“In a new series from The Athletic, ‘The Language of Soccer’, we spoke to supporters of all 48 participating nations in the men’s 2026 FIFA World Cup. Our aim is to capture each country’s unique fan and football culture, told through their voices. We asked these fans to come up with a single phrase that best encapsulates the experience of being a supporter of their national team. We then put the suggested phrases to a vote, using supporters’ groups and networks to gauge the opinions of as many fans as possible. The winning phrase is the one you will see below and around which each country’s story is framed. This exploration of these nations’ rich and diverse football culture and traditions touches music, food, history, language, psychology and much more. We will be publishing all 48 articles before the World Cup begins, starting with one group per day and we will update this page as they come out. …”
NYT/ATH (Video)

“2026 World Cup is less than a week away, and it’s gigantic. Three countries, 12 groups, 48 teams, 1,248 players.  But enlargement brings complexity. There is so much to learn ahead of the big kick-off next Thursday and a rapidly decreasing window in which to do so. Welcome, then, to The Athletic’s 2026 World Cup Tactical Group Guides, which will walk you through the key battles on the pitch, tell you about the players to look out for, and offer up some fun facts to impress your friends with ahead of the tournament.
GROUP G: De Bruyne, Salah, Taremi and Wood face off in battle of the veterans
GROUP H: Spanish control, Uruguay’s relentlessness, and two dark horses?
GROUP I: How will France, Senegal, Norway and Iraq contest the group of death?
GROUP J: Austria’s intensity, Algeria’s transitions, and is Messi still Argentina’s key man?
GROUP K: Pacy Colombia, fluid DR Congo and can Ronaldo lead Portugal to glory?
GROUP L: Croatia’s veterans, Ghana’s gamble, and can Tuchel make England unpredictable?