Game On: FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ at WorldSoccerShop

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HOW FAR WILL THEY GO?

USMNT & Mexico predictions from AO & PVA

THE TWO GOATS

What to look for during Messi & Ronaldo’s last FIFA World Cup™

THE ULTIMATE PRIZE

Everything you need to know about the FIFA World Cup™ Trophy

FREE STUFF

Digital download posters to commemorate & decorate

The most anticipated event in soccer

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What is the FIFA World Cup™?

► Most pres tigious soccer tournament and sought-after soccer trophy of them all

► Most wide ly viewed and followed sporting event in the world

► Teams must qualify via a twoyear process com peting against other nations from their region

► Consists of a round-robin Group Stage fol lowed by a sin gle-elimination knockout round

► Typically takes about one month to complete

► Host nation changes every tournament

► Awards the most expensive soccer trophy on earth

► Brazil is the all-time winnin gest FIFA World Cup™ team, hav ing claimed the trophy 5 times

► Germany’s Miroslav Klose is the competition’s all-time leading scorer, having bagged 16 goals across multi ple FIFA World Cups™

FIFA World Cup™ in Qatar Fast Facts

► Watch the FIFA World Cup™ in En glish on FOX Sports and in Spanish on Telemundo

► Group Stage kickoff times (in Eastern Time) are 5, 8, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

► Knockout Round kickoff times are 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

► This FIFA World Cup™ will take place in 8 different stadiums spread across 5 different cities

► The English Pre mier League (and most other major soccer leagues) will go on break starting November 14th and will return December 26th

► This will be the last FIFA World Cup™ with 32 teams. The tourna ment is expanding to 48 in 2026

► La’eeb, the offi cial mascot of the FIFA World Cup™, is a lively and youthful animated Arab headdress

► “Hayya Hayya,” by Trinidad Cardo na, is the official song of the the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ You can listen to it on our Spotify. Scan the QR code on this page

Get to Know Qatar

► Qatar is the first Muslim and Arab country to host the tournament

► Qatar is 4,486 square miles, smaller than the state of Connecticut

► Its capital is known as Doha, where most matches will be played

► Its population was 2.8 million as of 2020

► It boasts the 4th highest GDP per capita in the world

► It is the world’s largest exporter of liquified gas

Tunes for the tournament. Check out our Spotify playlist

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

This is the crown jewel of soc cer silverware, as they call it. The grand cathedral, the golden chalice, the ulti mate prize; The FIFA World Cup™ Trophy.

Though not as physically large as others in the beautiful game, the prestige, the design, and the build construction set this trophy apart from a distinguished pack.

Designed by Italian sculptor Silvio Gazzani ga in 1971 and restored every four years by his employer, the Stabilimento Artistico Bertoni company in Italy, the trophy aptly depicts the world for which the tournament’s competitors vie, all while shimmering in *mostly* solid gold over a malachite base.

Originally, FIFA rulings allowed a team that won the FIFA World Cup™ 3 times to hold the trophy until the next tournament. Until both a FIFA trophy exhibition and 3-time winners Brazil had the award stolen from under their noses in 1983.

Winning nations no longer are allowed to hold onto the ultimate prize as a result, instead receiving a solid bronze, gold-plated replica to use in display and celebrations.

The trophy is most recently valued at $20 mil lion by USA Today, however, a number of other reputable sources value the award at $161,000 as of 2018. The large discrepancy in worth here may come from the trophy’s calculated value based on the amount of gold and mala chite vs. the perceived value of a trophy so prestigious.

Soccer’s governing bodies are never likely to disseminate the true worth of their tro phies, and appraising one of these objects from afar, with only the metals and weights

Quick Trophy Facts

► CREATED

The trophy was designed and created in 1971

► MATERIAL 18 Carat gold & a banded malachite base

► WEIGHT 13.4 pounds

► DESIGNER Silvio Gazzaniga (Gazzagina also designed & created the UEFA Cup & UEFA Super Cup)

► WORTH $161,000 as of 2018

► DEPICTION

Two humanoid figures holding up a globe

The globe section of the trophy is actually likely hollow, according to Sir Martyn Poliakoff of Periodic Videos. The trophy is easily lift ed and paraded overhead by the tournament’s winning teams, however, if it were 100% solid gold, it would likely weigh roughly 150-180 pounds, so a section of it must be hollow.

“World Champions” is inscribed on the base, wrapped by the names and years of past win ning participants, with their country’s name sake being written in the native spelling (i.e. Brasil, Deutschland, etc.).

to base educated guesses on, is a near impossible task. Regard less of what you see other world soccer trophies evaluated at, you can rest assured this is the most valuable.

“The lines spring out from the base, rising in spirals, stretching out toreceive the world. From the remarkable dynamic tensions of the compact body of the sculpture rise the figures of two athletes at the stirring moment of victory.”

