For those who prefer football commentary in a podcast format, there’s good news: the latest episode of Football Weekly has just been released. Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Seb Hutchinson, and Pablo Iglesias Maurer to delve into the USA’s impressive start, Canada’s hard-fought draw against Bosnia, and Scotland’s upcoming clash with Haiti.
Are there any Scotland fans tuning in? How do you anticipate the match against Haiti will unfold? Are you feeling hopeful, anxious, or somewhere in between? Share your thoughts via email.
With Scotland set to play their first World Cup match since 1998, excitement is palpable among fans in Boston. Paul MacInnes has been gauging the atmosphere in the city’s bars and pubs, while Ewan Murray provides a more analytical perspective. Additionally, Bryan Armen Graham reports on Haiti, who have been waiting even longer than Scotland—52 years—to return to the tournament.
In a bizarre twist reminiscent of a Coen Brothers film, some crafty individuals have stolen England’s boots. As Jacob Steinberg reported, the Football Association is now coordinating with local authorities in Kansas City to retrieve the stolen items. Should their efforts fail, Harry Kane and the team may have to face Croatia without proper footwear.
A man in a tracksuit appeared holding aloft a golden ball, like some ancient deity hoisting god’s gonad on his shoulders. At which point an enormous golden Fifa sign appeared, all four letters at least 50ft high, winched down out of the ether like a vision of divine grace – if not the most ludicrous sporting spectacle of all time, then surely the most ludicrous yet.
Barney Ronay was present at Los Angeles Stadium last night, where he witnessed the surreal spectacle of pomp and pageantry. He found it hard to fully appreciate the extravagance but certainly observed it in all its glory. Here’s his commentary on the event.
We’ve seen four matches so far, and this tournament has already delivered everything: stunning visuals, spectacular goals, dramatic comebacks, referees brandishing red cards with abandon, and a level of political absurdity that makes ignoring it seem like the most sensible choice. This is the Doomscroll World Cup: everyone knows it’s unhealthy, yet it’s difficult to look away.
Following the USA’s commanding performance against Paraguay last night, Qatar will face Switzerland at 8 PM (all times BST), followed by Brazil taking on Morocco at 11 PM. The stage is then set for Scotland’s crucial match against Haiti at 2 AM, with Australia and Turkey clashing at 5 AM.
In the meantime, stay tuned for all the latest developments, news, scandals, and geopolitical shifts related to the tournament. As Gianni Infantino might suggest amidst global turmoil, relax, take a breath, and enjoy the spectacle.
