📯 Commish

Big day, guys! I'm already getting a little weepy about this tournament coming to an end. For me, and I know for so many others, it was about so much more than soccer, or winning and losing. It was a cultural experience that brought people from all over the world together. I'm getting goosebumps just typing those words. What a privilege it's been to have the World Cup here at home. I feel incredibly fortunate to have experienced it here in the States and to have shared so many unforgettable moments with family, friends, and people from every corner of the globe. I'm also really grateful for this pool and for all of you. It's made an already incredible tournament even more fun, and it's been a blast sharing the ride together. I'll be taking in the Final down in Mexico where I caught both semifinals. The energy and excitement down here has been as awesome as you'd expect.

instagram.com/reel/Da8C3G1xLde

Here's what's on the line today:

• -First Place: Kyle has it all locked up. What an incredible run by him (and Argentina). Yamal for all Y'all. Or as he's been called, La Niña Mala.
• -Second Place: This is where the real drama is. It's Cafe Con Ron vs. MAGONDOMY… college roommate Mikey vs. Uncle Joey.
• -Third Place: Amir and Know What I Lamine vs. Sabrina and PLOPPPPPPP, who's on the comeback trail.
• -4th Place: Mike Burke vs. Jackie V.
• -5th Place: Thomas vs. Mikey.

And, of course, the booby prize is still up for grabs. Cousin Robb might actually be able to salvage his disastrous tournament with a Spain win, while Cody claims the honor if Argentina repeats.

Good luck, everyone. Let's enjoy one last day of tournament chaos!

What’s up homies,

And we are down to four! This tournament has certainly delivered its share of excitement. From the biggest stars finding the back of the net, to fans traveling to the U.S. and taking over stadiums, to VAR having its inevitable say, there has been no shortage of storylines. One of my favorite parts has been the physicality of the tournament and the fact that referees have largely allowed that intensity to play out. The games have had a great balance of skill, toughness, and competitiveness.

England, Argentina, France, and Spain have all shown up and shown out to this point. We still have plenty of drama left to unfold, with multiple possible scenarios and winners that will play out over the semifinals and final. Amazingly, we still have six possible overall winners remaining across eight distinct possible scenarios depending on the results of the final three games. We also still have four possible booby prize winners fighting to get their money back and then some.

And no matter what happens over this final week, John Douglas and his GrassFairiesCome2America squad have already secured both the privilege and the shame of finishing in last place. Even more impressive? They locked it in early and have had plenty of time to celebrate.

The salary structure has always been designed so that no one squad could load up on three of the betting favorites among their picks. With four of the top five betting favorites making it to the final four, it was mathematically impossible for anyone to have three semifinalists on their roster. Even with those odds, 11 squads managed to pick two of the four semifinalists. Of those 11, six squads have both finalists represented on opposite sides of the bracket.

And somehow, the most impressive part might be that two of those six squads (Joe and Trey) still would not finish in the money even if they correctly picked both finalists and the eventual champion. That is a testament to both how many impressive squads we had and the overall number of entries this year.

If you haven’t checked out the website recently, you have missed more brilliance from Cousin Robb, who has consistently been txting me at 3 in the morning to share his latest mad scientist invention. The "simulator” and “odds” tabs are truly from the mind of a genius. awadira-wc2026.vercel.app/bracket

As a reminder, here are the prize breakdowns

Overall Standings

1st Place: $4,000 2nd Place: $2,000 3rd Place: $750 4th Place: $300 5th Place: $150

Group Stage Standings

1st Place: $600- Sabrina 2nd Place: $400 – Evan and Tyler 3rd Place: $200 - Mikey

Special Awards

Booby Prize- Lowest score who pics the WC winner: $300 Literal Last Place: $150 – John Douglas

Let’s Break down each of the Matchups and see who wins what…

Spain vs. Argentina

If this is the final we get, it could very well be the most aesthetically pleasing match left in the tournament. Spain's patient, possession heavy style against Argentina's techy brilliance and relentlessness combined with VAR’s penchant for creativity is potentially a dream matchup. It would also be music to my buddy Kyle's ears. His Yamal for All Y'all squad would be guaranteed to take home the top prize no matter the result on July 19. The only such matchup where that is true in this pool.



Spain vs England

A Spain England final would be a compelling rematch of the 2024 Euro Final, where Oyarzabal's dramatic late winner delivered Spain the trophy. England will be eager for a shot at redemption, adding another layer of intrigue. If these two meet again, there will be plenty of drama and unfinished busines.

