Nick Ames
@nickames82.bsky.social
📤 15046
📥 463
📝 440
European sports correspondent, the Guardian
reposted by
Nick Ames
Send me your World Cup questions!
www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2...
loading . . .
World Cup reader Q&A: post your questions for Guardian sports reporter Nick Ames now
After 102 games we know that 2026 World Cup final will be between Spain and Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday. Our football correspondant Nick Ames has been in the US and Mexico all tournament – post ...
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jul/16/world-cup-reader-qa-post-your-questions-for-nick-ames-now
about 8 hours ago
0
2
3
Send me your World Cup questions!
www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2...
loading . . .
World Cup reader Q&A: post your questions for Guardian sports reporter Nick Ames now
After 102 games we know that 2026 World Cup final will be between Spain and Argentina in New Jersey on Sunday. Our football correspondant Nick Ames has been in the US and Mexico all tournament – post ...
https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/jul/16/world-cup-reader-qa-post-your-questions-for-nick-ames-now
about 8 hours ago
0
2
3
reposted by
Nick Ames
Don’t you dare call Spain underdogs again. Report from Dallas:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Spain reach World Cup final after Oyarzabal and Porro sink sorry France
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro gave Spain a 2-0 win in the World Cup semi-final against France and they await England or Argentina in the final
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/14/france-spain-world-cup-semi-final-match-report
2 days ago
2
17
2
Don’t you dare call Spain underdogs again. Report from Dallas:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Spain reach World Cup final after Oyarzabal and Porro sink sorry France
Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro gave Spain a 2-0 win in the World Cup semi-final against France and they await England or Argentina in the final
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/14/france-spain-world-cup-semi-final-match-report
2 days ago
2
17
2
reposted by
Nick Ames
Deschamps will become an all-time great by any measure if France get through the next week:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
France unleashed: reinvention could earn Deschamps all-time great status | Nick Ames
The France head coach has found a way to get the best out of his glittering attack and has a second World Cup triumph in sight
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/13/france-didier-deschamps-kylian-mbappe-michael-olise-spain-world-cup-semi-final
3 days ago
3
5
2
Deschamps will become an all-time great by any measure if France get through the next week:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
France unleashed: reinvention could earn Deschamps all-time great status | Nick Ames
The France head coach has found a way to get the best out of his glittering attack and has a second World Cup triumph in sight
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/13/france-didier-deschamps-kylian-mbappe-michael-olise-spain-world-cup-semi-final
3 days ago
3
5
2
reposted by
Nick Ames
Argentina were running low on vibes and moments - then Julian Alvarez scored the goal of the tournament from nowhere and England await. Report from Kansas City:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Julián Álvarez’s extra-time stunner sinks 10-man Switzerland to send Argentina into semi-finals
Julián Álvarez broke Switzerland’s resistance in extra time before Lautaro Martínez sealed Argentina’s 3-1 World Cup quarter-final victory
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/12/switzerland-argentina-world-cup-quarter-final-match-report
5 days ago
0
8
3
Argentina were running low on vibes and moments - then Julian Alvarez scored the goal of the tournament from nowhere and England await. Report from Kansas City:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Julián Álvarez’s extra-time stunner sinks 10-man Switzerland to send Argentina into semi-finals
Julián Álvarez broke Switzerland’s resistance in extra time before Lautaro Martínez sealed Argentina’s 3-1 World Cup quarter-final victory
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/12/switzerland-argentina-world-cup-quarter-final-match-report
5 days ago
0
8
3
reposted by
Nick Ames
I'm in Kansas City but yesterday I pounded the streets of Miami:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
‘What’s the point of working if you can’t do stuff like this?’ England fans descend on Miami
England and Norway fans have flocked to Miami in their tens of thousands to enjoy the football and sunshine
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/11/whats-the-point-of-working-if-you-cant-do-stuff-like-this-england-fans-descend-on-miami
5 days ago
0
7
3
I'm in Kansas City but yesterday I pounded the streets of Miami:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
‘What’s the point of working if you can’t do stuff like this?’ England fans descend on Miami
England and Norway fans have flocked to Miami in their tens of thousands to enjoy the football and sunshine
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/11/whats-the-point-of-working-if-you-cant-do-stuff-like-this-england-fans-descend-on-miami
5 days ago
0
7
3
reposted by
Nick Ames
Rice v Odegaard on Saturday - a clash of two very different Arsenal leaders. Piece (with Dave Hytner) here.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Rice and Ødegaard put club union on hold in decisive duel between England and Norway
Two architects of Arsenal’s title triumph are likely to have starring roles for their country in pursuit of a place in the World Cup semi-finals
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/09/declan-rice-martin-odegaard-arsenal-norway-england-world-cup-2026
7 days ago
0
13
2
Rice v Odegaard on Saturday - a clash of two very different Arsenal leaders. Piece (with Dave Hytner) here.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Rice and Ødegaard put club union on hold in decisive duel between England and Norway
Two architects of Arsenal’s title triumph are likely to have starring roles for their country in pursuit of a place in the World Cup semi-finals
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/09/declan-rice-martin-odegaard-arsenal-norway-england-world-cup-2026
7 days ago
0
13
2
Incredible World Cup occasion tonight at the Azteca, can't wait to be there. But you can make your own minds up re the activities of FIFA's biggest sponsor, whose logo is everywhere & whose cash is driving much of the fun. Special report from Port Arthur, Texas:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
‘This is a hellhole’: Aramco makes its presence hurt in the shadow of the World Cup
The oil giant’s sponsorship deal with Fifa has featured prominently at matches in Houston. But 100 miles away in another Texas city, residents say the firm’s refinery is exposing them to poisonous gas...
