The Athletic: Latest Football News & Analysis (RSS)

Inside Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappe penalty controversy and a decision on Endrick’s future

After another busy weekend, all eyes at the Spanish club are on Wednesday night's crucial Champions League match at Bayern Munich..

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 11:07:34 GMT

Ghanaian footballer, 20, dies after team bus attacked by armed robbers

Police said Dominic Frimpong died in hospital after sustaining gunshot injuries and a manhunt is underway for the suspects...

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:58:50 GMT

The Verdict: As MLS teens relish their opportunities, Cavan Sullivan keeps waiting for his

Once he turns 18, Cavan Sullivan will head to Man City, but that alone isn't buying him the same chances his peers in MLS are enjoying..

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 10:00:44 GMT

The Briefing: Will playing at Etihad help Arsenal? Are Tottenham done? Is Ngumoha the real thing?

We discuss three of the biggest questions to arise from a weekend that was significant at both ends of the Premier League table..

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:15:03 GMT

Rayan Cherki plays with freedom and flamboyance – exactly the qualities Arsenal are lacking

Against Chelsea, the France playmaker produced another two assists, taking him to 10 for the season..

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:12:11 GMT

Despite huge ambitions, the Birmingham-Wrexham rivalry will continue in the Championship

Birmingham's 2-0 win over Wrexham on Sunday means both teams will likely miss out on promotion to the Premier League - for now, at least.....

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:10:53 GMT

How Arsenal’s technical shortcomings prevented them and David Raya from playing out

Arteta said Arsenal did some basic things 'extremely badly' on Saturday. Their dreadful attempts to play through Bournemouth was one of them..

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 04:07:09 GMT

Who will win the Premier League title? Arsenal or Manchester City? Our writers have their say

Arsenal's lead at the top has been cut to six points, with City having a game in hand. And the two teams face off at the Etihad next week..

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 18:25:31 GMT

Chelsea 0 Manchester City 3: O'Reilly steps up again. Was Fernandez missed? Should Arsenal be afraid?

Pep Guardiola's side delivered an imperious second-half performance to sweep aside Chelsea and pile the pressure on leaders Arsenal..

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:30:25 GMT

Sunderland 1 Tottenham 0: How much trouble are Spurs in? Have they forgotten how to create chances?

Tottenham were beaten for the 16th time in the league this season in De Zerbi's first match in charge. They remain in the relegation zone..

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 15:03:56 GMT

If Arsenal win the league, they won't stagger over the line, they will crawl

This performance is not an isolated aberration. It is part of a wider pattern: a team seemingly diminished by the weight of expectation..

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:16:44 GMT

Arsenal have blinked in the Premier League title race — can Manchester City take advantage?

Could Arsenal's shock defeat to Bournemouth prove to the the moment the title race swung in Manchester City's favour?..

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:15:29 GMT

Tottenham, be warned: These five clubs thought they were too big to go down

From Atletico Madrid to Manchester City, The Athletic looks back at the most shocking relegations in the history of football..

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:11:12 GMT

Remembering Mircea Lucescu, a coaching legend who won 38 trophies across 1,668 games

Romania head coach Lucescu died in midweek aged 80. Few coaches consistently reinvented themselves like he did..

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 04:06:39 GMT

Premier League title race: Who do Arsenal and Man City play and how quickly could the gap close?

Arsenal's defeat by Bournemouth gave Manchester City the chance to narrow the gap in the title race. They did just that by beating Chelsea..

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:44:03 GMT

Liverpool 2 Fulham 0 — Where does this leave Slot? Ngumoha to face PSG? Salah's latest landmark?

We go through the talking points from a vital victory for Arne Slot against Fulham at Anfield..

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:22:24 GMT

Arsenal 1 Bournemouth 2 — What does defeat mean for title charge? Where was the urgency?

Arsenal were beaten at home by Bournemouth, meaning they are nine points clear at the top but their rivals Man City have two games in hand..

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 13:29:37 GMT

Fire in locker room postpones Swiss soccer match after 'extensive damage'

Basel said a fire took place in the first-team locker room of the club's home ground, St. Jakob-Park, on Friday evening...

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 12:13:34 GMT

Who are the best Premier League players at getting their head to long throws?

While long throws are trending, they are only effective if you have a player who can make first contact with them..

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:15:49 GMT

Xhaka, Henderson, Gross: Why veteran technical midfielders make sense for mid-table teams

As Jurgen Klopp once famously acknowledged, every side needs a conductor to knit things together, and that is true now more than ever..

