Stay ConnectedThe Athletic’s flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories in football told by the best reporters in the business. We cut through the noise to tell you what’s really happening – and why it matters.
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The storylines keep on flowing at this summer’s World Cup, this time, the goals dried up for England in a 0-0 draw with Ghana in Group L.
Emma Paton is joined in-studio by Carl Anka and Liam Twomey as we discuss the World Cup action on Day 14.
Jack Pitt-Brooke drops by to try and explain why Thomas Tuchel’s side struggled to break down Ghana. Plus, Nick Miller reports from Houston on the day Cristiano Ronaldo netted his first two goals at this summer’s tournament in Portugal’s 5-0 win over Uzbekistan
We also round-up the latest bracket projections for the knockout rounds and look ahead to Scotland’s clash against Brazil.
There's our daily 'do you know' trivia as well as a profile of our latest Star of Soccer, Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Kerim Alajbegovic.
Host: Emma Paton
With: Carl Anka and Liam Twomey
Featuring: Jack Pitt-Brooke and Nick Miller
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Mike Stavrou and Grayson Moody
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As the World Cup ticks over to Day 13, the summer transfer window is still making waves.
Emma Paton is joined in-studio by Mark Critchley and Tim Spiers as we discuss the World Cup action as well as getting the latest from David Ornstein on the midfield merry-go-round.
With Sandro Tonali, Lucas Bergvall, Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Alex Scott potentially on the move, the dominos are starting to fall into place. David also brings us his latest one to watch from this week's DealSheet on The Athletic - USMNT’s Folarin Balogun.
We also round-up the Lionel Messi show as the Argentine inspired his nation to a 2-0 win over Austria, becoming the World Cup’s top goalscorer of all time in the process. Matt Slater checks in from a rain-delayed 3-0 win for France over Iraq, as Kylian Mbappe also netted twice. Plus, Erling Haaland was at it again with a brace in a 3-2 win over Senegal.
There's also our daily 'do you know' trivia as well as a profile of our latest Star of Soccer, Croatia’s Martin Baturina
Host: Emma Paton
With: Mark Critchley and Tim Spiers
Featuring: Matt Slater and David Ornstein
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Mike Stavrou and Grayson Moody
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With 121 goals scored across 40 games, the excitement just keeps coming at this summer's World Cup.
To dive into the latest action, Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic's Mark Critchley and Cerys Jones. Pol Ballus reports from Atlanta after seeing Spain secure their first win of the tournament.
Attention also turns to both France and Argentina ahead of their second group matches with both having put in statement showings last time out, while Jack Pitt-Brooke feeds back the mood in the England camp from Kansas.
Plus there's our latest 'do you know' trivia question, Jens Petter Hauge as our Star of Soccer and Ray Winstone shares his World Cup memories with The Athletic.
Host: Emma Paton
With: Mark Critchley and Cerys Jones
Featuring Pol Ballus and Jack Pitt-Brooke
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale and Liam Warburton
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It’s Day 10 of the World Cup, and the USMNT are through to the knockouts after a 2-0 win over Australia.
Ian Irving is joined in-studio by Liam Twomey and Liam Tharme as we discuss another impressive performance from Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Henry Bushnell drops in to give the lowdown from Seattle and asks if the USA can actually go all the way.
We catch up with James Horncastle who was in Philadelphia for Brazil’s win over Haiti, and, we analyse Scotland’s chances of progression to the last-32 after defeat to Morocco.
There's also our daily 'do you know' trivia as well as a profile of our latest Star of Soccer, Ecuador and Chelsea’s Kendry Paez.
Host: Ian Irving
Guests: Liam Twomey & Liam Tharme
Featuring: Henry Bushnell, James Horncastle, Jordan Campbell
Exec Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Mike Stavrou
Videographer: Grayson Moody
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While all eyes are on the World Cup, the summer transfer window is also now beginning to hot up!
Ian Irving is joined in-studio by Jay Harris and Tim Spiers as we discuss the latest from the World Cup as well as checking in with David Ornstein on the latest on the transfer front.
With Liverpool confirming the signing of Victor Munoz what could it mean for their pursuit of Yan Diomande, while Spurs have signing Jan Paul van Hecke but remain interested in Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali.
We also round-up the latest from day eight at the World Cup with Josh Kloke reporting on Canada's first-ever World Cup win as well as USMNT writer Henry Bushnell bringing us up to speed with the mood in the camp ahead of taking on Australia.