- Silvio Gazzaniga

LINCOLN, NEB. –

Since their founding in 2007, they’ve grown into one of the world’s largest soccer supporters’ groups. The Outlaws pride themselves on being welcoming, inclusive and accessible while uniting and strengthening the connections between local supporters across their 200+ nationwide chapters as they come together to support both teams domestically and abroad.

These are the experts, and we got to hear from Justin Brunken (AO Co-Founder), Donald Wine III (AO Board Member), Antonio Borjon (AO Chap ter Comms Coordinator) and Ellie Bledsoe (AO Chapter Support Coordinator).

AmericanOutlaws

This is their outlook, their expectations on a massive tournament for the Stars and Stripespes.

Q: How does AO plan to support the USMNT during the FIFA World Cup™ this year?

// Brunken: The American Out laws, since the beginning, have consistently had a presence in and out of the stadium for every USMNT game, no matter where our team goes; “...and where you go, we’ll follow.”

The FIFA World Cup™ is no differ ent. We will have a travel package for those that want to travel and sup port the players in Qatar, but under stand a majority of fans will be back home, where we are setting up larger watch parties, as well as with our network of 200 chapters, there is a bar to watch every game, with like-minded fans, in a city near you.

Q: How would you rate the USMNT’s group stage draw?

// Borjon: From a competitive and historical perspec tive, the USMNT’s

draw with England, Iran, and Wales is the best you could ask for. This ‘dream’ group consists of the highest aver age FIFA Rank ing (14.75) in the tournament. This could potentially inspire nail-biting results throughout the group stage with qualification for the knockouts in doubt until extra time of the final matches.

// Wine III: Group B is a strong group, but it’s one that’s still winnable for the United States. England and Iran are both very good, and Wales will also be a team that can hang with anyone.

The USMNT will need to play their game, but their game should be good enough to get out of the group and even win it.

Q: What are the biggest positives for the USMNT heading into the tournament?

// Wine III: We have some bona fide stars that are young and ready to impress. Our mid

field can play with the best teams in the world, and they won’t be scared.

Q: What are some areas of concern for the USMNT heading into the tournament?

// Bledsoe: I would argue the most pressing area of concern on the roster is at the #1.

I feel Matt Turner gives us the best option in goal but I worry about what happens upon his transfer to Ar senal and both our potential top choice ‘keepers are playing as backups on their respective sides. Because of this, I worry about match fitness for them. Training reps are important but the only way to be match ready is to see competition on the pitch.

// Wine III: Inju ries are always the biggest concern as you enter a FIFA World Cup™. There will be club match es that take place up to a week before the start of the tournament, and we have seen that the

USMNT can be thin in certain posi tions with injuries to some key play ers. We will have a strong team in Qatar, but we want the strongest team possible. For that to happen, we have to hope that our guys can remain healthy throughout the fall and in peak physi cal condition.

Q: Which USMNT player looks set to have a breakout FIFA World Cup™?

// Brunken: Pu lisic may be the biggest household name right now on the team, but after the World Cup™, Weston McKennie may be on the back of more USMNT jer seys of supporters.

// Wine III: I think the one with the biggest ceiling is Yunus Musah. He’s already performing well at Valencia, but if he can have a great tournament, he could be the next young Ameri can to play at one of the top clubs in the world.

Q: What would constitute success

for the USMNT at this FIFA World Cup™? What would constitute failure?

// Wine III: Get ting out of the group I feel is the bare minimum. We should be able to do it, and I think we will. A suc cessful tournament would be getting to the quarterfinals. This team is set up to show that they’re ready to play at the adult’s table and with an eye on 2026, a quarterfinal run or longer would be terrific to set up our country to host the tournament in 4 years.

// Brunken: This is a team of the type of talent that isn’t scared of anyone and can compete with some of the best in the world. Getting out of the group is a must and showing the world this team can make a fighting run to the Quarters is what avid supporters will be telling their ca sual fan friends and co-workers at their fall happy hours

Learn more & follow @americanoutlaws

The American Outlaws, since the beginning, have consistently had a presence in and out of the stadium for every USMNT game, no matter where our team goes; ”...and where you go, we’ll follow”

Shop American Outlaws

NEW YORK CITY, N.Y. –

With a career spanning 20 years and a portfolio in cluding hip-hop, nightlife, sports, travel and street documentary, Mel D. Cole (@meldcole) is one of the nation’s most accom plished photographers.

Cole is NYC-based, but Syracuse raised. Self-taught and award win ning, the man behind one half of our USA jersey photo shoots this year has worked with a clientele including the English Premier League, Chelsea FC, National Geographic, The New York Times, Budweiser and more.

In an East/West clash of cultures for the launch of the United States’ 2022 jerseys, Cole took the reigns to represent the East coast, taking to the streets of NYC to document the kits in an urban landscape with a distinctly youthful and inclusive energy.

