The Athletic FC Podcast

We are live from New York City! Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Football Correspondent David Ornstein and Reuben Pinder to break down a massive World Cup semi-final clash between powerhouse nations France and Spain.We also get stuck into the latest transfer market movements, including Manchester City’s concrete interest in Lille and Morocco’s breakout midfield sensation, Ayyoub Bouaddi.Plus plus we'll have our ‘Discussion of the Day' asking which World Cup star should your club sign and our daily quiz.Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: David Ornstein, Reuben PinderFeaturing: Henry BushnellExec Producers: Adey Moorhead, Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay BealeVideographer: Liam Warburton

Adam Leventhal is live from New York City alongside The Athletic's editor in Laura Williamson and Football Correspondent David Ornstein to look ahead to two heavyweight World Cup semi finals.James Horncastle drops by to explain what he thinks has been the secret to Argentina’s success at this World Cup ahead of facing England - one of football's most iconic rivalries.Then Stuart James joins the show to preview the other heavyweight semi-final - how can Spain stop France from scoring?We also check in on how our pre-tournament predictions are aging, answer your questions and test your knowledge with today's 'Do you know' World Cup trivia question.Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: David Ornstein, Laura WilliamsonFeaturing: James Horncastle, Stuart JamesExec Producers: Adey Moorhead, Guy ClarkeProducers: Jay BealeVideographer: Liam Warburton

England are through to just their fourth-ever World Cup semi-final, after needing extra time to get past Norway in the last eight, thanks to another double from Jude Bellingham.Ian Irving is joined by Carl Anka and Liam Twomey to look back on a dramatic evening of action, with Jack Pitt-Brooke reflecting the mood in Miami as England's mentality once again came to the fore.As well as Bellingham's brilliance, Thomas Tuchel's substitutions are also examined before looking ahead to the last four showdown with Argentina. Adam Crafton was in Kansas to see Lionel Messi and co once again go to extra time, this time with Switzerland.Plus there's a reflection on France and Spain having also reached the final four as well as our daily 'Do you know' trivia.Host: Ian IrvingWith: Carl Anka and Liam TwomeyExecutive Producer: Guy ClarkeProducer: Grayson Moody

It’s Day 30 and France are into the semi-finals of the World Cup after a 2-0 victory over Morocco.Adam Leventhal is joined in the studio by Liam Twomey and Cerys Jones to discuss the first quarter-final and the Golden Boot race, with Kylian Mbappe now level with Lionel Messi on eight goals for the tournament. Adam Crafton drops in from Boston for this one.Man City correspondent Sam Lee also joins the panel to talk Erling Haaland, who England will have the tough task of attempting to stop when they face Norway on Saturday.There’s also the latest on selection doubts for Thomas Tuchel over key pair Declan Rice and Marc Guehi ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final.Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Liam Twomey, Cerys JonesFeaturing: Sam Lee, Adam CraftonExec Producers: Adey Moorhead, Guy ClarkeProducers: Mike StavrouVideographer: Grayson Moody

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