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# Clear Fountain, Population 26
- URL: https://www.howardgray.net/clear-fountain-population-26/
- Published: 2026-06-15T10:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-04T10:04:11.000Z
- Description: France released their World Cup squad announcement as a slice of Americana. Population: 26.
- Author: Howard Gray
- Tags: Howard's Riffs

France released their World Cup squad announcement video, and it's delightful.

It's set in an Americana town called Clear Fountain. Population: 26.

Clairefontaine is the historic HQ of French football. Clear Fountain is the literal English. A wink for les Anglais, et les Américains.

0:00 

/1:26 

1× 

Clear Fountain has a diner, a convenience store, a 90s-era office building, and traffic jams. Plus a new Volkswagen in every driveway, because they're a team sponsor.

There are lots of lovely little touches. My favourites are Michael Olise doing a grass inspection in the back garden, and two Crystal Palace players making the cut.

A squad list is twenty-six names. This makes you notice all of them.

P.S. There are a couple of references to tournament co-hosts Mexico and Canada, but blink and you'll miss them. Art imitates life.