Game highlights: instagram.com/reel/DHQhETwyIbd

For the pool, Café Con Ron and Mikey would take the top spot if La Roja wins again, while Uncle Joey's MAGONDOMY would come out on top if England gets its revenge. As a side note, an England victory would also launch Canada man al and Nato out of NOWHERE and into the money, cracking the top five. I suppose it helps when you have both finalists, and ultimately the champion… it may not much matter how the rest of your teams fared.





France vs Argentina

A France Argentina final would feel like the latest chapter in a budding modern rivalry. Just four years after one of the greatest World Cup Finals ever played in 2022, these two would once again meet with everything on the line. For fear of stepping on the brilliance of that game with my words, here is a quick recap of that game (sound up): instagram.com/reel/DYye_-vJXDd

For the pool, this matchup would also create plenty of chaos. It is my second favorite possible outcome as my son Jack is all over the leaderboard on this one. He would take the top spot with an Argentina win and second place with a France win. Evan and Tyler who had been crushing all of us for what seems like 2 weeks, would take the top spot with a France win. In fact, xPFC will take the crown home with a France win vs England as well. Several squads have a legitimate shot to be in the money, making for a dramatic finish where every goal could completely reshuffle the leaderboard.

 

England vs France

A France England final would renew one of international football's fiercest rivalries. The neighbors across the Channel have produced some memorable battles over the years, including France's dramatic 2–1 win in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals. Oliver Giroud headed in the go ahead winner in the ‘78th minute and Harry Kane in auspiciously skied a late pen towards the end. England would be very eager to finally get one over on Les Bleus with the biggest prize in football on the line. Here are the highlights from that one: instagram.com/reel/DZBkPnuz7kL

This is my favorite possible outcome because this time I have one of the squads on the leaderboards. I take the crown if England wins and come in second if France wins. If someone has a good plan on how I can hedge this in the semifinals, hit me up!! Evan and Tyler would win if France takes it home. For me, France has been start to finish the most impressive team in the tournament. They have world class talent, pace, and are two deep at every position. I won’t presume that the most impressive team will always be the victor, but I like where xPFC stands in this pool.





I wish I had kept a rolling tally of just how many hours of this World Cup I have taken in. While I will undoubtedly become far more productive with my time once it’s over, I will truly miss the moments that came with it. The time spent with family and friends, the incredible scenes of celebration and revelry across this beautiful country, and the unexpected moments of connection and love shared between friends and foes alike.

I’ve always loved the World Cup, but experiencing it firsthand, and seeing the incredible pictures and moments that all of you have shared, has created an indelible imprint on me and is something that I’ll never forget.

Three more games until a new champion is is crowned both in the tournament and this pool!

Cheers:)

I hope you've all been having as much fun with this tournament as my family and I have! So many matches, so much drama, and an unforgettable finish to the group stage.

The final moments of the group stage delivered one of the wildest endings imaginable. Austria and Algeria entered the closing minutes tied 2-2, and for much of the second half it looked like both sides were content to settle for the draw. That result would send both teams through to the knockout rounds. But if either team found a late winner, the other would be eliminated, opening the door for another nation to sneak into the Round of 32. When the fourth official signaled four minutes of stoppage time, the tension only grew. Then, in the 93rd minute, Algeria appeared to have found the decisive goal. Pandemonium. The Algerians celebrated as if they had won the whole thing! It was glorious! Austria looked all but dead and buried. But only for a moment, as this game always seems to have one more twist.

Into the sixth minute of added time, Austria launched one final attack and headed home a dramatic equalizer. The goal sent the Austrians into absolute bedlam at the very last possible moment! To go from elimination to qualification with virtually the final kick of the group stage is exactly why this tournament is so special. Every four years, it delivers moments that seem too dramatic to script. What an incredible finish to an outstanding group stage!

instagram.com/reel/DaHan_TvlSG

As incredible as Austria's celebration was, there had to be an equal and opposite emotion on the other side. For Iran, it can only be described as a cruel twist of fate. The Iranian national team had more obstacles to overcome than just about anyone in this tournament. Ongoing geopolitical tensions created travel complications throughout their stay. Several members of their support staff were unable to secure visas, forcing the team to operate with a skeleton crew. Their training base had to be moved from Arizona to Tijuana at the last minute, and security concerns meant they couldn't travel to the match site until the day before kickoff instead of following their normal routine.