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/04/aramco-world-cup-fifa-port-arthur-texas-houston
11 days ago
1
13
4
reposted by
Nick Ames
Special report from Port Arthur, Texas. It is one of the saddest, most desolate places I have ever visited. It is also where Aramco, FIFA's major worldwide partner and an inescapable presence at the World Cup, owns the largest oil refinery in the US.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
‘This is a hellhole’: Aramco makes its presence hurt in the shadow of the World Cup
The oil giant’s sponsorship deal with Fifa has featured prominently at matches in Houston. But 100 miles away in another Texas city, residents say the firm’s refinery is exposing them to poisonous gas...
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/04/aramco-world-cup-fifa-port-arthur-texas-houston
12 days ago
9
149
78
Special report from Port Arthur, Texas. It is one of the saddest, most desolate places I have ever visited. It is also where Aramco, FIFA's major worldwide partner and an inescapable presence at the World Cup, owns the largest oil refinery in the US.
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
‘This is a hellhole’: Aramco makes its presence hurt in the shadow of the World Cup
The oil giant’s sponsorship deal with Fifa has featured prominently at matches in Houston. But 100 miles away in another Texas city, residents say the firm’s refinery is exposing them to poisonous gas...
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/04/aramco-world-cup-fifa-port-arthur-texas-houston
12 days ago
9
149
78
You would think it is Colombia chasing this game in added time against Ghana, who have simply no clue how to attack.
13 days ago
2
7
0
A few misconceptions I think about how hot it is in Mexico City - it isn’t, it’s not going above very early 20s. That’s less of an issue for midday kick-off. Air quality will be worse than in evening though.
13 days ago
2
5
2
Waiting for confirmation that Mexico v England has been moved forward six hours. Broadcasters are understood to have communicated that it’s done.
13 days ago
2
28
11
reposted by
Nick Ames
The word on the street in Mexico City:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Mexico City swept up in World Cup fever as El Tri capture imaginations like never before
England will arrive at the tournament’s pulsating heart to find expectations soaring and the streets and bars abuzz
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/02/mexico-city-world-cup-fever-el-tri-capture-imaginations-england#img-1
14 days ago
0
11
3
The word on the street in Mexico City:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Mexico City swept up in World Cup fever as El Tri capture imaginations like never before
England will arrive at the tournament’s pulsating heart to find expectations soaring and the streets and bars abuzz
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/02/mexico-city-world-cup-fever-el-tri-capture-imaginations-england#img-1
14 days ago
0
11
3
Fair to say the Mexican public watching that game – and television commentators – were gagging for that. Fans were singing about beating England upon leaving the Azteca last night. Going to be a monumental buildup to Sunday.
15 days ago
3
21
0
reposted by
Nick Ames
Solipsism alert: that was genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever experienced tonight, a game that will be written in Azteca history forever. Anyway here’s the more professionally distanced report:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Mexico end World Cup knockout drought with last-32 win over Ecuador in Azteca cauldron
Roared on by a partisan crowd in Mexico City, the tournament co-hosts saw off Ecuador thanks to goals by Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/01/mexico-ecuador-world-cup-2026-last-32-match-report
16 days ago
1
13
2
2.49am in Mexico City and nobody is sleeping (including me, as my hotel room is 20 seconds away from this).
loading . . .
