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Defector

Luis Paez-Pumar

Teammates of Netherland celebrate the teams own goal from Mert Müldür of Türkiye to the 2:1 on the top of the grape Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands during the UEFA EURO 2024 quarter-final match between Netherlands and Türkiye at Olympiastadion on July 6, 2024 in Berlin, Germany

Soccer

The Netherlands Has To Get Over The Hump At Some Point, Right?

Aaron Timms

A big inflatable soccer ball fills with air at the houston world cup fan zone.

The World Cup For Nobody Is Almost Here

David Roth

Senegal Men's Soccer Team centre-forward Nicolas Jackson (11) defends as United States Men's National Soccer Team defender Tyler Adams (4) works the ball during a FIFA soccer match between Senegal and the USA on May 31, 2026.

Podcasts

The Dutch Style Of Pickup Soccer And A Dog Named Jeff, With Leander Schaerlaeckens

Patrick Redford

Belgium's Romelu Lukaku and Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne pictured during a training session of Belgian national soccer team.

Belgium’s Old Dogs Are Back For One Last Trick

Florian Wirtz of Germany runs with the ball during the international friendly match between Germany and Ghana at MHP Arena on March 30, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany.

Germany Just Wants To Be Germany Again

Tom Ley

FIFA Will No Longer Allow Fans To Bring Water Into World Cup Stadiums

Luka Modric of Croatia controls the ball during the international friendly match between Brazil and Croatia at Camping World Stadium on March 31, 2026 in Orlando, Florida.

Croatia Is Ready To Keep The Good Times Rolling

Billy Haisley

Raul Jimenez of Mexico celebrates after scoring a penalti during an international friendly match between Mexico and Paraguay.

Mexico Can’t Let This Chance Slip By

<p>Columnist. Author of many <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Drew-Magary/e/B001JS8R52/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_book_1">fine works of literature</a>, including <em>Point B</em>. Handsomest man in the world.</p>


Drew Magary

Funbag

There Are More Brendan Sorsbys To Come

Colombia's forward #07 Luis Diaz shoots during a friendly football match between Colombia and France at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, on March 29, 2026.

Colombia’s Almost Too Old For This Shit

Sadio Mane and Pape Thiaw hold the AFCON trophy

Senegal’s Bringing A Good Team And Some Nasty Vibes To The World Cup

The USMNT Is Still Stuck In The Middle

Gianni Infantino: We’re Just Here To Extract Wealth From You American Hogs

World Cup Tallies Another Human Rights Abuse

Kathryn Xu

The NJ Transit logo is seen on a train at New York City Penn Station.

Transit

World Cup Transit Is Broken Before It Has Begun

U.S. President Donald Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize from Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA, during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Report: FIFA Plans To Ask Peace Prize Winner If He Would Maybe Consider Pausing Domestic Terrorism Program For One Month

General view inside of the Levi's Stadium on June 3, 2024 in Santa Clara, California.

Poor Suckers Who Ponied Up For Expensive World Cup Tickets Boned By FIFA

Players of Italy reacts at the end of the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia &amp; Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Oops, Italy Did It Again, Again!

U.S. President Donald Trump places the FIFA Peace Prize around his neck after receiving it from FIFA President Gianni Infantino (R) at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts December 05, 2025 in Washington, DC.

Iran Plans To Boycott World Cup Due To FIFA Peace Prize Winner’s Murderous, Unprovoked War

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 11: FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Owner Robert Kraft of the New England Patriots react on the sideline prior to an NFL wild card playoff game between the Los Angeles Chargers and New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on January 11, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)

Boston’s World Cup Stakeholders Are Squabbling Over Money

Here’s The 2026 World Cup Draw

Scotland's Kieran Tierney (R) and Kenny McLean celebrate at full time during a FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier between Scotland and Denmark at Hampden Park, on November 18, 2025, in Glasgow, Scotland.

Scotland Stunned Its Way Back To The World Cup

Ireland's forward #07 Troy Parrott celebrates his 2-3 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F European qualification football match betweem Hungary and Republic of Ireland at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary on November 16, 2025.

The World Cup Is The Best, Even When It’s Not The World Cup

Norway's team players ans staff celebrate their victory at the end of the FIFA World Cup 2026 European qualification football match between Italy and Norway, at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, on November 16, 2025.

Norway Is So Much More Than Just Erling Haaland

Mateo Retegui of Italy celebrates during the European qualifier Fifa World Cup 2026 match between Italy and Israel at Friuli stadium. Final score; Italy 3 : 0 Israel.

2026 World Cup