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Defector

Samer Kalaf

A closeup of the Qatar World Cup gold medal

Capital

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

Patrick Redford

Soccer

Nobody Is Scarier Than Kylian Mbappé


<p>Diana Moskovitz is Defector&#8217;s investigations editor. You can contact her at diana@defector.com or dfmoskovitz@protonmail.com. She&#8217;s also on Signal @dmoskovitz.99</p>


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)

A World Cup Of Blood And Gold

Kelsey McKinney

The Winner Of The World Cup Is Little Smooches

Luis Paez-Pumar

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


<p>Dan McQuade was a founding member of Defector. He died in January 2026.</p>


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.

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)

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.

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.

Palestine Is All Over The World Cup

Grant Wahl holds a microphone while covering an international friendly.

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.

Emi Martínez Saved Argentina From Itself

Albert Burneko

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

Cristiano Ronaldo looking pissy in his yellow substitute's vest

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.

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.

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

Tom Ley

Brazil Finally Started Dancing

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.

To Nobody’s Surprise, The Americans Deliver No Surprises

Japanese players celebrate their Group E win over Spain

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.

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)

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

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.