15 days ago
0
22
1
Solipsism alert: that was genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever experienced tonight, a game that will be written in Azteca history forever. Anyway here’s the more professionally distanced report:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Mexico end World Cup knockout drought with last-32 win over Ecuador in Azteca cauldron
Roared on by a partisan crowd in Mexico City, the tournament co-hosts saw off Ecuador thanks to goals by Julián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/01/mexico-ecuador-world-cup-2026-last-32-match-report
16 days ago
1
13
2
Never heard a louder noise inside a stadium than for those two goals - genuinely jawdropping.
16 days ago
3
22
2
Absolutely biblical lightning storm right above the Azteca before Mexico v Ecuador at the moment.
16 days ago
1
5
0
reposted by
Nick Ames
Report from what ended up being a weird, wild night in Monterrey. Hugely affecting moment for Gakpo before football went and did its own thing:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Morocco edge wild last-32 penalty shootout as Netherlands pay heavy price for misses
Ismael Saibari hit the winning spot kick to book a last-16 clash with co-hosts Canada after nothing could separate the two teams over 120 minutes
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/30/netherlands-morocco-world-cup-2026-last-32-match-report
17 days ago
1
28
5
Report from what ended up being a weird, wild night in Monterrey. Hugely affecting moment for Gakpo before football went and did its own thing:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Morocco edge wild last-32 penalty shootout as Netherlands pay heavy price for misses
Ismael Saibari hit the winning spot kick to book a last-16 clash with co-hosts Canada after nothing could separate the two teams over 120 minutes
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/30/netherlands-morocco-world-cup-2026-last-32-match-report
17 days ago
1
28
5
Monterrey.
17 days ago
1
61
7
Moving mountains in Monterrey:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Morocco and the Netherlands look to move mountains in Monterrey matchup
Two teams with plenty of connections meet in a ‘clash of titans’ at one of the World Cup’s most picturesque venues
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/28/morocco-netherlands-world-cup-2026-preview
18 days ago
0
2
0
reposted by
Nick Ames
While you were sleeping Lionel Messi … can I shock you … did it again:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Lionel Messi steps off bench and scores to cap Argentina’s World Cup win over Jordan
Free-kick gives Messi his sixth goal in three matches as his Argentina side finish top of Group J
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/28/argentian-jordan-world-cup-group-j-match-report
19 days ago
0
4
1
While you were sleeping Lionel Messi … can I shock you … did it again:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Lionel Messi steps off bench and scores to cap Argentina’s World Cup win over Jordan
Free-kick gives Messi his sixth goal in three matches as his Argentina side finish top of Group J
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/28/argentian-jordan-world-cup-group-j-match-report
19 days ago
0
4
1
reposted by
Nick Ames
A goalless draw that was worth everything – Cape Verde go through here in Houston and it's enough to make you feel football isn't beyond redemption. Report:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Cape Verde continue fairytale World Cup debut after Saudi Arabia draw books last-32 spot
Cape Verde will face Argentina in the last 32 after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia put them in the knockout stage on their World Cup debut
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/27/cape-verde-saudi-arabia-world-cup-match-report
20 days ago
0
37
6
A goalless draw that was worth everything – Cape Verde go through here in Houston and it's enough to make you feel football isn't beyond redemption. Report:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Cape Verde continue fairytale World Cup debut after Saudi Arabia draw books last-32 spot
Cape Verde will face Argentina in the last 32 after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia put them in the knockout stage on their World Cup debut
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/27/cape-verde-saudi-arabia-world-cup-match-report
20 days ago
0
37
6
reposted by
Nick Ames
Japan and Sweden took us from Gijon back to Dallas in 15 minutes, and we finally got a game:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Japan and Sweden both reach World Cup last 32 after Elanga’s strike seals draw
Anthony Elanga cancelled out Daizen Maeda’s opener in a result that puts both teams into the knockouts
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/26/japan-sweden-world-cup-2026-match-report
21 days ago
0
4
1
Japan and Sweden took us from Gijon back to Dallas in 15 minutes, and we finally got a game:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Japan and Sweden both reach World Cup last 32 after Elanga’s strike seals draw
Anthony Elanga cancelled out Daizen Maeda’s opener in a result that puts both teams into the knockouts
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/26/japan-sweden-world-cup-2026-match-report
21 days ago
0
4
1
reposted by
Nick Ames
Interview with Kai Havertz on being misunderstood, a more joyful German World Cup camp, initial misgivings over Arsenal trophy parade - and those “hydration breaks”. Lots of ground covered, piece (in collaboration with Die Zeit) here:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Germany’s Kai Havertz: ‘I make runs that look pointless but I’m creating space’
