Politicians leeching onto football for self promotion is nothing new. In the face of an abhorrent diatribe Kylian Mbappé felt compelled to take a moment out of his World Cup to attack racism. Unlike his aggressor, he speaks with a strong yet eloquent voice. www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...

“This is our sport, not theirs.” Jurgen Klopp stands against Infantino's Fifa. “If Donald Trump and Gianni Infantino really sorted this out between themselves, it is madness; it calls everything into question.” Let's hope Associations follow.

THREE extremely unethical situations at the World Cup require more football stakeholders to challenge wrongs. 1. Banishment of the Somali referee 2. Balogun red card political interference 3. Treatment of Iran team Players/managers/officials/administrators. Pressure on FIFA should be unrelenting.

Two extremely unethical situations at this World Cup require more football stakeholders to speak out and challenge wrongs. 1. Banishment of the Somali referee. 2. Balogun red card political interference. Players, managers, officials, administrators. The pressure on FIFA should be unrelenting.

After a bit of a crazy non-football day in the heat with a cold yesterday have got up and I actually sound like Harry Kane post-Azteca interview tribute act. Send help.

Altitude schmaltitude …

El World Cup Clasico. Mind blowing game.

Mbappe with the last laugh. No question his riposte was the perfect reaction to an absurd amount of needle jabbed by Paraguay during that game. France were able to rise above. How that yellow count ended France 3 Paraguay 0 is bonkers. The more lasting scoreline, France 1 Paraguay 0, is fine.

Mbappe, Olise and their accomplices look like they are toying wirh opponents in the playground. The Athletic breaks down their latest exhibition. www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...

The beautiful game. 🇫🇷

This World Cup owes so much to diaspora fans who have made it feel alive. It will never be right that so many couldn’t travel but locally based representatives saved the atmosphere at WC26.

This World Cup would have looked grimly different without locally-based communities who showed up to bring their love to matchdays. Given travel restrictions and exorbitant prices diaspora supporters have made this World Cup. Arguably, they have saved this World Cup. www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...

CABO VERDE YOU BEAUTIES! ❤️

A proud moment for Anthony Taylor here in Toronto, who gets to deliver an "after review" moment over his headset as Iraq's Sulaka has a handful of Sadio Mane's kit while he races through on goal.

Football for heaven’s sake. Got no connections to Ecuador and feel like weeping watching these scenes. Beautiful! 🇪🇨

All the love being showered on Luka Modric on the occasion of his 200th game for Croatia as the sun sets in Toronto. The legs might have gone but the heart beats strong. 🇭🇷

Croatia's immense Canadian disapora showed up in numbers to see them keep their hopes of qualification alive. Adios Panama, who have been a joy to watch. Here's some thoughts for The Athletic. www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...

Sad news. Condolences to Didier Deschamps. www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...

It’s raining goals. Hallelujah. Today Messi, Mbappé and Haaland are having another mad private scoring competition. Exhilarating stuff.

France, Iraq, singing in the rain, Mbappé and friends. Here’s the Athletic’s take on a very long evening of football and weather. www.nytimes.com/athletic/737...

If you are still waiting, latest info from France- Iraq is it should be back on any moment. Warm up for 20 minutes and then a restart. Crossed fingers!

Also, they are not a fan of quarters.

Is this rain at France-Iraq an outpouring from the gods angered by man messing about with reflecting pools?

Nobody coach more experienced at handling a delay forced by this volume of rain than the original water carrier himself, Didier Deschamps.

Looking forward to the hydration break in the second half of France-Iraq.

Enjoyed Germany v Ivory Coast yesterday (although feel a bit haunted by that Adingra miss and I’m not even Ivorian). This was about fine margins and super subs. Deniz Undav’s 5 goal involvements in 56 minutes from the bench is pure World Cup magic. www.nytimes.com/athletic/737...

Germany v Cote D’Ivoire and the international language of football. When the Ivorian expressed surprise about drinking on public transport the German replied ‘hydration break’.

Talking about the Arsenal-Coventry fixture my son suggested a new tradition of the Premier League champions playing the Championship champions to open every season, with both trophies on display. I have to say I quite like that idea.

I wonder why he’s the greatest dancer …

Ghana’s Toronto takeover. Joyous. 🇬🇭

Wisdom from Wisdom. Any president can take notice that tickets, if not without some cost, should be freely available to all. ❤️

Feel for this delivery guy. He is not making it though the Panama fans march in a hurry.

Samuel in Toronto in his DR Congo shirt is a happy guy. “The hate watch was real” he said coolly. “Just another game for us.”

Greeting from Toronto. After a few quiet days lots of football shirts out and about again today. I love little moments of recognition from passers by like this: Panama fan: "Hey Ghana." Ghana fan: "Hey Panama." Panama fan: "Good game today." Ghana fan: "Yeah, you too." And off they go. 🇬🇭🇵🇦

Oooh la la. France's attack was a slow burn but once it got going, thanks in particular to Michael Olise roaming inside with his own brand of class and Kylian Mbappe zooming into range, that was dazzling.

Can't stop thinking about the Iran team after watching their immense efforts last night. Just as individual people. The crazy pressure they are under. Are they expected to represent the regime? Iranian people protesting? Both? Ordered to compete this WC in difficult and disadvantaged circumstances.

It's the World Cup, but not as I know it... Pottered down to the lovely Cosmic Charlie's in downtown Toronto to hear all about the World Cup bong FIFA's lawyers insisted had to go up in smoke. So much for Infantino's suggestion to "relax and chill". www.nytimes.com/athletic/736...

It's the World Cup, but not as I know it... Pottered down to the lovely Cosmic Charlie's in downtown Toronto to hear all about the World Cup bong FIFA's lawyers insisted had to go up in smoke. So much for Infantino's suggestion to "relax and chill". www.nytimes.com/athletic/736...

One of my favorite Cabo Verde facts is that it has a genre of music that arose after an abandoned ship washed up in 1968, carrying hundreds of keyboards and synths

Morocco the bold, tepid Brazil, and a breakout performance from the precociously talented midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi. Talking points from an engrossing game, with @jacklang.bsky.social and @adamcrafton.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...

Bouaddi, aged 18, immensely impressive. He plays with such natural charisma and intent. Third cap, on this stage, just a bit of promise this lad.

That's one way for Brazil to deal with playing half an hour of dross. Just give it to Vini Jr and let him do his thing. Superb game, this!

Chapeau Morocco. Fearless, ambitious, what a golden start.

Hearing the Brazilian national anthem just makes the World Cup feel more like it's properly underway. (Italian national anthem a terrible miss on that front).

Anyway, if anyone who follows me is in Toronto during the group stage and is watching a game (not on a Toronto match day) somewhere good send me a DM. Maybe catch you there. ⚽️

While I’m in Toronto I’ll share some pictures of things that caught my eye in this thread.

I enjoyed Canada 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina. Had the feel of a decent tempo, atmosphere, determination game between two contrasting teams who wanted it badly. Here's some takes on the game from a few of us at The Athletic. www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...

What is Bosnian for 'set piece again ole ole'?

Looking forward to Canada v Bosnia and Herzegovina later. Some daredevil last minute stadium adjustments to make sure it’s all ready.

Canada bound. Thinking of the great journalist Malcolm Brodie who went to a record 14 World Cups. What he must have seen… PS Anyone in Toronto let us know some good places to watch games.