Despite all of that, Iran refused to fold. They battled through the group stage undefeated, earning three hard-fought draws and giving themselves one final opportunity to advance. Late in their final match, they thought they had done it. An injury time winner sent the players, coaches, and fans into absolute delirium. For a few unforgettable moments, they believed they had booked their place in the knockout rounds.

Then came VAR.

The goal was ruled out for offside by the slimmest of margins. At first glance, it appeared a defender had kept the scorer onside, leaving many fans scratching their heads. But as the Instagram breakdown below explains, the decision was ultimately correct. In the 96th minute, Iran's dream was taken away. Throughout the final day, it there were moments where it appeared that Iran would go through, but ultimately Austria's dramatic equalizer officially eliminated them with virtually the final kick of the entire group stage.

No matter where you stand politically, it's impossible not to feel for the players and supporters in that moment. To come that close, only to have your tournament end in such heartbreaking fashion, is one of the cruelest endings the sport can produce.

And if the opening knockout match, where Canada eliminated Bafana Bafana in stoppage time, is any indication, we're only getting started. The knockout rounds are guaranteed to bring even more unforgettable moments, incredible celebrations, and absolute heartbreak. Book it.

instagram.com/reel/DaGobh2SHw0

Pool News

Great news for the pool: unbelievably, every single participant still has a path to winning the whole thing!

To make tracking those possibilities easier, Cousin Robb put together a Standings Simulator. awadira-wc2026.vercel.app/bracket Just enter your team name on the right, and it will show you both the most realistic path to winning the pool and the most chaotic, miracle-filled sequence of results that still gets you there. Or you can even manually enter in the winners of each game and see how that manipulates the overall standings.

I barely had any free time today, and I still managed to lose about 30 minutes playing around with all the different permutations. It's ridiculously addicting.

Not long after it went live, we received this message from an anonymous participant:

"The bracket completion function on the website is the best thing I've seen since the birth of my youngest. I'm standing and applauding in Maryland right now."

I’m not sure how many kids this participant has, but nonetheless I couldn't agree more.

I'd love to take some credit for it, but aside from the familial proximity and the fact that our moms are sisters, I had absolutely nothing to do with it. Like pretty much all the cool shit on the website, this was all Cousin Robb with inspiration from his new gumar Claudia.

On that same note there are some awesome new charts on the analytics tab. awadira-wc2026.vercel.app/analytics Please take a look! I have included a few examples below.

[image: A screenshot of a computer AI-generated content may be incorrect.]

[image: A screenshot of a cellphone AI-generated content may be incorrect.]

of the cool shit on the website, it was all Cousin Robb. bracket completion function on the web [image: A screenshot of a cellphone AI-generated content may be incorrect.]thing I've seen since the birth of my youngest. I'm standing and applauding in Maryl

Who’s in the MONEY?!?! now.

[image: A screenshot of a cellphone AI-generated content may be incorrect.]

Sabrina has been the team to beat ever since her charge up the leaderboard in the middle of Matchday 2. Building around the host nation and Argentina proved to be a brilliant strategy. As cousin Tommy G lamented in a group chat, "Haven't done the math, but I'm pretty sure Sabrina's team cost $720." It really did feel like her 10 team roster had unlocked some sort of cheat code, piling up points seemingly every time they took the field. Hidden among those selections was Croatia, which turned out to be one of the biggest steals of the draft. Chosen by only five entrants, Croatia delivered a very respectable six point return and quietly became one of the top three hidden gems of the entire selection process. With an outstanding group stage performance behind her, Sabrina heads into the knockout rounds already freerolling with $600 in prize money locked up. A dominant start, and now everyone else gets to spend the rest of the tournament trying to chase her down. 8 teams left and an even 4 teams on each side of the bracket.

[image: A screenshot of a football match AI-generated content may be incorrect.]

Evan and Tyler take home $400 after an equally impressive group-stage performance. What's even more remarkable is that they accomplished it despite getting almost nothing from two of the pool's biggest busts: Uruguay and Turkey, which combined for just two points (one apiece) despite some pre-tourney hype for both teams. I bet they jumped off the couch when Colombia scored that late game winner against Portugal, only for VAR to overturn it by the slimmest of margins. While it wouldn’t have mattered in the end, that goal would have put them in the catbird seat with only two games to play. xPFC will head into the knockout rounds as one of the strongest contenders

[image: A screenshot of a football match AI-generated content may be incorrect.]

