Posted on 07/17/2026 7:09:22 PM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum
Despite political drama and a disappointing end to the U.S. team’s run, the 2026 World Cup proved to be an eye-opening affirmation of American soft power.
By the time Spain or Argentina lifts the World Cup trophy on Sunday, the U.S. men’s national team will have been out of the tournament for 13 days.
In that regard, the 2026 World Cup has been a head-shaking failure—especially to the fans in star-spangled jerseys who hopped on the bandwagon only to be violently thrown off a few days later. The Americans squandered a generous draw, a high-price coach and a golden opportunity to capture a new generation by blowing their shot at a first quarterfinal in 24 years.
But in every other respect, America’s World Cup can only be regarded as a triumph. Much more than an excuse to sneak off to the pub in the middle of the afternoon, the monthlong party stretching from Miami to Seattle showcased a side of the U.S. that the rest of the world rarely gets to glimpse. They fell in love with the hash browns at Waffle House. They discovered the brisket sandwich of Buc-ee’s. They lamented the lack of public transportation options, then marveled at Waymo. All of it was eye-opening. The scale of our shopping malls, the size of our highways and the cornucopia that is the Costco frozen-food aisle.
At a time when the Atlantic has never felt wider and U.S. foreign policy has sometimes put the country at odds with even its oldest allies, the World Cup was a pointed reminder that America still possesses a shine dazzling enough to entrance the rest of the world.
“On every single thing, the World Cup here has been amazing,” said Norway’s ponytailed striker...
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
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Rare pro-America article from the MSM.
Rare pro-America article from the MSM.
Rare pro-America article from the MSM.
Rare pro-America article from the MSM.
Rare pro-America article from the MSM.
I am not a soccer fan in the least however, I got sucked in a bit when the Americans started to make a run. After our loss, I was thinking how fortuitous we were to be able to host this worldwide tournament during our 250th anniversary with fans of this sport travelling from around the world able to see what a great country this is, celebrating our 250 years of liberty as well as enjoying all that we sometimes take for granted. It did more than any marketing or advertising campaign could have done.
I really don’t care anymore. world cup is a peace of?
Very sick and hair in about it. You play 90 minutes and you score too goals. What are waste?
They discovered they’ve been lied to about us. I’ve watched dozens of shorts and videos about how the visiting Europeans think we’re the greatest thing since sliced bread. It has been a resounding success.
The WSJ is just now catching up on this? They are way behind the curve.
Anyone active on X saw this weeks ago. Freddy et al are awesome. As are the Americans who interacted with him and his like.
A good foreigner who “gets” America, and provides insights into ourselves, is Nobunaga, a Japanese. He’s very interesting.
I don’t have TV so bear with me, but what’s with the guy with the racoon and the empty bottle of booze? Got to be AI I suppose.
Nope, it’s real.
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4387849/posts
Erling Haaland brings taxidermied raccoon back to Norway after saying ‘goodbye’ to US World Cup run
MSN ^ | July 13, 2026 | Natasha Dye
Posted on 7/13/2026, 9:19:53 PM by DoodleBob
Erling Haaland and his taxidermy raccoon have touched back down in Norway after a sensational performance in his first FIFA World Cup “It followed me home,” Haaland joked in a post on social media after fans quickly circulated the photos of the Norwegian soccer star with his new decor.
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