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Defector

Billy Haisley

Former player Ashley Cole of England and Fabrizio Romano are seen at the Heineken booth during the UEFA Champions League Final 2026 in Budapest, Hungary.

Soccer

While Wearing An Orange Wig And A Big Red Foam Nose, Fabrizio Romano Insists He’s Not A Clown

Luis Paez-Pumar

FIFA President Gianni Infantino gestures before 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.

Is This The End For Gianni Infantino?

Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, speaks during the 50th UEFA Ordinary Congress Meeting at Brussels Expo on February 12, 2026 in Brussels, Belgium.

UEFA Is Ready To Go To War With FIFA Over The World Cup

FIFA President Gianni Infantino (L) and United States of America President Donald Trump (R) look on 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, United States.

Gianni Infantino Is Putting The World Cup Up For Sale

Andrea Pirlo of UC Sampdoria looks during the Serie B match between US Salernitana and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Arechi on August 27, 2024 in Salerno, Italy.

Italian National Team Plans, Then Cancels Its Andrea Pirlo Party

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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

Leicy Santos's teammates dowse her in water while celebrating

Leicy Santos Is In The Right Spot

Lionel Messi watches players of Spain receiving the medals following the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final match between Spain and Argentina

What Messi Means

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


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.

FIFA Got What It Came For