The Athletic FC Podcast

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 BaturinaHost: Emma PatonWith: Mark Critchley and Tim SpiersFeaturing: Matt Slater and David OrnsteinExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike Stavrou and Grayson Moody

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 PatonWith: Mark Critchley and Cerys JonesFeaturing Pol Ballus and Jack Pitt-BrookeExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale and Liam Warburton

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 IrvingGuests: Liam Twomey & Liam TharmeFeaturing: Henry Bushnell, James Horncastle, Jordan CampbellExec Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike StavrouVideographer: Grayson Moody

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 IrvingWith: Jay Harris and Tim SpiersFeaturing: Josh Kloke, David Ornstein and Henry BushnellExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike Stavrou and Liam Warburton

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 PatonWith: Liam Twomey and Liam TharmeFeaturing: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Nick Miller and Jacob WhiteheadExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale and Liam Warburton

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 PatonWith: Mark Critchley & Liam TwomeyFeaturing: Adam Crafton, Oli Kay, James Horncastle, Jack Pitt-BrookeExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale and Grayson Moody

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 LeventhalWith: Jay Harris and Mark CritchleyFeaturing: Pol Ballus, Laurie Whitwell and Jack Pitt-BrookeExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike Stavrou and Liam Warburton

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 LeventhalWith: Charlie Eccleshare and Tim SpiersFeaturing: Chris Branch, Matt Slater, David Ornstein, Laurie WhitwellExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale and Grayson Moody

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 LeventhalWith: Art de Roché and Tim SpiersFeaturing: Henry Bushnell & Jordan CampbellExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale & Liam Warburton