Max Mathews

Staff Writer, Live Reporter at the World Cup for @TheAthleticFC;
Speak: 🇫🇷🇸🇳, Big on Crystal Palace, Senegal, AFCON, FPL, Tennis

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

“An interesting contrast in squad numbers as the Czech Republic's Ladislav Krejci, a left-sided centre-back, is wearing the number seven.

“His opposite number is South Korea attacker Son Heung-min.

“Centre-back wearing No 7? Game's gone.” - @maxmathews95 ⬇️

South Korea vs Czech Republic: World Cup live blog: https://t.co/u5PcNofX6p

[Max Mathews @maxmathews95]

And @TheAthleticFC is live on the opening game of the #WorldCup via the below link — don't miss out.

https://t.co/2tq0EqOb76

[Max Mathews @maxmathews95]

How much are Americans embracing this tournament? And is World Cup fever taking over?

Follow along for my coffee-shop insights (and more) in our daily World Cup Today news coverage on @TheAthleticFC, free to read, below ⬇️

https://t.co/cdXlDOUisM

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Have you heard of our Pick 'Em game?

If you haven't, that's okay — because @JM_Devine is here to explain:

Play here: https://t.co/3Kbps8m8sG

[Max Mathews @maxmathews95]

Mohammed Amoura: Stars of Soccer, World Cup 2026

🥅 Swiss finishing school at Lugano
🇩🇿 Taking the attacking mantle from Riyad Mahrez
﹖ May pique Premier League interest this summer

Read for free via the below link ⬇️

https://t.co/J7TSwmeiqE

[Max Mathews @maxmathews95]

Saeid Ezatolahi: Stars of Soccer, World Cup 2026

👶 Record-breaking start at club with family connection
🇪🇸 Nearly stinging Spain at 2018 World Cup
🎶 And gruff vocals on a rap song supporting the Iran team...

Free to read, for @TheAthleticFC, below

https://t.co/gJCNDZxYbb

[Max Mathews @maxmathews95]

Pleased to contribute to our Stars of Soccer coverage.

Read it on @TheAthleticFC below!

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Welcome to Stars of Soccer, The Athletic’s World Cup player guide.

Lionel Messi is here, and there’s room for Cristiano Ronaldo too.

There are legends of the game, the current elite, rising stars and others who really make their teams tick.

They are old and young, some at their first World Cup, some at their sixth.

They are players you should enjoy this summer, and we are here to tell you all about them (and how to pronounce their names).

🔗 https://t.co/NhvPUYo9pi

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Welcome to Stars of Soccer, The Athletic’s World Cup player guide.

Lionel Messi is here, and there’s room for Cristiano Ronaldo too.

There are legends of the game, the current elite, rising stars and others who really make their teams tick.

They are old and young, some at their first World Cup, some at their sixth.

They are players you should enjoy this summer, and we are here to tell you all about them (and how to pronounce their names).

🔗 https://t.co/NhvPUYo9pi

[Max Mathews @maxmathews95]

Was brilliant to profile #Senegal with help from five fans for @TheAthleticFC’s Language of Soccer series

⚽️ ‘The drug of the people’
🦁 Inside the ‘Lions of ‘Teranga’
🍚 Food and fandom
🔥 Why they fear no one at the #WorldCup

FREE to read below! 👇

https://t.co/nKCrUDw4G4

[Aidan James @mcandidate]

*standing for election as president of a European football superpower*

"If I'm elected, I pledge to sign...*spins wheel on 38-0 app*...

Laurent Robert from the 01-02 Newcastle side. And Junior Hoilett from Cardiff 18-19"

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Brian Cox has moved his 80th birthday party to accommodate Arsenal's #UCL final against PSG.

The Succession star sat down with @AdamCrafton_ to discuss his admiration for Mikel Arteta, Arsenal & his love of the beautiful game.

Watch the full interview next week on The Athletic.

[Jack Lang @jacklang]

Totti's bad acting, Roberto Carlos breaking the cage with a shot, burnt grass, Seol Ki-hyeon's entourage vs Ronaldinho & a shirt with 'Terry Gilliam made me sit in the corner' printed on it.

The oral history of Nike's Secret Tournament ad

(Free to read)

https://t.co/zyxrQKc1qd

[Adam Crafton @AdamCrafton_]

Exclusive @TheAthleticFC

FIFA make last-gasp change to World Cup stadium rules: BANNING fans from bringing refillable plastic bottles, so fans must buy water in stadia

As of May, empty bottles permitted so fans could refill amid heat concerns. Not now

https://t.co/OuyjvgPoxN

[The Athletic | Football @TheAthleticFC]

Forty-eight nations, each with a distinct football culture.

The fans who believe their team is cursed.
The country where early adopters were ridiculed and abused.
The supporters who will bring 'the whip' with them.
The nation where football has united the people when all else has failed.

Over recent months, The Athletic has been speaking to supporters of every team that will compete at this summer's World Cup to explore each one's rich and diverse football culture.

From Algeria to Argentina, Canada to Curacao, the Netherlands to New Zealand and all other corners of the globe, this new series takes in traditions, psychology, food, history and much more.

Welcome to The Language of Soccer.

🔗 https://t.co/38GZcz6npe

[Leonard Jägerskiöld @LeonardJN]

Crystal Palace - Rayo Vallecano 1-0

Jag har varit på Champions League-finaler, cupfinaler, Europa-mästerskap och Premier League.

Jag har sett derbyn i Skottland, Frankrike, Italien och Tyskland. Jag har sett Benfica, Bayern München, MFF, HIF och AIK avgöra ligan.

1/3

[Max Mathews @maxmathews95]

Read my analysis of the #Senegal/Pape #Thiaw contract situation on @TheAthleticFC below!

https://t.co/hXS1tmBBIJ

[Tom Dutton @TomDutty]

So.

[Crystal Palace F.C. @CPFC]

WE HAVE DONE IT. WE ARE THE UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE WINNERS.

[Crystal Palace F.C. @CPFC]

It's time for a European Final...

[Max Mathews @maxmathews95]

@TheAthleticFC's writers and I had a go at predicting the 2026-27 Premier League title winners and how the top five will finish – way too early.

Check out our thoughts and reasoning below!

https://t.co/7fQWnxSCAy