Oliver Kay

The World Cup is supposed to inspire hope and unity. This one feels different The military action taken against Iran is the latest serious political issue overshadowing a tournament that starts in 101 days

World Cup 2026. One hundred days to go. So much uncertainty and cause for apprehension

www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

“Brace yourself for interference, for disruption, for turmoil and for an event that threatens to be even more politically charged than the last two men’s World Cups in Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022.” - Oliver Kay, a senior football writer

From @theathleticfc.bsky.social: The World Cup is supposed to inspire hope and unity. This one feels different, our columnist writes. “The greatest event that humanity, mankind, has ever seen and will ever see” is at risk of being consumed by geopolitical tension. nyti.ms/3OFmvfP

The World Cup is supposed to inspire hope and unity. This one feels different The military action taken against Iran is the latest serious political issue overshadowing a tournament that starts in 101 days

The USA/Canada/Mexico 2026 World Cup bid was built around "unity, certainty and opportunity". There was so much cause for optimism back then.

With 101 days to go, there could hardly be less unity and less certainty — locally, regionally or globally

www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

It has been curious over the past few seasons to see Chelsea, of all clubs, not just adopting the Arsene Wenger model of the late 2000s and early 2010s but taking it to such an extreme.

@oliverkay.bsky.social looks at how Chelsea have traded places with Arsenal ⤵️

Free to read: nyti.ms/4rJBbJe

Premier League predictions: Arsenal vs Chelsea, Liverpool vs West Ham and rest of Matchday 28 Who's leading after MD27? And what do our writer, the algorithm, a child and this week's subscriber expect to see on Matchday 28?

It's week 28 of @theathleticfc.bsky.social Premier League predictions challenge, in which I am now trailing the subscribers as well as six-year-old Wilfred.

We've all gone for Arsenal to beat Chelsea tomorrow... and we're not holding out much hope for Spurs at Fulham
www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

Happy 10 yrs of Gianni at FIFA, to all that celebrate (on the official anniversary).

Here’s an audio journey for you that I did for @theathleticfc.bsky.social - featuring @mjslater.bsky.social @oliverkay.bsky.social @adamcrafton.bsky.social & many more.

Who is the real Gianni Infantino, FIFA president and ‘the king of soccer’? Before the Club World Cup, The Athletic has spoken to dozens of people to gain a clearer picture of the most powerful man in football

"The sun king", "an empty suit", Donald Trump's "great friend", "sort of the king of soccer... I guess… in a certain way"

Ten years ago this week Gianni Infantino became FIFA president, pledging to "restore the image and the respect of FIFA"

It's been ... a ride

www.nytimes.com/athletic/641...

James Milner is now the all-time record holder for Premier League appearances.

It's one of many significant achievements in his career, but not the one he'd prefer to be remembered for.

✍️ @oliverkay.bsky.social

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

James Milner making Premier League history, more than 23 years on from his debut As Manuel Pellegrini said during his time at Manchester City: 'Show me another player who does all the things that Milner does well'

James Milner starts for Brighton at Brentford, his 654th Prem Lge appearance, breaking Gareth Barry’s record.
“To be honest, I’d rather be remembered for winning every domestic trophy with two clubs or winning the Champs Lge or scoring in the Prem Lge for Leeds at 16”
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

Premier League predictions: Tottenham vs Arsenal, Man City vs Newcastle, and rest of Matchday 27 Who's leading after MD26? And what do our writer, the algorithm, a child and this week's subscriber expect to see on Matchday 27?

It’s week 27 of @TheAthleticFC Premier League predictions challenge, in which I take on (and am frequently embarrassed by) a guest subscriber, an algorithm and a six-year-old.

(Not so much the algorithm actually)

www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Thank you 👍

Vinicius Jr cuts a lonely, weary figure on another ugly night for football The Real Madrid forward is a beguiling footballer but looks increasingly exhausted at having to draw strength from fighting his tormentors

An ugly night in Lisbon: not just an allegation that Vinicius Jnr was racially abused by an opponent, but the hostility that greeted him thereafter, monkey gestures in the crowd and the painfully familiar rush to accuse him of bringing it upon himself

www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

Agree x2. Even 85 points would require e.g. W10 D2 L0 from this point, which is a better run than they've had at any point over the last two seasons. Arsenal could get to 85 points with W8 D3 L1 — and their sights should be higher than that. I still fancy Arsenal, but far less strongly than I did

Personally I really think physicality and spirit are the least of their worries. And I wouldn't worry about Arteta's histrionics; not many title-winning coaches are models of composure on the touchline. Interesting to see if City can do what they've done before. If they do, I'll worry for Arsenal

Is Arsenal’s low-risk approach in pursuit of the Premier League actually… risky? Arsenal have put themselves in a strong position, but the feeling persists they must play with more freedom to fend off those at their back

Seeing the usual hysteria (whether glee or panic) about Arsenal. Personally I still fancy them to do it, but I'm doubting that for the first time in months.

