Friday was the deadline for FIFA to accept bids to host the 2026 World Cup, the first to be awarded since scandal rocked the organization following Russia and Qatar controversially winning the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, respectively. The U.S. had already turned in a joint bid with Mexico and Canada that’s expected to win easily, but at the last minute Morocco decided to throw its hat into the ring.
There was a moment in the Copa America Cenenario when I saw 11 men realize the true meaning of fear. It was in the semifinal between the United States and Argentina. Argentina were up 1-0 and had just won a free kick in a dangerous area. Lionel Messi stood over the ball as Brad Guzan set up his wall. Then Messi bent down and tied his shoes. It was the most terrifying thing I've seen in my life. You knew right then that he was going to score and there was nothing the USA could do about it.
Dogs are good. Soccer dogs are especially good. A soccer team walking on the field with soccer dogs instead of children as mascots is just so incredibly good we can't even contain ourselves.
Chilean side Colo Colo walked out with some soccer dogs looking to be adopted before Colo Colo's match against Antofagasta. The match ended in a 0-0 draw, but my guess is no one noticed because they were entranced by the good dogs.
In a study recently published in the journal Science, scientists at Queen Mary University of London taught bees to play soccer. Yes, bees.
The study was really focused on bees' complex learning patterns and adaptability, and one of the tests involves teaching bees to roll balls into specific areas.
Nika, a polar bear at a Russian zoo, has drawn comparisons to Paul the octopus, the German octopus that predicted Germany's matches at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, by predicting the winners of matches at the Confederations Cup. I feel very comfortable saying this is the first time a polar bear has ever drawn comparisons to an octopus. Here's a video about how Nika goes about doing football punditry:
Peter Crouch, who famously responded "a virgin" when asked what he would be if he wasn't a footballer, is at it again. The 6'7" Stoke City striker remains one of the funniest fellows in football, and one of the most likeable. A little self-deprecating humor goes a long way.
Summer for me is about time with family . pic.twitter.com/dtft1CZoyl
I know what you're thinking, we're all crazy for putting this much faith in a cow to predict the outcome of something people in Las Vegas often miss. But, Paul The Octopus predicted Germany winning the World Cup in 2014, so I have faith in this cow.
If you think you hate an opposing team more than Brondby fans hate FC Copenhagen, you are wrong. Look what these fools did during the Copenhagen derby.
Brondby fans threw dead rats on the pitch as the team took on city rivals Copenhagen in the Danish league. pic.twitter.com/i22jTFfXJZ
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) April 17, 2017
Animal pitch invasions are some of the most fun things that can happen during soccer matches. Over the years we've seen dogs, cats, a cow, a deer, a snake, a seagull, a duck and a goat.
And now: SHEEP. Welcome to the Welsh Alliance League.
Only in God's country @CPDLlanberis v @JunctionFC today pic.twitter.com/TZwDwYGHPa