The Athletic FC Podcast

On Sunday, The Athletic broke the world exclusive that USA striker Folarin Balogun's ban for the USMNT's round of 16 tie against Belgium had been suspended.Adam Crafton and Dan Sheldon, who broke the news, join Ian Irving and Cerys Jones to look back on the controversy, which included the involvement of US President Donald Trump calling FIFA President Gianni Infantino in the build-up to the USA's game with Belgium.Former USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard shares his perspective from a players' perspective as to the impact the whole episode will have had on the USA's preparations for the game, while Jerry Brewer, senior columnist for The Athletic gives his view on the damage the controversy will have on soccer in the USA as well as US Soccer.Host: Ian IrvingWith: Cerys Jones, Adam Crafton and Dan SheldonFeaturing: Tim Howard and Jerry BrewerExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale and Grayson Moody

Argentina are through to the quarter-finals of the World Cup after an incredible comeback win against Egypt.Emma Paton is in the studio alongside The Athletic’s Mark Critchley and Liam Twomey to discuss how Lionel Scaloni’s side are able to look unconvincing, yet still win. James Horncastle drops in from Atlanta for this one.With Switzerland also through after beating Colombia on penalties, the panel look ahead to the quarter-finals with all eight teams now in the draw.And David Ornstein brings us the latest in the transfer market, from Manchester United’s midfield search, to Arsenal’s inactivity and Newcastle’s potential incomings.Host: Emma PatonWith: Liam Twomey and Mark CritchleyFeaturing: James Horncastle and David OrnsteinExecutive Producers: Adey Moorhead and Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike Stavrou and Grayson Moody

The USMNT are out of the World Cup after defeat to Belgium.While the Folarin Balogun situation dominated the build-up, the headlines centre around the USA’s elimination, after falling to a 4-1 defeat in the Round of 16.Emma Paton is joined by The Athletic’s Jay Harris and Mark Critchley in the studio to dissect the match, with Henry Bushnell dropping by for immediate reaction from Seattle.Elsewhere, Reuben Pinder witnessed Spain beating Portugal 1-0 - with Cristiano Ronaldo the story once again.Plus, Paul Taylor brings us the latest on Nottingham Forest’s move for former Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner.Host: Emma PatonWith: Jay Harris and Mark CritchleyFeaturing: Henry Bushnell, Reuben Pinder and Paul Taylor Executive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike Stavrou and Liam Warburton

England are through the quarter-final of the World Cup, following an instant classic in the Azteca against Mexico.Emma Paton is joined by Art De Roche and Cerys Jones to pick the bones out of England's 3-2 win over Mexico, with Jack Pitt-Brooke providing his take from Mexico City.Matt Slater also drops by from Times Square, reacting to Norway's 2-1 win over Brazil, to set-up Saturday's semi-final in Miami with England.While there was plenty of drama on the pitch, Dan Sheldon and Adam Crafton join to explain their the news they exclusively broke that USA's Folarin Balogun is now available for their round of 16 clash with Belgium, with it later emerging US President Donald Trump made a phone call to FIFA President Gianni Infantino ahead of Balogun's one-game ban being suspended.Host: Emma PatonWith: Art De Roche and Cerys JonesExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale and Liam Warburton

It’s Day 24 and our focus is fully on England’s trip to the Azteca to take on Mexico.Adam Leventhal is joined by Cerys Jones and Liam Tharme to recap the World Cup action as Argentina edged past Cape Verde to secure their place in the Round of 16 - James Horncastle drops in from Miami for that one.In terms of England, there’s been plenty of drama in the build-up to this one. Kick-off is still 1AM UK time - despite a day of confusion. Matt Slater brings us all of the details on that situation, while Jack Lang has the lowdown on what Thomas Tuchel’s side will face in the Azteca.And ahead of the Round of 16, we look ahead to Saturday’s matches - France vs Paraguay and Canada vs Morocco - as well as a quick preview of Sunday’s big one - Norway vs Brazil.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Cerys Jones and Liam TharmeFeaturing: James Horncastle, Matt Slater and Jack LangExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike Stavrou and Grayson Moody

Newcastle United are set to receive £100m for midfielder Sandro Tonali, but where does that leave their aspirations?Adam Leventhal is joined by Cerys Jones and Art De Roche to discuss the latest at the World Cup and in the transfer window.David Ornstein reports on Tonali's imminent move to Spurs, before we look at the latest from the World Cup with Matt Slater recapping an enthralling 2-1 win for Portugal over Croatia.The Athletic's Newcastle United writer also joins to discuss the impact of the sale of Tonali as well as interest in other key players including captain Bruno Guimaraes.Plus, we have a look ahead to Day 23 at the World Cup with Lionel Messi looking to go clear of Kylian Mbappe in the golden boot race.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Cerys Jones and Art De RocheFeaturing: David Ornstein, Matt Slater and Chris WaughExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike Stavrou and Liam Warburton

England left it late but got the job done, thanks to Harry Kane.Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Carl Anka and Liam Twomey after England's emotional come-from-behind win against DR Congo as our England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke poses the question; is Kane England's greatest player ever?Away from England's win, the USA and Belgium also progressed to face one another in the Round of 16. Henry Bushnell reports from the USMNT's win over Bosnia & Herzegovina including a controversial red card for Folarin Balogun, while Belgium had to come from 2-0 down to see off Senegal.And ahead of the Day 22 action, Matt Slater joins us from Toronto ahead of Portugal taking on Croatia to discuss how the cities he's visited have connected with the tournament as well as what tournament preconceptions he had that he may have changed his opinion on.Host: Adam LeventhalWith: Carl Anka and Liam TwomeyFeaturing: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Henry Bushnell and Matt SlaterExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike Stavrou and Liam Warburton

France's superstars continue to sparkle, as Kylian Mbappe's brace helped to see off Sweden 3-0 in at the MetLife.Emma Paton is joined by Mark Critchley and Carl Anka to discuss France's free-flowing attack with Adam Crafton also posing the question: are France unstoppable? We also hear from Felipe Cardenas after Mexico's 2-0 win over Ecuador setting up a potential Round of 16 clash with England.David Ornstein drops by with the latest from the transfer window as Tottenham Hotspur win the race to sign Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United in a deal worth £85m. Where does this leave Man United's search for midfield reinforcements?Plus, ahead of the USA taking on Bosnia & Herzegovina, Henry Bushnell drops by to preview the game and the significance reaching a run to the quarter-finals could have for the USMNT.Host: Emma PatonWith: Mark Critchley and Carl AnkaFeaturing: Adam Crafton, Felipe Cardenas, David Ornstein and Henry BushnellExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale and Grayson Moody

Four-time World Cup winners Germany are out. So too are the Netherlands and Japan after a dramatic day at the World Cup.Emma Paton is alongside Mark Critchley and Cerys Jones to look back on the action. Matt Slater shares his view from Boston after seeing Germany dumped out on penalties, losing their first-ever World Cup shootout to Paraguay.David Ornstein joins us to discuss the latest in the transfer market including Chelsea's move for Granit Xhaka as well as their reaction to confirmation Enzo Maresca has succeeded Pep Guardiola as manager of Man City.Plus, there's a look ahead to England's Round of 32 tie with DR Congo, a preview of the Day 20 action as well as our daily 'do you know' trivia.Host: Emma PatonWith: Mark Critchley & Cerys JonesFeaturing: Matt Slater, David Ornstein and Jack Pitt-BrookeExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay Beale & Grayson Moody