Even for non-soccer fans, the World Cup is worth watching

Early this month, I’m waiting for the Yankees game to start. They're playing the Orioles on a Saturday afternoon.

- By TONY PAIGE Special to the AmNews

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Fulham in London, England, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Like any impatient American, the clicker gets busy looking for something, anything to fill the void when I hit Channel 4 and the Premier League is on. Soccer?

Sorry, futbol.

Oh yeah, the World Cup starts on June 11. My youngest, Jalen, played high school and travel soccer years ago and I enjoyed watching and cheering. With only 45 minutes to kill until the Yankees’ first pitch, why not?

Do I know soccer like I know baseball, basketball, or boxing?

No.

Then this lightning-quick player breaks his defender’s ankles, better than Allen Iverson, and as he folds onto the turf, the 24-year-old Brit slithers a low pass to teammate Viktor Gyökeres, a member of the Swedish National team, who scores in the ninth minute.

Arsenal is up one nothing — sorry, one-nil — over Fulham. Who is this quick guy?