Spain has transformed dramatically with the inclusion of Lamine Yamal. This may appear to be a straightforward observation, but sometimes simplicity is necessary. His presence adds width, sharpness, speed, and creativity, instilling a sense of confidence in his teammates that anything is achievable.
“But hatred of the US as a single entity is also a confusing idea, albeit one that fits a certain monotheistic world view, where there can only be devils and angels. It involves demonising as a single failed entity a hugely diverse and varied nation with elements of every kind of people and every kind of culture, the great human experiment, with all its freedoms and flaws; and doing so based on the actions and pronouncements of a few governing Maga Republicans.
If America has become this single thing in so many people’s minds, it is perhaps because this is the way we experience things now. Everything is flattened, foreshortened, turned into sound and noise. Never underestimate the effect of the hive mind, that constant third space we carry around with us. This World Cup is the first global event to take place so deep inside that online space, experienced in peeled-eyeball detail through a screen as a set of images and shouted ideas.
This is how our flow of information works now, and indeed how Donald Trump took power, flooding the zone, shouting the simplest message above the noise. The US may feel like an expression of violence simply in its daily existence, an endless amplification of human talent, greed, desire, cruelty, where nobody is ever really in charge; they’re just out there riding it like a runaway bronco. But the US is also not Trump. Seventy-seven million people voted for him, 272 million did not. A nation of 350 million people with more than 100 significant immigrant cultural groups cannot be one thing.
The US is the world in a very large and varied grain of sand, endlessly rich in all its beauty, energy, flaws and vices. To hate this is a baffling idea. If you don’t like America, what do you like? This is what humans are.”
As we reflect on yesterday’s action—depending on where you are situated—let’s also look ahead with Barnay Ronay’s latest insights.
Greetings! Cape Verde finds itself in a strong position to advance to the next phase, as does Iran. Victories against Saudi Arabia and New Zealand, respectively, would secure their advancement, while a draw might suffice. However, both Saudi Arabia and New Zealand are still very much in the running.
Meanwhile, Spain is already making significant strides, Uruguay is not as formidable as in the past, and we have another series of matches approaching shortly, promising to be quite enticing. Upcoming fixtures include Argentina versus Austria, France against Iraq, Norway facing Senegal, and Jordan clashing with Algeria.
Welcome to Day 12 of the World Cup 2026!
