World Cup Day 20 is upon us, and if you’re tuned in to the likes of CNN or ESPN, brace yourself for the avalanche of predictable narratives that follow the major teams like France, Norway, and Mexico. These mainstream outlets are obsessed with pushing an agenda—crying over the underdogs while ignoring the real story: the blatant favoritism towards established soccer giants. Why? Because it’s sensational and clicks sell, not the hard truths.

Take a look at how they paint Norway’s journey. You’d think they were a group of hapless kids thrown into a lion’s den. But in reality, they’ve got talent and grit equal to any of the traditional powerhouses. Yet, you’ll catch those outlets glossing over that, focusing instead on the crying need for “fairness” as if we’re at a charity event instead of a high-stakes tournament where nobody so much as blinks at the word “integrity.”

And Mexico? They’re treated like a perennial underachiever despite evidence that their play is dynamic and deserving of respect. Fox Sports is strangely silent on their notable achievements, choosing instead to recycle the same tired story of potential heartbreak, playing into the fears of their own fanbase. All while failing to give them the credit where it’s due. The establishment plays with narratives to fit a broken model of drama and entertainment rather than celebrating the beauty of sportsmanship that comes with unpredictability.

So, as you pore over the day’s coverage, look twice—and question everything you read, because the real story is often buried beneath layers of bias and sensationalism.