The Athletic FC Podcast

The 2026 World Cup starts here! Well, in Mexico City as co-hosts Mexico take on South Africa. Join Adam Leventhal, Jay Harris and Cerys Jones as they give you the lowdown on everything you need to know ahead of the tournament getting underway. Jack Lang reflects on Gianni Infantino's press conference on the eve of the tournament, while Felipe Cardenas gives us the lowdown on what to expect from Me...

On the eve of the World Cup getting underway there are many outstanding off-field issues to discuss. Ahead of the tournament Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Jay Harris to explore issues such as visas, ticketing and what success represents to each of the host nations. Host: Adam Leventhal With: Matt Slater, Adam Crafton and Jay Harris Executive Producer: Guy...

Today we're continuing our build up to The World Cup. as we assess the favourites to win the tournament - and even make some predictions too. So who are the contenders, and who could spring a surprise this summer? Plus, we ask former England goalkeeper Rob Green what it’s actually like to play at a World Cup. Host: Emma Paton Guests: Rob Green, Mark Critchley, Liam Twomey Exec Producer: Guy Clarke...

As the World Cup gets underway on Thursday, we're here to look ahead to which deals could happen this summer. David Ornstein joins The Athletic FC's new signing Emma Paton as well as Jay Harris and Mark Critchley to discuss a number of the big deals that could be completed. There's the latest on Man City's pursuit of Elliot Anderson as well as Liverpool's interest in RB Leipzig's Yan Diomande. Plu...

We're delighted to welcome Emma Paton to The Athletic FC Podcast team for the World Cup. Emma is a renowned presenter and broadcaster in the UK having worked as a presenter at Sky Sports since 2019 and will join the rest of the team, including Adam Leventhal, David Ornstein, Adam Crafton, Matt Slater, James Horncastle and many more from the biggest sports newsroom ever assembled. Join us from Mond...

With the World Cup right around the corner, The Athletic FC Tactics podcast discuss the most tactically interesting teams at this summer’s tournament. Plus, how the favourites are looking — and… how to build a successful World Cup squad. Host: Michael Bailey Guests: Michael Cox, Conor O’Neill & Liam Tharme Producer: Mike Stavrou Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As excitement builds for the 23rd edition of the World Cup, it’s time to look back on the defining moments in the competition's recent history. From ghost goals, to headbutts and… the Hand of God - we’ll attempt to rank the top 10 iconic performances and incidents from the last 10 tournaments. Host: Duncan Alexander Guests: Jack Lang, Oli Kay, Will Jeanes, Felipe Cardenas Executive Producer: Adey...

With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, four of our writers were tasked with creating an all-time World Cup draft. From your Yashin’s to your Mbappe’s, we’ll attempt to build the ultimate XI spanning all 32 editions of the competition. Host: Duncan Alexander Guests: Oli Kay, Jack Lang, Carl Anka, Felipe Cardenas Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale & Liam Warburton Ho...

After a “painful” defeat in the Champions League final. What do Arsenal need to do to close the gap on PSG next season? And what next for Liverpool after the departure of Arne Slot? Host: Adam Leventhal Guests: Tom Williams & Art de Roché, James Pearce Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Arsenal and PSG face off in Budapest in the 2026 Champions League final. Can Arsenal capture their first ever Champions League trophy, or will PSG win - as Tom Williams calls it - 'le back to back'. Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Tom Williams & Adrian Clarke Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke & John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A year after winning the FA Cup - Crystal Palace have yet more silverware! Oliver Glasner’s parting gift was to deliver the Conference League. So, what comes next for Palace? Host: Matt Davies-Adams With: Matt Woosnam and Dom Fifield Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producer: Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After ending the season 18 games unbeaten, Andoni Iraola leaves Bournemouth with Europa League football to come. But without a job lined up, has he left the Cherries too soon? Host: Adam Leventhal With: Jon Mackenzie & Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke, Jay Beale & Nick Thomson Videographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Liverpool will play Champions League football next season Despite finishing closer in points to the relegation zone - than champions Arsenal! So, is that enough for Arne Slot to keep his job at Anfield? Host: Adam Leventhal With: James Pearce and James Horncastle Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producer: Guy Clarke, Jay Beale & Nick Thomson Videographer: Grayson Moody Hosted on Acast. See ac...

