The USMNT's World Cup journey became real today -- not because of the win, but because of the meme. Wrote about it for @us.theguardian.com, with a big assist from @mlsist.bsky.social on the ground in Charlotte: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Based on that friendly, the US are shaping up to be the ultimate "League Pass" team of this World Cup. There are worse things to be.

From Charlotte, my match report on the USMNT's encouraging, 3-2 effort against Senegal. Lots of positives, but defensive concerns linger, to say the least. On the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

GREAT work by TNT Sports to give us that glimpse inside the US huddle during the hydration breaks, with all the players gathered around Poch & a laptop. The word is definitely out - you gotta treat those things like timeouts. 0 chance it doesn't change the flow of games at this World Cup.

Well, this is slightly better. www.theguardian.com/football/liv...

LIVE BLOG: LIVE BLOG! Making my by-the-minute debut for @us.theguardian.com as the USMNT takes on Senegal in a World Cup tune-up – won't you join me (and bug me via email)? www.theguardian.com/football/liv...

Go bug @jeffrueter.bsky.social, who is with you live for USA-Senegal: www.theguardian.com/football/liv...

Rare, exclusive in-person interview with Rinat Akhmetov - Shakhtar owner and Ukraine’s richest man - at his home in Kyiv. On Donbas in the 90s, the defenders of Azovstal, his relationship with Zelenskyy, why Infantino must visit Ukraine and much more: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Ok NOW it’s World Cup time.

We hereby retract the breaking news alert, it is not yet World Cup time.

Breaking news: It's World Cup time.

Spent a couple of days with the Iran team as they sweat on visas for the World Cup. Most of the squad haven’t played games since the war started. Can’t think of World Cup team that’s faced more uncertainty than them. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/30/w...

That brand of goal - tight angle, close-range, roofed, nestling into the opposite side netting - is among my favorite in the game.

You bet your ass we’re live www.theguardian.com/football/liv...

The cycling-loving likely next manager at Anfield (2024 interview)

The horrific incident on the Queensboro Bridge called attention to the city’s failure — over multiple mayoralties — to rein in the widespread use of high-speed electric vehicles that are legal to purchase even though they are illegal to ride on city streets.

NEW: “He is going to score in the World Cup." Mauricio Pochettino covered a lot with @mlsist.bsky.social and others after USMNT training. Pulisic a guaranteed goalscorer, coaching the modern US player, his midfield, and not being "the silly guy" when squads drop: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

days into a hunger and labor strike of hundreds detained in GEO Group-run Delaney Hall, people inside report beatings, rotten food, crumbling facilities, and denied medical care. protesters and organizers outside are confronting ICE in the Newark street. talked to a few about it: @us.theguardian.com

We sat with #USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino here at NT camp on Thursday and he had a lot to say - on rumors linking him to Milan, Christian Pulisic's World Cup prospects, US soccer culture and much more. w/@jeffrueter.bsky.social, on the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

This is tremendously sad for both riders and their families. It's also pretty scary – I and every other bike commuter have close calls like this on a daily basis. These heavy, high-powered e-vehicles obviously have no place on bike paths, and any city worth its salt would enforce them out of there.

taps sign

Yep, Pochettino is talking with Milan. No, it's not unusual. @mlsist.bsky.social from Georgia: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

This new layout isn't perfect (the unprotected hairpin turn!) but it's still such a gigantic improvement over the old hairpin-turn-directly-into-pedestrians system. This is the worst part of my daily commute and it was made better. A great argument for the power of incremental change.

It's very good

Triple Espresso Status: We’re So Back (!) More here on The Return and the USWNT’s 23-player roster for next month’s friendlies against Brazil, in Brazil:

The Attorneys General of New York and New Jersey have subpoenaed Fifa over their ticketing practices, focusing specifically on games at MetLife Stadium. Letitia James said "no one should be manipulated." Jennifer Davenport referenced "fake scarcity." Much more: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

I think we're on the back half of the lifecycle of the "Pochettino emails" thing but I gotta say, I have honestly really enjoyed it. It's relatable (who hasn't had to deliver bad news, or had bad news delivered?), high-stakes, and elicits strong, justifiable takes. Just a perfect discussion point.

The patterns are clear

An interesting perspective. Still not sure I agree, but I'm closer to getting it than I was before I read his statements

I asked USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino today what he makes of the criticism he’s received for emailing players who did not make his 26-man World Cup roster. His response was remarkably frank. More, on the Guardian: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Pochettino had some stuff to say about delivering bad news over email. (Via @mlsist.bsky.social ) www.theguardian.com/football/202...

"Because we care a lot, we don't want to say nothing to confuse the players" - Mauricio Pochettino, as part of a very long and (IMO) very interesting answer to @mlsist.bsky.social's question about why he communicated his roster decision to the players over email.

NEW: We now know the 26 players who will represent the United States at the 2026 World Cup. Capsule bios and photographs for every squad member of the co-hosting USMNT, by @anabnos.com, @mlsist.bsky.social, and mysef: www.theguardian.com/football/gal...

[extremely darth vader at the end of return of the jedi voice] we were right www.theguardian.com/football/202...

play along, friends

Good read from @johnduerden.bsky.social on Sardar Azmoun's exclusion from Iran's World Cup squad: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

draft kings commemorating memorial day by making a direct appeal to veterans to use their betting app makes me want to crawl out of my skin

BILL WURTZ HAS TWEETED AND INSTAGRAMMED IN THE LAST 24 HOURS.

NEW: As RSL readied for Saturday’s match, Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo’s World Cup dreams ended via email. The USMNT snubs perplexed Pablo Mastroeni and his team. “I didn’t impact the national team even remotely close to the way Luna impacted the group in 2025.” www.theguardian.com/football/202...

FINAL: Inter Miami CF (6), Philadelphia Union (4) No scorigami. This score has happened 2 times in MLS history, most recently on July 31, 2015 (D.C. United vs. Real Salt Lake). 0.0% of MLS games end with the home side winning 6-4, the 45th most common scoreline. #MLS #Scorigami

Well, that didn't look good. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

You know Philly v Miami is exciting because the Kansas City Wiz 6-4 Columbus Crew game from the year 1996 just got mentioned.

Wild celebrations from Tottenham fans and players. I'd venture to say that no Premier League moment has ever matched up with this meme more.

Fox’s discount deal for 2026 World Cup rights a decade ago may cost FIFA as much as $1bn in lost revenue. After courtroom revelations FIFA seriously considered taking legal action to claw them back. Story on how Murdoch’s Fox secured deal of the century: www.nytimes.com/2026/05/24/w...

Jeston Prudd

Insane scoop by The Guardian's brand new American soccer team, love to see talented friends kicking ass

BREAKING: The Guardian has acquired the full 26-man US men's national team World Cup roster. A couple of big surprises on there in addition to what's already been reported. Reporting with @mlsist.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

BREAKING: @us.theguardian.com has acquired the full, 26-man US men's national team World Cup roster. A couple of big surprises on there in addition to what's already been reported. Reporting w/@jeffrueter.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/football/202...

Here it is, via @mlsist.bsky.social & @jeffrueter.bsky.social: www.theguardian.com/football/202...