The Athletic FC Podcast

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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.