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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

Remind Everyone That Your Team Sucks

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Merch v3

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Samer Kalaf

A closeup of the Qatar World Cup gold medal

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Capital

Qatar’s Interest In The Washington Wizards Is The Next Step

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Patrick Redford

Argentina v France: Final – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Soccer

Nobody Is Scarier Than Kylian Mbappé


<p>Investigations Editor. You can reach her at diana@defector.com or, if you prefer protonmail, dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. If security is a concern, download the Signal app and send her a text at 929-251-8187.</p>


DFM New Headshot

Diana Moskovitz

AL RAYYAN, QATAR - NOVEMBER 30: General view outside the stadium prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Tunisia and France at Education City Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Tunisia v France: Group D – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

A World Cup Of Blood And Gold

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Kelsey McKinney

The Winner Of The World Cup Is Little Smooches

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Luis Paez-Pumar

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Andrés Cantor Called Argentina’s World Cup Win Like Only He Could


<p>Visual Editor. Runs <a href="http://defectorstore.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">defectorstore.com</a>. Philadelphia-based, if you couldn’t tell.</p>


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Dan McQuade

LUSAIL CITY, QATAR - DECEMBER 18: goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez of Argentina celebrates receiving the trophy for best goalkeeper of the tournament after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

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Let’s Give A Big Hand For Emi Martínez!

Lionel Messi of Argentina poses with his Golden ball award following the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

Lionel Messi Is Done Chasing Ghosts

Lionel Messi, Captain of Argentina lifts the FIFA World Cup Trophy following his team's victory in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

Argentina Went To Hell And Back To Win The World Cup

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 15: France National Team Training Session at Al Sadd SC on December 16, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)

France Training Session – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Here’s One Last Goddamn Thing France Has To Try And Overcome

A fan in the stands holds aloft a replica World Cup trophy during the FIFA World Cup Quarter-Final match at the Education City Stadium in Al Rayyan, Qatar. Picture date: Friday December 9, 2022.

Croatia v Brazil – FIFA World Cup 2022 – Quarter Final – Education City Stadium

The World Cup’s Beauty Is In The Eye Of Its Holder

A member of Morocco's team holds a Palestinian flag after the team won the penalty shoot-out to win the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Morocco and Spain at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha on December 6, 2022.

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Palestine Is All Over The World Cup

Grant Wahl holds a microphone while covering an international friendly.

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Grant Wahl Dies In Qatar After Collapsing During World Cup Match

09 December 2022, Qatar, Lusail: Soccer, World Cup, Netherlands - Argentina, final round, quarterfinal, Lusail Stadium, Argentina's goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez cheers with teammates after winning the penalty shootout.

World Cup 2022 – Netherlands – Argentina

Emi Martínez Saved Argentina From Itself

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Albert Burneko

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Qatar’s World Cup CEO Scolds Reporters For Noticing That Another Worker Died

Cristiano Ronaldo looking pissy in his yellow substitute's vest

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Portugal Romped While Ronaldo Watched

Achraf Hakimi of Morocco celebrates after the team's victory in the penalty shoot out during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Morocco and Spain at Education City Stadium on December 06, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar.

Morocco v Spain: Round of 16 – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Spain Beat Itself Again

Cameroonian Football Federation President Samuel Eto'o during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Cameroon and Serbia at Al Janoub Stadium on November 28, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar.

Cameroon v Serbia: Group G – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Samuel Eto’o Kicked A Guy In The Face At The World Cup

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Tom Ley

Brazil v South Korea: Round of 16 – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Brazil Finally Started Dancing

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Ray Ratto

Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States reacts at the final whistle after a FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and USMNT at Khalifa International Stadium on December 3, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. He's dejected with his head in shirt and the USMNT just got a thorough drubbing.

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To Nobody’s Surprise, The Americans Deliver No Surprises

Japanese players celebrate their Group E win over Spain

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Japan Is The Best Kind Of World Cup Killer

France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group D football match between France and Denmark at Stadium 974 in Doha on November 26, 2022.

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Underexplained Lists

The 16 Teams Left In The World Cup, Ranked By Coolness

AL RAYYAN, QATAR - DECEMBER 02: Players of Korea celebrate during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group H match between Korea Republic and Portugal at Education City Stadium on December 02, 2022 in Al Rayyan, Qatar. (Photo by Amin Mohammad Jamali/Getty Images)

Korea Republic v Portugal: Group H – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

South Korea’s Stunning World Cup Moment Is As Good As It Gets

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David Roth

Christian Pulisic of the US Men's National Team prepares to take a corner kick in the team's win against Iran in the 2022 World Cup.

IR Iran v USA: Group B – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Podcasts

The Absolute State Of The Nation, With Tom Ley

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Laura Wagner

Belgium's assistant coach Thierry Henry consoles Belgium's Romelu Lukaku.

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No One Is Sadder Than Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku

Iran v USA: Group B – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Christian Pulisic’s Goal Not As Ballsy As It First Appeared

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