It's not a question of "bottle". It's a question of approach. It's low-risk, which is ... risky

www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

😅

He's going to end my career ...

Carlo Ancelotti is set to sign a new four-year contract with the Brazilian Football Confederation, keeping him as head coach of the nation through to 2030.

Exclusive from Mario Cortegana ⤵️

🔗 www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

James Milner making Premier League history, more than 23 years on from his debut As Manuel Pellegrini said during his time at Manchester City: 'Show me another player who does all the things that Milner does well'

“The mental side is the biggest thing. That thing of, ‘I don’t really feel like it today’, I’ve never really had that. It’s having that drive to keep doing it.”

James Milner, the Prem Lge appearance record & a story of drive, relentlessness & total dedication.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

The day Manchester United and the New York Yankees teamed up – and the missed opportunity Two of the world's biggest sports franchises teamed up — but the relationship could have gone much further

On February 7 2001, Manchester United and the New York Yankees, two of the biggest names in the business, announced a partnership.

This is the story of that day, why it might have been a missed opportunity - and a push for the Steinbrenner family to buy Manchester United.

📝 @oliverkay.bsky.social

The day Manchester United and the New York Yankees teamed up – and the missed opportunity Two of the world's biggest sports franchises teamed up — but the relationship could have gone much further

In Feb 2001 Manchester United and New York Yankees launched an alliance likened to “bringing together Coca-Cola and Pepsi.”
But it never got past first base. 25 years on, those involved look back on an idea ahead of its time… and a missed opportunity #mufc #yankees

www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

Premier League predictions: Man Utd vs Tottenham, Liverpool vs Man City and rest of matchday 25 A change at the top? And what do our writer, the algorithm, a child and this week's subscriber expect to see on Matchday 25?

It’s week 25 of @theathleticfc.bsky.social Premier League predictions, where I take on a guest subscriber, an algorithm and... six-year-old Wilfred, who's just knocked me off the top of the table 😱

This week's predictions — and Wilf shares the secrets of his success
www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

absurd. And the breaks in play aren’t just “stoppages” (which are impossible to make up for in any case). They break the rhythm of the game to a ridiculous extent. It’s mad that it is only becoming a debating point now, but some of what we’re seeing now is ridiculous

Is this the football you want? Those who would accuse Pep Guardiola of sucking the fun and creativity out of the game should be careful what they wish for

later for this piece www.nytimes.com/athletic/671... and it was … a hard watch for the most part. I’ve always hated the idea of the clock stopping every time the ball goes out of play; it really shouldn’t be necessary. But the amount of time being lost to set pieces, VAR checks, “injuries” etc is ->

Yeah, watching it, it felt like they were playing without a ball for the first 15 minutes. Three players down for treatment didn’t help. It was very similar to the second half of the game at SJP — which I know a lot of people thought was fantastic entertainment, but I watched it again a few weeks ->

Definitely true for everyone, and definitely true that creative players and goalscorers are finding it hard across the league. I just feel that Arsenal, in order to maximise their chances, need to play in a way that gets more out of them. Not gung-ho, but an approach not every game is a slog

Premier League predictions: Tottenham vs Manchester City, Liverpool vs Newcastle and rest of matchday 24 Who's leading now? And what do our writer, the algorithm, a child and this week's subscriber expect to see on Matchday 24?

Week 24 of @theathletic.com Premier League predictions challenge, where each week I take on a guest subscriber, an algorithm and a disconcertingly smart six-year-old. I’m still leading, but the subscribers are on the charge

www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

Almost all are,, yes, but i’d say Arsenal were trend-setters in that regard. And I expect that, with opponents putting more and more work into trying to stop them at set pieces, Arsenal will have to find another level creatively and more of a cutting edge to finish the job — which I think they will

Who are the hardest club in England to support? The Athletic spends time with fans who have endured miserable results, injustice and the tedium of stagnation in the same division for years

Went from Bristol Rovers to Preston to Darlington to talk to fans about endurance and commitment. No online sense of entitlement here, just real supporters and good people who understand hard times. And still go through that turnstile. www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...

Is Arsenal’s low-risk approach in pursuit of the Premier League actually… risky? Arsenal have put themselves in a strong position, but the feeling persists they must play with more freedom to fend off those at their back

Title-winning seasons are rarely magic carpet rides. Often it’s just about getting it done.

But is such a low-risk approach, which is getting so little out of their creatives, really Arsenal’s best hope?

Column on Arsenal, risk aversion… and Keir Starmer’s Ming vase
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...