The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted in the United States, continued to deliver drama both on and off the pitch.
Australia faced Egypt in a Round of 32 match, with fans Down Under pulling all-nighters (4 AM local kickoff) to cheer on the Socceroos. The Guardian’s live coverage noted that the Australian dressing room appeared to have been taking inspiration from Ted Lasso.
Brazilian football legend Romário publicly retracted his earlier criticism of Vinícius Jr., the Real Madrid star who has been lighting up the tournament. “I want to take back what I said,” Romário conceded. “He made me swallow my words.” Meanwhile, in France, a viral online petition asking the French public to apologize to Kylian Mbappé gathered thousands of signatures, seemingly vindicating the sometimes-controversial star’s World Cup performances.
Off the field, Brazilian culture found a surprising intersection with the tournament: crochet outfits in national team colors became a fashion trend among celebrities and fans alike, with stars like Thaila Ayala and Paolla Oliveira spotted in the handmade looks.
