The Match Starts at 3:00 PM. Why Are You Texting at 2:57?

Every FIFA World Cup watch party starts the same way.

The group chat has existed for three weeks.

Everyone agreed on the time.

Everyone agreed on the location.

Everyone reacted with a thumbs up.

And somehow...

At 2:57 PM:

"What's the address again?"

Brother.

The match starts in three minutes.

Then comes the second text.

"Do you guys need anything?"

Now we're really in trouble.

Because if you're asking what to bring at 2:57, you're not bringing anything.

You're showing up empty-handed and hoping nobody notices.

We notice.

We always notice.

The experienced watch-party people know better.

They already stopped for snacks.

They already grabbed drinks.

They already came prepared.

The real pros even stopped by Lantana Selects before kickoff.

Because nothing feels longer than halftime when somebody says:

"We're out."

Out of what?

Everything.

Then the match starts.

Nobody sits down.

Nobody is watching.

One guy is still parking.

Another is ordering wings.

Somebody is trying to connect their phone to the TV.

One person is giving a speech about why their team is definitely winning.

They are not winning.

Twenty minutes later, the room finally settles down.

The snacks are open.

The game is on.

The loudest person suddenly becomes very quiet.

The person who claimed they knew everything about soccer is now Googling what offside means.

Nature is healing.

This is the sweet spot.

Good game.

Good company.

Good snacks.

Maybe a jar of flower on the table.

Maybe a few prerolls ready for halftime.

Maybe gummies for the people who planned ahead.

No chaos.

No emergency convenience-store runs.

No panic.

Just a proper watch party.

That's the thing about the World Cup.

People think it's about soccer.

It's not.

It's about the group chat.

It's about the arguments.

It's about pretending you knew who was going to win.

It's about somebody yelling at the referee from their couch like FIFA is taking notes.

The game is only half the event.

So before the next match, do yourself a favor.

Don't be the 2:57 PM texter.

Show up prepared.

Bring the snacks.

Bring the drinks.

Bring the good stuff.

Your future self — and everyone at the watch party — will thank you.

Before Kickoff

If you're stocking up before the next match, Lantana Selects has premium hemp flower, prerolls, and gummies ready to go.

Because the only thing worse than losing on penalties...

Is realizing you're out of supplies in the 78th minute.