The History Of The

USA Jersey

This is an important piece of apparel. A shirt to rep resent a nation. To represent a country that leads the world in just about everything else, but here, in this sport, has historically found itself the underdog. How do you rally a nation behind a team they aren’t famil iar with? How do you use the stars, stripes and more to create something that unites a nation? This is how. This is the history of the United States Men’s National Team jersey.

1910’s - 1930 // Nothing but Crest

The first step in our journey goes so far back that there’s hardly any proof that this kit existed. To your right, you’ll see how the Yanks suited up in the early 1900s, with centred crest and blue sleeve and collar accents.

And then, it was time for their first ever FIFA World Cup™ in 1930. The blue trim on the sleeves was gone, but this kit saw the United States win their group over Belgium and Paraguay, and advance to play in a semifinal (there were less teams in the tournament in those days) against Argentina.

1950 - 1990 // Innovation Begins

In 1950 came a memorable piece that would set the stage for great kits to come – the first ever sash for the States.

When kit suppliers and brand sponsor ships moved into the mainstream in the mid 70s, the United States jumped on board with adidas for a slate of shirts that would carry them into the 90s.

The 80s included the traditional adidas three stripes on the shoulders with vary ing designs, most of which still includ ed the standard white base.

1992 - 1994 //

The FIFA World Cup™ Era

adidas would continue to evolve the USA template as the 1994 FIFA World Cup™ approached. The three stripes on the

shoulders would transition first, as adi das launched its EQT lineup in ‘92. The diagonal shoulder stripes on just the one side might look familiar to you if you’ve followed modern club looks in recent years, as adidas has brought the EQT back in varying capacity.

Then, for the world stage, adidas really branched out and did something spe cial. One of their most inspired design attempts to date and a true icon for the 1994 FIFA World Cup™ on US soil – the waving flag is unfortunately overshad owed by the even more outlandish away top from that same year.

1995 - 2004 //

The Nike Era Begins

With the sport gaining a new head of steam after hosting a major tournament, Nike led the way for the USA starting in 1995. They haven’t looked back since.

Their debut top in this early era is arguably their best, with a rebranded federation crest flanked by red and blue stripes.

2006 - 2012 //

Sashes & Stripes

Otherwise, Nike kept it simple in the early stages, again leaning on the States’ traditional white bases to build off of.

In 2006 the Swoosh started to release some true classics.

First, a reimagined sash look – vertical this time, for an elegant touch on the kit’s white base.

Next, two back-to-back gray home kits. It may seem like an odd choice, but the return of the sash across the home, away, and third in 2010 is revered by fans everywhere.

Then. The famous. The infamous. The one they all want back. The ‘Where’s Waldo’ kit of 2012 left much to be desired upon its initial release, but has faded into fame and folklore since. One of the alltime greats that still leaves fans eager for a remake.

2014 - 2020 //

The Modern Era

In the modern era, it’s been the white base that Nike has relied on.

In 2016, the federation again rebrand ed, adding a new crest to the mix along with a rare light blue accent flavor on the kit’s sleeves.

Their standout edition in recent mem ory is the 2018 top. The jersey found a subtle way to emulate the full American flag in a design that felt fresh and inter esting.

FREE History of the USA Kit poster

We created an exclusive History of the USA Kits 16x20 inch poster that is set for you to download, print & stick up on your wall.

Scan the QR code below & send it off to the printer. Easy as that.

MEXICO

The latest Mexico home jersey comes inspired by an olden Mesoamerican deity and captures an ancient spiritual strength for El Tri. It’s a triumphant return to green, the heart and roots of this nation and this country. The bespoke imagery comes to you courtesy of Mexican photographer and former Club América player

Fer Piña (@ferpineapple.jpg), who took the kit for an early run out in Mexico City. Spirit and strength are two things the Mexican National Team will want in abun dance to help them break out of their FIFA World Cup™ curse.

Photos / Fer Piña

MEXICO CITY, MEXICO –

The history of the Mexico jersey is one bursting with vibrant green colors of life, energy and Mexican heritage.

The esteemed home jersey of the Northern American country proudly brandished the Mexican verde from some of its earliest years all the way up to the modern day until casual, street-ready design crept into the picture, bringing new horizons.

This is the history - and the futureof the Mexico Home Jersey.

1930 // Mexico Starts Maroon

Some of the earliest record ed Mexico jerseys fall around 1930 – and it’s no mistake that the year coincides with the world’s first FIFA World Cup™. They took the stage in that fabled tournament wearing a maroon kit, one that would stick around until the most important moment in Mexico jersey history would come in 1958.

1958-1986 // The Green Era Begins

Beginning in 1958, Mexico jerseys began a tradition that would carry them all the way to the 21st century – green jerseys.

