The Athletic FC Podcast

It’s Day 10 of the World Cup, and the USMNT are through to the knockouts after a 2-0 win over Australia.

Ian Irving is joined in-studio by Liam Twomey and Liam Tharme as we discuss another impressive performance from Mauricio Pochettino’s side. Henry Bushnell drops in to give the lowdown from Seattle and asks if the USA can actually go all the way.

We catch up with James Horncastle who was in Philadelphia for Brazil’s win over Haiti, and, we analyse Scotland’s chances of progression to the last-32 after defeat to Morocco.

There's also our daily 'do you know' trivia as well as a profile of our latest Star of Soccer, Ecuador and Chelsea’s Kendry Paez.

Host: Ian Irving
Guests: Liam Twomey & Liam Tharme
Featuring: Henry Bushnell, James Horncastle, Jordan Campbell
Exec Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Mike Stavrou
Videographer: Grayson Moody
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While all eyes are on the World Cup, the summer transfer window is also now beginning to hot up!

Ian Irving is joined in-studio by Jay Harris and Tim Spiers as we discuss the latest from the World Cup as well as checking in with David Ornstein on the latest on the transfer front.

With Liverpool confirming the signing of Victor Munoz what could it mean for their pursuit of Yan Diomande, while Spurs have signing Jan Paul van Hecke but remain interested in Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali.

We also round-up the latest from day eight at the World Cup with Josh Kloke reporting on Canada's first-ever World Cup win as well as USMNT writer Henry Bushnell bringing us up to speed with the mood in the camp ahead of taking on Australia.

Plus there's our daily 'do you know' trivia as well as a profile of our latest Star of Soccer, Morocco's Yassine Bounou.

Host: Ian Irving
With: Jay Harris and Tim Spiers
Featuring: Josh Kloke, David Ornstein and Henry Bushnell
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Mike Stavrou and Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England's World Cup started with an impressive 4-2 win over Croatia, with Harry Kane scoring twice.

Emma Paton is joined by Liam Twomey and Liam Tharme to react to England's performance, especially as they burst into life in the second half, with England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke sharing his thoughts from Dallas.

Nick Miller in Houston reports on Cristiano Ronaldo's disappointing tournament opener as Portugal were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo.

We also have our daily 'Do you know' quiz, Lee Kang-In is our latest Star of Soccer and Jacob Whitehead joins us to discuss Elye Wahi being arrested for alleged fixing offences on eve of tournament.

Host: Emma Paton
With: Liam Twomey and Liam Tharme
Featuring: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Nick Miller and Jacob Whitehead
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale and Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The stars have arrived at the World Cup!

After Kylian Mbappe became France's all time top scorer with a brace against Senegal, Lionel Messi did Lionel Messi things, scoring a hat-trick against Algeria to equal Miroslav Klose's record for World Cup goals.

Join Emma Paton, Mark Critchley and Liam Twomey as they reflect on a day where the superstars truly arrived, as Erling Haaland also made his mark on his first World Cup appearance.

We hear from Oli Kay who was at Kansas City Stadium to witness Messi's magic, twenty years on from his World Cup debut, while Adam Crafton was at MetLife Stadium to see the Mbappe show.

Plus, James Horncastle reveals why AC Milan have appointed Ruben Amorim and Jack Pitt-Brooke reflects on England's press conference where Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane prepare to face Croatia.

Host: Emma Paton
With: Mark Critchley & Liam Twomey
Featuring: Adam Crafton, Oli Kay, James Horncastle, Jack Pitt-Brooke
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Jay Beale and Grayson Moody
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Day five of the World Cup saw all four matches end in draws, including Cape Verde's shock 0-0 stalemate against European champions Spain.

Adam Leventhal is joined in-studio by Jay Harris and Mark Critchley with our England correspondent Jack Pitt-Brooke providing the latest from the Three Lions camp in Kansas City, including dressing room dynamics and selection dilemmas for Thomas Tuchel.

Pol Ballus reacts to the surprise Spain result and Laurie Whitwell is on hand to recap what happened on and off-pitch as Iran drew 2-2 with New Zealand.

Plus, Argentina's Nico Paz is our Star of Soccer as the reigning champions prepare to kick off their World Cup campaign against Algeria.

Check out Nick Miller's piece on 40-year-old Cape Verde goalkeeper Vozinha here: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7363785/2026/06/15/vozinha-cape-verde-goalkeeper-spain/

Host: Adam Leventhal
With: Jay Harris and Mark Critchley
Featuring: Pol Ballus, Laurie Whitwell and Jack Pitt-Brooke
Executive Producer: Guy Clarke
Producers: Mike Stavrou and Liam Warburton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.