I'd love to know how many different versions of his roster Mikey went through before landing on the group stage's third place finisher. Café Con Ron is one of my favorite team names in the pool, and it looks like he found exactly the right mix of selections. Mikey is one of just five participants who still have eight teams alive heading into the knockout rounds. His bracket is also perfectly balanced, with four teams on each side, giving him plenty of opportunities to keep piling up points. As the highest scoring Spain owner in the pool, Mikey will be cheering hard for La Roja to make a long and prosperous run through the tournament.

[image: A screenshot of a football match AI-generated content may be incorrect.]

In closing

I hope to make a few more email updates as the tournament progresses, but summer is summering and I can’t predict how it’ll all shake out timewise. Thankfully we have an all encompassing website to keep everyone as engaged as they want to be. I am thankful for all of you participants and I am really enjoying this World Cup and the pool immensely.

Knicks in 5,

David Velez and Cousin Robb

[image: A screenshot of a phone AI-generated content may be incorrect.]

Just a quick Matchday 2 update!

Henri, Sabrina, and Ryan are absolutely crushing it right now, with the goal differential leaders continuing to dominate the top of the leaderboard. The games are about to come fast and furious.

As we head into Matchday 3, we're looking at 6 (six) (yes, SIX!) games per day. Each group will also have both matches played simultaneously, eliminating any opportunities for goal differential manipulation or player resting shenanigans.

Below is a list of some of the most entertaining and consequential Matchday 3 matchups to keep an eye on. (I would have included the fantastic Canada–Switzerland showdown, but I didn't get this out in time!)

Egypt vs. Iran & New Zealand vs. Belgium Friday, 11 p.m. ET | Group G

Group G has emerged as the World Cup’s ultimate chaos group, with all four teams entering the final matchday still alive and capable of either advancing or going home. Three of the group’s first four matches ended in draws, leaving the standings incredibly tight and every result meaningful.

Egypt currently controls its own destiny after drawing Belgium and rallying past New Zealand. A win over Iran secures first place, while a draw would likely be enough to top the group. Iran, meanwhile, has drawn both of its matches and could very well advance with a third consecutive stalemate.

The biggest surprise has been Belgium’s struggles. The tournament favorite has managed just one goal through two matches, an Egyptian own goal, and now needs a result against New Zealand to avoid another shocking group-stage exit. That puts added pressure on veterans Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku, who may be playing some of the final major tournament matches of their international careers.

New Zealand remains the Cinderella story. Despite entering as the clear underdog, the All Whites still control their own fate and would likely advance with a win over Belgium. With every team alive and knockout implications everywhere, Group G feels like the classic World Cup drama that makes the final day of group play so compelling.

These games potentially will have a huge influence on who the US could play if they were lucky enough to get to the round of 16. With Bosnia all but locked up as the round of 32 opponent, The US could potentially be set against one of these teams if they advance to the Round of 16.

[image: A screenshot of a football match AI-generated content may be incorrect.]

Colombia vs. Portugal Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET | Group K

One of the marquee matches of the group stage pits Colombia and Portugal against each other for first place in Group K. Colombia enters needing only a draw to win the group after Daniel Muñoz’s late winner on Tuesday, while Portugal responded to an early stumble with a dominant 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan led by two Cristiano Ronaldo goals.

The stakes go far beyond group bragging rights. The winner is likely to earn a more favorable Round of 16 matchup, while the runner-up could be headed for an early showdown with Spain. The winner also pits itself on the opposite side of the bracket from France and Spain. It’s also one of just two group-stage matches featuring teams currently ranked inside FIFA’s top 12, making it an early test between two legitimate World Cup contenders. This match being in Miami only increases the excitement of this game too! I can feel the energy this one will bring! Mikey you gotta go to this one!! Also take me!

[image: A screenshot of a football match AI-generated content may be incorrect.]

France vs. Norway Friday, 3 p.m. ET | Group I

Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland headline one of the most entertaining matchups of the group stage as France and Norway battle for first place in Group I. France needs only a draw to win the group, but both teams have already secured advancement to the knockout rounds.

This game is less about standings and more about star power and attacking firepower. France has scored six goals while rarely getting out of second gear, while Norway has embraced a high-risk, attack-first style built around Haaland. A Norway upset would announce them as a true contender, while France enters as one of the tournament favorites.

