There is only one World Cup

Like much of the world, I have spent the last 3.5 weeks awash in soccer (or in European parlance, football). The 2026 tournament has been the best one in memory, delivering high drama and elation and devastation to the largest field of teams and fanbases and countries ever assembled. Living in the host nation helps a bit, with the games broadcast in my local timezone1, but there is so much happening that needs to be logged for posterity. The stories of various national contingents making summer homes in random North American cities has been heartwarming. Lawrence, Kansas adopted Algeria and made them feel at home. Scotland took over Boston and drank it dry. England fans picked up a favorite Atlanta Braves player and chanted about him during a baseball game. Mexico and South Korea started a country-to-country bromance and were devastated to have to face each other in the group stage. So much bad shit is going on in the world today; it is heartening to see human connection like this.…