If You're Going on a Date This Week

The conversations everyone's having this week, so you don't walk into dinner wondering what to talk about.

Whether you're meeting someone for the first time, grabbing drinks with friends, or catching up with family, here are the biggest stories worth knowing.

The Main Story

Spain Wins the World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup ended with Spain defeating Argentina in a dramatic final that stayed scoreless until extra time. Spain dominated the match from start to finish, and while Argentina had Lionel Messi, Spain looked like the better team throughout.

The tournament also wrapped up with a star-studded halftime show featuring Justin Bieber, Shakira, BTS, Madonna, and more. The biggest debate afterward wasn't the game—it was Bieber's performance, which left fans split over whether his quieter style fit the biggest sporting event in the world.

Date question:
"Do you think halftime shows should be huge spectacles, or do you like when artists keep them simple?"

Movie Everyone Is Talking About

Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey

Christopher Nolan's adaptation of The Odyssey finally hit theaters, and early reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.

From the performances to the visuals and score, it's already becoming one of the biggest movie conversations of the summer. If you have the chance, this is one that's worth seeing on the biggest screen possible.

Date question:
"What's the last movie that completely lived up to the hype?"

The Trailer Everyone Watched

Avengers: Doomsday

Marvel released the first trailer for Avengers: Doomsday, bringing together familiar faces, the X-Men, and Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom.

For many Marvel fans, this feels like the franchise's biggest moment since Endgame.

Date question:
"If you could erase one movie from your memory just so you could watch it again for the first time, what would it be?"

Music

Gracie Abrams Divides Fans

Gracie Abrams' new album is receiving wildly different reviews.

Some critics are calling it her strongest work yet, while others weren't impressed. Fans are just as divided, making it one of the week's biggest music debates.

Date question:
"What's an album you loved that everyone else seemed to hate?"

Pop Culture

Matty Healy Gets Married

The 1975 frontman Matty Healy married Gabriette this weekend.

The timing caught people's attention because both Healy and Taylor Swift are now married within weeks of each other after their famously complicated history inspired much of The Tortured Poets Department.

Date question:
"Do you think people ever completely get over their first great love?"

Concert News

Noah Kahan Cancels Citi Field Show

Severe storms forced Noah Kahan to cancel his Saturday night concert at Citi Field.

While many fans understood the safety concerns, others were frustrated by how late the cancellation came after already traveling into the city.

It sparked an interesting conversation online about where responsibility falls when live events are canceled.

Date question:
"What's the worst weather you've ever experienced at a concert or sporting event?"

This Week's Conversation Starter

If you only remember one thing from this newsletter, ask this:

"What's one thing you've been obsessed with lately?"

It's open-ended, personal, and almost always leads to a better conversation than asking someone what they do for work.

Before You Go...

If you're looking for more conversation starters every week, new editions of If You're Going on a Date This Week come out every Monday and Thursday, covering the biggest stories in movies, music, TV, sports, and pop culture so you'll always have something interesting to talk about.

See you Thursday.