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/…

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.

More than 200 media members are in Midtown Manhattan for an @MLS event titled, “MLS The Next Chapter.” The league is trumpeting its return after the World Cup.

@morganwick @eddiemikus I think the difference is that Fandango is free, unlike Fox One

@eddiemikus I'm arguing that English speakers may elect to watch Bundesliga matches in Spanish, especially if they already have Peacock and don't want to install another app.

Trying to establish Fandango as the latest player in the streaming wars and a viable sports rights outlet, Versant is looking at Fox's relationship with Telemundo this World Cup very nervously.

@AGMSports @AmericanAir Unfortunately I have to be in NYC this afternoon for work. It was awfully tempting.

@AmericanAir @AlexMSilverman Why wouldn’t FAA Rule 240 kick in and you get the $2000 + AA would also have to put someone on another carrier to get them to New York. I hope you took it Alex.

Not usually one to tweet about travel woes, but this is nuts. My @AmericanAir flight from ATL to LGA is delayed until two people agree to get off the plane. It’s overbooked and they’re offering $2000 to fly out tomorrow. They switched this flight to a smaller plane at the last minute.

Two players who call @MLS home, now one step away from returning to the pinnacle of the sport. Congratulations to Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul on reaching the @FIFAWorldCup Final.

Man, it’s so sad to see Messi’s drop off since joining MLS 😇

New at @SBJ: The Bundesliga has signed a Spanish-language U.S. rights deal with Telemundo that will see 100 matches air on linear channels (plus Peacock). Deal is worth ~$10M/year on top of the $20M the league is receiving from Versant for English rights. sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/2026/…