Pulling their coloration from the Mexican flag, El Tri was truly born, with most kits in this era sporting the tricolor of the flag itself by using a full, green base with supporting white and red accents.

Mexican national soccer identity became wrapped up in this collection and bal ance of colors. This was the Mexican way, this was joga bonito, this was the color of their heart;

“El verde se lleva en el corazon.”

Until the 90s. 1990-2000 //

A Decade of Ex perimentation

Fashion was interesting in the ‘90s. And fútbol wasn’t left out of any of these trends.

Neither then were the jerseys of the Mexican nation al team, who were lucky enough to actually receive some of the greatest of the outlandish ‘90s style.

adidas started with gen tle geometrical patterns in 1990, testing the waters.

Umbro made the accented colors larger than they’ve ever been in 1991.

Then in 1994, the flood gates opened when Umbro fractured and rearranged its crest in a wild all-over pattern.

ABA Sport would also repeat its logo all over the kit in 1995, but in a more orga nized fashion. Rather than claim the limelight them selves, a large ‘M’ would attempt to become the motif for Mexico. It, um,

wouldn’t catch on.

ABA Sport would go again the very next year and de liver a true winner. Ancient Aztec architecture and de sign dominate the ‘96 jersey, making it one of the most iconic jerseys not just in Mexico history, but of alltime.

It would be followed up with a similar design struc ture in 1999, with the Aztec imagery being replaced with federation crest.

Early 2000s // A Return to Simplicity

At the turn of the century, Mexico jerseys (headed up by Atletico and then Nike for most of this era) returned to their understated roots.

Solid green with different flavors of red and white ac cents would make up a batch of jerseys that can be re membered fondly for being true to their origins.

Modern Era // Evolving Design

Following the early 2000s, Mexico and adidas would join in what seems like an everlasting partnership that’s still strong to this day.

The Three Stripes has since set out to dress the team in uniforms befitting of their culture, style and attitude, which has led to an ev er-changing template of bespoke Mexico pieces.

Starting in 2008 and then again in 2010 and 2013, adidas would reintroduce patterning and all-over graphics to spice up their base green and white jersey, with the ‘08 and ‘13 edi tions being standouts in the memories of many.

In 2015, adidas would hint at their intent, taking the traditional Mexican green, highlighting it, and rele gating it to an accent color while a street-ready black would cover the rest of the kit.

A return to form in 2016 and 2017 with two basic de signs would lead the Three Stripes into daring territory with the ‘19 and ‘20 looks.

Black would return and com bine excellently with white or even pink accents to make one of the most dynamic and culture-shaped pair of kits a national team has seen.

There was always the desire to return to green, though…

And now, that time is here.

FREE History of the Mexico Kit poster

We created an exclusive History of the Mexico Kits 16x20 inch poster that is set for you to download, print & stick up on your wall.

Scan the QR code below & send it off to the printer. Easy as that.

Yup = here’s another FREE poster!

KITS OF THE CUP

FREE History of the ball poster

We created an exclusive History of the FIFA World Cup™ Ball 16x20 inch poster that is set for you to download, print & stick up on your wall.

Scan the QR code below & send it off to the printer. Easy as that.

Illustrations @mayoroptics

History of the FIFA World Cup™ Ball

These soccer balls –and their respective designs – cement them selves in our mind and our practice fields for years to come.

Let’s take a brief look at how the ball has evolved over the last century.

Early FIFA World Cup™ balls (and all soccer balls of the time) were built in the “volleyball” style. This is because they were constructed by hand. The 12-18 panel builds were created by crafts man one at a time, not mass produced as they are today. Soccer balls like this made-up FIFA World Cup™ balls from 1930 to 1966.

After issues with The Crack in 1962, FIFA needed a more reliable organization to construct their marquee soccer ball for what was becoming the world’s biggest tour nament. They turned to adidas.

And adidas created some thing so iconic in 1970 that its design lives on in our minds, our logos, magnets and other ico nography to this day as the de facto image for a soccer ball.

adidas created the Telstar soccer ball in 1970 – modeled after the world’s first active telecommunications satellite, the Telstar Communications Sat ellite launched by Bell Telephone Laboratories and AT&T.

The ball would create such a lasting image – in part because this was the first FIFA World Cup™ (thanks to telecommuni cations satellites) that the whole world could watch together, simulta neously – that it would transcend the tournament and time itself to live on in our minds as the tru est and purest of soccer balls.

adidas nearly followed up the success of the Telstar when they moved on to a new design in 1978 – but only because they kept this new design for 6 FIFA World Cups™ or, in other terms, 20 years.

The Tango (now also an offshoot adidas lifestyle and apparel brand) fea tured a 32-panel, genuine leather build with water proof coating.