Sat, 11 Apr 2026 04:12:22 GMT

World Cup seating swap controversy: Part II. Plus: Neymar in Cincinnati talks over move

Today in TAFC: The latest twist in FIFA's World Cup ticketing switches, Neymar in talks with Cincinnati, our referee columnist slams VAR...

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:34:00 GMT

The latest on Argentina's dubious World Cup run-up, Messi's odd lack of commitment

Argentina's World Cup preparations have come against lackluster opposition, all while its iconic captain won't go all in on this summer..

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 10:00:01 GMT

Manchester United regrouped in Ireland – now they face seven games that will define their season

Michael Carrick used a midseason break in Ireland to prepare his players for the task of securing Champions League qualification..

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 05:00:40 GMT

Premier League predictions: Chelsea vs Man City, Man United vs Leeds and rest of Matchday 32

Who's leading after MD31? And what do our writer, the algorithm, a child and this week's subscriber expect to see on Matchday 32?..

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:15:22 GMT

Why referees hate VAR just as much as you do: 'It felt like the walls were closing in'

While the celebrations continued, I was sitting 136 miles away, in a dark corner of a TV studio in west London, fearing the worst..

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:12:01 GMT

Graham Scott: From being chased by Jose Mourinho to becoming referee columnist for The Athletic

A Premier League referee for a decade, Graham Scott joins The Athletic to provide insight and analysis on the decisions that get you talking..

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:11:09 GMT

Mikel Arteta’s problem-solving: Issues for Arsenal as they return to Premier League title run-in

Arsenal are nine points clear as they chase their first title for 22 years. So what needs to be addressed to get over the line?..

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:10:58 GMT

Newcastle and Eddie Howe want to keep working together — but this could be a defining moment

Eddie Howe and Newcastle have had a difficult season. Despite wanting to continue together, the next few weeks could be defining..

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:10:27 GMT

CONMEBOL first federation to call for Gianni Infantino's re-election as FIFA president

Conmebol paid tribute to the “leadership” shown by Infantino and the “advances made” under his management...

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:17:07 GMT

A six-minute nightmare: Porto's Fernandes scores bizarre own goal then is subbed off with injury

The Europa League quarter-final first leg between Porto and Forest saw an unfortunate six-minute period for defender Martim Fernandes...

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 20:15:29 GMT

Neymar's camp, FC Cincinnati in initial talks over move: Sources

The Brazilian star is under contract with Santos through the end of 2026..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:35:11 GMT

Chicharito joins Henry, Ibrahimovic as Fox Sports 2026 World Cup analyst

Mexico's all-time leading scorer adds to a star-laden panel of TV analysts for this summer's World Cup..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 15:00:20 GMT

Argentina to play final pre-World Cup matches in iconic college football stadiums

The reigning World Cup champions will wrap up their preparations for the 2026 competition in SEC country..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:45:02 GMT

Nike in exclusive talks to become men's Champions League ball provider, ending 25 years of Adidas

Nike is set to break Adidas’ 25-year stranglehold over the match ball for the men’s Champions League...

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:29:23 GMT

FIFA creates new World Cup ticket category, deepening suspicions of deception

Yet another twist in the 2026 FIFA World Cup ticketing saga has soured fans who feel duped about the process..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 14:01:00 GMT

How Atletico Madrid's clever positioning unlocked a Champions League win at Barcelona

Julian Alvarez and Antoine Griezmann were the key protagonists, dropping deeper to help Diego Simeone's side to success at Camp Nou..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 12:16:03 GMT

Harry Maguire interview: 'I’m arguably one of the best defenders in the world in both boxes'

Having come through tough times over recent years, Maguire believes he has more to give to both Manchester United and England..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:45 GMT

This Week in Sports Trivia: April 9, 2026

How closely were you following the sports news this week? Find out and test your knowledge by taking The Athletic's weekly quiz...

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 11:00:19 GMT

Alvarez: A 'golazo' – and summer move? Plus: Liverpool 'ripped apart' by PSG

The Athletic FC is The Athletic’s daily football (or soccer, if you prefer) newsletter. Sign up to receive it directly to your inbox..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:46:58 GMT

Why The Athletic disables comments on stories relating to Mason Greenwood

Tottenham Hotspur's recent appointment of Roberto De Zerbi has led to discussion and reporting in the UK of his comments about Greenwood...