Austria vs. Algeria Saturday, 10 p.m. ET | Group J

One of the most fascinating matches of the group stage features Austria and Algeria battling for advancement with plenty of knockout-round implications. Both teams enter level on points and, as the final group to play, will know exactly what result could send them through.

The matchup carries extra intrigue because of the infamous "Disgrace of Gijón" in 1982, when a 1-0 West Germany win over Austria eliminated Algeria and led FIFA to change tournament rules. This time, the incentives are just as complicated: a draw could advance both teams, while finishing third may actually offer an easier path through the knockout bracket. Expect plenty of drama—and possibly some game theory—on Saturday night.

Group J Runner up likely to Play Spain. What to do?

[image: A screenshot of a football match AI-generated content may be incorrect.]

Spain vs. Uruguay Saturday, 8 p.m. ET | Group H

Uruguay enters the final matchday fighting for its tournament life after disappointing draws against Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. A draw against Spain will likely be enough to advance, but that's a tall task against one of the tournament favorites and the defending European champions.

The stakes extend far beyond Group H. A Uruguay upset could reshuffle the entire knockout bracket and potentially set up a blockbuster Spain-Argentina showdown in the Round of 32. Spain has been one of the tournament’s most dominant teams, but Uruguay's aggressive pressing style and the tactical creativity of manager Marcelo Bielsa give them at least a puncher's chance of pulling off a result.

The two different parts of the bracket that Spain and Uruguay could find themselves

[image: A screenshot of a football match AI-generated content may be incorrect.][image: A screenshot of a football match AI-generated content may be incorrect.]

Scotland vs. Brazil Wednesday, 6 p.m. ET | Group C

One of the most entertaining atmospheres of the group stage arrives in Miami as Scotland’s passionate Tartan Army takes on Brazil with advancement and group positioning on the line. Scotland can likely secure a knockout-round berth with a draw, while Brazil is battling Morocco for first place in the group.

The stakes are significant for both sides. Group winners are expected to get a more favorable Round of 32 matchup, making every goal important. Scotland will likely lean on its disciplined defensive approach, while Brazil looks to build momentum after an inconsistent start and prove it can generate enough attacking threat without the injured Raphinha.

[image: A screenshot of a football match AI-generated content may be incorrect.]

I hope everyone is enjoying the World Cup! I think I might be. I'm pretty sure. How much soccer is too much soccer? Does anyone here have a job? Anyway... enjoy!!

Signed,

A tired and joyful World Cup fan

We've been loving all of the photos from the World Cup matches so far… keep them coming! I’ve been having so much fun this World Cup so much that I’m already getting nostalgic for it.

Some Notes from Cousin Robb and Tommy G’s trip to see USA v Paraguay at SoFi in LA

• 1.SoFi is a triumph of American culture and capability. 70k packed and you feel as free as a bird, in the stadium, in the concourse, and in the bathrooms. If you have a chance to see a major event at SoFi, don’t miss it!

• 2.In brother Tom’s words, I have become one of the dads in the progressive commercials. Rating the bathrooms across LA on a 10 point scale, instigating section wide cheers during hydration breaks, buying drinks for Paraguayans, generally being a corny ass dad and loving every minute.

• 3.If you see a US game, be sure to find the Outlaws pregame. The drum circle tutorials are a little cheesy but let’s be honest also awesome. Getting to carry the flag into the stadium with Tommy was a core memory. Find the party details on their website.

• 4.LA is peak vibes for game watch in general. If you’re lucky enough to be on that side of the planet, the Venice Whaler and Belle (Belles?) in Venice are not to be missed.

Overall, recreating the same pic with Tommy in 2026 as 2006, this time around at home in peak vibes, was locked solidly into top 10 memory position. And just like going to game 1 of the finals is way more meaningful with a Knicks ship, the experience of going to the men’s team game 1 will get sweeter the further we go.

[image: 3b3c4605-56f8-4ad5-9a26-80fcca1ffea0.jpg]

[image: IMG_9872.jpeg]

While not as cool as the cousin’s experience…

My son Jack and I went tailgating for Ecuador vs. Ivory Coast, and we had an absolute blast. It felt like 99% of the crowd was Ecuadorian, creating a sea of yellow everywhere you looked. The atmosphere was incredible. Everyone was so happy! It was like Christmas morning and your birthday all rolled into one. People were dancing, singing, chanting, and eating for hours before the game. Jack basically juggled for 4 plus hours with everyone walking by. Gotta say he was a little disappointed in many of their skils.

