Hello and welcome to day 38 of this sprawling world cup.There is a funny scene Yes, minister when the Right Hoodwinked, sorry, Right Honorable Jim Hacker asks if nuclear weapons are absolutely necessary. Surely, if push came to shove, the United States would protect Britain from Russia?A stunned Sir Humphrey Appleby claims Hacker should resign…
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) Hello and welcome to another edition of OFFSIDE. This was a day to remember for all World Cup fans as well Lionel…
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts after the World Cup Round of 16 soccer match between Portugal and Spain in Arlington, Texas, near Dallas, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson) Hello and welcome to another edition of Offside. Earlier, Spain saw off Portugal to win the Iberian derby, while Belgium won the world’s approval by…
England’s Harry Kane (9) celebrates after the World Cup 32 soccer match between England and Congo in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) Hello and welcome to another edition of Offside. The term “shot heard round the world” was popularized by Ralph Waldo Emerson in his poem Concord Hymn, whose first stanza was:…
Hello and welcome to Offside: your daily summary and wait for the World Cup. The strangest thing about Day 18 was that it only had one game and it was one that would have made cricket fans feel like they were watching the first round of an ICC tournament if Cricket Canada hadn’t been busted…
Ted Lasso was a rare silver lining during the dark days of COVID. As the world went into lockdown, an American football coach who manages a football team had the unenviable job of not only coaching a team in a sport he didn’t know, but also lifting the spirits of the world in its saddest…
Have you ever wondered why you feel anxious when facing the unknown? The answer lies in evolutionary biology, which dictated that those who maintained a healthy skepticism survived while those who went on to struggle for trouble unwound their mortal coil. Familiarity does not breed contempt; it actually gives us a warm feeling. Football fans…
Simon and Garfunkel sing once the words of the prophet are written on the walls of the subway. They were only partially correct because the truth of the gospel can be found in all forms of art, including cartoons. Take a cartoon caption by Paul Rigby in the Sydney Daily Telegraph, who witnessed the plight…
Spain’s Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup Group H soccer match between Spain and Saudi Arabia in Atlanta, Sunday, June 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) There is a term in sports called the commentary curse. No, that does not refer to football fans who have to listen to Bollywood…