The original black and white design was in spired by Argentinian tango dancing – the FIFA

World Cup™ took place in Argentina for the Tan go’s debut in 1978. The “elegant and exciting” design is meant to match the feeling of the dance, while the black and white colorway was chosen to align with the black pants and white dress shirt worn by men in tra ditional tango dance.

From there, adidas would sprinkle a little local flavor on each Tango that corresponded with the country the tournament was hosted in that very year.

After moving on from the Tango in 1998, adidas would create a sparkling new design for each FIFA World Cup™ ball starting in 2002, rather than hold a design for a number of years. Some of these are better remembered than others.

South Korea and Japan’s 2002 tournament featured a standout design in the form of the Fevernova.

The German 2006 Teamgeist translates to “team spirit,” but FIFA couldn’t trademark that name in Germany, so the real name of the ball is the +Teamgeist and the plus is silent. No, really.

The Jabulani, created for the 2010 tournament in South Africa, was lamented by field players and goalkeepers alike for its unpredictability in the air.

The 2014 Brazuca el egantly captures the vibrant culture of host nation Brazil, styled after Brazilian wish bracelets (also known as Bahia bands) which are a symbol of faith and good fortune.

And finally, most recent ly, the Telstar 18 is an homage to the original Telstar and is probably closer in design to the actual satellite, in truth. It wasn’t well received by players either, noted as moving unnaturally and being increasingly slippery.

And now, we come to the Al Rihla. How will the latest edition be re ceived, be remembered? Time will tell and history will make note.

Did you know that WorldSoccerShop is the only place that you can get the official FIFA World Cup™ ball with official commemorative match customization?

It’s the most recognizable soccer ball on the planet; the

QATAR

This year, the Al Rihla celebrates the culture & character of Qatar, while following the journey of the players and teams from group stage to final, from contenders to champions.

► This is the 14th consecutive FIFA World Cup™ Ball to be pro vided by adidas

► During flight, the Al Rihla will be the fastest ever FIFA World Cup™ Ball in history

► The Al Rihla is the first FIFA World Cup™ Ball to directly con tribute to a charity. One percent of global proceeds will go to adidas partner, Common Goal, to positively impact lives around the world

► The Al Rihla was built to be an icon with a focus on sustainability

► The Al Rihla is designed to kick off the journey of the next genera tion of athletes worldwide

CONSTRUCTION /// A SUSTAIN ABLE SOCCER BALL

The Al Rihla will support the fast est game speed yet by providing a high level of accuracy and reli ability on the field of play. Here’s

how it gets the job done.

Components of the Al Rihla have been rigorously reviewed and adapted with the environment in mind. Inks and glues used in the past have been changed to wa ter-based. As a result, the Al Ri hla’s construction now creates far less waste than its predecessors.

CRT-CORE INNER /// An inno vative core within the ball that is tuned to improve accuracy and consistency, supporting fast, pre cise play with maximum shape and air retention.

SPEEDSHELL OUTER

LAYER /// The ball’s polyurethane skin features micro and macro tex tures on the 20-panel construc tion, enhancing aerodynamics and improving accuracy, flight stabili ty and shot swerve.

THE NAME /// Al Rihla – an Arabic phrase, as the FIFA World Cup™ is taking place in Qatar this year – translates roughly to ‘the journey’ and can also be used to refer to a documentation of a jour ney – a travelogue, if you will.

The phrase actually comes from a travelogue itself, called The Rihla.

This travelogue was written by Ibn Battuta, an Arab-Berber Maghrebi scholar and explorer who trail blazed through Africa, Europe and Asia in the 1300s.

According to The Rihla, he trekked about 70,000 miles in his journeys, making him the

most well-traveled explorer in pre-modern history, topping the distances covered by Zheng He (31,000 mi) and Marco Polo (15,000 mi).

At the conclusion of his globe trotting and nearing the end of his life, Ibn Battuta put pen to paper and documented his journey.

His writings in The Rihla in roughly 1360-1369 would form the foundation to inspire this soccer ball nearly 700 years later.

During the Al Rihla’s launch and promotion, adidas took the ball on a ‘journey’ of its own, landing in 12 cities across the globe where the sporting brand created a series of initiatives aimed at improving access and equity in sport amongst local communities.

THE DESIGN /// The colorful triforces you see on the Al Rihla are carefully laid out to convey the energy and excitement of a tournament like the FIFA World Cup™, while also being built to visually give the feeling of speed and forward motion. These design elements come courtesy of Qatari culture, architecture, boats and the national flag of Qatar. Let’s break them all down one by one.

THE CULTURE /// Inspired by the extravagant and vibrant atmo sphere of Qatar and the capital city of Doha, the ball is meant to capture the eye and demand the attention of the onlooker in the same way that the lavish streets, buildings and textiles of Qatar absorb the imaginations of those

who pass through the city.

THE ARCHITECTURE /// Mimicking the post-modern archi tecture that makes up Qatar’s most famous buildings, the Al Rihla features flowing, dynamic and ex travagant angles and lines.