I wore a Knicks Anthony Mason jersey the day after we won the championship and was treated like royalty. I ran into countless fellow Knicks fans and heard “Let’s Go Knicks!” at least 100 times. Even a few reluctant Sixers fans showed some love.

Overall, it was an amazing experience. Whether you have tickets to the match or not, I'd highly recommend tailgating at a World Cup game. The energy, passion, and sense of community are worth experiencing on their own.

[image: IMG_5028.jpeg]

Pool Standings After Matchday 1

[image: Awadira World Cup Pool 2026.jpeg] awadira-wc2026.vercel.app/standings

Henri's Team leads the pack after Matchday 1! Riding the wave of Germany's dominant performance, Henri sits atop the standings with a remarkable +14 goal differential. Early returns suggest that having more teams may be a significant advantage in the group stages, and Henri came prepared with a eight selections.

Sitting in a three-way tie for second are The Colonists Strike Back (9 teams picked), MAGNONDOMY (6), and Still Blind (10). All three entries are carrying impressive goal differentials and have positioned themselves nicely heading into the next round of matches.

Tied for fifth are two of our youngest participants, neither of whom has even reached their teenage years yet. Credit, or blame, to the parental units for introducing them to the fine art of sports gambling at such a tender age. My son, Jack (French Fries and Empanadas) and Leo (Leo Da Turd) both sit at +11 goal differential and have strong outlooks for the remainder of the tournament. Jack has put together an impressive start, posting a perfect 5-0 record with 14 goals scored and only 3 conceded. He is currently the only participant in the pool without a draw or a loss on his record.

Teams That Impressed So Far

Germany (48) stands alone as the most impressive team of Matchday 1. Their 7-1 thrashing of Curacao, powered by a brace from Kai Havertz, was the standout performance of the tournament so far. With Germany selected by 14 participants, those 9 points provided a huge boost to a significant portion of the pool.

The combined seven goals from Erling Haaland, Kylian Mbappé, and Lionel Messi on June 16 made for a pretty special day of football. While none of them are necessarily my favorite players, watching some of the sport's biggest stars fill up the scoresheet is always entertaining. Norway (30), France (76), and Argentina (63) all looked every bit the contenders many expected them to be.

Sweden (12) and the United States (18) round out the list of teams posting 3+ goal victories on Matchday 1. Sweden's convincing win, combined with the Netherlands and Japan playing to a draw, has them looking like a legitimate candidate to advance to the Round of 32. Picked by only two participants in the pool, they could end up being one of the tournament's sneaky value selections.

The United States also enjoyed an outstanding opening match, blowing the doors off Paraguay while seeing what many considered their biggest group-stage threat, Turkey, fall 2-0 to Australia. That's about as good a start as the Americans could have hoped for and a strong opening statement from the red, white, and blue.

Teams That Disappointed

Spain (76) sits atop the list of disappointments. Entering the day as a massive favorite, they could only manage a scoreless draw against Cape Verde. Credit to Cape Verde for an inspired defensive performance against one of the world's elite teams. Their result was one of the biggest surprises of the tournament so far.

Turkey (12), selected by 19 participants, was another major letdown. A 2-0 loss to the Socceroos certainly caught a lot of people by surprise and dealt an early blow to many pool entries.

Brazil (65) (selected by 12 participants), Portugal (55) (selected by 27), and Belgium (27) (selected by 22) also failed to meet expectations, each settling for draws in matches where they were expected to take all three points. Disappointing results for their supporters and for the many pool participants counting on them to deliver.

That said, one match does not make a tournament. All three remain strong candidates to advance deep into the competition, but their margin for error is already a little smaller than expected after Matchday 1.

Payout Structure for pool

We decided to make a slight change to the payout structure from what we communicated last update: the final $150 will now go to the overall last-place finisher instead of the Goal Differential leader.

There were two reasons for the change. First, we thought it was pretty funny that after everyone spent time trying to pick the best possible teams, someone would still end up finishing dead last. Second, we wanted to create another opportunity for participants to win some money back. We figured that whoever finishes with the best goal differential is likely already near the top of the standings and in the money anyway.

So, it will create a congratulations and condolences scenario to whomever manages to claim last place!

