguay ay Estadio San Carlos de Apoquindo on March 29, 2022 in Santiago, Chile.