Jack Lang

A day in the life of the worst football team in the world nytimes.com/athletic/66795…

One night in Zenica nytimes.com/athletic/71638…

Cedric Bakambu sank to his knees in the centre circle. Samuel Moutoussamy buried his face in the turf. Ngal’ayel Mukau bounced around like a lost atom. The rest of them just ran — to corners, to colleagues, to goodness knows where. They hugged each other, every embrace its own little diorama of joy and release. When they noticed the Jamaican players on the floor all around them, beyond stricken, they hugged them, too. Fifty-two years later, the Democratic Republic of the Congo are going back to the World Cup. For a country scarred by endless fighting involving rebel groups and where life is challenging for many, qualifying for football's biggest tournament brings a 'little dose of joy', as their manager Sebastien Desabre put it. 📝 @jacklang 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/71632…

It looked a little different: big sponsor logos at the top, a few bells and whistles. Mainly, though, it looked the same. The Estadio Azteca, a few weeks out from its 60th birthday, as imposing and beautiful as it ever was. Mexico's famous stadium has been updated ahead of the World Cup, but the death of a supporter overshadowed its reopening. 📝 @jacklang 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/71563…

On World Down Syndrome Day, Tiago Nunes held a press conference with his son, who has Down syndrome—showing the importance of love and life beyond football. ❤️

Ahead of World Down Syndrome Day this Saturday, we spent the day with Alex Cooper on shift at the Performance Centre. A much-valued member of the team, Alex is a shining example of the fantastic work supported by the @DSAInfo WorkFit Programme. #TogetherAgainstLoneliness #WDSD26 #WorldDownSyndromeDay

■ On the title race: "We cannot be scared. We cannot lose something we don’t have" ■ On Pep and Arteta: "They share something in their DNA." ■ "I want to win everything, but if I have to choose, it's the Champions League" The Arsenal and Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus speaks exclusively to The Athletic. 📝 @jacklang and @MarioCortegana 🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/71285…

@EspindolaLucaas Oi Lucas. Poderia me seguir brevemente? Quero te mandar um DM. Valeu!

FIFA, thank you

My excitement about the World Cup is reduced every time I try and zoom in on this stupid blurry fixture graphic

Is the Champions League more fun to watch than the Premier League? @jacklang & @SebSB jump on today’s @TheAthleticFC pod to discuss their thoughts on the final league phase matches! Listen here : pod.fo/e/3835b4

too many matches, don't like it

The kill centre is an abattoir on the edge of Marrakech, away from the gaze of tourists. Here - as in other parts of the country that has just staged AFCON and will co-host the 2030 World Cup - Morocco is attempting to reduce its street dog population. But it is accused of the 'massacre' of dogs and one animal welfare organisation has presented FIFA with a 91-page dossier of evidence it says includes photographs of poisonings, enforced starvation and shootings. In this special report, @Simon_Hughes__ investigates what is happening to dogs in Morocco - and how it is linked to football. nytimes.com/athletic/69827…

What’s it like being a football manager? I spent a month with Bristol City’s Gerhard Struber to find out. 🍱 Canteen mutiny 🤝 Half-time handshakes 🏃‍♂️ Run Forrest 👖 Blue jeans 🧳 Living out of a suitcase 🧑‍✈️ Flying lessons 💔 Home alone 🍎 Pint of Natch nytimes.com/athletic/69711…

🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Manchester United sack Ruben Amorim as head coach. 40yo Portuguese informed of decision & goes with immediate effect after 14 months following breakdown in relations. Darren Fletcher expected to take over #MUFC on interim basis @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/65942…

"Going up the mountain" nytimes.com/athletic/68646…

🚨WEDNESDAY POD!🚨 It's @acjimbo, @jacklang, @tomwfootball & @Dan_KP in the studio after a jam-packed Champions League Tuesday🎙️ 💪Liverpool back to their best? 🏆Are Bayern THE best? ⚡️Best centre-back goals? 👶2009-born Max Dowman podfollow.com/totallyfootbal…

@sharkvoice Hi Randy. Would you mind following briefly so I can send a DM? Thanks!

🚨WEDNESDAY POD!🚨 Never fear - @acjimbo, @oilysailor, @jacklang & @ArtdeRoche are here after an incredible Champions League Tuesday🏆 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿Are Arsenal favourites? 🇩🇪Leverkusen 2-7 PSG with @SebSB 🇮🇹Conte’s Napoli hit for six! ⚒️Woeful West Ham pod.fo/e/342582

Cape Verde are going to the World Cup. The planning to ensure this happened, the diaspora, the distances people travelled to be there, the celebrations & the life-affirming joy. All of that & more in my piece from an incredible few days in Praia. nytimes.com/athletic/67146…

A day in the life of the worst football team in the world nytimes.com/athletic/66795…