NEW: Host cities for World Cup received a proposal recently during call with White House FIFA task force…. Huge “Freedom” trailer trucks with US flags at FIFA fan fests to align World Cup with Trump’s 250th celebrations of USA to promote American patriotism www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...

NEW @theathleticfc.bsky.social The 2026 FIFA World Cup host committee in San Francisco Bay Area is considering a vastly reduced Fan Fest, which may even see no Fan Fest on game day, after being allocated games short of leading nations or marketable star names. www.nytimes.com/athletic/690...

New @theathleticfc.bsky.social New travel bans by Trump administration threaten to exclude fans of Senegal and Ivory Coast from World Cup next summer, with each team having two games in the U.S. Up to four qualified nations impacted now along with Haiti & Iran. www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...

🎙️🚨 Two emojis as it’s a NEW pod! Well, it’s a new idea for a regular episode of our main pod in which me & @adamcrafton.bsky.social chat about World Cup matters. Will we have this much to discuss every week? 🤷 But pre-WC stories seem subject to rampant inflation, too. pod.fo/e/365b0a

Column: FIFA’s pricing strategy for World Cup is not only terrible for foreigners who want to travel, it also treats U.S. sports fans as FIFA’s personal ATM and excludes many domestically from a sport which is still in a growth phrase in the U.S. www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...

Column: FIFA’s pricing strategy for World Cup is not only terrible for foreigners who want to travel, it also treats U.S. sports fans as FIFA’s personal ATM and excludes many domestically from a sport which is still in a growth phrase in the U.S. www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...

Story: @theathletic.com Grand Slam Track files bankruptcy: $0-$50,000 in assets, $10m-50m in liabilities. Vendors & athletes owed millions. Michael Johnson’s GST bafflingly still say it wants to continue. www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...

Interview with Andrew Giuliani, director of White House fifa task force. 🏆 He says Peace Prize idea was all FIFA, not White House 🏟️ Says nothing ruled out amid Trump threat to relocate games 👮‍♂️ ICE at WC? Says reassurance only for those “legally” in US www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

NEW: Hotels across US, Canada & Mexico hiked prices during the FIFA World Cup in 2026, with an analysis by The Athletic revealing average increase of over 300 per cent per night around opening matches in the 16 host cities. Report: nytimes.com/athletic/68757…

NEW @theathleticfc.bsky.social : The LGBTQ+ pride flag at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is to be relocated away from usual space close to visiting fans for Champions League tie against Slavia Prague following a request from the Czech club on "security grounds." www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

NEWS: Official complaint received by FIFA Ethics Committee, alleges “repeated breaches” of FIFA’s duty of political neutrality by Gianni Infantino, all in relation to President Trump. It also requests investigation into internal process behind Trump’s Peace Prize www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...

NEW HANG UP AND LISTEN @adamcrafton.bsky.social on the WC draw Me and pals on the CFP selections Jordan Bianchi joins to tell us about a reallllllllly big sports case that's at trial right now: Michael Jordan essentially trying to burn down NASCAR as it's existed forever www.slate.com/hangup

Story @theathleticfc.bsky.social President Trump invited by FIFA to speak at the World Cup draw tomorrow upon receiving the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize. He has been allocated a couple of minutes in the running order but FIFA unlikely to stringently enforce that. www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...

NEW @theathleticfc.bsky.social : FIFA “peace” prize - announced suddenly by Infantino on Nov 5 & tipped to be awarded to President Trump at World Cup draw - had no prior consultation for FIFA Council or vice-Presidents. Some found out via media release. www.nytimes.com/athletic/684...

Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track instructs insolvency lawyers & restructuring firm to lead process to strike deal with vendors owed millions - letters warn companies must accept HALF of money owed or GST risks being put into bankruptcy. Athletes still only paid half of money owed. t.co/4lojBMoFL2

FIFA chose to have World Cup draw at the Kennedy Center, which has been taken over by Trump and allies. And now the rental agreement - &, for reasons nobody will explain, a fifa “sponsorship” of the center - is under scrutiny. With @henrybushnell.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/683...

