Hail GFOP!

Rog writes: I can’t lie, the FA Cup delivered at epic emotional levels known only to the NFL playoffs. We will break down the highlights of a drunk weekend in a moment, but first, let me say this big news proudly: Today I revealed the cover of my new book, “WE ARE THE WORLD (CUP),” which comes out March 3, 100 days out from the tournament’s kick-off.

The book is a deeply personal history of the tournament, written to allow hardcore football fans and newcomers to relive the backstory of every World Cup of the modern period. It has taken me four years to write, after my memoir, “(Re)Born in the USA.” My promise is: If you read this book, you will know everything you need to know to be 2026 tournament ready — from Maradona’s hand of God, through Zidane's headbutt, all the way to Messi’s transcendent moment of 2022 final wonder. A second major theme is the ecstatic story of the unstoppable rise of football in the United States which many of you have lived alongside me. You can gain a sense of the book by reading the introduction which sets out what motivated me to write this beauty.

Here is my one request: Pre-orders make or break a book. If I have given you any joy over the past decade, it would mean the world to me if you could take a moment and pre-order a copy of this book at any indie bookstore. I love indies, and if you upload your receipt here, I will send you a signed bookplate with my love and thanks. I know it is a pain up the ass to pre-order and really appreciate your support more than I can say. If you, or your friends, are World Cup curious, or football mad, I wrote this book for you. Grab your copy now wherever you buy books and Go Go USA.

Also: I am really proud of the cover, which was designed by the incredible Roberto Parada. It is meant to be a reflection of the truth that the World Cup is both a history of moments and a shared text that creates the deepest connection to our own individual pasts as a biography of our childhoods, teenage years and beyond. It is the definitive mechanism through which we measure and mark the very passing of time. See if you can spot the World Cup heroes who have most marked mine.

Also, also: Please tell me your favorite indie book store in your city and I will highlight as many as I can on our socials during this book journey experience. I am particularly grateful to Elliott Bay in Seattle, which is one of my favorite book stores in the world. They are also giving away a special book mark, which is a really meaningful gesture. 🙏

ii. The goal of the weekend that you might have missed: Harry Kane’s most recent reminder that he is still absolutely cooking. 🔥

iii. A quick word on the Bears. After a day in which I had watched Everton sink, and Bournemouth crash out of the FA Cup, I can’t lie, I approached the Bears epic rumble with Green Bay braced for disaster and disappointment. That specter was fulfilled by an insipid first half in which every facet of the game failed to function. The fourth quarter was a delirious fever dream in which I could only glimpse the power of Da Pope’s prayers lifting the team. I don’t know the name of the emotion I experienced when the game was won at the death, but I loved it. My children were sobbing. They have only known darkness through sports fandom. My friend Rob Ryan, a lifelong Bears fan, called the moment the game was won and we talked with the naive wonder of a pair of kids. That is what sports empowers: the shared sense of memory making, which layers on the echoes of past memories like snow falling on snow. Bring on next weekend, and the darkness which surely will ensue. 🐻

To more. 

Courage,
ROG

PS – This might be the most aesthetically satisfying football map you see all week. 😌 

MiB HQ Bulletin Board 📣

The Biggest FA Cup Upset… Ever? 😱

By Tommy Stewart

Macclesfield Town 2-1 Crystal Palace

Oliver Glasner rested a couple of first-team players at Moss Rose on Saturday, but his side was still full of quality, including England internationals Marc Guéhi and Adam Wharton. Crystal Palace threatened without frightening the home side, who miraculously found their way in front minutes before half time via the bandaged head of captain Paul Dawson, who not long ago quit as a motorway supervisor to gamble on a career in football. Despite dominating possession, the holders were never truly the better team, and in the 61st minute the non-league side caused chaos in their box again, scraping the ball through for Isaac Buckley-Ricketts to flick home. He was nearly dropped by the club days before the tie and now lives eternally in their lore. Macclesfield understandably sat deep and invited pressure for the final 30 minutes, eventually succumbing to the Eagles’ quality after a 90th minute Yeremy Pino free kick, but it was too late. The Silkmen—who sit 116 spots below Palace—saw it out, leading to limbs, tears and the most joyous pitch invasion you will ever see.

The Giant Killing to End Them All? 🤔

“The magic of the cup” might be one of the oldest platitudes in the football textbook, but when a sixth-tier side in the North West of England hosted the FA Cup holders in their 6,355-capacity stadium on Saturday, it felt special. In 2020, Macclesfield Town were relegated from League Two to the National League, and liquidated, essentially having to start football from the beginning. So much history was made on Saturday, including the surreal sight of Wayne Rooney crying after his brother and Macclesfield manager, John Rooney, masterminded the most seismic giant killing in the FA Cup for over a century. More pertinent than all of that, though, were the parents of Ethan McLeod, the Macclesfield player who tragically passed away last month, joining the celebrations with their son’s former teammates. Football really can be everything and the FA Cup might actually be magic.

More: Take a look at the many, many side hustles of Macclesfield’ part-time footballers.