THE BOAT /// What better way to signify a journey than to base your inspiration off a vessel that makes them?

The Dhow boat is a sailing ves sel with a triangular sail. They sport long hulls and are primarily trading vessels (moving fruit, fresh water, and other heavy merchan dise) in Eastern Arabia.

You can see these curved triangles come to life on the Al Rihla, per sonifying the sails of the dhows.

THE FLAG /// Featuring inter locking red and white colors and laced with triangular patterns, the Qatari flag was another source for the angles you see represented on the Al Rihla.

Your Journey Begins…

Now you understand the Al Rihla. Now, you are ready to embark on a journey of your own. You are the next generation. Go forth and make the world a better place.

SHOP AL RIHLA

LOS ANGELES, California –

Pancho Villas’ Army (PVA) is the largest Mexican National Team Supporter Group in the United States. For almost 10 years now the passion ate group has represented El Tri. As diehard fans who grew up in the United States, La Seleccion Mexi cana is their “connection” to their culture and to Mexico. It is something they carry in their hearts and deep in their souls.

PVA’s passion for El Tri knows no bounds. Coining a fan concept that is unique, fresh, and inclusive, PVA is all about standing out in a crowd, cheer ing and singing their team to victory while embracing a bilin gual culture and also

passing down beauti ful traditions to future generations.

If you have attend ed a Mexico game, or watched one on TV, chances are that La Porra de Mexico™ has been an important part of that moment. PVA strives to unite people of all races and cul tures in support of El Tri and Latinx soccer.

Members love fút bol and support the game at all levels on a global scale. Fans of all ages, races, genders and sexual orientations are highly encouraged to join and be part of La Porra de Mexico™.

Ahead of their quest in Qatar, we spoke to member Amy Lopez for a run down of their expectations.

Q: How will PVA support the team during the FIFA World Cup™?

// Lopez: While only a handful of our members will be traveling over to Qatar, our passionate supporter group with over 30 chapters across the United States will be hosting various watch parties eagerly cheering on the na tional team.

Q: How would you rate the group stage draw for Mexico?

// Mexico is always faced with a tough group but many times the team surprises itself. We’ve come out victorious against top teams like France, Ger many and gone headto-head against Brazil in 2014 when they were the favorable hosts.

It’s never easy but it’s never impossible for Mexico. It’s favorable in the sense that the team historically has triumphed as an under dog.

Q: What are the main positives heading into the FIFA World Cup™ for El Tri?

// Having a leader like Ochoa, a player who has had some amazing individual performanc es in past competi tions, is a huge asset heading into Qatar.

Q: What are areas of concern for Mexico fans heading into Qatar?

// Right now, a big concern are all the injuries the team is facing - top players like Raúl Jiménez & Jesús ‘Tecatito’ Coro

na have been facing injuries that could end up leaving them out of the final roster. Couple that with the way the defense is playing, and fans are worried that Mexico isn’t scoring goals and is letting the opposition score a lot during preparation matches.

Q: Which up-andcoming Mexico player looks like they may have a breakout tournament?

Depending on wheth er they make the final roster, players like Diego Lainez and Santi Giménez could very well have breakout performances in Qatar.

Q: At this FIFA World Cup™, what would be a success for Mexico? What would be a failure?

// Success would mean finally reaching that quinto partido and failure would mean not making it out of the group stage. As far as our personal prediction – Mexico will come out of the group stage. The rest is up to them and the soccer gods.

► LEARN MORE /// about Pancho Villa’s Army & find your local chapter by visiting: panchovillasarmy. com

Injury Obituaries

WILL BE DEARLY MISSED

► JESÚS MANUEL “TECATITO” CORONA RUÍZ /// age 29, of Sevilla FC and the Mexican National Team suffered a frac tured tibia and ankle ligament damage in a non-contact training drill on Thursday, August 18, 2022. His injury has ruled him out of competition for 4-5 months, but Tata Martino and Co. are hopeful he can make a return in time.

► THIAGO ALCÂNTARA DO NASCIMENTO /// age 31, of Liverpool FC and the Spanish National Team looks set to miss out on Qatar thanks to a falling out with head coach Luis Enrique over his constant injury problems. The midfielder made just one appearance in the EPL in August & September due to injury strug gles.

► JOSEPH LARWEH ATTAMAH /// age 28, of Kayseripor and the Ghanaian Na tional Team, has been ruled out of the competition due to an injury. The severity of the injury and recovery time length have lead his club to withhold registering him as an active player for the first half of the Turkish league season.

► MILES GORDON ROBINSON /// age 25, of Atlanta United FC and the United States Men’s National Team suffered a non-contact tear to his left Achilles on Saturday, May 7, 2022 in an MLS regular season match. Recovery times vary, but he is not expected to be fit in time for Qatar.

