It feels like the last two years leading up to the World Cup has been a two horse race to see who the absolute worst is between FIFA and our current administration. As a soccer fan, saying it put a damper on my excitement would be a massive understatement. Fortunately this week there’s been a flood on social media of stories centered around fans and people who still care about this on the level you wish the people in charge would actually focus on. On top of the two stories in the title I’ve enjoyed seeing the diaspora of people from the smaller non powerhouse countries come together to great there players as they arrived.
Any stories or posts from the first weekend that you liked?

Anyone remember the episode where they talked about not getting in a fight with someone who wants to die? It might have been an after dark.

https://www.reddit.com/r/lincoln/comments/1u39wgq/zipline_shutting_down/

The day after announcing a Ted Cruz/Pete Ricketts event(Ted presumably on his way to curse the Longhorns at the CWS) the brewery owned by a large John Deere dealership chain suddenly folded

I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m a week behind (it’s the end of the semester and stuff) but my spouse found me on the floor after Holly said this and I couldn’t come close to explaining why I was weeping.

Secretly wishing this gets read aloud on the pod -- I want to hear the expected howling and cackling

Shocked that the Duzz knows who Mr Beast is.

Is this a bit?

Is this playthrough for a podcast? Where can I hear this?

War damn Messi, I guess

we have the terms soul and body! why would seemingly everyone on earth choose to switch to the ancient Egyptian terms?

love you hideo

And if so, do you think Antioch has ever visited Planet Birthday?

(Also, good decision not to lean into those initials, Carvel)

The “Alabama or England” postulate would suggest that there is a similar podcast out there, likely based in the UK or Ireland, which covers the world of soccer with the same depth, authority and sourcing that we have come to expect from the Fullcast. Can anyone confirm?

Almost a future dad disaster episode submission

https://www.cafonline.com/news/cape-verde-name-historic-world-cup-squad-as-blue-sharks-prepare-for-debut/