Senior ⚽ writer, The Athletic. Tips, ideas, etc.: hbushnell@theathletic.com henrybushnell.03 on Signalhttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mkscdm6zjc2yA column on Gianni Infantino, his attempted Israel-Palestine photo op, and the surreal FIFA world that emboldened him to plead for it. Free to read @theathletic.com: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7245303/2026/05/01/gianni-infantino-fifa-congress-israel-palestine-world-cup/?unlocked_article_code=1.fFA.A2OY.6IpXUrx4iD3q&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta01 May 2026 14:05 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkscdm6zjc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mkqsykrqrc2uMultiple demonstrations outside one of the FIFA hotels here in Vancouver. Among them: hotel workers demanding better wages. “No contract, no FIFA!” Also Palestinian activists calling out Gianni Infantino’s attempted photo op at the Congress earlier.30 Apr 2026 23:58 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkqsykrqrc2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mknflzlcj22nHello from FIFAland, aka Vancouver, site of tomorrow’s FIFA Congress. War and visa issues loom over it: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7238185/2026/04/28/iran-fifa-congress-war-vancouver/?source=emp_shared_article&unlocked_article_code=1.elA.JpfI.-OAFPRoNdSOV More to come today and rest of week29 Apr 2026 15:20 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mknflzlcj22nhttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mk3ilhbre22oFIFA came to America promising a 2026 World Cup tourism boom. Politicians bought in. Hotels hiked prices to capitalize. But two months out, it isn't (yet) materializing. Story @theathletic.com on the boom trending toward a modest bump (if that): https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7217651/2026/04/22/world-cup-hotel-tourism-prices-usa/22 Apr 2026 12:26 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mk3ilhbre22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mjyx53zyhc2iMost World Cup tickets sell quickly. The exceptions have been games involving low-profile teams... and, remarkably, the high-priced U.S. opener. @theathletic.com has seen a document that shows sales for that match lagging behind others in LA, such as Iran-NZ. Story w/ @adamcrafton.bsky.social: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7213118/2026/04/21/usa-paraguay-world-cup-tickets-fifa-sofi-stadium/21 Apr 2026 12:08 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjyx53zyhc2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mjjrrzeoek2yA couple weeks ago, Matt Crocker was still talking dreamily about the future of U.S. Soccer. But he was also "frustrated," he told me, by one of his main tasks. That's not (necessarily) why he left, but it speaks to what he's leaving behind. Unpacking Crocker's departure @theathletic.com: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7197660/2026/04/15/matt-crocker-us-soccer-sporting-director-exit-world-cup/15 Apr 2026 11:22 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mjjrrzeoek2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mj2y4tfwok22New (seriously): FIFA has now created an extra ticket category to sell "front" row World Cup seats for double the price of Category 1 tickets — which supposedly could’ve yielded “front” row seats when bought months ago. Fans feel deceived. More @theathletic.com: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7182937/2026/04/09/fifa-world-cup-tickets-new-category-prices/09 Apr 2026 14:06 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mj2y4tfwok22https://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3miy6t45at224New: World Cup ticket buyers accuse FIFA of “misleading” them. Altered categories, seat maps that failed to disclose hospitality sections — "it's hard not to feel scammed," one fan told me. Full story free to read @theathletic.com: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7175652/2026/04/08/world-cup-tickets-fans-stadium-seating-map/?unlocked_article_code=1.ZVA.paHZ.e5Bd5V1Q0_qz&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta08 Apr 2026 11:28 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3miy6t45at224https://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mijs6az66s2nAn analysis of 2026 World Cup ticket costs — AKA my gigantic spreadsheet, compiled via screenshots & info from fans over the past 6 months — reveals the full impact of FIFA's dynamic pricing so far. On average, Cat 1 prices up $201 since initial release. Free to read @theathletic.com: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7166874/2026/04/02/fifa-dynamic-pricing-2026-world-cup-tickets/?unlocked_article_code=1.X1A.aAvI.OQjFqdw3Tlxf&source=athletic_user_shared_gift_article_copylink&smid=url-share-ta02 Apr 2026 18:04 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mijs6az66s2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mihs44op5222A Category 1 ticket to the 2026 World Cup final now costs $10,990. FIFA has raised prices for dozens of matches, yet again, as the last sales phase begins. Story + details @theathletic.com: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7165327/2026/04/01/fifa-world-cup-ticket-prices-sales/01 Apr 