Overall Standings

1st Place: $4,000 2nd Place: $2,000 3rd Place: $750 4th Place: $300 5th Place: $150

Group Stage Standings

1st Place: $600 2nd Place: $400 3rd Place: $200

Special Awards

Booby Prize- Lowest score who pics the WC winner: $300 Literal Last Place: $150

Some notes

Who here could have predicted the ease at which the New York Knicks obliterated the NBA in this years playoffs?! The best and most impressive domination of playoff competition in the history of the NBA. Truly an amazing feat.

WLLWWWWWWWWWWWWLWWW

+286 point diffential - 53 points better than the next best team

In the Finals, the knicks were:

Game 1: down 14 and won

Game 2: down 12 and won

Game 3: down 12 and lost

Game 4: down 29 and won!!!!

Game 5: down 16 and won (in 5)

Straight domination when it mattered most, led by Captain Clutch: Jalen Brunson.

Who here could have predicted that Wemby would be such a detestable figure after these Finals too? What a dirty, arrogant player with such poor sportsmanship. The contrast from him to Jalen Brunson was as wide as the Knicks parade will be long today. What a joke he has become.

I will dine on this Knicks Championship for the rest of my natural born life. What an amazing and wholly unexpended ride it has been.

No lead its too big,

No guard is too small,

The city is alive,

KNICKS IN FIVE!

[image: 107BD2EC-A3C5-4171-A6BD-5FE972791C24.jpeg]

Signed,

Very happy knicks fans

TLDR: bookmark the website for copious amount of information as it relates to the pool.

Schedule: (awesome feature!)

awadira-wc2026.vercel.app/schedule

Standings

awadira-wc2026.vercel.app/standings

Analytics

awadira-wc2026.vercel.app/analytics

Rosters

awadira-wc2026.vercel.app/picks-overview

So. Many. Games

instagram.com/reel/DZSycHZA9mf

If you have not paid yet please pay ASAP. I will lock out entries who have not paid by the end of the weekend. There are only a small handful and only one person that I do not know and I have emailed him privately.

What's up Homies?!?!

The World Cup in our own backyard is officially underway! We had a record number of entries in the pool this year! A huge welcome to everyone! Very excited for the World Cup and this pool. One more big thanks goes out to Cousin Robb for automating the whole process and amazing work building out the website. Amazing work! I will still send out periodic emails and check-ins, but it will be very nice to have the standings available at a click of a button.

Mexico kicked off the tournament with a relatively routine 2-0 victory over South Africa, though not without a little red-card drama to keep things interesting. Our buddy Mikey was on hand at Estadio Azteca with his kids, proudly supporting El Tri. From all accounts, it felt like a national holiday for the Mexican fans, and it looked like an incredible experience for everyone there. It's only fitting that Mikey would leave one host city in Miami to catch a match in another host nation. Well played, sir!

Meanwhile, Cousin Robb reminded some of us that he was also at the opening match of the 2010 World Cup, when Mexico and South Africa played to a memorable 1-1 draw in Johannesburg. Not content with one World Cup opening memory, Robb and Tommy G will be taking in the USA opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles as well. Looking forward to seeing some of those scenes!

This is exactly what hosting the World Cup in North America is all about… bringing the tournament closer to home and creating opportunities for fans to experience it firsthand. Whether you're attending matches, heading to watch parties with friends, or just watching on your couch, I hope everyone finds their own way to enjoy the festivities over the next month. The world's game has arrived. Let's enjoy the ride. If anyone else finds themselves taking in a game, would love to see some pictures shared with the group! Me and my son Jack will take in Brazil and Haiti next Friday in Philly and the whole fam will ne at France and Iraq the following Monday. Can't wait!

There was some great action during the pick reveal this afternoon. For those who haven't had a chance to explore the website yet, there are all kinds of fun tabs and statistics to dive into.

One of my favorite sections is the Analytics tab, which highlights both the teams selected most often and those that may offer the greatest value because they were overlooked by the field. The three most popular selections were Portugal (27 picks), Mexico (25), and Spain (25). On the other side of the spectrum, the biggest "favorite" bargains appear to be England (8 picks), Argentina (10), and Brazil (12), with Germany not far behind at 14 selections.