► MIKEL OYARZABAL UGARTE /// age 25, of Real Sociedad and the Spanish National Team suffered an ACL tear in training on Thursday, March 17, 2022. The recovery period of 6-9 months makes him a huge question mark for Spain.

► BOUNA SARR /// age 30, of Bayern Munich and Senegal, underwent surgery on his left knee on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 and is expected to miss the FIFA World Cup™. The defender played every minute of Senegal’s African Cup of Na tions triumph, but lingering issues with his patella have caused him to go under the knife.

► REECE JAMES /// age 22, of Chelsea FC and the England National Team suf fered a knee injury on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 in the Blues’ 2-0 UEFA Champions League victory over AC Milan. His expect ed recovery time of eight weeks makes him a massive doubt to make England’s tournament squad.

► GEORGINIO GREGION EMILE WIJNALDUM /// age 31, of AS Roma and the Netherlands National Team is unlikely to participate in the FIFA World Cup™ due a fracture in his right tibia sustained in training on Sunday, August 21, 2022. The midfielder had only played 12 min utes of action for his club before being ruled out until January.

► N’GOLO KANTÉ /// age 31, of Chel sea FC and the French National Team has been ruled out of the FIFA World Cup™ thanks to a hamstring injury suffered during training on Thursday, October 13, 2022. His expected recovery time is three months.

LONDON, ENGLAND –

Any type of goal at the competition is a ca reer-crowning moment for most players. But this is a relatively simple feat by Messi and Ronaldo stan dards. Even Marouane Fel laini has done it.

The fact it has somehow eluded both Messi and Ronaldo seems unthinkable when you consider all that football’s ultimate iconic duo has achieved.

In 2006, aged 18 years and 357 days, Messi became Argentina’s youngest-ever goal scorer. Beyond his teens, he has gone on to complete a truly unique trilogy by scoring FIFA World Cup™ tourna ment goals in his twenties and thirties. No other player in history can claim to have done so. And as a goal-machine who is simultaneously considered the greatest playmaker of his generation, it follows that Messi is also the only player ever to assist goals at four different FIFA World Cups™ (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018).

Then there’s the relentless consistency with which Messi delivers complete performances, earning him something Ronaldo lacks: a FIFA World Cup™ Golden Ball, won in 2014 as the tournament’s best play er by virtue of four Man of the Match awards – the most any player has ever managed within a single edition of the tournament. This winter, he will have the opportunity to add several more records to his astounding CV:

• Should Argentina advance to the final or the third-place play-off with Messi appearing in every match, he’ll overtake Lothar Matthäus as the player with the most FIFA World Cup™ appearances ever (25).

• If he scores five goals, he’ll eclipse Gabriel Batistuta (who has 10) as Argentina’s all-time leading FIFA World Cup™ scorer.

• If all of the above happens, Messi will have a decent shot at becoming the first-ever two-time Golden Ball winner.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo share one stain on their illustrious careers: neither player has ever scored in the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup™, and Qatar 2022 may well be their last chance to correct that.

Article @Squawka

Unsurprisingly, he too has garnered his share of accolades in the form of those six Man of the Match awards. Messi may have the Golden Ball, but Ronaldo argu ably has a greater number of records within reach in Qatar, most of which speak to his freakish longevity:

• With his first appearance, he’ll become the first player to play at five Europe an Championships and five FIFA World Cups™.

• Should Portugal reach the final (or third-place play-off), he’ll overtake Ma laysia’s Soh Chin Ann (195) as the mostcapped men’s player of all time.

• With just one goal, he’ll become the first player ever to score at 10 interna tional tournaments and the first player ever to score at five FIFA World Cups™.

• With three goals, he’ll overtake Eusebio (who has eight) as Portugal’s all-time top scorer at the competition.

• And, as noted above, he’s in a sprint race with Messi for that all-time Man of the Match record.

Suffice it to say, each man will do all within his power to ensure their lack of knockout-stage goals is a box that does not remain eternally unchecked. But ulti mately, individual feats pale in compari son to a much more conspicuous absence on both players’ CVs. When it comes to the FIFA World Cup™, there is little doubt Messi and Ronaldo would give up any of the records mentioned above for football’s biggest prize: winning the actual thing. For either man, this could be their ticket to the GOAT status some still feel belongs to Pelé or Maradona.

But as we discuss these two incred ible careers and the stakes for each player at the impending tourna ment, it’s impossible to ignore other names, young or approaching retirement themselves, for whom Qatar 2022 could be a magical experience.

• First and foremost, there’s the reigning Best Young Player, France’s Kylian Mbappé. In 2018, Mbappé became not only the youngest French goal scorer in FIFA World Cup™ history, but also one of two teenagers (alongside Pelé) ever to; score twice in one match at the tournament and score in the final. This summer, Mbappé could create a CV for the ages.

