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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

Enter Our Raffle To Win A Visit And Home-Cooked Meal From Drew Magary

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Billy Haisley

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.

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Internationals

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

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Ray Ratto

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.

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Canada’s World Cup Is Already Over

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

World Cup 2022 – Argentina – Mexico

Argentina Saved Its World Cup, And Can Now Begin Again

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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)

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

USMNT Stands Tall Against England

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David Roth

USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams applauds after the team's 1-1 tie against Wales in the 2022 World Cup. The Distraction logo is at upper right.

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Podcasts

Getting Stupid In A Global Sense

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Tom Ley

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

Soccer

Richarlison Found What He’s Been Looking For

Marco Asensio of Spain celebrates with team mates after scoring during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group E match between Spain and Costa Rica at Al Thumama Stadium on November 23, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

Spain v Costa Rica: Group E – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Spain Touches The Sky

Germany v Japan: Group E – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Japan And Germany Played A Perfect Game

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Luis Paez-Pumar

A board signifying 14 minutes of first half stoppage time is seen during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between England and IR Iran at Khalifa International Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar.

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

Where Is All This World Cup Stoppage Time Coming From?

Salem Aldawsari of Saudi Arabia celebrates as he scores the goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group C match between Argentina and Saudi Arabia at Lusail Stadium on November 22, 2022 in Lusail City, Qatar.

Argentina v Saudi Arabia: Group C – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Saudi Arabia Had Too Much Fight For Argentina To Handle

Christian Pulisic Right Winger of USA and Chelsea FC gestures during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group B match between USA and Wales at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on November 21, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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

The USMNT Had Their Chance And Then Blew It

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World Cup Teams Back Off Plan To Wear Rainbow Armbands

Enner Valencia of Ecuador , Celebrates the 0:1 goal, which was pulled back for offside during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group A match between Qatar and Ecuador at Al Bayt Stadium on November 20, 2022 in Al Khor, Qatar.

Qatar v Ecuador: Group A – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Qatar Opened The World Cup By Eating A Bunch Of Shit

FIFA President Press Conference – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022

Gianni Infantino Loses His Grip On The World Cup

SOCCER: OCT 11 FIFA World Cup Qualifier – Japan at Australia

Australia Has One Cool Old Guy And One Cool Young Guy

Liverpool's Diogo Jota (left) and Chelsea's N'Golo Kante battle for the ball during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Thursday March 4, 2021. (Photo by Oli Scarff/PA Images via Getty Images)

Liverpool v Chelsea – Premier League – Anfield

The World Cup Injury Crisis Is Only Going To Get Worse

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Defector Up All Night

The Sports Lowlight Of The Day Is This Dancing Aussie Keeper

CARDIFF, WALES - JUNE 05: Oleksandr Zinchenko of Ukraine applauds the fans after their sides defeat during the FIFA World Cup Qualifier between Wales and Ukraine at Cardiff City Stadium on June 05, 2022 in Cardiff, Wales. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Wales v Ukraine – FIFA World Cup Qualifier

It Doesn’t Get Much More Heartbreaking Than That

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)

Mexico v United States – Concacaf 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

What Is This USMNT Guy’s Deal: Gregg Berhalter

COLUMBUS, OHIO - JANUARY 27: Christian Pulisic #10 of the United States makes a corner kick in the second half during the World Cup qualifying game against El Salvador at Lower.com Field on January 27, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)

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USMNT Wins Procedurally Generated World Cup Qualifier

Fifa President Gianni Infantino speaks at Jerusalem Post's annual conference on October 12, 2021 in Jerusalem, Israel. The conference featured officials, diplomats and business leaders discussing the health, economic and security challenges facing Israel

Jerusalem Post’s 10th Annual Conference

FIFA President: The Transcendent Power Of The World Cup Will Keep Refugees From Drowning

SANDY, UTAH - JUNE 09: Reggie Cannon #20 of the United States celebrates a goal during a game against Costa Rica at Rio Tinto Stadium on June 09, 2021 in Sandy, Utah. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

Costa Rica v United States

Now Comes The Hard Part For The USMNT

Norway's forward Erling Braut Haaland wears a t-shirt with the slogan 'Human rights, on and off the pitch' as he warms up before the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 qualification football match between Norway and Turkey at La Rosaleda stadium in Malaga on March 27, 2021

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Player Protests Won’t Stop The 2022 Qatar World Cup

A laborer walks on the field in one of the new stadiums Qatar has constructed for the 2022 World Cup.

We Know Just How Much Qatar’s World Cup Dream Cost

World Cup