Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 28/09/2026João Félix is for lovers www.nytimes.com/athletic/763...nytimes.comWake up. This is not a drill. Joao Felix looks really good again (Gift Article)Under new coach Jorge Jesus, Felix has completed 90 minutes in back to back games (and scored in both) for the first time ever for Portugal 040
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 15/07/2026Really looking forward to the last 10 minutes when Argentina are a goal up, aka the worst 10 minutes in all of our lives 091
Reposted by Jack LangJack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 05/07/2026“When I arrived at Pumas, people asked me whether I’d come straight from the beach. I had! “I always loved the stuff the surfers wore, the Bermuda shorts, the colours. I wanted to bring something from that world with me. So I started my own style.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...nytimes.comJorge Campos: Goalkeeper, striker, artist, icon (Gift Article)Mexico's most celebrated footballer was always far more than just his country's No 1, as he tells Jack Lang 041
Reposted by Jack LangJack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 06/07/2026What a night at the Azteca. Could barely keep track of the drama. It was also valedictory. The World Cup now loses its dislocated heart. This occasion was one final explosion, a proper game in a proper stadium. It showed us what we could have had www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...nytimes.comFarewell to Mexico, the maddest and most beautiful part of this World Cup (Gift Article)A 3-2 defeat to England brought the end of Mexico's involvement in this World Cup both as a team and as a host nation - they will be missed 0172
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 06/07/2026What a night at the Azteca. Could barely keep track of the drama. It was also valedictory. The World Cup now loses its dislocated heart. This occasion was one final explosion, a proper game in a proper stadium. It showed us what we could have had www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...nytimes.comFarewell to Mexico, the maddest and most beautiful part of this World Cup (Gift Article)A 3-2 defeat to England brought the end of Mexico's involvement in this World Cup both as a team and as a host nation - they will be missed 0172
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 06/07/2026At the Azteca. Last one of these this summer. Can't get enough of Juan Gabriel. We're live with weather updates and the actual football here www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv... 140
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 05/07/2026Trying to work out what the worst part of that Neymar penalty. Don't actually think it was the grin or the argument afterwards. I think it was the time he took to actually take it 182
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 05/07/2026Patrick Berg. Brilliant. Proper midfield performance 1101
Reposted by Jack LangJack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 05/07/2026"I used to tell people that I was one of a kind. That was my catchphrase, my mentality." Spoke to Jorge Campos about his 22-goal season as a striker, starting games in goal & ending them up front, surfing and – yes – the intricacies of kit design. What a guy www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...nytimes.comJorge Campos: Goalkeeper, striker, artist, icon (Gift Article)Mexico's most celebrated footballer was always far more than just his country's No 1, as he tells Jack Lang 3133
Reposted by Jack LangJack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 05/07/2026Did I go to an art supply shop on the morning of the interview, buy a load of felt tips and ask him to design a kit? Reader, I did 171
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 05/07/2026"I used to tell people that I was one of a kind. That was my catchphrase, my mentality." Spoke to Jorge Campos about his 22-goal season as a striker, starting games in goal & ending them up front, surfing and – yes – the intricacies of kit design. What a guy www.nytimes.com/athletic/742...nytimes.comJorge Campos: Goalkeeper, striker, artist, icon (Gift Article)Mexico's most celebrated footballer was always far more than just his country's No 1, as he tells Jack Lang 3133
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 02/07/2026"Low-intensity running distance decreases by about 10 per cent at moderate altitude vs sea level." "High-intensity running can be reduced more severely, by around 30 per cent by distance covered." “You can't sneak in and sneak back out." Mexico and ALTITUDE www.nytimes.com/athletic/686...nytimes.comHow will altitude affect the World Cup? 'Running back and taking a breath is what costs you' 001