• Phil Foden, winner of the Golden Ball in 2017’s U17 FIFA World Cup™ (which England won, with Foden scoring twice in a 5-2 final win), will try to become the first English midfielder to score in his FIFA World Cup™ debut since Paul Scholes in 1998.

• A pair of teenage stars from Barcelona, Pedri and Gavi, will be vying to become the first Spanish player to win Young Player of the Tournament.

• Gavi, who celebrated his 18th birth day on August 5, is already the youngest Spanish player both to earn a senior cap and score a goal for La Roja. The first time he takes to the pitch in Qatar, he’ll overtake Cesc Fabregas (19 years, 41 days) as the youngest to play for Spain at the competition.

• At the other end of the career spectrum there’s Gareth Bale, making (likely) his first and last appearance at this tour nament, aged 34. Bale is already Wales’ all-time leader for goals scored (40), but with three goals in Qatar he would also become Wales’ top FIFA World Cup™ goalscorer. Lastly, if Bale appears in four matches, he’ll surpass Chris Gunter (109 caps) as the most-capped Welsh men’s player of all time.

Ronaldo, meanwhile, by most data-collators’ records is the most prolific goalscorer ever to play men’s international football.

CLASSIFIEDS

GENERATIONAL TALENTS WANTED

In search of a highly mo tivated, skillful, humble in dividual capable of car rying a national team for the next generation. Must possess flair and style on the ball, an eye for goal and an unselfish playsty le. Preferably between the ages of 16-20. Must be of Argentinian descent.

Those interested may contact the Argentinian Football Association

STRETCHER NEEDED

My whole team is in jury prone, might as well be prepared. Please contact Didier Deschamps, France Manager

FOR HIRE: SHAMAN/WITCH DOCTOR/PRIEST

Anyone, literally any one to break this Round of 16 curse. They al ready don’t like me, can you imagine what they’ll do if I go out to Poland?

CONTACT: Tata Martino, Mexico Manager

CLEATS FOR SALE

I got 24k golden-plated boots with diamond-encrusted laces and pure crystal soleplates custom made for the FIFA World Cup™ and now I’ve no competition to wear them in.Contact me, I’m sure we can negotiate a price – Pierre Emerick Aubameyang

HELP WANTED

Have you seen our group? -Saudi Arabian Football Association

MUZZLES FOR SALE?

A player on our team said at his last FIFA World Cup™ he wants to go out not with a bang but with a bite. We’d rather not go over this again.-Uruguayan Football Association

EXTRA KIT MAN NEEDED

Cristiano says he’ll need a fresh shirt every 5-10 minutes for appearance and marketing reasons. Perks of the job include working alongside the #1 most-followed man on In stagram. Complications in clude sourcing roughly 500 extra Portugal kits with CR7’s name on the back.

-Portuguese Football Association

LOOKING FOR: KEGS, BARS, ETC.

Bloody hell, Qatar. How hard is it to get a pint around here? – England

Supporters Club NEW PUNTERS

IN SEARCH OF: VIDEO OF QATAR NATIONAL TEAM PLAYING SOCCER

For research purposes. They are in my group and I’ve never seen them play.

Contact: Netherlands Manager, Louis van Gaal

STRIKER AVAILABLE

Tall, blonde, wildly athletic, scores loads of goals.

Willing to wear any jersey with any name on the back. Will work for free, just want to play. Contact: Shmerling Shmaaland

GOALKEEPERS, DEFENDERS, MIDFIELDERS NEEDED Someone help me please, I can’t do it alone. For inquiries, please reach out to Robert Lewandowski

FLIPFLOPS, SHORTS, T-SHIRTS REQUESTED

We were told this tourna ment was taking place in the winter. Mi amigo, it is 90 degrees out here and there’s a desert outside our hotel room. The boys are sweating in their jack ets and thermal underwear. We didn’t pack for his.

-Costa Rican Football Association REFEREES, OPERATIONS STAFF WANTED

Putting together a team for the inaugural FIFA World Cup™ All-Star Game in Qatar. Contact ASAP if interested.

-Todd Boehly

The soccer-obsessed need look no further. Stories like the ones in this newspa per are a regular occur rence in our digital edition, which drops monthly. Join our email list for more, or follow us on socials. We’re keeping it fun around here.

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COLOR OF MY ROOTS

For some, it’s a shirt. A simple thing you wear to support a team. Just another piece of apparel in a closet.

Not for us, though. Not for you, either.

It’s the history of a nation, an ambassador for a whole body of people, a motif for a culture of millions. It isn’t an arbitrary de sign or arrangement of shades and tones on a top.

It’s the color of a nation’s roots.

Meet Kevin Garcia-Lopez. WorldSoccerShop’s ambassador for

Mexico for our 2022 Color of my Roots series.

Graphics // Owen Burrows for Squawka