How much did USA pay for Cup?

SO, THE 2026 World Cup will be shared among venues around the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The last thing the U.S. public should expect from this deal is “full transparency” from soccer’s international governing masters, FIFA.

The FIFA reps, like the IOC reps, have the well-deserved reputation for operating in the shadows, if not the dark. Money talks, but keep it on the down low, ya know?

Put it this way: There isn’t an intelligent soccer fan who believes that FIFA awarded this World Cup to Qatar (Qatar?!) for any reason better than or beyond sotto voce payola — moola from Mullahs.

➤ What seems sensible, easy and both fan- and player-friendly to us, seems to escape the NBA. To prevent uncompetitive-by-design ripoff games in which stars and starters are held out to rest, simply eliminate backto-back games, thus ending all excuses.

➤ D.C. reader Mike “The Chef” Soper awaits the World Cup telecast in which a 1-0 lead inspires an announcer to say, “It’s a onepossession game.”

➤ Still waiting for the Devils to become the Devils of the past four seasons, as no team can improve so much overnight. But it hasn’t happened. And under career defenseman Lindy Ruff, this team has become superb at offensive zone passing, good on the eyes.

➤ Reader Mike Jacobs wonders if $360 million is a lot for the Yankees to spend on a leadoff batter.

➤ Well, if Argentina-Netherlands, as seen Friday on Fox, didn’t do it for you, soccer’s just not your sport.

➤ Have Gun, Will Travel: West Virginia QB J.T. Daniels has entered the transfer portal seeking his fourth college. He previously played at Georgia and Southern Cal. He might be looking for a school that holds Sixth-Year Senior Day.