Reposted by Jack LangThe Totally Football Show @totallyshow.bsky.social · 02/07/2026It’s @acjimbo.bsky.social , @tomwfootball.bsky.social @lauriewhitwell.bsky.social & @danielstorey85.bsky.social with all the drama 🏴🇺🇸🇧🇪 Plus @jacklang.bsky.social on what England can expect in Mexico 🇲🇽 youtu.be/Ba6yp08fETUyoutu.beKane leads England to Mexico as USA keep on rollin'YouTube video by The Totally Football Show 093
Reposted by Jack LangJack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 01/07/2026“And what if we did?” Mexico have never lost a World Cup match at the Azteca. Their last defeat there in a game of any sort was in 2013. With one more home game coming, it is little wonder that Mexican belief is starting to grow – in the stands & on the pitch www.nytimes.com/athletic/741...nytimes.comMexico’s surging World Cup belief has a high-altitude X factor: The Estadio Azteca (Gift Article)The World Cup co-hosts are now unbeaten in 26 matches at their home ground, following Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the round of 32 031
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 01/07/2026“And what if we did?” Mexico have never lost a World Cup match at the Azteca. Their last defeat there in a game of any sort was in 2013. With one more home game coming, it is little wonder that Mexican belief is starting to grow – in the stands & on the pitch www.nytimes.com/athletic/741...nytimes.comMexico’s surging World Cup belief has a high-altitude X factor: The Estadio Azteca (Gift Article)The World Cup co-hosts are now unbeaten in 26 matches at their home ground, following Tuesday's 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the round of 32 031
Reposted by Jack LangJack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 29/06/2026“He is an enormously important figure for our football, a reference point for all of us.” Zico’s enduring influence on the Japanese game – and the adopted Portuguese word that captures his legacy www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...nytimes.comMalicia is the Brazilian term that defines Japanese football thanks to a World Cup legend (Gift Article)Japan play Brazil in a World Cup knockout game and the country owes much of its international success to one of Brazil's greatest players 051
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 29/06/2026“He is an enormously important figure for our football, a reference point for all of us.” Zico’s enduring influence on the Japanese game – and the adopted Portuguese word that captures his legacy www.nytimes.com/athletic/740...nytimes.comMalicia is the Brazilian term that defines Japanese football thanks to a World Cup legend (Gift Article)Japan play Brazil in a World Cup knockout game and the country owes much of its international success to one of Brazil's greatest players 051
Reposted by Jack LangJack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 25/06/2026Memo Ochoa is a Mexican icon and a World Cup great. On an emotional night at the Azteca, his story got the fairytale ending it deserved www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...nytimes.comGuillermo Ochoa and Mexico – a World Cup love affair gets its perfect ending (Gift Article)A cult hero worldwide and a national treasure at home, veteran Mexico goalkeeper Ochoa's late Azteca cameo was the perfect send-off 071
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 25/06/2026Memo Ochoa is a Mexican icon and a World Cup great. On an emotional night at the Azteca, his story got the fairytale ending it deserved www.nytimes.com/athletic/739...nytimes.comGuillermo Ochoa and Mexico – a World Cup love affair gets its perfect ending (Gift Article)A cult hero worldwide and a national treasure at home, veteran Mexico goalkeeper Ochoa's late Azteca cameo was the perfect send-off 071
Reposted by Jack LangJack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Memepocalypse now! Ancelotti. Endrick and the Brazilian content machine www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...nytimes.comWhy memes about Endrick and Carlo Ancelotti have become this World Cup’s viral sensation (Gift Article)There is a public clamour for Endrick to start for Brazil. Carlo Ancelotti looks as though he will be unmoved 062
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Memepocalypse now! Ancelotti. Endrick and the Brazilian content machine www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...nytimes.comWhy memes about Endrick and Carlo Ancelotti have become this World Cup’s viral sensation (Gift Article)There is a public clamour for Endrick to start for Brazil. Carlo Ancelotti looks as though he will be unmoved 062
