Here are five names to have at your fingertips about the 21th World Cup, hosted by Russia and won by France.
world cup 2018
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Soccer united against Putin — 10 years too late
The soccer world agreed at the weekend that war is a terrible thing, and Russia’s illegal and murderous invasion of Ukraine must be condemned by all decent nations and people. It’s good to know that the possibly insane Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has finally crossed the line. Up until last week, soccer had been remarkably lenient […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
'How Football (Nearly) Came Home: Adventures in Putin's World Cup' — a bracing breeze of a book
I tried to ignore this year’s World Cup, rejecting for the first time in my life the prospect of several weeks on the sofa thinking, talking and feeling about nothing but soccer. My family andfriends wondered if I needed to see a doctor. Why would I do such a thing? I righteously cited FIFA’s corrupt […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
World Cup 2018 Part 2: The VAR Revolution
How about VAR — a revolutionary development in refereeing — how did that fare? Pretty well, I’d say. As it ought to have done — I mean, who is going to argue with VAR’s basic job: Tohelp the referee, to make sure that if he misses something or makes a “clear and obvious error,” VAR […]
Posted inSoccerTalk with Paul Gardner, Story
World Cup 2018 Part 1: The French Revolution
The signs that the 2018 World Cup was not going to be business as usual came early. No Italy, no Netherlands, no Chile — three potential finalists, all three failing to qualify. Maybe you can add tothat list the USA — not a potential finalist but a team that unthinkably failed to emerge from a […]
Posted inSoccer America Confidential, Story
Cobi Jones: 'France shows you that inclusiveness really helps'
Who holds the record for most U.S. national team appearances? Cobi Jones, who donned the U.S. jersey 164 times, from 1992 to 2004. Jones, who served as a Fox Sports commentator forthe World Cup in Russia, played in three World Cups (1994, 1998, 2002), and at the 1992 Olympics. In his post-playing career, besides TV […]
Posted inOff The Post, Story
Why World Cup VAR was sorely needed and how it succeeded
Here’s how World Cup soccer used to work: 1 billion people get to see a replay of a crucial incident but the most important person doesn’t have access. This is not an exaggeration, because the TV viewership of a World Cupfinal is about 1 billion. The referee is trying to keep track of 22 players […]
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Watch: Young boys excellently recreate the 2018 World Cup final
All six goals, and the PK call, from France’s 4-2 triumph over Croatia are reproduced by boys from a Moscow soccer academy, filmed by Russian TV channel RT.
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Watch: French players crash the coach's press conference
Coach Didier Deschamps‘ post-World Cup final presser got interrupted by the players’ party like this. Franceplayers led by Paul Pogba, storm Didier Deschamps’ press conference, Pogba leaves shouting ‘Vive La France, Vive La Republique’ July 15, 2018
Posted inSoccer America Daily, Story
Watch: 'Eternal Happiness' — how the French press reacted
Here’s a quick look at how the French newspapers celebrated Les Bleus’ World Cup win, from the France 24 English-language channel. France 24 is France’s state-run international broadcaster.