NEW in today’s World Cup news column @theathleticfc.bsky.social : Republican congressman reveals FIFA/White House task force to use former players/FIFA “legends” to share “messaging” in home markets to reassure fans the U.S. is a welcoming place for people to visit. www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...

U.S. State Department confirms to @theathletic.com no exemption for World Cup fans from Haiti (under a U.S. travel ban). They say applicants may be considered “if their travel would advance a U.S. national interest… expect such exceptions to be very rare” www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...

New : Haiti have qualified for their first men’s World Cup since 1974. But Haitian nationals are under a travel ban from the Trump administration; meaning currently many fans will not be allowed to travel to the U.S. for the tournament. www.nytimes.com/athletic/682...

Neither the White House nor Cristiano Ronaldo’s representatives have so far confirmed but multiple sources familiar with the planning say the Saudi Pro League player is scheduled to see President Trump today on a day Saudi Crown Prince MBS is also visiting. Report: www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...

A news conference started well for Gianni Infantino. Then Trump reiterated threats to relocate World Cup games from LA and Seattle. And then the likely recipient of FIFA’s peace prize didn’t rule out launching strikes on World Cup co hosts Mexico. www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...

Some of Britain’s biggest investment groups including Schroders, the state-backed Nest pension platform and the giant universities retirement scheme voted against Elon Musk’s $1 trillion pay packet, it emerged on Friday

Eighty-nine years have passed since the 1936 Summer Olympic Games. @adamcrafton.bsky.social on how Germany has grappled with its history through sport ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/555...

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been accused of a “clear violation” of the governing body’s statutes on neutrality after appearing to endorse United States president Donald Trump’s political agenda. By @dansheldon.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...

On Saturday, sellout crowd watched New Zealand beat Ireland at rugby in Chicago, a city gripped by anxiety over ICE activity. A report, with contributions from match organizers, sponsors, city officials and politicians, on the story being told about Chicago right now www.nytimes.com/athletic/677...

NEW: FIFA are charging BOTH resellers & buyers a 15 per cent fee on its official 2026 World Cup ticket resale platform, which launched Thursday and almost immediately had some tickets listed for tens of thousands of dollars. Story with @henrybushnell.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Not a story I ever thought I’d write: Why a former Paraguayan Miss Universe candidate, who claims to have met President Trump at a pageant in 2013, is petitioning the US President to make visa access easier for soccer fans going to the World Cup…. www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...

Jurgen Klopp, in the second part of his exclusive interview with @adamcrafton.bsky.social, discusses the state of soccer in the U.S. ahead of the 2026 World Cup. 📈 Where youth soccer can improve 🤔 What he thinks of MLS 💎 Are they missing the best talents? 🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/667...

Jurgen Klopp really appears to be the most normal person ever to have been a great football manager (great interview / profile here by @adamcrafton.bsky.social) www.nytimes.com/athletic/666...

Story… @theathleticfc.bsky.social FIFA President Gianni Infantino hosted heads of state & football execs from Paraguay, Uruguay & Argentina on Tuesday at Trump Tower. They pitched 64-team 2030 World Cup & for each of the 3 South American nations to host a group. www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...

Exclusive FIFA received 145 reports of human rights concerns at Club World Cup this summer, mostly from fans via its own grievance mechanism portal. The highest number related to U.S. government policy and enforcement (e.g. alleged sightings of ICE). www.nytimes.com/athletic/665...

Exclusive : NYC mayoral favorite Zohran Mamdani has launched a World Cup petition demanding FIFA; 🎫Scrap dynamic pricing plan 💰Cap prices on resale platform (currently no cap) 💰Keep 15% of tickets aside at discount for local residents www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

Exclusive : NYC mayoral favorite Zohran Mamdani has launched a World Cup petition demanding FIFA; 🎫Scrap dynamic pricing plan 💰Cap prices on resale platform (currently no cap) 💰Keep 15% of tickets aside at discount for local residents www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

NEW: A secret trailer of a demo for a FIFA 26 video game for the World Cup - which features FIFA sponsors Bank of America, McDonalds and Coca-Cola - has been seen by the Athletic. Are FIFA plotting a rival game to EA FC? Details in this column: t.co/wo9F1My7vc

