It is nonsensical to force players to miss Liga MX playoff matches/ConcaChampion semi or finals games so they can go to a training camp weeks before FIFA mandates clubs allow players to leave. A training camp half filled with non Word Cup players. What is the point?

The Mexico Football Federation (FMF) has warned Liga MX players that they will be left off the final World Cup squad if they do not report to a pre-planned World Cup camp on May 6, despite it taking place outside of a designated FIFA international window. @felipecardenas.bsky.social

The vibes are immaculate in Mexico. Everything is fine. www.nytimes.com/athletic/725...

🎧 The World Cup & War Special episode of @theathleticfc.bsky.social podcast Out today - link here to listen for free podfollow.com/athletic-fc-...

@felipecardenas.bsky.social tells you everything you need to know about a stadium that also once bizarrely housed Kanye West. Brought to you by Stub Hub.

NEW: Mexico is accustomed to pre-World Cup controversies. The latest episode won’t make it into the Mexican tabloids, but it has led to confusion for the tournament's co-hosts. www.nytimes.com/athletic/723...

Latest info on big name stars / MLS clubs per sources, reporting with @paultenorio.bsky.social: 🇪🇬 Mo Salah 🇧🇷 Casemiro 🇵🇱 Robert Lewandowski 🇵🇹 Bernardo Silva 🇧🇷 Neymar www.nytimes.com/athletic/722...

Mexico’s Marcel Ruiz is ready to risk it all on the World Cup, ACL injury be damned www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

OFFICIAL: www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Both

Column: Javier Mascherano’s abrupt exit isn’t a surprise. It’s part of the Inter Miami brand. www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker leaves federation for Saudi Arabian Football Federation just two months before the World Cup. As first reported by @dougmcintyre.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: The World Cup is weeks away and there are all kinds of strange things going on with the defending champions, Argentina. nyti.ms/4cB8OYy

The latest on Argentina’s dubious World Cup run-up, and why Messi won’t commit to playing this summer www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

NEWS: Chicharito joins Thierry Henry, Ibrahimovic as Fox Sports 2026 World Cup analyst, addresses social media backlash www.nytimes.com/athletic/718...

Derby confirms Agyemang has a ruptured Achilles and will miss the World Cup. A blow to the U.S., as Agyemang was one of the few who helped his stock in March and surely had a role in store this summer.

The day after Colombia's 3-1 loss to France on Sunday, James Rodriguez required hospitalization in Minnesota due to "a severe dehydration episode," according to the Colombian Football Federation. www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

This is a very funny quote from McKennie

Mexico found their fight inside a hostile Estadio Azteca. The USMNT were embarrassed inside a night club atmosphere in Atlanta. On what home-field advantage will look like for two World Cup co-hosts. www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

Wisconsin’s Bajraktarevic crushes Italy dreams, sends Bosnia-Herzegovina to World Cup www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

French hip hop and a swagger that left the USMNT punch drunk in Atlanta. How Belgium routed the US and what the Belgian press had to say about the American’s WC chances. www.nytimes.com/athletic/715...

Criticized at Copa América, Atlanta’s grass has gotten a World Cup glow-up Next test: USMNT vs Belgium www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

After a 4-1 loss to 🇩🇪 in March 2006, Jimmy Conrad thought his World Cup dream was over. He went back to his room, laid on the bed and sobbed. “I needed to get all of it out,” he recalled. On the emotion and pressure of the last window before a World Cup cutdown. www.nytimes.com/athletic/714...

MLS commissioner Don Garber believes Liverpool's Mo Salah could make a significant impact in the top flight of American soccer, and has urged him to move to the U.S.

Former President of Tigres Mauricio Culebro announced as new President of Soccer AMB Sports and Entertainment. Culebro will oversee all aspects of Atlanta United and NWSL Atlanta 2028. Tigres obvs has a first-class mens and women’s program.