Goals Galore & Manchester United Crash Out 😵‍💫

Manchester United 1-2 Brighton

Darren Fletcher’s the latest former Man United player to take the wheel of football’s Titanic, and despite trying to appease the sullen Old Trafford crowd by playing four at the back, it only took 12 minutes for Brighton’s Brajan Gruda to undo their weak spine. The goal was a simple tap-in that was the result of poor defending and some inspired work from the ageless Danny Welbeck, a recurring nightmare who United will never live down selling in 2014. Every time Dat Guy returns to the place he was born and raised, he reminds his former club what they’re missing, haunting them again in the second half by smashing in his eighth goal against United. Benjamin Šeško offered the home side a brief flash of hope by heading in from an 85th minute corner but that was the closest the Red Devils got to a hint of positivity yesterday. United will only play 40 games this season, the lowest number in 111 years; at least in “Groundhog Day,” Bill Murray eventually found peace…

More: This photo of Bruno Fernandes really says it all.

Portsmouth 1-4 Arsenal

When Portsmouth’s Colby Bishop scored only his second goal in 20 to send Fratton Park into a joyous riot three minutes into this one, the FA Cup’s great USP, “hope,” tantalized supporters of the Championship side. Unfortunately, as any sports fan knows, that word is also a great deceiver, and only five minutes later we were back to reality as the home side netted an OG following a tumultuous six-yard-box scrap from a Set Piece FC corner. The Gunners once again applied their cheat code as Gabriel Martinelli nodded in from another corner to put Arsenal ahead at the break, before continuing his redemption arc after turning heel last week by sliding in a second, and then scoring a déjà vu header from a corner for a third. This was the Brazilian’s first senior hat-trick and a timely reminder that his footballing abilities supersede his wind-up skills.

Tottenham 1-2 Aston Villa

After coming off the bench in October to score the winning goal against Tottenham, Emi Buendía returned as the resident sleep paralysis demon to open the scoring with a scorcher in the 22nd minute. Villa’s leading man, Morgan Rogers, would add another before the break, and while the home side came out snarling in the second half with Wilson Odobert drilling home nine minutes in, it couldn’t save Spurs, who have now won only two in their last 13 matches. It feels like Thomas Frank’s on borrowed time as he becomes worryingly accustomed to the sound of post-match boos and humiliating cup-focused taunts from opposition fans.

Charlton Athletic 1-5 Chelsea

Chelsea’s new manager, 41-year-old Liam Rosenior, has enough High Performance energy and LinkedIn confidence to have not worried about his team needing 49 minutes to score against the Championship’s 19th-best side. Thankfully for him, Jorrel Hato’s opener just before halftime opened the floodgates, allowing the Blues to repeatedly punish their London rivals who were still competing with them in the Premier League 19 years ago. Goals were indiscriminately spread across the team, as Tosin, Guiu, Neto and the only remaining Enzo all put Charlton to the sword. Chelsea fans and Enzo Maresca never truly got on, and as they sang Rosenior’s name at The Valley after the match, there are hopes the assured young manager could be the antidote to their passionate and erratic former boss.

Manchester City 10-1 Exeter City

Really, Pep? Did you have to? Other than to highlight a lovely debut and finish from $84-million man Antoine Semenyo, there’s no need to deep-dive this one, but it’s worth watching every goal in this spiteful exertion of ruthless aggression from the six-time Premier League champions on to the League One mid-tablers. 

Wrexham 3-3 Nottingham Forest (4-3 on penalties)

It’s been almost five years since Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac took over Wrexham and won the hearts of North Wales, and in a long list of record-breaking achievements at the club, this victory on penalties over Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest might be the placeholder apex (until they eventually win the Champions League). It’s the first time they’ve beaten a Premier League side since 1999 and, well, just look at Ryan’s face.

And Now, Rog’s Totally Chill Reaction to Everton Being Knocked Out of the FA Cup 💙

Everton 1-1 Sunderland (0-3 on Penalties)

Rog writes: There goes Everton's season then. We did not so much as conjure a shot on goal in the first half and were booed off at halftime. This was such a depleted Everton team – surreal red cards will do that to a squad. We were handed a life line via a very generous penalty award, before the game rumbled into a penalty shootout. Everton’s three kicks – from Garner, Barry, and Beto – were three of the worst penalties I have ever witnessed. Credit the Everton fans who left the stadium as Beto walked to the spot. They knew.

Cue another Everton season without silverware. It hurts. We won a lot when I was a kid. That winning felt like it would never end. Now I am at an age where every FA Cup or Carabao Cup feels finite. The dull thud of losing is a reminder only that we are all going to die.

San Francisco, Soccer’s Coming Home 🚨

Another triumphant city from this weekend’s NFL playoff games, San Francisco! Hold onto that joyous and winning feeling a little longer because here is some good news… Tickets to the Countdown Tour: 127 Days Out LIVE at August Hall are now on sale. Come join us on Feb. 4 as we roll into the heart of the Bay Area like a fully-stacked-and-packed Mission burrito to talk matchups, stars, storylines and the cultural impact that will define the summer.

