Daniel and Carl discuss the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup. The Argentina/Croatia semi-final, and how Croatia have outdone themselves in terms of population. The France/Morocco semi-final, and Africa's first World Cup semi-finalist. Do you believe in third-place games? Angel Di Maria's big-game performance in the World Cup final. Didier Deschamps hooking Ousmane Dembélé and Olivier Giroud. Did you feel France had chance to win until Kylian Mbappé exploded, and why Emiliano Martínez is a cheat code in knock-out football. Was Argentina/France the best final you've ever watched, and where do you rank this World Cup in the ones you've watched?

Within those conversations and at the end, a more macro view of Qatar, the contradictions of consuming the games, the capital (both financial and human) spent to make it happen, how FIFA dove headfirst in this direction post 2006, and whether the critical energy that followed South Africa, Brazil, Russia, and Qatar will follow the World Cup to Canada, Mexico, and the United States of America in 2026—or will the handwringing take a break?

It's a long one, but you'll find your way. See you in 2023!

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On Lionel Messi: https://offtarget.substack.com/p/greatness-an-eternal-game-of-musical

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