The Athletic FC Podcast

The 2026 World Cup is underway!

Join Adam Leventhal, Art de Roché and Cerys Jones as they reflect on an eventful opening day before asking why the USA have never produced a truly global superstar.

Jack Lang was at Estadio Azteca and recounts Mexico’s 2-0 victory over South Africa that saw him showered in beer, while Henry Bushnell looks ahead to the USMNT’s opener against Paraguay.

Plus, we hear from Joshua Kloke on Canada’s first game, in what he describes as ‘the biggest in Canadian soccer history'.

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 Cerys Jones
Featuring: Jack Lang, Henry Bushnell, Joshua Kloke
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale and Grayson Moody
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2026 World Cup starts here! Well, in Mexico City as co-hosts Mexico take on South Africa.

Join Adam Leventhal, Jay Harris and Cerys Jones as they give you the lowdown on everything you need to know ahead of the tournament getting underway.

Jack Lang reflects on Gianni Infantino's press conference on the eve of the tournament, while Felipe Cardenas gives us the lowdown on what to expect from Mexico, before we analyse their bright-young hope, Gilberto Mora as part of The Athletic's Stars of Soccer!

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: Jay Harris and Cerys Jones
Featuring: Jack Lang and Felipe Cardenas
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Mike Stavrou and Grayson Moody
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the eve of the World Cup getting underway there are many outstanding off-field issues to discuss.

Ahead of the tournament Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Jay Harris to explore issues such as visas, ticketing and what success represents to each of the host nations.

Host: Adam Leventhal
With: Matt Slater, Adam Crafton and Jay Harris
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale and Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're continuing our build up to The World Cup. as we assess the favourites to win the tournament - and even make some predictions too.

So who are the contenders, and who could spring a surprise this summer?

Plus, we ask former England goalkeeper Rob Green what it’s actually like to play at a World Cup.

Host: Emma Paton
Guests: Rob Green, Mark Critchley, Liam Twomey
Exec Producer: Guy Clarke
Producer: Mike Stavrou
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the World Cup gets underway on Thursday, we're here to look ahead to which deals could happen this summer.

David Ornstein joins The Athletic FC's new signing Emma Paton as well as Jay Harris and Mark Critchley to discuss a number of the big deals that could be completed.

There's the latest on Man City's pursuit of Elliot Anderson as well as Liverpool's interest in RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande.

Plus, who are the players to watch out for at the World Cup this summer - and which are the best World Cup signings of years gone by?

Host: Emma Paton
With: Jay Harris, Mark Critchley and David Ornstein
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale and Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.