Alex M. Silverman🏒⚽️

In @SBJ’s This Week at The World Cup: ⚽️A deep dive into the marketability of Messi and Yamal ⚽️@SanDiegoFC adds 90k new fan records via watch parties ⚽️Has @CPLsoccer fixed offsides? ⚽️FIFA makes exception to commercial protection rules for Jay-Z sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/…

@the_bonnfire @tmcfar @MaxBretosSports It was entertaining. But no drama or tension.

@AlexMSilverman @tmcfar @MaxBretosSports I think Argentina vs. Cape Verde was probably the best game of the tournament yes. But to completely put down this game as not even a possibility isn't fair. The whole point is to have fun and this was obscene fun.

Calling this the best game of the World Cup is insane. Its not a game its an exhibition hence the 10 goals.

@the_bonnfire @tmcfar @MaxBretosSports Oh come on. There were no stakes. Saying this is better than Argentina-Cape Verde is crazy.

@tmcfar @MaxBretosSports I wouldn't even say just goals. That game had so much to enjoy, even beyond the goals.

It appears that the Fanatics-owned Topps trading card brand has secured last-minute title sponsorship for tomorrow's FIFA World Cup Final halftime show, which will be co-headlined by Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS.

New: @WHTaskForceFIFA head Andrew Giuliani says the situation with Joan Capdevila's ESTA request has been resolved and he will be able to attend the World Cup Final tomorrow.

@MaxBretosSports a) There shouldn't be a third-place game. b) If there has to be one, the goals definitely shouldn't count toward the golden boot.

Serious question, should 3rd place game goals count for the final tally? I mean this is NBA All Star defending.

With Paraag Marathe out of the running for MLS Commissioner (h/t @novy_williams), the remaining finalists each have stakes in MLS clubs. ⚽️Larry Berg: Co-managing owner of LAFC. PE background at Apollo. ⚽️David Nathanson: Investor in Sounders. Media background at Fox.

One thing FIFA has right that @MLS and other North American sports need to adopt: starting games at the scheduled time. Lets get this thing going! #ElTrafico

@SportsOnTV_Hub Over a million for either match would be well beyond my expectations.

@AlexMSilverman Friday is better for TV than it used to be, however I’d be surprised if they come close to 5 million. I think they are around 1 million combined (1.35mil, 875K, respectively).

Very interested to see what kind of viewership these MLS matches draw on Fox given after the launch of the “We’ll Take It From Here” ad campaign this week and the broader World Cup buzz. Any guesses?

NEW: Trump says he told FIFA to award another World Cup to the U.S. “You should choose the United States of America again. This time we will leave out Canada and Mexico.” Trump suggests FIFA could “pick somebody else for the next” to avoid upsetting other countries too much. But it’s unclear if he’s referring to 2038, the next one up for grabs, or the next two World Cups in 2030 and 2034 which have already been awarded to Spain/Portugal/Morocco and Saudi Arabia respectively H/t @benjohansen3

Sources: I'm told that the MLS Commissioner search has narrowed to three execs who could replace Don Garber. * LAFC co-owner and former PE exec Larry Berg * Veteran media exec David Nathanson * Senior exec with the 49ers Paraag Marathe A new MLS commissioner is expected to be announced next month.

Yes, those photos you’ve seen are real. More than 18 years ago, a baby named Lamine Yamal and his mom Sheila met Lionel Messi at a UNICEF fundraising photoshoot. Today, their achievements on the pitch inspire millions. Off the pitch, both Messi and Lamine Yamal use their voices and platforms as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors to support and advocate for children around the world. The goal? That every child survives, thrives, and fulfils their potential. We are proud to have them on our team. Credit: Joan Monfort

New: FIFA has told Trump that the U.S. will host the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup. But the WH wants FIFA to change its transgender athlete policy before it makes government guarantees. -“That will be really key…before any government guarantee discussions get going,” Andrew Giuliani told me. “If that policy is in place, then I’m sure that discussions will progress pretty fast.” - Earlier this year, the IOC adopted a policy barring transgender women from women’s events & requiring athletes in the female category to undergo mandatory genetic screening. - FIFA, however, has its own framework. - Under a gender verification policy announced in 2011, the governing body does not conduct mandatory or routine sex verification testing at its competitions. - Instead, it requires each national federation to verify the eligibility of its players before submitting its roster, including investigating “any perceived deviation in secondary sex characteristics” and maintaining documentation of its findings. - FIFA declined to comment. - FIFA has not yet formally awarded the locale of the 2031 Women’s World Cup. - The joint bid of U.S., Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica is lone bid - FIFA will convene Extraordinary Congress before the end of 2026, where member assoc. will vote on the hosts for both the 2031 & 2035 Women’s World Cups. politico.com/news/2026/07/1…

goal horns in soccer would be so electric 😭

Wow. Really unfortunate for MLS to lose its marquee match on its first day back.

Breaking: @NewYorkCityFC will play its first match at Etihad Park on July 17, 2027. Club President Brad Sims just made the announcement at an MLS event in Manhattan.

Why do #Isles play Avs at 1pm on A Monday with School open— this is why 12/7

MLS Commissioner Don Garber says MLS, U.S. Soccer and other stakeholders need to get aligned on developing players can compete on the world stage. Says pay-to-play model isn’t working and that MLS Next and academies will be part of the solution.