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:42:43 GMT

World Cup 2026 stadium guides: Welcome to Houston Stadium, the scene of rodeos and 'Nipplegate'

What to expect when visiting a stadium central to Texan sporting life as it prepares to host World Cup games in Groups E, F, K and H..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:00:24 GMT

To Patrick Agyemang: Getting a World Cup ripped from you is devastating, but you'll be back

Take it from someone who has been there: The road to recovery may be long, but with support around you, it's just a setback, not an ending..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:00:00 GMT

De Zerbi 'didn’t mean to take a stance' over Greenwood. That's precisely the problem. You should, Roberto

In his first interview at Spurs, De Zerbi addressed his public backing of Greenwood in France. His words raised more questions than answers..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:30:24 GMT

Premier League predictions: Title race, relegation, Slot's future and more as season resumes

Predicting what will happen in the final stretch of the Premier League season..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 06:00:33 GMT

Even with the Champions League genius of Lamine Yamal, Barcelona have big problems in attack

Hansi Flick's side played half of Atletico Madrid's 2-0 win with 10 players, but familiar issues up front were just as big a factor..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 05:43:58 GMT

The refreshing joy of 'Barclays': Rewatching 20 years of the Premier League

Is it just blind nostalgia, or was football really better 15 to 20 years ago during the ‘Barclays’ era? There's only one way to find out.....

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:12:06 GMT

Premier League relegation battle: Spurs need De Zerbi bump, West Ham's tough run-in, Leeds sweat on injuries

As the Premier League resumes after a three-week hiatus, we analyse the data to look at which clubs are at most risk of being relegated..

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:10:41 GMT

The Alternative Premier League Table: No 32 – Individual errors leading to goals and shots

We revisit the data for errors leading to shots (and goals) in the past 15 games - and there have been some big swings among top teams...

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 04:08:31 GMT

Champions League quarter-final bracket and predictions

With one game down and one to go in each quarter-final, what have we learned and who looks likely to advance to the last four?..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 23:54:47 GMT

Barcelona 0 Atletico Madrid 2: Cubarsi's red leads to Alvarez's stunner, anti-Muslim chants heard pre-game

Dermot Corrigan, James Horncastle and Anantaajith Raghuraman break down the main talking points from Atletico's 2-0 win over Barcelona..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 21:05:10 GMT

Paris Saint-Germain 2 Liverpool 0: Doue excels but was Slot's tactical switch at fault? Are Liverpool still in it?

Goals from Desire Doue and Kvicha Kvaratskhelia leave Liverpool facing a daunting task in the second leg at Anfield..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:59:29 GMT

How Bayern Munich overwhelmed Real Madrid with Harry Kane in a dual role

Bayern's cohesion, and their ability to carry out a well-crafted gameplan, makes them strong favourites to progress to the semi-finals..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:30:26 GMT

World Cup: Fan ire over seating map swap. Plus: Advantage Bayern after win in Madrid

Today in TAFC: Fans explain anger after FIFA changes World Cup seating maps. Plus: Bayern win Champions League first leg vs Real Madrid...

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:35:18 GMT

Julian Alvarez’s Barcelona links, Champions League hopes and Atletico Madrid rollercoaster

The 26-year-old Argentina forward looks set for a decisive few months, beginning with a Champions League quarter-final at Barcelona..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 10:00:25 GMT

'Hard to not feel scammed': World Cup fans say FIFA misled them with ticket allocations, seat maps

Fans not getting what they thought they were purchasing is the latest in the ticketing saga surrounding the 2026 World Cup..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:00:25 GMT

Sticker, card rights for England and other national teams going to Fanatics, sources say

Topps, owned by Fanatics, will take over licenses for England, Brazil, Germany and Italy, ending long-term deals with Panini. ..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:00:00 GMT

Arsenal's season will be judged on results and nothing else

Forget the performances, forget how they score their goals and ignore the noise, Arsenal's season will be defined purely on results..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:21:43 GMT

Hansi Flick, the father figure to Barcelona’s young stars

The 61-year-old German coach has had great success helping lead Barcelona's young players since his May 2024 appointment..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:20:50 GMT

'They were the worst minutes in my life': Jamie Mitchell on humiliation rituals and why football must do better

Motivated by his experiences, Mitchell wants to help new generations of academy players navigate the challenges of finding another career..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:15:18 GMT

Arsenal were at risk of losing their way. In Lisbon, they rediscovered their identity

After successive defeats, Mikel Arteta demanded a response of conviction from his team. In defeating Sporting, they provided it..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:14:13 GMT

Why Everton want to keep Jack Grealish – and why they’re hopeful it could happen

The forward, on loan from Man City, is spending his rehab at Everton after injuring his foot in January. What does his future hold?..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:11:04 GMT

How each Premier League goalkeeper deals with crosses and corners

Matt Pyzdrowski identifies and analyses the high-ball claimers, the punchers and the goal-line protectors..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:10:26 GMT

Who should captain Chelsea for the rest of the season?

