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Defector

Ray Ratto

Eloy Room of Curacao makes a save during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Curacao.

Soccer

Eloy Room Saved A Place For Himself And Curacao In World Cup History

Billy Haisley

Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun of the United States celebrate a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia

I Have Died And Gone To USMNT Heaven

David Roth

Vozinha of Cabo Verde gives a thumbs up during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde.

Podcasts

Feeling Those Good Sports Feelings, With Ray Ratto

Luis Paez-Pumar

Harry Kane of England celebrates his 1-0 goal during the 2026 World Cup at AT&amp;T Stadium in Dallas, United States, on June 17, 2026.

It Is Getting Into The Car, Leaving The Office, Avoiding Traffic, And Picking Up Fish And Chips On The Way Home

Tom Ley

Cristiano Ronaldo Is Holding Portugal Hostage

Chancel Mbemba of Congo DR reacts after the 1-1 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Portugal and Congo DR at Houston Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Houston, Texas.

Congo Was Ready For The Moment, And For Portugal

Lionel Messi (right, Argentina) is embraced by Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina) after scoring his second goal to make it 2-0.

Even At The End, Lionel Messi Is Just Getting Started

Alexi Lalas attends the Fox Sports FIFA World Cup 2026 Media Day event at Lavan on May 21, 2026 in New York City.

Alexi Lalas Has Already Worn Out His Welcome

Sohini Desai

Rock Chalk Algeria

Iranian fans greet the players after the 2026 World Cup Group G football match between Iran and New Zealand at Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 15, 2026.

Iran Forced Out Of U.S. Immediately After Playing Best Match Of World Cup

Cabo Verde players react after the 0-0 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Cabo Verde at Atlanta Stadium on June 15, 2026.

Cape Verde Defeats Spain, 0-0

Patrick Redford

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JUNE 13: Achraf Hakimi of Morocco pours water over his face during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Brazil and Morocco at New York New Jersey Stadium on June 13, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

FIFA’s Hydration Breaks Break The Essence Of The Game

Livano Comenencia #8 of Curacao celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Germany and Curacao at Houston Stadium on June 14, 2026 in Houston, Texas.

Curacao Will Never Forget The One In 7-1

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: layers of the United States celebrate their side's first goal, an own goal by Damian Bobadilla #16 of Paraguay (not pictured), during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

The USMNT Won With Flair. Can It Win A Grind?

In-Beom Hwang #6 of Korea Republic scores his team's first goal past Matej Kovar #1 of Czechia during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group A match between Korea Republic and Czechia at Guadalajara Stadium on June 11, 2026 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

South Korea’s Ballers Stole The Show

Mikel Oyarzabal of Spain celebrates with teammates after scoring the first goal of his team during the international friendly match between Peru and Spain at Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, Mexico.

Spain Has The Best, Is The Best

Alex Sujong Laughlin

Bosnian players lift their coach, Sergej Barbarez, in celebration after they qualified for the 2026 World Cup.

The World Cup’s Most Interesting Newbie Is Bosnia-Herzegovina’s Poker-Playing Manager

The French national team smiles after scoring a goal

France Is Great. What Else Is New?

<p>Matt Ufford is the head of video and audio at Yahoo Sports.</p>


Matt Ufford

A split image: On the left, a beatific Manuel Neuer with his fists raised in triumph; on the right, a feral roaring Gianluigi Buffon with his fists low, also in triumph.

Which Type Of Big Weird Guy Is Your Goalkeeper?

An aerial view of football players during a match on a soccer field built on the top of a 5-story building in Adana, Turkiye on August 20, 2025.

How To Watch The World Cup

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<div>Abigail Segel is a contributing writer at Defector. She is also an editor for The IX Soccer and the Equalizer. Her work has been published in the Guardian and the Montreal Gazette.</div>
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Abigail Segel

Sophia Wilson of United States fights for the ball with Isadora Haas of Brazil during the international friendly match between Brazil and United States on June 06, 2026 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The USWNT And Brazil Stretched The Definition Of “Friendly”

People celebrate after the announcement of Brazilian footballer Neymar Jr. during an event to announce Brazil's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Museum of Tomorrow, in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Brazil Couldn’t Kill Its Idol, So It Brought Him Along To The World Cup

WASHINGTON, DC - DECEMBER 5: FIFA President Gianni Infantino and U.S. President Donald Trump on stage during the FIFA World Cup 2026 official draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Tasos Katopodis - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)