A few other teams that could make some noise despite flying under the radar include Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard's Norway (8 picks), the defensively stout Ecuadorians (11), and the ever-dangerous veteran Croatians (5). If you're a stats junkie, be sure to spend some time on the Analytics page for a deeper dive into the numbers:

awadira-wc2026.vercel.app/analytics

My favorite graphic on the page is the "Most Unique Rosters" leaderboard. Assuming success from the teams selected, these contestants have built lineups that could separate themselves from the pack and make a serious run at the title. This year's crown for roster originality belongs to Joe Ragusa, who takes home the top spot heading into the tournament! Funny when I asked him about it he said he picked his favorite teams and then also picked some of the teams that he has tickets to as he and his family are going to Seattle for a handful of games. He used the pool perfectly to manufacture rooting interest!

[image: Screenshot 2026-06-12 at 2.00.21 PM.png]

Due to the tremendous response and number of entries this year, we're going to tweak the payout structure slightly. The goal is still to reward the top finishers handsomely, as originally discussed, while also creating a few more opportunities for participants to cash.

We're still finalizing the exact numbers, but the general structure will look something like this:

• -The top two overall finishers will take home the lion's share of the prize pool.
• -Payouts will extend through the top five overall finishers.
• -The top three entries after the Group Stage will receive prizes.
• -We'll also award a "booby prize" to the lowest-scoring entry that correctly picks the World Cup champion.
• -We are also considering a prize for the winner of goal differential after the tournament is over. More to come on that.

As for ties, we won't be using any tiebreakers. Instead, tied participants will split the combined prize money for the places involved.

For example, if 4th place pays $300 and 5th place pays $150, and two participants tie for those spots, we would combine the prizes ($450) and divide evenly, with each participant receiving $225.

Similarly, if three participants were tied for 4th, 5th, and 6th, we would combine the prize money allocated to those positions and divide it equally among the three tied entries.

We'll announce the final payout structure once all entries and accounting have been finalized.

Some of us in this pool happen to be Knicks fans, and I honestly can't put into words how incredible this run has been. It was capped by "The Hand of God II" miraculous tip-in by Ogugua Anunoby. Unbelievable, we are living in a simulation type nonsense..Two days later and I still can't believe it happened.

Watching the first half of Game 4 was pure torture. As the Spurs seemingly couldn't miss from three-point range, Knicks fans everywhere cycled through every possible emotion. First it was, "Holy shit, they've figured us out and we're going to lose this series." Then it became, "Well, 2-2 heading back to San Antonio isn't the end of the world." And eventually, "Wait a minute... we came back from the dead against Cleveland. Maybe nothing is impossible."

At halftime, I quietly wandered around the house, cleaned up a bit, did some dishes, and eventually settled into the same spot where I watched the comeback against the Cavs, with the dog sitting silently beside me. Wu-Tang also played at halftime of the game, cleansing the Garden of any bad juju. The final eight minutes of the fourth quarter may have been the greatest sports-viewing experience of my life. Every possession felt like life or death, and somehow the Knicks found a way. The Bulls had the flu game. The Knicks had the Wu game.

One more win!

Let's go Knicks!

One last thing...

As an Arsenal fan watching the Champions League, I couldn't help but hate how that match ended in penalties. I've always disliked penalty shootouts, even though I fully understand that teams can't just play forever.

But imagine if Game 7 of the NBA Finals were decided by a free-throw shooting contest. It would feel like a terrible way to conclude a championship-level battle. That's essentially how I've always felt about penalties deciding major soccer matches.

While I possess absolutely no authority to enact any change, I believe I've found the solution, and I'll continue shouting it into the void until someone listens.

If a knockout match is tied after 90 minutes, the penalty shootout should happen immediately. The winner of the shootout would then carry a 0.5-goal advantage into two 15-minute overtime periods. Using the Arsenal-PSG Champions League Final as an example, PSG would have won the shootout and entered extra time with the advantage. Arsenal would then be forced to chase the game for the full 30 minutes, creating urgency and opening up the match.

The beauty of this approach is that penalties still matter, but they don't directly end the game. Instead, they create the conditions for a dramatic finish. One team is desperately trying to equalize or win, while the other is trying to protect its advantage and strike on the counter. The match ultimately ends through actual run of play rather than from the equivalent of the free-throw line.

To me, that's a far more fitting conclusion to a high-stakes match than watching a tournament come down to spot kicks.

This is the way.

I'd genuinely love to hear the argument against it.

LET’s GO KNICKS!

[image: Screenshot 2026-06-12 at 8.54.48 AM.png]