Dubai: If you need any indication of just how all-encompassing the Fifa World Cup is, just ask Justin Timberlake what he was doing in his Dubai hotel on Saturday night.
"I was down in the restaurant, chanting, ‘USA! USA!'," the singer-actor-heartthrob told Gulf News in an exclusive interview on Sunday.
In pictures: Action at the Fifa World Cup
Timberlake is in the UAE to launch a fragrance for French fashion house Givenchy, but when he wasn't talking scents, he was supporting the American soccer team, who held England to a 1-1 draw on Saturday.
"That goalkeeper ... wow. That will go down as probably one of the worst [moments] in World Cup history," Timberlake said, shaking his head mock-mournfully.
"But I thought it was great today that the [England] team was still supportive of him. England's going to do so well — it's just the first match."
United fan
Timberlake's footballing pedigree may be doubtful at first — after all, he's better known for raunchy songs and questionable YouTube videos than for his soccer punditry. But the self-avowed Manchester United fan says he'll be watching as much of the tournament as he can — especially as he believes his home country's team has a real chance.
"The USA has a better team then they ever had — which isn't saying a tremendous amount — but they have a shot at going far. I think that's why everyone's made a big deal out of that first match last night."
Timberlake talked to tabloid! about his next album, his sex-symbol persona and his future plans.
Read the full interview in tabloid! tomorrow
