Ever wondered why Real Madrid release their Starting XI earlier than any team in the world? This started in 2021. Journalists had moles in the team’s dressing room and revealed line ups beifre crucial matches. It caused a lot of anger within the club’s hierarchy. It was discovered that Miguel Angel Diaz, a journalist for radio station Cadena COPE, was regularly publishing Ancelotti’s starting XI before Real Madrid wanted them to be made public. During his time as coach, Jose Mourinho started a mission to find the mole in the dressing room. His investigation ended with the Portuguese coach naming Iker Casillas as the player supplying lineups to the media, which the keeper denied. So when Ancelotti replaced Zidane in 2021/22, he decided to take it in their stride to wrong-foot the press. For the first Madrid derby that season, Real published their line-up around two hours before kick-off. And it subsequently became tradition that has now stuck with the club. Now, by announcing their lineup first, Real use it as an opportunity to attract traffic to their social media pages and the Real Madrid TV, which also announces the lineups before it goes on social media.

Jay Z is not “buying” Côte d’Ivoire nor does he has ancestry there 😜 He’s there for his business. Over $100 million for a pair of legs. One of the most in demand wingers in Europe, Yan Diomande, is managed by Jay Z’s agency, ROC Nation. Just 4 years ago, Yan was playing for a small academy in Florida. Today, he’s valued at $104 million by TransferMarkt, and hotly being chased by Liverpool, PSG, Chelsea and Bayern.

The beauty of a 48-team World Cup is not the “7-1” result but the opportunity for smaller nations to experience a “once-in-lifetime” celebration of their nationhood, experience the unity of that football brings to nations, and see their nation appear and compete on the world stage. That alone, for them, is as good as winning the World Cup trophy. x.com/naplaymaker/status/206…

Everybody in Curaçao is automatically a citizen of Netherlands/hold a Dutch passport, which makes them EU citizens as well. Not a lot of people truly understand the political relationship between Curaçao and Netherlands. In 2010, Curaçao officially became a constituent country within the Kingdom of Netherlands. The Dutch Government remains responsible for Curaçao’s defense and foreign policy. Curaçao’s head of state is the Dutch king, Willem-Alexander. Its highest court is the Supreme Court of the Netherlands. So a lot of Curaçaons go to Netherlands for education, sports advancement, build careers, etc. The country has about 158,000 individuals living on the island and about 150,000 of its people living in Netherlands, so it’s a special relationship.

Both played for Stuttgart Both played for Bayern Munich Both captained Bayern Both captained Germany Both play(ed) DM Both play(ed) RB. Every time I watch Joshua Kimmich, I just see Phillip Lahm in a younger body.

No matter what happens against Germany, Curaçao should be proud of themselves. PS: Agege Local Govt has 5 times more people than the entire Curaçao.

Felix Kalu Nmecha! Born to a German mother and a Nigerian father. Technically gifted midfilder. Only gets disrupted by injuries but on his day, he’s magnificent!

Just finished watching a game at 1:06 a.m. This World Cup will mess up the sleep patterns of millions of people across all continents 😂 Meanwhile I’m craving pop corn before I sleep 🥹

In 2002, who would have thought we’d see a result like this? Australia beat Turkey? Football is evolved man! There’d always be minnows in football but results like this shows us how much the game has grown across all continents. Turkey’s defence easily breached twice and the attack lacked cohesion. I wonder why Yildiz was left on the bench too. Turkey lost what was on paper the easiest game in the group. They’d dig deep to get a result against US and Paraguay. Congrats Australia. Unreal stuff.

Smallest nation at the 2026 World Cup but big presence! Curaçao fans having the time of their lives at the FIFA Fan Festival before they game against Germany tomorrow.

Tournament football is the only time we hear about Breel Embolo 😂. 2018 World Cup ✅ 2020 EUROS ✅ 2022 World Cup ✅ 2024 EUROS ✅ 2026 World Cup ✅ Switzerland’s surest goalpoacher.

I thought they said America won’t fill up arenas? Shame on them!🇺🇸🇺🇸

Last night was a movie at the @FWC26Houston FAN FEST! Let’s go USA! 🇺🇸🇺🇸

He has scored a brace for the USA against Paraguay and it’s just only the first half. Nigeria’s Folarin Balogun.

The U.S. needs to be careful cos Tim Ream seem so shaky when he’s pressured or in a duel. He’s a mistake away from giving a goal or getting a red.

What a finish!! Folarin Balogun 🇺🇸🇺🇸 Born to Nigerian parents, doing wonders for America. Dear @realDonaldTrump, Nigerians are good people!

Out here supporting the USMNT! USA! USA!! 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

COMING TO AMERICA 1988 ⏩ 2026

Your Man of the Match, Julian Quinones! Mexico with a comfortable win against a blunt South Africa. That will settle nerves in Mexico City. Raul Jiminez, of course gets a honourable mention. He’s gone through a lot to get here, including a traumatic, life-threatening skull fracture and losing his father to cancer 3 months ago. However, with 3 red cards in the opening game, the refs may probably be in the spotlight in the next few games, as their consistency will be tested in 1v1 situations, given the calls that were made today. 1 game down, 103 more to go! The drama is just unfolding!