Reposted by Jack LangJacob Whitehead @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social · 24/06/2026Colombia 1-0 DR Congo With 20 shots, it was ironic that the only one Colombia scored was the effort they did not direct themselves. Munoz's deflected winner puts them top of Group K — to stay there, they only need to draw with Portugal. W/ @jacklang.bsky.social:nytimes.comColombia beat DR Congo at World Cup to seal knockout spot — can they top Group K ahead of Portugal? (Gift Article)A tantalising group-stage showdown with Portugal awaits on Saturday after Daniel Munoz scored a crucial winner 011
Reposted by Jack LangJack Pitt-Brooke @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social · 23/06/2026Harry Kane loves NFL so much that at Tottenham he used to run the Fantasy Football league. Today he will finally play at the home of his beloved New England Patriots. My piece on his NFL fandom and his friendship with his hero Tom Brady. www.nytimes.com/athletic/737...nytimes.comHarry Kane is the World Cup star with a Tom Brady obsession and a dream of playing in the NFL (Gift Article)Kane loves the NFL so much that he ran a Fantasy Football competition for Spurs players and staff and still dreams of playing as a kicker 4153
Reposted by Jack LangPaul Tenorio @paultenorio.bsky.social · 21/06/2026Lost my dad four years ago. Wrote this in Qatar. Another World Cup, this time on Father's Day. Wish he could've seen the book. Hard to be away from my family and kids, but making arroz con pollo today, thinking of my dad and sharing a meal with friends. www.nytimes.com/athletic/394...nytimes.comTenorio: A gift for my father, and the gift he gave to meOn Sunday, I carried mementos of my father while watching a game that would have made him proud. 0301
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 21/06/2026“You have chosen to play. The baby will still be there afterwards.” “A World Cup is a unique moment. You’re going to walk away from that?” Reactionary garbage. Hats off to Jérémy Doku. Some things are far more important than football www.nytimes.com/athletic/737...nytimes.comJeremy Doku wants to be there for the birth of his first child. That should be the end of it (Gift Article)The birth of a child, particularly your first, is a life-changing event. Doku the parent is so much more important than Doku the footballer 0286
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 20/06/2026Starting Pitta against Turkey… Paraguay know how to fuck with you 110
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 20/06/2026Better from Brazil (Couldn’t really have been worse) www.nytimes.com/athletic/736...nytimes.comBrazil ease to win against Haiti. How much would Raphinha hurt them? Does Cunha have to start now? (Gift Article)Two goals from Matheus Cunha and another from Vinicius Junior fired Brazil to the top of Group C and on the brink of the knockout stages 000
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 20/06/2026My name is Jack Lang and I am addicted to Lucas Paquetá 0145
Reposted by Jack LangJacob Whitehead @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social · 17/06/2026EXCLUSIVE: Ivory Coast starting striker Elye Wahi arrested on suspicion of alleged fixing offences just two weeks before World Cup. The 23-year-old has not been charged but remains subject of an active investigation.nytimes.comIvory Coast player Elye Wahi arrested for alleged fixing offences on eve of World Cup (Gift Article)Wahi, who started Ivory Coast's opening game of the tournament on Sunday, was arrested by anti-corruption specialists on May 29. 088
Reposted by Jack LangJack Pitt-Brooke @jackpittbrooke.bsky.social · 16/06/2026Who runs the England dressing room? And will Thomas Tuchel be able to solve the issues from Euro 2024? My piece ahead of England's opener tomorrow www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...nytimes.comHarry Kane, Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham: Who runs England’s dressing room? (Gift Article)Kane and Bellingham have both said things were not quite right in Southgate's dressing room at Euro 2024 - how is Tuchel changing things? 251
Reposted by Jack LangJacob Whitehead @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social · 15/06/2026Yan Diomande: I see the fuss. Thoughts from Ivory Coast 1-0 Ecuador, won by a fine late Amad strike (but really, check out Singo's work in the build-up) — with @jacklang.bsky.social:nytimes.comIvory Coast beats Ecuador at World Cup as Liverpool target Yan Diomande goes global (Gift Article)Analysis of Ivory Coast's game against Ecuador at the World Cup 082
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 14/06/2026Ecuador start their World Cup campaign today. Second in South American qualifying despite a points deduction. Spoke to coach Sebastián Beccacece last year about their mean defence and why *not* playing at altitude has boosted their confidence www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...nytimes.comEcuador are outperforming Brazil in World Cup qualifying. They are a footballing nation on the rise 120