West Ham have been relegated from the Premier League just three years after winning the Europa Conference League. But just how costly will the drop be for the Hammers? Meanwhile, Spurs survived on the final day, so how do they avoid another worrying season next time around? Host: Adam Leventhal With: Roshane Thomas, Matt Slater and Jack Pitt-Brooke Executive Producer: Guy Clarke Producer: Paul Ili...

Welcome to The Athletic’s end-of-season awards, for the 2025/26 season. A time to celebrate the best of the best across the Premier League, WSL and Europe. The Athletic's Data & Tactic’s Editor Duncan Alexander, Women’s Football Writer Megan Feringa & Football Writer Tim Spiers join Adam Leventhal to name our Player, Young Player, Manager and team of the season in our respective categories...

Who will beat the drop - Spurs or West Ham? Spurs need a draw against Everton to confirm safety, while West Ham must beat Leeds at the London Stadium. And elsewhere, Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the World Cup has been announced. Who has been left off the plane? Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Jay Harris & Carl Anka Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale & John Rogers H...

Southampton have been expelled from the Championship Play-Off Final after being caught spying on opponents. They’ll also start next season with a points deduction. So, how has Spygate cost Saints a place in the Premier League? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton and Matt Slater Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...

After 22 years, Arsenal have finally won the Premier League title. So how did Mikel Arteta transform the Gunners from pretenders to champions? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: David Ornstein, Adrian Clarke Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pep Guardiola is set to leave Manchester City this summer. And with former Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca the man expected to replace him. How on earth do you follow Pep? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: David Ornstein, Jack Pitt-Brooke, Sam Lee, Liam Twomey Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Xabi Alonso has been announced as Chelsea’s next manager.  As their campaign peters out, is he the man to reignite them next season? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Liam Twomey & James Horncastle Featuring: James Pearce Executive Producers: Guy Clarke & Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's FA Cup Final weekend. Can City avoid a third consecutive FA Cup Final defeat? Could this be Pep's final trip to Wembley? Can Chelsea end the season with silverware? Plus we preview the penultimate weekend in the Premier League. Host: Matt Davies-Adams Guests: Mark Critchley & Cerys Jones Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Jay Beale & Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

The World Cup is just four weeks away! From tickets to hotels, broadcast agreements to squads - there’s a lot still to sort out. But are FIFA exploiting fans? Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Adam Crafton, Matt Slater and Henry Bushnell Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chelsea are exploring a deal to appoint Xabi Alonso as head coach. So could he bring calm to the chaos at Stamford Bridge? David Ornstein is joined by Cerys Jones to discuss whether Alonso would be a success at Chelsea. Plus, The Athletic’s Manchester United correspondent Laurie Whitwell drops in to bring us his story that Michael Carrick is line to take the United job on a permanent basis. Host:...

The relegation race looks set to go to the wire after Tottenham’s draw against Leeds. So have West Ham been given a lifeline? And why do Spurs keep pressing the self-destruct button? Host: Ayo Akinwolere Guests: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Dan Kilpatrick Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Producers: Mike Stavrou, Guy Clarke, Nick Thomson Videographer: Liam Warburton Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

After a week of chaos at Real Madrid, involving in-fighting, things got even worse. Defeat at the Camp Nou meant Barcelona were crowned La Liga champions, again.  So, how has Real Madrid’s season fallen apart?  Host: Ayo Akinwolere With: Guillermo Rai, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero, Pol Ballus Executive Producers: Guy Clarke & Adey Moorhead Producer: Jay Beale Hosted on Acast. See acast....