Skip to contents

NFL
Chefector
Normal Gossip
Zillowing Out
MLB
NBA
WNBA
Soccer
Tennis
Politics
Science
NHL

About Us
Send Us A Tip (News)
Send Us A Tip ($)
Merch Shop
How To Comment On Defector
How To Pitch Defector
Defector Freelancer Policies, Created In Partnership With The National Writers Union
Masthead
Podcasts
RSS Feed
Terms of Use
Manage Your Account

Follow

World Cup

World Cup

Topics

NBA
NFL
MLB
NHL
Soccer
Normal Gossip
Creaturefector
Chefector
Books By Defectors

Something you think we should know? Send a story tip to tips@defector.com

World Cup

Brazil Finally Started Dancing

Before this World Cup kicked off, our own Billy Haisley asked a simple but important question: Can Brazil be Brazil again? It was a question not just about Brazil’s chances in the tournament, but about whether this particular team would be able to mark itself as a worthy vessel for everything that Brazilian soccer stands […]

Brazil players celebrate

Japan Finally Plays A Good Game And Loses Anyway

To Nobody’s Surprise, The Americans Deliver No Surprises

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.

Japan Is The Best Kind Of World Cup Killer

Japanese players celebrate their Group E win over Spain

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

Underexplained Lists

Luis Paez-Pumar

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.

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

Patrick Redford

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)

No One Is Sadder Than Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku

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

Yelling In Arabic Has Its Merits

Saudi coaches Herve Renard and Mohammed Ameen give a motivational halftime speech during the team's game against Argentina.

Poland Advances To Knockout Stage By Playing Jabroni Soccer

Polish players celebrate

Denmark Was Something Rotten

Luis Paez-Pumar

A dejected Joachim Andersen of Denmark at full time after being knocked out the FIFA World Cup in the group stages during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group D match between Australia and Denmark at Al Janoub Stadium on November 30, 2022 in Al Wakrah, Qatar

Why Not U.S.?

Patrick Redford

DOHA, QATAR - NOVEMBER 29: Sergino Dest of USA controls the ball during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between IR Iran and USA at Al Thumama Stadium on November 29, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Matteo Ciambelli/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)

The USMNT Is What We Thought It Was

USA's forward #10 Christian Pulisic scores his team's first goal past Iran's goalkeeper #01 Alireza Beiranvand during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between Iran and USA at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on November 29, 2022.

Ghana Is Definitely Here For A Good Time, Maybe For A Long Time

Patrick Redford

Ghana's midfielder #20 Mohammed Kudus celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H football match between South Korea and Ghana at the Education City Stadium in Al-Rayyan, west of Doha, on November 28, 2022. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP) (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)

This Is How Brazil Will Win The World Cup

Casemiro of Brazil scores their team's first goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group G match between Brazil and Switzerland at Stadium 974 on November 28, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Cameroon-Serbia Was The World Cup’s Weirdest And Wildest Game

Cameroon's Vincent Aboubakar scores their side's second goal of the game during the FIFA World Cup Group G match at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar.

Soccer Gods Reward Spain And Germany’s Spectacular Match With A Good And Just Draw

Germany's midfielder #14 Jamal Musiala is challenged by Spain's midfielder #26 Pedri and Spain's midfielder #09 Gavi during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group E football match between Spain and Germany at the Al-Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, north of Doha on November 27, 2022.

Canada’s World Cup Is Already Over

Canada's defender #02 Alistair Johnston (L) reacts after Croatia won the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group F football match between Croatia and Canada at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on November 27, 2022.

Argentina Saved Its World Cup, And Can Now Begin Again

Argentina's Lionel Messi (l) cheers with Argentina's Julian Alvarez (r) after his goal for 1:0.

USMNT Stands Tall Against England

Patrick Redford

AL KHOR, QATAR - NOVEMBER 25: Tyler Adams of United States of America talks with Yunus Musah of United States of America during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and USA at Al Bayt Stadium on November 25, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo by Juan Luis Diaz/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Getting Stupid In A Global Sense

1 of 2

Something you think we should know? Send a story tip to tips@defector.com

Send Us A Tip
Support and General Questions
Press Inquiries
Advertise With Us
Hall of Fame
Masthead

Privacy Notice
Terms of Use

Defector

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.

© Copyright 2022

Made in partnership with Lede