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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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Defector

Enter Our Raffle To Win A Visit And Home-Cooked Meal From Drew Magary

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tip jar sweepstakes

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Laura Wagner

Sophia Smith #11 of the United States scores a goal and celebrates during a game between Germany and USWNT at Red Bull Arena on November 13, 2022 in Harrison, New Jersey.

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Soccer

USWNT Beats Germany For Much-Needed Win

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Luis Paez-Pumar

SEVILLE, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 27: Hakim Ziyech of Morocco looks on prior to a friendly match between Paraguay and Morocco at Estadio Benito Villamarin on September 27, 2022 in Seville, Spain.

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Internationals

Morocco Has All Of Its Weapons Back Just In Time

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Billy Haisley

Belgium's midfielder Kevin De Bruyne (R) celebrates with teammates after opening the scoring during the Nations League League A Group 4 football match between Belgium and Wales at The King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on September 22, 2022.

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The End Is Near For Belgium

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Patrick Redford

Tajon Buchanan #11 of Canada celebrates a goal during a 2022 World Cup Qualifying match against Jamaica at BMO Field on March 27, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Jamaica v Canada: 2022 World Cup Qualifying

At Its Second-Ever World Cup, Canada Is Here To Stay

Japan celebrate after the FIFA World Cup Qualifier football match between Australia Socceroos and Japan on March 24, 2022 at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia.

SOCCER: MAR 24 World Cup Qualifier – Australia v Japan

Fate Has Handed Japan A Nearly Impossible Task

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Tom Ley

Germany Training Session And Press Conference

Die Mannschaft Is Dead, Long Live Die Mannschaft

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Albert Burneko

Alvaro Morata of Spain celebrates scoring Spain goal during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 2 match between Portugal and Spain at Estadio Municipal de Braga on September 27, 2022 in Braga, Portugal.

Portugal v Spain: UEFA Nations League – League Path Group 2

It Is Illegal To List Spain Among The World Cup Favorites

Costa Rica v New Zealand  – 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoff

If Nothing Else, Costa Rica Has Sentimentality On Its Side

Tunisia players celebrate during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group G match between Panama and Tunisia at Mordovia Arena on June 28, 2018 in Saransk, Russia.

Panama v Tunisia: Group G – 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

Tunisia Has The Coolest Nickname In The Whole World Cup

TOPSHOT - Denmark's forward Kasper Dolberg (L) celebrates scoring the opening goal with his teammate Denmark's midfielder Christian Eriksen during the UEFA Nations League football match between Denmark and France in Copenhagen on September 25, 2022. - Denmark OUT (Photo by Liselotte Sabroe / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT

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With Christian Eriksen Back, Denmark Can Go Deeper Than Ever

France's national football team forwards Kylian Mbappe (C) and Karim Benzema (R) attend a training session at the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki on November 15, 2021, on the eve of the FIFA 2022 World Cup Qatar qualifying Group D football match between Finland and France.

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The Defending World Cup Champs Are Still Absolutely Loaded

Hiving Lozano #22 of Mexico celebrates a goal against Peru in the second half at Rose Bowl Stadium on September 24, 2022 in Pasadena, California.

Peru v Mexico

Mexico Is Going Nowhere

SOCCER: OCT 11 FIFA World Cup Qualifier – Japan at Australia

Australia Has One Cool Old Guy And One Cool Young Guy

Grzegorz Krychowiak (L) and Robert Lewandowski (R) of Poland clap for fans during the celebration after Poland qualified for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier knockout round play-off match between Poland and Sweden at Silesian Stadium in Chorzow, Poland. Poland beat Sweden 2-0.

Grzegorz Krychowiak (L) and Robert Lewandowski (R) of Poland

Robert Lewandowski Alone Might Not Be Enough For Poland

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL: Lionel Messi of Argentina lifts the trophy after winning the final of Copa America Brazil 2021 between Brazil and Argentina at Maracana Stadium on July 10, 2021 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

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Lionel Messi And Argentina Are Ready For World Cup Glory

Ali Albulayhi of Saudi Arabia reacts during the international friendly match between Saudi Arabia and Colombia at Estadio Enrique Roca on June 05, 2022 in Murcia, Spain.

Saudi Arabia v Colombia – International Friendly

Saudi Arabia’s Coach Is Hunky But Its Team Is Junky

United States midfielder Weston McKennie (8) celebrates with forward Christian Pulisic (10), midfielder Tyler Adams (4) and teammates after scoring a goal during a CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying game between the United States and Mexico on November 12, 2021 at TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, OH.

SOCCER: NOV 12 World Cup Qualifying – USA v Mexico

At Long Last, The USMNT Is Back At The World Cup

Wales' striker Gareth Bale celebrates after winning the FIFA World Cup 2022 play-off final qualifier football match between Wales and Ukraine at the Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff, south Wales, on June 5, 2022.

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This World Cup Is Wales’s Last Hurrah With Gareth Bale

Italy v England: UEFA Nations League – League Path Group 3

Will England Ever Be Brave Enough To Reach For Greatness?

ST. POELTEN, AUSTRIA - SEPTEMBER 23: Mehdi Taremi of Iran celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the International Friendly match between Iran and Uruguay at NV Arena on September 23, 2022 in St. Poelten, Austria.

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Iran Has More Than Just Soccer On Its Mind At The World Cup

Senegal wins 1st Africa Cup of Nations, beating Egypt 4-2 on penalties

Africa’s Best Hope For Glory Lies With Sadio Mané’s Senegal

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - SEPTEMBER 25: Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the UEFA Nations League League A Group 4 match between Netherlands and Belgium at Johan Cruijff Arena on September 25, 2022 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

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The Netherlands Is Ready To Go Where It’s Never Been Before

Fans celebrate the tying goal scored by Enner Valencia of Ecuador during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification match between Ecuador and Argentina at Estadio Monumental on March 29, 2022 in Guayaquil, Ecuador.

Ecuador v Argentina – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Qualifier

Ecuador’s Bright World Cup Future Starts Now

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Qatar Bought The World Cup, Now Has To Prove It Can Play In It

<div class="author-header-content">
<p>Charles P. Pierce is a writer at <em>Esquire</em> and the author of four books, most recently <em>Idiot America</em>, and has been a working journalist since 1976. He lives near Boston with his wife but no longer his three children.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
</div>
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Charles P. Pierce

Kazuyoshi Miura of Japan falls after the FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier final round match between Iraq and Japan at the Al-Ahly Stadium on October 28, 1993 in Doha, Qatar.

Iraq v Japan – FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier Final Round

What’s Changed And What Hasn’t Since I Covered Soccer In Qatar 30 Years Ago