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 13/06/2026Casemiro and Bruno Guimarães running back, slowly, painfully, for the rest of time 2140
Reposted by Jack LangOliver Kay @oliverkay.bsky.social · 13/06/2026“It’s a very religious and very spiritual atmosphere." Paul Clement on working with the Brazil squad — & with Carlo Ancelotti again: "Carlo is always a great fit for a big team; big characters, big personalities. "They’re desperate for that sixth star on the shirt" www.nytimes.com/athletic/733...nytimes.comBrazil, Carlo Ancelotti and the World Cup: ‘They’re desperate for that sixth star on the shirt’It is 24 years since the South Americans last won this tournament but, under their Italian coach, they aspire to end that lengthy drought 041
Reposted by Jack LangJack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 12/06/2026At the Azteca, a beer-soaked feast for the eyes and soul www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...nytimes.comBeer and sombreros rain down as Mexico’s World Cup takes flight (Gift Article)Mexico's World Cup began amid excitement, nostalgia and about 43 metric tons of opening-day nerves 1101
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 12/06/2026At the Azteca, a beer-soaked feast for the eyes and soul www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...nytimes.comBeer and sombreros rain down as Mexico’s World Cup takes flight (Gift Article)Mexico's World Cup began amid excitement, nostalgia and about 43 metric tons of opening-day nerves 1101
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 11/06/2026“For many LGBTQ people, hearing it in a stadium recalls decades of discrimination, bullying and exclusion.” After a decade of fines and campaigns, can Mexican football finally banish ‘el grito homofóbico’? (Free to read) www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...nytimes.comThe homophobic chant that hangs over World Cup hosts Mexico and its soccer team (Gift Article)Many are fearful about fans again using a homophobic slur that has led FIFA to fine them more than $1million over the past decade 021
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 11/06/2026“For many LGBTQ people, hearing it in a stadium recalls decades of discrimination, bullying and exclusion.” After a decade of fines and campaigns, can Mexican football finally banish ‘el grito homofóbico’? (Free to read) www.nytimes.com/athletic/734...nytimes.comThe homophobic chant that hangs over World Cup hosts Mexico and its soccer team (Gift Article)Many are fearful about fans again using a homophobic slur that has led FIFA to fine them more than $1million over the past decade 042
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 11/06/2026Listen, fair play. We’re LIVE here: www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv... 020
Reposted by Jack LangJack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 09/06/2026The run-up. The technique. The clearly evil goalkeeper. The mind games. The 90s optimism. The haunting figure with a clipboard. The fallout. The agony and – yes, unironically – the glory. Diana Ross and the penalty: a love story (Free to read) www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...nytimes.comThe story behind Diana Ross’ iconic 1994 World Cup penalty: ‘It was just the most absurd thing” (Gift Article)Forget the soccer, the music star was responsible for one of the enduring images of the first World Cup on American soil 142
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 09/06/2026The run-up. The technique. The clearly evil goalkeeper. The mind games. The 90s optimism. The haunting figure with a clipboard. The fallout. The agony and – yes, unironically – the glory. Diana Ross and the penalty: a love story (Free to read) www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...nytimes.comThe story behind Diana Ross’ iconic 1994 World Cup penalty: ‘It was just the most absurd thing” (Gift Article)Forget the soccer, the music star was responsible for one of the enduring images of the first World Cup on American soil 142
Reposted by Jack LangJack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 03/06/2026Totti's bad acting, Roberto Carlos breaking the cage with a shot, burnt grass, Seol Ki-hyeon's entourage vs Ronaldinho and a t-shirt with 'Terry Gilliam made me sit in the corner' printed on it. The oral history of Nike's 2002 Secret Tournament ad (Free to read) www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...nytimes.comThis is the story of Nike’s Secret Tournament advert, told by those who made it (Gift Article)A cargo ship, a floodlit metal cage, 24 of the world's best players, and Eric Cantona. This was one of the greatest soccer ads of all time 12213
