What are we supposed to do now?
Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 08.07.26. | 16:00
Let's just hope this July 8 passes as quickly as possible. It's the first day off at the World Cup after 27 days of non-stop action
Who could have seen it coming? After nearly a month drenched in World Cup drama, July 8 tiptoed in and caught us off guard, just when we thought the excitement would never end.
For weeks, we feasted on four matches a day, sometimes three, until the knockout stage gently tapped on the door and rationed our football fix to the tiniest sips.
And then, out of nowhere, this cursed Wednesday arrived. A barren day off.
For football fans everywhere, the cruellest twist is being cut off from our endless stream of thrills. Suddenly, it vanishes. Sure, it’s just a day, but between the final whistle of Colombia vs Switzerland and the first kick of Morocco-France, we face a yawning 45-hour void! Some might say it’s not so bad, but since June 11, we’ve barely gone 20 hours without a match - usually much less.
So, what now? We find ourselves marooned on the deserted shore of a World Cup pause, wondering how to fill the sudden silence.
Of course, we spent the morning dissecting the wild, controversial chaos served up by Egypt, Argentina, and especially FIFA and their officials. But you can’t spend all day debating a possibly rigged tournament or endlessly replaying VAR decisions. The Round of 16 already feels like ancient history, while the quarter-finals still seem a lifetime away.
This sudden mix of boredom and quiet has ambushed us.
At the very least, they could have summoned Uzbekistan and Czechia to battle it out in a packed Azteca, settling once and for all who was the tournament’s weakest link. Or perhaps staged a Senegal versus DR Congo duel in Toronto to determine which unlucky African side deserved a shot at the last eight.
Or why not throw a day-long South American mini-World Cup in New Jersey, featuring Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay, all vying for the title of second-best, since Argentina have left everyone else in their dust?
And since all three co-hosts bowed out at the same stage - the Round of 32 - why not stage a penalty shootout triangle between the United States, Canada, and Mexico? It would take less than 45 minutes, but it would give us exactly the fix we crave on days like this.
A thrill. Uncertainty. Excitement.
After nearly 30 days of this nonstop football cocktail, it’s no surprise we’re left with a peculiar emptiness.
And soon, with more days off looming - July 12-13 and July 16-17 - we’ll be seasoned veterans of goal-less days, missing dazzling passes, dramatic VAR calls, and jaw-dropping comebacks.
Harsh truth is knocking on the doors - there are only eight games left. Last eight stops on the journey that has taken us to 96 destinations so far, 96 games played since that opening one, between Mexico and South Africa at the mythical Azteca.
This day off is maybe a blessing in disguise for us to rest a bit and prepare for the last few at this World Cup. At least, you know how they say - save the best for last.
WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE
Quarter-finals
Thursday
23.00: (1.60) France (4.00) Morocco (6.20)
Friday
22.00: (1.65) Spain (4.00) Belgium (5.50)
Sunday
00.00: (4.00) Norway (3.70) England (1.90)
04.00: (1.75) Argentina (3.50) Switzerland (5.50)
***odds are subject to change***