Several candidates may want the responsibility for the rest of this season and beyond if Fernandez is deemed unworthy of the armband..

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:10:12 GMT

Real Madrid 1 Bayern Munich 2: Mbappe gives Spanish hope, but can anyone stop Kane & Co?

A breathtaking first leg saw the Germans prevail at the Bernabeu to take a narrow lead back to Bavaria for next week's return..

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:11:16 GMT

West Ham submit FIFA complaint after Aaron Wan-Bissaka return not sanctioned by DR Congo

The right-back missed his side's penalty defeat on Sunday after helping DR Congo qualify for its first World Cup since 1974...

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:07:19 GMT

Sporting CP 0 Arsenal 1: Gyokeres’ timid return, Raya’s superb saves and Arteta’s savvy subs

A late goal from Kai Havertz secured a valuable advantage going into the second leg of this Champions League quarter-final..

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:03:40 GMT

Mircea Lucescu dies at 80, 12 days after managing Romania in World Cup playoff

Lucescu oversaw Romania's 1-0 loss in Turkey on March 26, before being taken ill at the national side's training base three days later...

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 18:37:01 GMT

Spanish players’ protest over La Liga game in U.S. ruled ‘freedom of expression’, not illegal

On Tuesday, Spain’s National Court said the players protest “did not constitute a strike” and was instead "freedom of expression"...

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 16:46:42 GMT

FIFA opens disciplinary proceedings against Spanish FA over anti-Muslim chants

Spanish fans in Catalonia were warned about the chants during the game. The songs were condemned by Spain's Lamine Yamal, who is Muslim...

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 15:43:18 GMT

USMNT Player Tracker: Agyemang out of the World Cup, Balogun shines, Pulisic's goal drought continues

Our weekly round up of U.S. players' contributions in Europe's major leagues includes another tough week for Christian Pulisic..

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 10:00:06 GMT

USMNT's Patrick Agyemang suffers Achilles injury, out of the World Cup

Agyemang, 25, sustained the injury playing for Derby County against Stoke City on Monday...

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 09:31:58 GMT

Patrice Evra on Man United, racism and toxic masculinity: 'As a player, I had to be an animal'

In a compelling interview, the former Manchester United defender surveys the modern game..

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:45:33 GMT

A coach secretly filmed his women players undressing – yet he can still work in football

Kristyna Janku has chosen to speak out about what happened - and football's apparent inability to make sure it does not happen again..

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 06:30:08 GMT

Are Real Madrid's big stars actually their biggest problem?

Alvaro Arbeloa's team were flying during a recent injury crisis. With their galacticos back, they slumped to defeat, with Bayern Munich next..

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:20:45 GMT

Where do Man United Women go from here? There are financial and footballing issues to address

Investment is one topic of internal discussion, while The Athletic has been told of concerns around some elements of coaching..

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:15:45 GMT

Coach filmed players secretly... but can still work in game. Plus: What now for Italy?

Today in TAFC: The coach who secretly filmed his players, but is still allowed to work in the game. Plus: What now for Italy?..

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:10:47 GMT

Welcome to Lincoln, the underdogs who could soon be welcoming some big Premier League names

Lincoln have won promotion to the Championship - potentially putting them in competition with top teams next season..

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:05:51 GMT

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, the story of 'La Bestia Negra' – and whether the nickname still works...

The two European giants meet tonight. We explain a nickname associated with the rivalry that goes back 50 years.....

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:05:37 GMT

Sporting CP's Rui Borges: From amateur coaching to historic match against Arsenal

The Sporting coach is on the brink of taking the club to the Champions League quarter-finals - it has been a rapid rise for the 44-year-old..