Plus there's our daily 'do you know' trivia as well as a profile of our latest Star of Soccer, Morocco's Yassine Bounou.
Host: Ian Irving
With: Jay Harris and Tim Spiers
Featuring: Josh Kloke, David Ornstein and Henry Bushnell
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Mike Stavrou and Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
England's World Cup started with an impressive 4-2 win over Croatia, with Harry Kane scoring twice.
Emma Paton is joined by Liam Twomey and Liam Tharme to react to England's performance, especially as they burst into life in the second half, with England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke sharing his thoughts from Dallas.
Nick Miller in Houston reports on Cristiano Ronaldo's disappointing tournament opener as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo.
We also have our daily 'Do you know' quiz, Lee Kang-In is our latest Star of Soccer and Jacob Whitehead joins us to discuss Elye Wahi being arrested for alleged fixing offences on eve of tournament.
Host: Emma Paton
With: Liam Twomey and Liam Tharme
Featuring: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Nick Miller and Jacob Whitehead
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale and Liam Warburton
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The stars have arrived at the World Cup!
After Kylian Mbappe became France's all time top scorer with a brace against Senegal, Lionel Messi did Lionel Messi things, scoring a hat-trick against Algeria to equal Miroslav Klose's record for World Cup goals.
Join Emma Paton, Mark Critchley and Liam Twomey as they reflect on a day where the superstars truly arrived, as Erling Haaland also made his mark on his first World Cup appearance.
We hear from Oli Kay who was at Kansas City Stadium to witness Messi's magic, twenty years on from his World Cup debut, while Adam Crafton was at MetLife Stadium to see the Mbappe show.
Plus, James Horncastle reveals why AC Milan have appointed Ruben Amorim and Jack Pitt-Brooke reflects on England's press conference where Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane prepare to face Croatia.
Host: Emma Paton
With: Mark Critchley & Liam Twomey
Featuring: Adam Crafton, Oli Kay, James Horncastle, Jack Pitt-Brooke
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale and Grayson Moody
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Day five of the World Cup saw all four matches end in draws, including Cape Verde's shock 0-0 stalemate against European champions Spain.
Adam Leventhal is joined in-studio by Jay Harris and Mark Critchley with our England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke providing the latest from the Three Lions camp in Kansas City, including dressing room dynamics and selection dilemmas for Thomas Tuchel.
Pol Ballus reacts to the surprise Spain result and Laurie Whitwell is on hand to recap what happened on and off-pitch as Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand.
Plus, Argentina's Nico Paz is our Star of Soccer as the reigning champions prepare to kick off their World Cup campaign against Algeria.
Check out Nick Miller's piece on 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha here: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7363785/2026/06/15/vozinha-cape-verde-goalkeeper-spain/
Host: Adam Leventhal
With: Jay Harris and Mark Critchley
Featuring: Pol Ballus, Laurie Whitwell and Jack Pitt-Brooke
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Mike Stavrou and Liam Warburton
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Day four of the World Cup saw no fewer than 19 goals, while away from the tournament Real Madrid have confirmed the signing of Marc Cucurella from Chelsea.
Adam Leventhal is joined in-studio by Charlie Eccleshare and Tim Spiers with David Ornstein dropping by to discuss Real Madrid's deal to sign Cucurella, how Jose Mourinho is looking to rebuild at the Bernanbeu and how the deal impacts Chelsea.
Chris Branch and Matt Slater look back on Germany's win over Curacao and Yan Diomande starring in Ivory Coast's victory against Ecuador.
Plus, Laurie Whitwell reports from Iran's preparations to face New Zealand in Los Angeles and there's focus on today's Star of Soccer Fede Valverde.
Check out The Athletic's World Cup predictor here.
Host: Adam Leventhal
With: Charlie Eccleshare and Tim Spiers
Featuring: Chris Branch, Matt Slater, David Ornstein, Laurie Whitwell
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale and Grayson Moody
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Join Adam Leventhal, Art de Roché and Tim Spiers as they reflect on the USMNT's thrashing of Paraguay, before turning their attention to whether Carlo Ancelotti's Brazil can win a sixth World Cup ahead of their opening fixture against Morocco.
Plus, we hear from Henry Bushnell who was at Los Angeles Stadium & Jordan Campbell drops by to preview Scotland's opener against Haiti.
Access to all of The Athletic's World Cup coverage is free via our app during the duration of the World Cup!
Host: Adam Leventhal
With: Art de Roché and Tim Spiers
Featuring: Henry Bushnell & Jordan Campbell
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale & Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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