Trump’s call to Infantino and plot to ‘free’ Balogun that sparked a huge World Cup controversy
President Donald Trump has been an elusive figure throughout this World Cup. Or he was until the middle…
‘Thank you FIFA for reversing a great injustice!’ How Trump, teammates reacted to Balogun’s ban reprieve
The whole world thought the United States would have to be without its star striker, Folarin Balogun, for…
Folarin Balogun available for USMNT vs. Belgium as red card ban suspended
Folarin Balogun will be available to play the USMNT’s World Cup round-of-16 match against Belgium after his one-game…
World Cup weather: Storms possible for Mexico vs England, Norway vs Brazil, flood watch in place
The Athletic has live coverage of Mexico vs England in the knockout round of the 2026 FIFA World…
How Mauricio Pochettino, a ‘200%’ Argentine, embraced America
SEATTLE — Mauricio Roberto Pochettino Trossero grew up on farmland in the province of Santa Fe, Argentina, surrounded…
Can World Cup ‘dirty tricks’ stop France? Do spy fears prove USMNT is in the big time? Day 24 recap
France maintained their perfect record at this World Cup but it was far from serene progress for the…
Victorious Mbappe levels Messi in World Cup golden boot race, did Paraguay’s tactics go too far?
Get free access to the most comprehensive World Cup coverage in The Athletic app. Kylian Mbappe moved level…
Did Cape Verde score the most extraordinary World Cup goal? Can Messi still win it? Day 23 recap
Another remarkable set of games at the 2026 World Cup meant a dramatic penalty shootout was relegated to…
So close to tournament’s biggest shock: Ranking every match at the 2026 World Cup
Do you have a favourite match of the World Cup? Could you order all of them? Well, that’s…
Argentina keep winning World Cup games but why do they make it such a struggle?
Argentina have a game-state problem. It seems strange to be saying “they never make it easy for themselves”…
World Cup last 16 bracket predictions: Picking biggest shocks, best games and who wins
The last 16 of the World Cup is set and some of soccer’s biggest sides are still fighting…
How Cape Verde’s World Cup underdog story took a dark twist
The Athletic has live coverage of Argentina vs Cape Verde in the Round of 32 at the 2026…