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:03:40 GMT

Inside Lincoln City: The U.S.-owned club with Landon Donovan as investor who have reached the Championship

Chaired by former San Diego Padres owner Ron Fowler, Lincoln became 'the Arsenal of League One' – now they're Championship-bound..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 16:08:36 GMT

USMNT's Patrick Agyemang taken off on a stretcher while playing for Derby

Agyemang, 25, played in both friendlies during the March international window and is in contention for a World Cup roster spot...

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 15:24:00 GMT

Bundesliga Briefing: The mystery of the board shorts with Leon Goretzka's face on

His Bayern team-mate Gnabry was wearing them on the pitch after the late win against Freiburg, and there was a poster with Goretzka topless..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:00:32 GMT

Lamine Yamal's pass vs Atletico was outrageous, but which is the best you have ever seen?

Inspired by Yamal's show-stopping assist against Atletico Madrid on Saturday, The Athletic's writers pick the best passes they've seen...

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:22:59 GMT

Inside Barcelona: Why was Lamine Yamal angry after victory over Atletico Madrid?

The 18-year-old forward left the pitch visibly annoyed after Saturday's 2-1 victory at the Estadio Metropolitano..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:08:20 GMT

Why Wrexham against Southampton has the potential to be another Easter classic

The collision at the SToK Cae Ras pits two of the Championship's form sides and could be critical in terms of securing a play-off place ..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 11:00:41 GMT

The Verdict: With World Cup decisions looming, MLS players heed Pochettino's call

As the World Cup nears, each MLS matchday takes on extra significance for those on the national team roster fringes..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 10:00:10 GMT

Inside Real Madrid: How big a blow was defeat at Mallorca, with Bayern Munich up next?

With Barcelona now seven points clear in La Liga, the Champions League takes on extra significance for Real Madrid..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 09:25:13 GMT

The Briefing: Could Arsenal end the season empty-handed? Will the FA Cup help or hinder Leeds survival hopes?

Welcome to The Briefing, where every Monday, The Athletic discusses three of the biggest issues raised by the weekend’s action..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:15:23 GMT

Prescott, Messi, Ohtani and more: How the world's biggest sports stars get paid

From deferring salaries to taking ownership equity, we explore all the different ways the biggest names in sport get paid..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:12:19 GMT

Champions League quarter-finals predictions, star players and youngsters to watch

And then there were eight. Our writers explain everything you need to know about the business end of the Champions League..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:11:59 GMT

Arne Slot's Liverpool future was never reliant on the FA Cup, but his reign is in danger of unravelling

FSG wants to give Slot the chance to put things right next season, but the manner of the defeat to City should set alarm bells ringing..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:10:42 GMT

The Champions League quarter-finals start this week. Here are five things to look out for

We are down to the last eight in Europe's premier competition, but who will come out on top?..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:10:29 GMT

Bruno Fernandes is a brilliant footballer. Is he destined to be a coach too?

Bruno Fernandes has much left to achieve on the football pitch but those who know him well feel he has the skills to thrive as a coach too..

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:10:15 GMT

What Man City thumping means for Slot and Liverpool. Plus: Yamal's incredible 'trivela' pass

Today in TAFC: Is Arne Slot on brink at Liverpool? Plus: Yamal, Dembele, and the Ballon d'Or contenders...

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:00:53 GMT

German police investigating 'dangerous bodily harm' after on-pitch clashes between rival fans

Dynamo Dresden vs Hertha Berlin was suspended for around 20 minutes after fans set off pyrotechnics and invaded the pitch. ..

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 15:13:04 GMT

Ranking the eight 2025-26 Champions League quarter-finalists

It's a stellar list of names remaining in Europe's top-tier competition – but who will lift the famous trophy on May 30?..

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 10:50:29 GMT

Messi’s Inter Miami opens new stadium that's befitting of MLS’s glitziest club

Nu Stadium's first game on Saturday came after a long and frustrating road for Inter Miami's ownership..

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 08:00:47 GMT

Liverpool plugged the gaps against Manchester City - until they didn't

Arne Slot's side were set up to keep Man City at bay but when it slipped, they were punished..

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 06:21:58 GMT

Arsenal's season has narrowed. Can Mikel Arteta galvanise squad with so much still at stake?

Southampton were seen by some as an easy route through to the semi-finals for the north London team. Yet it proved to be anything but..

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 05:55:49 GMT

Is Gianni Infantino right? Would football not exist in '150 countries' without FIFA?

Infantino’s claim came after the 2026 World Cup general ticket prices were announced on December 11 to widespread backlash over costs..

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 04:10:41 GMT

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