In the race to scale with AI, you need data infrastructure that can match your pace.

Everpure's data storage platform brings all your data into one hub.

No silos, no scrambling, just instant access to tame your data chaos.

And with Everpure storage as a service subscription, your storage and security upgrade automatically with zero downtime,

your infrastructure stays current, so your

business never slows down. Visit everpuredata.com to learn more today. With Everpure, you're not

just in the race. You're built to win it. The World Cup is officially only 64 days away, and as of last week, we now know the 48 teams that will be competing in a record 104 matches across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

What storylines can we expect?

Hello, and welcome to USA Today is The Excerpt. I'm Dana Taylor. Today is Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Joining me to talk all things World Cup is Seth Ritalney. Seth is the soccer editor for USA Today Sports.

Seth, it's great to have you back on the excerpt. Thanks for having me.

Let's start with the final playoff rounds that wrapped up last week.

What were the biggest surprises there?

Well, I think you have to start with Italy losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina

to fail to qualify for the World Cup for the third consecutive time, which is pretty crazy

to think about because Italy historically has been one of world soccer's biggest powers.

They've won the World Cup four times, and now they have failed to qualify three consecutive

times.

So their next possible appearance will be in 2030, which will come 16 years after their last World Cup in 2014.

Italy had to go through a playoff again, which they have done the previous two times in World Cup qualifying.

And just like the previous two times, they lost. This time,

they lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout. And so it's going to be another

...