Forward on the misunderstanding of his role and momentum the four-time champions have put together for a winning World Cup campaign after topping their group
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/24/kai-havertz-germany-world-cup-2026-interview
22 days ago
1
109
25
Interview with Kai Havertz on being misunderstood, a more joyful German World Cup camp, initial misgivings over Arsenal trophy parade - and those “hydration breaks”. Lots of ground covered, piece (in collaboration with Die Zeit) here:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Germany’s Kai Havertz: ‘I make runs that look pointless but I’m creating space’
Forward on the misunderstanding of his role and momentum the four-time champions have put together for a winning World Cup campaign after topping their group
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/24/kai-havertz-germany-world-cup-2026-interview
22 days ago
1
109
25
reposted by
Nick Ames
Ronaldo gives the CR7 tourists what they craved and, let's be fair, breaks a record of his own. Report from Houston:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Cristiano Ronaldo ends his goal drought as rampant Portugal outclass Uzbekistan
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal rediscovered their goalscoring touch with a 5-0 trouncing of Uzbekistan in Group K
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/23/portugal-uzbekistan-world-cup-group-k-match-report
23 days ago
0
4
2
Ronaldo gives the CR7 tourists what they craved and, let's be fair, breaks a record of his own. Report from Houston:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Cristiano Ronaldo ends his goal drought as rampant Portugal outclass Uzbekistan
Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal rediscovered their goalscoring touch with a 5-0 trouncing of Uzbekistan in Group K
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/23/portugal-uzbekistan-world-cup-group-k-match-report
23 days ago
0
4
2
reposted by
Nick Ames
It had to be Lionel Messi, it had to be on this day and perhaps it even needed to be in Dallas too:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Irrepressible Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as Argentina beat Austria
Lionel Messi missed a penalty but then made history with his 17th and 18th goals at the World Cup finals as Argentina beat Austria 2-0
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/22/argentina-austria-world-cup-group-j-match-report
24 days ago
0
6
2
It had to be Lionel Messi, it had to be on this day and perhaps it even needed to be in Dallas too:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Irrepressible Messi breaks World Cup scoring record as Argentina beat Austria
Lionel Messi missed a penalty but then made history with his 17th and 18th goals at the World Cup finals as Argentina beat Austria 2-0
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/22/argentina-austria-world-cup-group-j-match-report
24 days ago
0
6
2
These Argentina games already have such epic, cinematic quality – it was the same in Qatar, the atmospheres are breathtaking. And then Messi goes and does that ...
24 days ago
1
13
0
Two confusing teams, one huge win for the Netherlands:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Brobbey and Gakpo at the double as five-star Netherlands crush sorry Sweden
The Netherlands closed in on the last-32 with an emphatic 5-1 win against Sweden, who never recovered from Brian Brobbey’s early two-goal haul
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/20/netherlands-sweden-world-cup-group-f-match-report
26 days ago
0
4
0
reposted by
Nick Ames
Philippe Auclair
28 days ago
I thought it'd be a swell idea to create a starter pack of journalists who specialise in throwing light on the dark(er) side of football. It's small for two reasons: there aren't many of us; and I've probably forgotten plenty of excellent people. Thank you for suggesting additions in replies.
add a skeleton here at some point
18
198
79
In the home of Houston's rodeo (and in a horrendous mangling of Texas tropes), Ronaldo enters the last chance saloon:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Portugal hope Cristiano Ronaldo’s milestone World Cup is no millstone
His team and opponents laud him, but the game on Wednesday with the DRC is a test of his powers at a sixth World Cup
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/17/portugal-cristiano-ronaldo-world-cup-drc
29 days ago
1
3
0
Germany 7-1 Curacao from Houston – lovely moment for the minnows, and can we please be honest about the hydration breaks?
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
Curaçao enjoy their moment but Havertz and ruthless Germany show no mercy
Livano Comenencia’s equaliser will live long in the memory but Germany showed their class with a 7-1 win in the Group E opener
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/14/germany-curacao-world-cup-match-report
about 1 month ago
2
3
1
Curacao journalist went absolutely crazy in the press box here when that went in – huge beams all round to be fair, what an incredible moment.
about 1 month ago
0
47
2
It’s a long way down.
about 1 month ago
0
5
0
reposted by
Nick Ames
I went to the Texas Republican Party Convention so that you didn’t have to:
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
loading . . .
‘No soccer fans here’: World Cup fever fails to grip Texas Republicans
Houston is a host city but those gathered there for a GOP convention are more concerned with contentious politics – and an elephant
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/13/no-soccer-fans-here-world-cup-fever-fails-to-grip-texas-republicans
about 1 month ago
4
33
11
Load more
feeds!
log in