2026 22:58 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mihs44op5222https://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mif6hqjowc2mWe @theathletic.com have live coverage of USMNT-Portugal, including lineup analysis, right here: https://nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/usmnt-vs-portugal-live-updates-world-cup-2026-friendly-score-result/ey3YKWcXY3LV/ It's a fascinating starting 11, likely with Pulisic at striker — something that Pochettino hinted at yesterday.31 Mar 2026 22:01 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mif6hqjowc2mhttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mif2auyz6c2vThe USMNT's World Cup Group: 🇹🇷 Turkey 🇦🇺 Australia 🇵🇾 Paraguay It's winnable. It's also losable. It's by far the most balanced group at the 2026 tournament. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7161070/2026/03/31/usmnt-world-cup-group-d-turkey-paraguay-australia/31 Mar 2026 20:45 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mif2auyz6c2vhttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mie3mw5x622uFIFA's newly mandatory "hydration breaks," implemented for the first time this month, have split opinion. They "annoyed" USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino. But they've been valuable as "tactical breaks." "The game will change completely," Roberto Martinez said. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7159728/2026/03/31/world-cup-hydration-breaks-water-players-coaches-reaction-fifa/31 Mar 2026 11:37 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mie3mw5x622uhttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mibu2n3rck2xHow, and why, did the USMNT unravel vs. Belgium? Lots of reasons, but one underlying factor: Poch went back to a formation that worked well in possession but left the U.S. exposed in transition — especially against the best player on the field: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7157156/2026/03/30/usa-belgium-tactics-pochettino-world-cup/30 Mar 2026 14:17 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mibu2n3rck2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mi65bla73k2t🎯 from @paultenorio.bsky.social: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7154792/2026/03/28/usmnt-belgium-world-cup-reality-pochettino/29 Mar 2026 02:51 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi65bla73k2thttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mi22mn2pds2oI sat down with Gio Reyna at USMNT camp in Atlanta. Was struck by his optimism and gratitude — bit different from 2022. We also talked about his latest injury (a reoccurring one), his dog (whom he wanted to name "Messi"), and more. Feature @theathletic.com: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7150906/2026/03/27/gio-reyna-usmnt-pochettino-world-cup/27 Mar 2026 11:53 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mi22mn2pds2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mhvhzpvi5c2f📍Atlanta Big, and busy, USMNT week. All 27 players here, healthy and training. (video ft. Weston giving Joe Scally some shit during rondos)25 Mar 2026 16:09 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhvhzpvi5c2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mhsrzpzork2cFIFA is forcing NFL stadiums to scrub all sponsor logos/branding for the World Cup — even on their roofs. But one roof proved so complex that it got an exemption. Story @theathletic.com: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7141779/2026/03/24/mercedes-benz-stadium-roof-logo-atlanta-fifa-world-cup/24 Mar 2026 14:30 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhsrzpzork2chttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mhdguo5hrc2fMauricio Pochettino spent much of 2025 disassembling and re-assembling the USMNT. The roster he announced yesterday, and that will convene next week in Atlanta to open 2026? It is, more or less, his re-assembled USMNT core. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7127192/2026/03/18/mauricio-pochettino-usmnt-world-cup-core-roster-players/18 Mar 2026 12:01 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mhdguo5hrc2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mh6gtkgpas2wSome USMNT players hated their 2022 World Cup kits — so much so that they held up a photoshoot in protest. “That,” Tyler Adams says, “started the conversation: next time around, let's have a say.” This is the story behind the 2026 kits, which players helped design, @theathletic.com: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7120715/2026/03/16/usmnt-players-world-cup-jersey-design-kits-adams-pulisic-nike/16 Mar 2026 12:17 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mh6gtkgpas2whttps://bsky.app/profile/henrybushnell.bsky.social/post/3mgs5akvors26News: 69 U.S. Congresspeople have signed and sent a letter to FIFA expressing "great concern" re: World Cup ticket prices and the financial burdens on host cities. "Everyone is pissed," Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) tells @theathletic.com. More: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7106777/2026/03/11/usa-politicians-letter-fifa-world-cup-ticket-prices-funding/11 Mar 2026 14:53 +0000at://did:plc:6j654bfrsgzqxto4x74c466d/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgs5akvors26