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Luis Paez-Pumar

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.

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

Tom Ley

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.

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

Billy Haisley

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’s Bright World Cup Future Starts Now

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>
<div class="author-header-shares"></div>


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.

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

Laura Wagner

PAMPLONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 11: Megan Rapinoe of USA reacts during the Women's International Friendly match between Spain and USA at El Sadar Stadium on October 11, 2022 in Pamplona, Spain

USWNT Loses Two In A Row

Patrick Redford

DÜSSELDORF, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 23: Aaron Long #5 of the United States looking for an open man during a game between Japan and USMNT at Düsseldorf Arena on September 23, 2022 in Düsseldorf, Germany. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Aaron Long

Neymar Jr of Brazil celebrates after scoring their side's third goal with his teammates Raphinha and Lucas Paqueta during the international friendly match between Brazil and Tunisia at Parc des Princes on September 27, 2022 in Paris, France.

The World Cup Is South America’s To Win

Head coach Jorge Vilda of Spain looks on during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Qualifier group B match between Spain and Ukraine at Ciudad del Futbol de Las Rozas on September 06, 2022 in Madrid, Spain.

The Spanish Soccer Federation Is Once Again Going To War Against Its Own Players

Kaoru Mitoma of Team Japan celebrates scoring their team's second goal during the International Friendly match between Japan and United States at Merkur Spiel-Arena on September 23, 2022 in Duesseldorf, Germany.

Japan Hands The USMNT A Reality Check

ST PAUL, MN - AUGUST 09: Paul Arriola attends a mix zone during a training session ahead of the MLS All Stars and Liga MX All Stars game at National Sports Center on August 9, 2022 in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Paul Arriola

PARIS, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 06: Weston McKennie of Juventus celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League group H match between Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus at Parc des Princes on September 6, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Weston McKennie

England players celebrate with fans during the England women's team celebration at Trafalgar Square on August 01, 2022 in London, England. The England Women's football team beat Germany 2-1 in the final of the UEFA European Women's Championship last night at Wembley Stadium.

Is Women’s Soccer Leaving Home?

Alessia Russo of England scores her teams third goal during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Semi Final match between England and Sweden at Bramall Lane on July 26, 2022 in Sheffield, England.

This Is England?

France's defender Eve Perisset (3R) celebrates her goal with teammates during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 quarter final football match between France and Netherlands at the New York Stadium, in Rotherham, on July 23, 2022.

France Needs To Be Better Than This

Georgia Stanway of England celebrates after scoring their team's second goal during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Quarter Final match between England and Spain at Brighton &amp; Hove Community Stadium on July 20, 2022 in Brighton, England.

England Has What It Takes

Spain's defender Maria Leon clears the ball during the UEFA Women's Euro 2022 Group B football match between Spain and Finland at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes, north of London on July 8, 2022.

Mapi León Is One Of A Kind

Dejected Peru players support each other after being defeated by Australia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Playoff match between Australia Socceroos and Peru at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on June 13, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

This Is Why No One Should Play Soccer In Qatar During The Summer

And So Begins Our Summer Without The World Cup

The United States celebrate a goal by Trinity Rodman during the second half against Uzbekistan at Subaru Park on April 12, 2022 in Chester, Pennsylvania.

To Get True Equal Pay, The USWNT And USMNT Had To Break The Mold

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 24: Gregg Berhalter, head coach of United States greets to the fans during the match between Mexico and The United States as part of the Concacaf 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at Azteca Stadium on March 24, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images)

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Gregg Berhalter

Here’s The 2022 World Cup Draw

USA's Christian Pulisic celebrates after scoring a goal during US Mens National Teams 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier vs. Panama at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida on March 27, 2022.

The USMNT Is Going To The World Cup

Giovanni Reyna of United States fights for the ball with Johan Vásquez of Mexico during a match between Mexico and United States as part of Concacaf 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers at Azteca Stadium on March 24, 2022 in Mexico City, Mexico.