The Athletic FC Podcast

Adam Leventhal brings you immediate fallout following England's quarter-final defeat to France at the World Cup, following yet more penalty heartbreak at a major tournament. Jack Pitt-Brooke, Oli Kay, David Ornstein, Charlotte Harpur and Abi Paterson are all on hand at the Al Bayt Stadium as England exit the tournament after an evening of penalty drama involving captain Harry Kane. There's also th...

Host Adam Leventhal is joined by Jack Pitt-Brooke to look ahead to England’s huge quarter-final against France as the draw opens up for Gareth’s Southgate side. One of the clear favourites to win the World Cup, Brazil, are out after their defeat to Croatia on penalties. A win against the reigning world champions would see England go into a semi-final against Morocco or Portugal, while Argentina sc...

Adam Leventhal is joined by Daniel Taylor, Jay Harris and Dutch journalist Sjoerd Mossou for a looking into one of the most fascinating coaches to shape modern football: Louis van Gaal. Ahead of the Netherlands quarter-final tie with Argentina the panel debate and discuss the career of the 71-year-old including his time at Manchester United as well as how he has cultivated a 'loving' atmosphere wi...

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Qatar has hosted the 'best group stage ever' at a World Cup. But what about all of the issues off the field of play casting a large, looming shadow over the tournament? Host Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic’s Deputy Editor Laura Williamson and writers Adam Crafton and Matt Slater to dissect all. We hear the tragic story of how a Filipino migrant worker...

The Athletic's Abi Paterson is in Doha, Qatar at the World Cup and has a few burning questions regarding a player who many consider as the greatest footballer of all time: Lionel Messi. The forward has captained his Argentina side to the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, which is widely thought to be his last ever World Cup tournament at 35 years of age. With questions ranging from; is Lionel...

Adam Leventhal is joined by James Horncastle, Raphael Honigstein & Jack Pitt-Brooke to debate and analyse the values and importance of a no.9 in international football. With the likes of Olivier Giroud, Richarlison and Harry Kane all playing prominent roles in their nations' hopes of winning the World Cup, yet playing the centre forward role in a differing way: what exactly are the hallmarks o...

As Jude Bellingham played the starring role in England's 3-0 last 16 win over Senegal join Adam Leventhal from the Al Bayt Stadium for all the reaction. Michael Cox gives his tactical breakdown on how the 19-year-old dominated on the biggest stage, David Ornstein catches up with Declan Rice and discusses his midfield partner. Plus there's reaction from England writers Jack Pitt-Brooke on Harry Kan...

Host Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's England writers Oli Kay and Jack Pitt-Brooke to discuss England manager Gareth Southgate's starting XI to face Senegal... US soccer correspondent Sam Stejskal reflects on the many positives that USMNT can take from this World Cup and James Horncastle purrs over yet another milestone and masterclass from Leo Messi. Plus, an insight into the mindset of...

Host Adam Leventhal is joined by Athletic writers Jay Harris and Paul Tenorio to discuss the drama on the final day of the group stages and also look ahead to the USA’s huge knockout clash against Netherlands.  South Korea scored a late, late goal to beat Portugal and seal their place in the Round of 16 ahead of Uruguay, leaving Luis Suarez in tears. In the other group, Switzerland edged a five-go...

Adam Leventhal is joined by Oli Kay and Michael Cox following another dramatic night in Qatar with two European heavyweights in Germany and Belgium exiting the World Cup. There's reaction from Japan's dramatic win over Spain which eliminated Germany and also sent Japan through as Group E winners. Raphael Honigstein gives immediate reaction to Germany heading home, while Jack Pitt-Brooke revels in...

The Athletic's Adam Leventhal, James Horncastle and Adam Crafton react to Argentina's 2-0 win over Poland on Wednesday night that saw both teams make it through to the last 16, but it wasn't without its drama as Messi had a penalty saved by Wojciech Szczęsny and Poland came perilously close to exiting the tournament on yellow cards. If this World Cup isn't enough for you, we cast ahead to 2026 as...

That’s a wrap for Groups A and B. England sailed past Wales with a resounding 3-0 win, courtesy of a remarkable Marcus Rashford brace and goal from Phil Foden. Gareth Southgate’s side will face Group A runners-up Senegal in the last-16. USA qualify in second place in Group B after their 1-0 win over Iran, and they will go up against Group A winners, the Netherlands. That match was largely overshad...