In U.S. Soccer circles, the opinions about German-American Noahkai Banks have become heated of late. My column on Banks is now free to read: www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

Should be a really interesting international break, which isn't always the case tbh. Final 6 (of 48!) WC spots from 22 Euro and Intercontinental teams to whittle down. Joined big @theathleticfc.bsky.social cast of writers to get you ready. 🎁 Gift link / free read. www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

The Verdict: LAFC, Nashville rise to top of MLS by winning in opposite ways 🦾 Honky tonk Halaand, Mukhtar and Espinoza are flying 🧤❌LAFC breaks MLS shutout record 0️⃣ Union and Crew remain winless Plus: an embarrassing night for MLS in Mexico www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

Imagine if every day a different reporter got Messi’s personal number and interviewed him He calls MLS turf fields “de un torneo chico” (“Little league”); He threatens a hostile takeover of Inter Miami’s board; takes shots at Garber; calls referee Joe Dickerson “a real loser.”

Argentina's March window timeline - Finalissima vs Spain - Finalissima vs Spain canceled - Guatemala replaces Spain - Friendly vs Guatemala canceled - Scaloni's March squad; Franco Mastantuono omitted - Mauritania replaces Guatemala - Franco Mastantuono selected a day later

Landon Donovan has a lot of good ideas. His idea cited in here about he thinks FIFA citizenship should work is an awful one.

On German-American Noahkai Banks and why the dual nationals debate deserves more nuance than where you were born www.nytimes.com/athletic/713...

Iran says it is negotiating to move its World Cup games to Mexico. FIFA says the schedule will not change. So what's going on? Our reporters explain what's happened, explore how feasible it would be to switch venues and what happens if they can't.

Story updated with Marcel Ruiz out of the World Cup with a torn ACL

Mexico manager Javier Aguirre has an injury problem on his hands, leaving the World Cup co-hosts in peril – and 40-year-old legend Memo Ochoa on the cusp of history www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...

Brazil reveals 2026 World Cup away kit with Jordan Brand collaboration www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...

Latest on Iran at WC: Trump on Truth Social - Iran would risk ‘life and safety’ by participating & it wouldn't be 'appropriate' Embarrassing for FIFA's Infantino - 48hrs ago on Insta he said that Trump told him country would be welcome Story @adamcrafton.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/711...

One of Tata Martino's responses re: the health of the ATLUTD program got a bit lost in translation. When a reporter asked about his long-term plan, Martino pushed back. www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Last night, Alejandro Zendejas played a game on U.S. soil for the first time since he scored for the #USMNT vs. Japan. With two weeks until the last U.S. camp before the World Cup, he says "I’ll be working hard to make that roster": www.inquirer.com/soccer/aleja... via @phillysport.bsky.social

I appreciate that, Conor.

Big read on Atlanta United and its humbling '26 start Interviews with Miguel Almirón, Tata Martino and Chris Henderson - Why Martino isn't willing to "sacrifice" his players - Almirón's description of the team's culture - Henderson's "frustrating" transfer window www.nytimes.com/athletic/710...

Over the past 48 hours, Iran's footballers faced a near impossible decision. Return to Iran and risk their own safety; or stay in Australia and leave their families. Spoke to over two-dozen sources about how the six defectors' escape unfolded and the conditions they endured. Free to read:

“They are hostages... players with no choice of what to say, what to think, who to talk to or what to wear.” The repression faced by the team included families being threatened, IRGC officials as chaperones, tapped phones and forced financial guarantees.

NEW: Body scans, ref cams and football AI: Inside the World Cup’s new technology www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Of the 54 first round Leagues Cup games this summer, just four will be played in Mexico. Is that enough to shift the growing tide against the tournament? www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

GM survey Part II 🔋 Would superteams help MLS? 🇺🇸 Who is the next breakout USMNTer? ⚽ Breakout MLSer at World Cup? ⭐ Would you sign Cristiano this summer? “I think I'd be nuts if I said I wouldn't want to sign Cristiano.” With @felipecardenas.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

There was unrest in Guadalajara, a 2026 World Cup host city, on Sunday after an operation meant to capture drug lord Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes resulted in his death. Full story from @felipecardenas.bsky.social ⬇️

Part 1 of The Athletic's annual anonymous MLS exec survey is now live. With @paultenorio.bsky.social nytimes.com/athletic/705... I do love the candor. “Espinoza is a good fit for Nashville. And obviously with the opportunity there after San Jose f***ed it up.”

Hockey golazo for the gold

Are MLS jerseys getting better? Or are they stuck in a constant rut of overused ideas? These are my top 5 / worst 5 MLS jerseys for 2026 www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...