The World Cup Brings Love

PRESENTED BY KALSHI

New week, new you, Future Party. This weekend proved that nostalgia is still undefeated. During an otherwise low-stakes World Cup match between the US and Turkey, the internet briefly forgot about the game after cameras caught Brad Pitt and Edward Norton sitting together in the stands. Cue millions of Fight Club jokes. Twenty-seven years after David Fincher’s cult classic hit theaters, seeing the film’s two stars together reminded everyone that some pop culture moments never leave the zeitgeist — they just wait for the right shot.

Universal Studios has decided to forgo the influencer screenings for Christopher Nolan’s new film, The Odyssey.

The Big Picture: In recent years, influencer marketing has been used to create buzz around new movies. That said, Universal is changing its approach by hosting only film critics’ screenings after The Odyssey’s London premiere on July 6. The decision comes as movie fans grow increasingly skeptical of the authenticity of influencers’ opinions.

Frame By Frame: There have been multiple incidents that may have influenced the choice:

The Epilogue: Universal also may not feel the need to host an influencer screening given the hype surrounding The Odyssey and its confidence in the film’s potential success. There has been a ton of buzz around the project ever since it was first announced — not only because of its A-list cast, but also because a Christopher Nolan movie is practically guaranteed to be a box office hit.

The Future: Influencer screenings aren’t going away anytime soon, but don’t be surprised if they aren’t always held — or if the guest list becomes increasingly selective. As audiences grow more skeptical, an influencer’s credibility may become just as valuable as their reach.

And you don’t even need shin guards.

While everyone else is just “watching” the World Cup, you can get in on the action with Kalshi.

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The World Cup is in full swing across North America, and it’s not only bringing international fans — it’s also bringing international love. Tinder has reported a 47% increase in activity in World Cup host cities compared to last year.

The Download: People have been experiencing dating app fatigue, making this nearly 50% increase especially significant. But that’s not the only stat: Tinder also reports 15% more users, 25% more swipe activity, and 60% more matches.

Keep Swiping Right: While the internet has already been obsessed with how World Cup fans have embraced America (see these videos on ranch, Walmart, and Scotland in Boston for reference), fans have also taken to social media to share their own experiences:

The Endgame: This isn’t the first time an international sporting event has boosted Tinder activity. The 2024 Paris Olympics saw a 25% increase in swipes. The Olympics, in general, are known as a time when international fans and athletes alike “connect.” Fun fact: Host countries and the International Olympic Committee have been giving out free condoms since 1988 — and even ran out during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

The Future: The World Cup has always had a way of bringing the world together. If Tinder’s numbers are any indication, everyone got a whole lot closer — and the results may start showing up in about nine months.

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30.3% of you voted Rarely in Friday’s poll: How often do you experience feelings of loneliness?

“I thoroughly enjoy my time alone to do whatever I want. I easily make ‘friends’ with strangers as an extrovert and enjoy those times as well. I worked in promotions with the public for years and learned to greatly enjoy my ‘off’ times alone.”

“At one time, I was a social butterfly. Now that I’m older, I’m always alone, yet never, ever lonely. Now I crave and love my solitude. I’ve had the best of both worlds.”

“I’m actively trying NOT to make more friends.”

“I live with my two dogs in the boonies of New Mexico and only leave my home once a week to get my mail and groceries, and I am NEVER lonely. Loneliness starves the soul; solitude feeds it.”

“I’m retired, and my sons now live out of state. Most of my close friends now live too far away to socialize with as well, and I don’t drive at night. So, as much as I appreciate my alone time, it sometimes causes extreme feelings of loneliness.”

Let’s keep the conversation going. Join Poll Of The Day, so your opinions can shine. Discover how your views line up with your peers’, check out cool insights, and have some fun. It’s data with personality.

🎬 The Directors Guild of America overwhelmingly ratified a new four-year contract aimed at protecting jobs as Hollywood navigates an ongoing industry slowdown.

📺 MS NOW is replacing parts of its live weekend lineup with video podcasts, underscoring the growing influence of creator-driven news formats.

🤖 A24 defended its Google DeepMind partnership, arguing filmmakers should help shape AI tools before they become industry standard.

→ Technology

💸 A century of market data shows that a handful of tech companies — including newer entrants Tesla and SpaceX — have generated nearly all of investors’ long-term wealth.

▶️ YouTube is updating Shorts with faster playback, a distraction-free viewing mode, and new ways to interact with videos.

🚕 Aseon Labs has raised $10 million to build automated “pit stops” that could help robotaxi fleets spend less time off the road and more time making money.

→ Fashion / E-commerce

💊 A new study found women using GLP-1s were more likely to secure new jobs and partners, raising uncomfortable questions about weight bias in the workplace.

📈 Americans are feeling more optimistic about the economy as gas prices stabilize, though concerns about inflation and the cost of living remain.

☕ Starbucks is the first brand to pilot TikTok’s Custom Creator Networks, giving employee creators new opportunities to produce branded content and share in ad revenue.