Ahead of the finale of Group B, Adam Leventhal is joined by David Ornstein and Matt Slater on Day 10 of the Qatar World Cup. Matt reflects on attending all four games on the final day of four separate kick-off times before Michael Cox and Dermot Corrigan reflect on Andre Onana being suspended from the Cameroon squad by coach Rigobert Song. James Horncastle reacts to Brazil's 1-0 win over Switzerla...

Adam Leventhal is joined by Jack Pitt-Brooke and Oli Kay following a day of shocks in Qatar with Costa Rica and Morocco two of the noteworthy winners, while German's draw with Spain keeps their hopes of qualification alive. Abi Paterson reports from Al Bayt Stadium along with Michael Cox, Raphael Honigstein and David Ornstein, who spoke with Ilkay Gundogan post-match, on Germany's draw with Spain....

It's Sunday morning and host Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Felipe Cardenas and Charlotte Harpur to reflect on Lionel Messi handing Argentina a World Cup lifeline in typical style... James Horncastle offers his thoughts on Messi's moments of brilliance, was Enzo Fernandez' goal an even sweeter strike and why Mexico fans are frustrated with coach Gerardo Martino. Then, following a 'pric...

Join Adam Leventhal for immediate reaction from England's goalless draw with USA in Group B from the Al Bayt Stadium. With comprehensive post-match analysis and reaction, tactics writer Michael Cox discusses where England failed to capitalise, USMNT writers Paul Tenorio and Alex Abnos dissect the US performance before heading to the mixed zone. David Ornstein and Sam Stejskal give their thoughts o...

Ahead of Day Six of the World Cup, Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's England writer Jack Pitt-Brooke and Sam Stejskal to preview England v USA this evening. They discuss the historic context of the fixtures and development of the USMNT before debating where the game will be won or lost. David Ornstein speaks with Bruno Fernandes following Portugal's 3-2 win over Ghana with Abi Paterson an...

The Athletic's Adam Leventhal joins Raphael Honigstein and James Horncastle to reflect on day four of the World Cup, a day which saw Germany lose 2-1 to Japan after a disjointed performance but they took the headlines pre-match with their show of defiance against FIFA in the ongoing armband row. We discuss both the on and off field issues from that game, plus reflect on Spain's 7-0 thrashing of Co...

Day three of the World Cup started with Saudi Arabia beating Argentina 2-1, and ended with the news that Cristiano Ronaldo has left Manchester United, the Glazers have put Man Utd up for sale, oh and England captain Harry Kane is having a scan on his ankle ahead of Friday's game vs USA. Here to reflect on all of that is the Athletic's Adam Leventhal, who is joined by Matt Slater following his trip...

As Day 3 of the World Cup dawns, Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Jack Pitt-Brooke and Oliver Kay to reflect on England's 6-2 win over Iran... They discuss Saka's joy, Kane's influence, why no one's talking about Maguire or Sterling's club form this morning, as well as, which former German international Jude Bellingham reminds Jack of. Plus, Producer Abi spoke to Iranian fan Sahir, about...

Host Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's Adam Crafton and Laurie Whitwell on day two of the World Cup to discuss England's World Cup opener against Iran... The panel reflect on Qatar's opening day defeat, empty seats in the stadium, choreographed support and relations between Qatar and former hosts Russia. Plus, whether England and other nations should risk punishment for their 'OneLove' ar...

Join us for the first of our daily World Cup podcasts throughout the tournament as Adam Leventhal brings you the latest news, views and reaction from Qatar. Ahead of the start of the tournament, Matt Slater reacts to FIFA President Gianni Infantino's speech on the eve of the tournament, before Simon Hughes shares his thoughts having returned from an eight-day trip to Nepal to hear from the migrant...

Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's dedicated England writers Jack Pitt-Brooke and Oliver Kay to look ahead to how England could get on out in Qatar, as well as USMNT writer Paul Tenorio. The panel look at England's standing and form under Gareth Southgate having led the Three Lions to the semi-final in Russia in 2018 prior to reach the Euro 2020 Final last year at Wembley. Plus, in a group...

Mark Chapman is joined by The Athletic's Pol Ballus, Rafa Honignstein & Adam Leventhal to debate whether managing at international level is an attractive proposition for the very best managers like Jurgen Klopp & Pep Guardiola?  On the flip side are national teams managers in the conversation to be the head coach at elite clubs that expect Champions League glory?  Plus we’ll hear Mauricio...

Mark Chapman is joined by Carl Anka, Andy Mitten and Spanish football writer Dermot Corrigan to debate whether either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo can finally claim FIFA World Cup glory, in Qatar. The panel look back through the international careers of both Messi and Ronaldo debating and analysing their impact on their national sides' fortunes and the struggle for both to perform to their hi...