NEW FIFA opened applications for 65000 volunteers for 2026 World Cup - & Infantino says tens of thousands of them will come from overseas - BUT …. U.S. state department is still to inform FIFA which visa class that volunteers may apply for www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

Exclusive; What *really* happened at Michel Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, which owes athletes millions 💰GST never had $30m+ cash in 1st place 💵Todd Boehly’s Eldridge backed away from non-binding term sheet for up to $40m to rescue GST after opening meet in Kingston www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

Exclusive; What *really* happened at Michel Johnson’s Grand Slam Track, which owes athletes millions 💰GST never had $30m+ cash in 1st place 💵Todd Boehly’s Eldridge backed away from non-binding term sheet for up to $40m to rescue GST after opening meet in Kingston www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

NEW: 🎰 FIFA was in advanced talks with venues in Vegas to host World Cup draw 🫡 But Trump admin insisted on Kennedy Center in DC - a venue he is now chairing & shaping - & Infantino fell into line, despite numerous FIFA officials preferring Vegas option www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

NEW: 🎰 FIFA was in advanced talks with venues in Vegas to host World Cup draw 🫡 But Trump admin insisted on Kennedy Center in DC - a venue he is now chairing & shaping - & Infantino fell into line, despite numerous FIFA officials preferring Vegas option www.nytimes.com/athletic/657...

NEW @theathletic.com : Chelsea & the club’s players have decided to give an equal portion of club’s $15.5m Club World Cup bonus fund (around $500k per player) to family of Diogo Jota and Andre Silva following tragic death of the two brothers this summer. www.nytimes.com/athletic/655...

NEW: La Liga want to play Villarreal v Barcelona in Miami in December. To be discussed at Spanish FA meeting on Monday. US Soccer will not oppose following settlement with (promoter) Relevent this year. www.nytimes.com/athletic/654...

"In May, Infantino said everyone would be welcome in America: 'Of course, the players, of course, everyone involved, all of us, but definitely also all the fans.' Within a couple of weeks, the administration had implemented the travel bans." (@adamcrafton.bsky.social) www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...

NEW UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has snubbed attending the entirety of FIFA Club World Cup amid ongoing tensions with FIFA about incursions into the club game. www.nytimes.com/athletic/649...

Surprised. But also not surprised. What a time. 🫨 www.ft.com/content/0b1b...

Exclusive Man United held secret talks with Amazon for record-breaking behind scenes documentary. Plug pulled amid concerns by Ruben Amorim as to whether timing was appropriate for first team amid team’s struggles in recent years www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...

NEW: Latest twist of FIFA Club World Cup pricing strategy. 72 hours ago, standard admission ticket for first semi-final (Chelsea v Fluminense) at $473.90. By yesterday, $44.60. Now $13.40. Those who bought on Wednesday paid a 35x multiple of price today www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...

NEW: Latest twist of FIFA Club World Cup pricing strategy. 72 hours ago, standard admission ticket for first semi-final (Chelsea v Fluminense) at $473.90. By yesterday, $44.60. Now $13.40. Those who bought on Wednesday paid a 35x multiple of price today www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...

NEW: Updated story as the House passes Trump domestic policy bill. U.S. host cities have secured full ask of $625m federal funding to assist security costs for 2026 World Cup. Hosting agreement with FIFA insists cities cover almost all security costs www.nytimes.com/athletic/646...

NEW: Standard admission tickets for Club World Cup 1/4 final been slashed for several games; $11.15 for Fluminense v Al-Hilal $22.30 for Chelsea v Palmeiras $44.60 for PSG v Bayern Huge drop from original pricing. FIFA prioritizing access at last? www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...

NEW: Standard admission tickets for Club World Cup 1/4 final been slashed for several games; $11.15 for Fluminense v Al-Hilal $22.30 for Chelsea v Palmeiras $44.60 for PSG v Bayern Huge drop from original pricing. FIFA prioritizing access at last? www.nytimes.com/athletic/647...