Reposted by Jack LangJack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 03/06/2026“I win by losing games. I have relegated 42 football clubs since 2009, including some big ones." "This isn’t new. It’s been around for 30, 40 years. You know this. Let’s not try and block the sun with a sieve." Meet Brazil's RELEGATION KING (Free to read) www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...nytimes.comFixing in sport: The Relegation King – ‘Only politics and drug trafficking are more lucrative than match-fixing’ (Gift Article)The Athletic's eight-month investigation into fixing looks at the way one fixer sought to destroy Brazilian clubs from the inside 122
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 03/06/2026“I win by losing games. I have relegated 42 football clubs since 2009, including some big ones." "This isn’t new. It’s been around for 30, 40 years. You know this. Let’s not try and block the sun with a sieve." Meet Brazil's RELEGATION KING (Free to read) www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...nytimes.comFixing in sport: The Relegation King – ‘Only politics and drug trafficking are more lucrative than match-fixing’ (Gift Article)The Athletic's eight-month investigation into fixing looks at the way one fixer sought to destroy Brazilian clubs from the inside 122
Reposted by Jack LangJacob Whitehead @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social · 03/06/2026He’s the man who claims to have sent down 42 sides. Meet the Relegation King. “Let’s not try and block the sun with a sieve. This has existed for a long time.” Part four of @theathleticfc.bsky.social’s match-fixing series, w/ @jacklang.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...nytimes.comFixing in sport: The Relegation King – ‘Only politics and drug trafficking are more lucrative than match-fixing’ (Gift Article)The Athletic's eight-month investigation into fixing looks at the way one fixer sought to destroy Brazilian clubs from the inside 032
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 03/06/2026Totti's bad acting, Roberto Carlos breaking the cage with a shot, burnt grass, Seol Ki-hyeon's entourage vs Ronaldinho and a t-shirt with 'Terry Gilliam made me sit in the corner' printed on it. The oral history of Nike's 2002 Secret Tournament ad (Free to read) www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...nytimes.comThis is the story of Nike’s Secret Tournament advert, told by those who made it (Gift Article)A cargo ship, a floodlit metal cage, 24 of the world's best players, and Eric Cantona. This was one of the greatest soccer ads of all time 12213
Reposted by Jack LangJacob Whitehead @jacobwhitehead.bsky.social · 02/06/2026Spent the past eight months investigating fixing. The first in the seven-part series explores why experts believe corruption is rapidly growing - including at some of the world’s largest events. “It’s in every sport on every continent.” Free to read ⬇️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...nytimes.comIs the World Cup vulnerable to fixers? Fears grow as ‘every sport in every continent’ faces corruption (Gift Article)The Athletic's eight-month investigation into fixing has revealed the global scope of the problem facing sport 145
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 01/06/2026"I don’t know what we did to the football gods to make them so angry.” Mexico and the World Cup, a hard-luck love story, part of our new Language of Soccer series (Free to read) www.nytimes.com/athletic/709...nytimes.comCursed? Always let down? Whatever the truth, Mexican support is unconditional (Gift Article)As part of a special World Cup series, The Athletic is speaking to fans of all 48 competing nations to capture their unique football culture 131
Jack Lang @jacklang.bsky.social · 01/06/2026Brazil 6-2 Panama late last night. One for the long-time Lucas Paquetá tragics (hi!) (Free to read) www.nytimes.com/athletic/732...nytimes.comBrazil 6 Panama 2: Vinicius the roving freelancer, Paqueta as Plan B, but some positives for Panama (Gift Article)Carlo Ancelotti made 10 second-half changes and watched his team rack up six goals at the Maracana, but it was not all bad for Panama 020
Reposted by Jack LangThe Totally Football Show @totallyshow.bsky.social · 28/05/2026🚨THURSDAY POD!🚨 @acjimbo.bsky.social, @oilysailor.bsky.social, @colinmillar.bsky.social & @jacklang.bsky.social cover the quest for silverware🏆 🔒Can Arsenal shut down PSG? 🦅Palace Euro glory with Reuben Pinder 🧠Why do Barca want Gordon? pod.fo/e/4211d9pod.foThe Totally Football Show with James Richardson: Palace win Conference League - can Arsenal beat PSG in the Champions League?Crystal Palace beat Rayo Vallecano to win the UEFA Conference League in Leipzig. It’s a third trophy in 12 months for the Eagles, who’d previously never won any major competition. Special gues... 251