On the Continent 🇪🇺

🇮🇹 Serie A: No one’s blinking in the methodical poker game for the Scudetto, but Inter Milan now have a daylight lead despite a draw against champions Napoli at the San Siro on Sunday. Marvel’s first Scottish superhero, Scott McTominay, scored a brace to keep Antonio Conte’s side four points behind Inter, but AC Milan couldn’t capitalize, only mustering a draw at Fiorentina, leaving them three points behind their neighbors. Roma beat Sassuolo 2-0 to keep their cards at the table, and if Juventus defeat Jamie Vardy’s Cremonese tonight, they’ll join Gian Gasperini’s side and Napoli on 39 points.

🇪🇸 La Liga: Villarreal beat Alavés 3-1 to just about stay in touch with Big Boys Barcelona and Real Madrid, who had their own Supercopa side-quest in Saudi Arabia. Led by linchpin Raphinha, who scored a brace, league leaders Barca won 3-2 in a Clásico that lived up to its billing, landing the first meaningful bruise on their opponent this season. And just like that, the Xabi Alonso era at Real Madrid is over after just seven months.

🇩🇪 Bundesliga: Rested and recharged in their first league match back after the winter break, Vincent Kompany’s frightening Bayern Munich side negated dry January and rained over Wolfsburg in an 8-1 defeat. There were seven different goal scorers at the Allianz Arena, and with Dortmund drawing 3-3 at Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayern now lead the second-placed side by 11 points, so they can probably start pulling the Pilsners whenever they please.

Mid-Week Matches Worth Faking a Meeting for 📺

FA Cup 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Liverpool vs. Barnsley (TODAY, 2:45 p.m. ET, ESPN+)

Despite drawing their last three, Liverpool haven’t lost a game in 10 in all competitions, and today’s fixture gives Arne Slot a chance to rest key players after last week’s brawl with Arsenal. South Yorkshire’s Barnsley are struggling at 17th in League One, but their record at Anfield is impressive: They’ve emerged victorious in their last two games there in all comps, winning in the Premier League in 1997 and FA Cup in 2008, meaning no side is on a longer winning run away at Liverpool than them. It’s a tall order, but we all saw the Magic of the Cup™️ at Macclesfield on Saturday…

Carabao Cup 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Newcastle vs. Manchester City (Tuesday, 3 p.m. ET, Paramount+)

It’s the holders vs. Pep Guardiola’s perpetual EFL Cup winners, but this time around, City might need this more. Newcastle ended their 75-year silverware drought when they lifted this cup last season, and although Pep’s already won it four times, it could be the boost that takes his side to a Premier League title fight against Arsenal. In the last EFL match between these two in September 2023, Newcastle ran out 1-0 winners in the third round, with some fella named Alexander Isak scoring the winner. Wonder what happened to him?

Chelsea vs. Arsenal (Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET, Paramount+)

Arsenal’s quadruple is still very much in the cards, but then we’ve seen this movie before. There is a different air of defiance and solidity to the league leaders this season, but they haven’t lifted silverware since beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final six years ago. This is their chance to start as they mean to go on and send a warning shot to doubters, however, this young Chelsea side are used to winning silverware as current Club World Cup and Europa Conference League champs. After a soft launch against Charlton, this is Liam Rosenior’s first true test.

AFCON 🌍

Senegal vs. Egypt (Wednesday, 12 p.m. ET, Fubo) / Nigeria vs. Morocco (Wednesday, 3 p.m. ET, Fubo)

AFCON’s summit is near as Wednesday’s semi-finals pit Senegal against Egypt while Nigeria face hosts Morocco. Although they haven’t truly clicked yet, the World Cup 2022 semi-finalists’ combination of home advantage and quality players, such as Brahim Díaz and Achraf Hakimi, makes them favorites. Nigeria are out to avenge their World Cup absence, Senegal are Africa’s highest-ranked team, and Egypt are led by Mo Salah, who sees winning this tournament as his destiny. 

Some Non-Football to Start the Week Off 📖

• The 46 Most Anticipated TV Shows of 2026. Nicole Kidman continues to be the most employed person of all time. 

• Picture This: You're a Frog. Would you still love me?

• Wanna see a bunch of pics of doggos in a backpack? (This is a rhetorical question.) Carrying for a Cause: Meet the Man Lugging Shelter Dogs Around New York.

• Loved this from Harper's: If a Tree Falls: The trial of the Sycamore Gap killers.

• 2026 will be the year of the cabbage. I've been saying for months the 25/26 Premier League ball is extremely cabbage-like. 

• 'I opened a bookshop. It was the best/worst thing I've ever done.' I say the same thing about buying a Mario Balotelli shirt.

It’s MiB Trivia Time 🤔

This week’s question: Which English club has won the most third-round matches in the history of the FA Cup?

Email us with your answer for a chance to win a much-coveted MiB patch!

Last week’s winner: Congratulations to Marshall Harper, who was the first to correctly answer that Arsenal have won ZERO Premier League titles after being top on Christmas Day (Bleak, we know). Your patch is in the post, Marshall. 🚚