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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.

Defector

Tom Ley

Cesar Montes #3 of Mexico shoots and misses a chance against Jude Bellingham #10 of England

Soccer

That’s Why This Shit Rules

Billy Haisley

U.S. President Donald Trump poses for photographs with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the Oval Office at the White House.

FIFA Makes Good And Right And Not At All Corrupt Decision To Rescind Folarin Balogun’s Red Card Suspension

World Cup fans cheer as one tries to catch a ball

Defector Up All Night

Try To Cool Off In The July 4th Weekend Open Thread

Ray Ratto

Belgium Cannot Be Understood By The Pedestrian Soccer Mind

Malik Tillman celebrates with his teammates

The USMNT Suffered In Style

Michael Olise of France attempts an overhead kick which hits the crossbar during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between France and Sweden

Michael Olise And France Are Soccer’s Greatest Evangelists

Harry Kane celebrates as his teammates cheer behind him

The Game’s About The Ballers

Luis Paez-Pumar

Julian Quinones #16 of Mexico is thrown in the air by team mates as they celebrate after the team's victory and progression to the Round of 16 after the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Mexico and Ecuador at Mexico City Stadium on June 30, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico.

There’s No Team Scarier Than Mexico At The Azteca

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 Point B. Handsomest man in the world.

Drew Magary

Erling Haaland watches a ball fly over the heads of Ivory Coast players

Funbag

A Clueless Soccer Guy’s Favorite World Cup Things

Ronald Koeman puts his face in his hand while watching his team lose

World Cup Recrimination Is The Best Recrimination

Sohini Desai

Colombia's singer Shakira holds the Jo'bulani football that will be used for the final of the tournament during a press conference on July 10, 2010 at Soccer City Stadium in Soweto, South Africa.

A Brief History Of The World Cup Song

Orlando Gill #12 of Paraguay celebrates after saving the sixth penalty by Jonathan Tah #4 of Germany in a penalty shootout during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round Of 32 match between Germany and Paraguay at Boston Stadium on June 29, 2026 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Mr. Nagelsmann, Tear Down This Meat Wall!

Yoane Wissa of Congo DR celebrates with teammates after scoring the team's third goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Congo DR and Uzbekistan.

DR Congo Welcomes You To Africa’s World Cup

Vinícius Júnior of Brazil celebrates his goal with teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group C match between Scotland and Brazil at Miami Stadium on June 24, 2026 in Miami Gardens, United States.

Vinícius Has Brazil Believing Again

Kathryn Xu

Nico O'Reilly #3 and Harry Kane #9 of England react after a missed chance during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Ghana.

What On Earth Is “Match Momentum”?

Séamus Malekafzali is a New York-based journalist and writer primarily focusing on the politics of the Middle East.

Séamus Malekafzali

Iranian fans protest outside the Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi Stadium) prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Belgium and Iran

The Monarchists Have Come To Harangue Iran’s World Cup Team

Norway's forward #09 Erling Braut Haaland celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the 2026 World Cup Group I football match between Norway and Senegal at the New York/New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on June 22, 2026.

The Golden Boot Race Has Already Gotten Ridiculous

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Austria.

Lionel Messi Falls To Earth, Ascends Right Back Into The Sky

Nathan Ngoy #25 of Belgium receives a red card during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group G match between Belgium and IR Iran at Los Angeles Stadium on June 21, 2026 in Los Angeles, California

This World Cup Is Beating A Dead Dark Horse

Cape Verde supporters cheer on their team

Cape Verde Deserved Better Than Whatever The Hell JP Dellacamera Was Doing

Lamine Yamal of Spain celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group H match between Spain and Saudi Arabia.

The Real Spain Has Now Arrived

Japan fans cheer in the stands during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group F match between Tunisia and Japan.

Tunisia Blows Up Its Manager, Still Gets Blown Out

Eloy Room of Curacao makes a save during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group E match between Ecuador and Curacao.

Eloy Room Saved A Place For Himself And Curacao In World Cup History

Chris Richards and Folarin Balogun of the United States celebrate a goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia

I Have Died And Gone To USMNT Heaven

Harry Kane of England celebrates his 1-0 goal during the 2026 World Cup at AT&amp;T Stadium in Dallas, United States, on June 17, 2026.

World Cup