Senior football writer @TheAthleticFC @TheAthletic Author of Forever Young: The Story of Adrian Doherty @ForeverYoungAD bit.ly/3R8v2Vv
Joined February 2010
- Tweets 68,143
- Following 4,705
- Followers 412,816
- Likes 3,732
1,387 Photos and videos
Pinned Tweet
Jun 11
The 2026 World Cup: so much to dislike/deplore, so much to look forward to — as was the case in Qatar and Russia.
If you feel conflicted, you're not the only one. But unless the horribly bloated format kills it, the football will still be a joy to behold
nytimes.com/athletic/7349073…
4
4
21
11,864
Oliver Kay retweeted
14h
“It’s a very religious, spiritual atmosphere."
Paul Clement on working with the Brazil squad — & with Ancelotti again: "Carlo is always a great fit for a big team; big characters, big personalities.
"They’re desperate for that 6th star on the shirt"
🇧🇷
nytimes.com/athletic/7339451…
3
10
77
46,672
Oliver Kay retweeted
Brazil have not won a World Cup since securing their fifth title in 2002.
There followed a series of European successes (Italy, Spain, Germany, France) before the anguish, for Brazilians, of seeing big South American rivals Argentina win a third world title in Qatar four years ago.
Their longing to be world champions again is what led them to hire Carlo Ancelotti and his staff at considerable expense, hoping that the Italian, with his experience of high-pressure situations at several of the biggest clubs in Europe, can lead them back to the biggest prize of all.
@OliverKay spoke to assistant Paul Clement, about their preparations for the World Cup - and how they will go about securing a sixth star on their shirt.
🔗 nyti.ms/4fEmLXP
28
21
162
40,792
Oliver Kay retweeted
This really should not be Julen Lopetegui’s first World Cup.
Back in 2018, Lopetegui was sacked as Spain manager just two days before their opening match — after Real Madrid announced they were appointing him for the following season.
Eight years on, he is finally about to take part in the tournament as manager of Qatar — who face Switzerland in their Group B opener.
📝 @dermotmcorrigan
🔗 nyti.ms/4vbixMn
27
32
458
113,662
Oliver Kay retweeted
For eight years, we talked about potential.
And about Friday, June 12, 2026, as the moment this USMNT would have to meet.
On a near-perfect night at SoFi, they met it, and maybe, just maybe, took U.S. men's soccer into a new era.
Column @TheAthletic:
nytimes.com/athletic/7356537…
9
20
155
51,353
Oliver Kay retweeted
🇧🇷 Samba beats turning to dressing room prayers
🇧🇷 A strong spine and excellent leadership group
🇧🇷 Set-piece specialists and shootout practice
🇧🇷 A head coach who has seen it all
@OliverKay talks to Brazil's No 2, Paul Clement, about their preparations for the World Cup - and how they will go about securing a sixth star on their shirt.
🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/7339451…
21
10
164
40,547
Oliver Kay retweeted
Over the last five years, @joshuakloke has gone everywhere with this Canada team. So who better to introduce you to what this group of players are really like...
You’ll learn:
🇨🇦 Who brings the ‘entertainment… and the chaos’
🇨🇦 Who runs the games of Mafia
🇨🇦 Who cannot step on anything blue
🇨🇦 Who trained so hard he puked
🇨🇦 Who was the one player to console Joshua about his karaoke skills
Free to read: nyti.ms/4olyGvM
23
12
106
61,107
Oliver Kay retweeted
🇨🇦 Jesse Marsch's Canada are an energetic and direct team
🇨🇭 Granit Xhaka will be vital to any Switzerland success
🇧🇦 40-year-old Edin Dzeko to lead Bosnia at first World Cup in 12 years
🇶🇦 Qatar, led by Julen Lopetegui, are two-time Asian champions
Read up on the teams in Group B ahead of the games later today.
Free to read: nyti.ms/4fF6div
19
10
159
42,614
Jun 12
RT @Dan_Sheldon_: 🚨 Exclusive: Thomas Partey is unavailable to play in Ghana’s opening World Cup match against Panama in Canada on June 17…
1,164
Oliver Kay retweeted
Jun 12
Exclusive interview with Victor Lonchuk, Miami FC’s assistant coach, about his side’s friendly against England:
🔴 Toney’s “class”
🔴 Henderson’s “intensity”
🔴 Bellingham watches on selfies after
🔴 Penalty shootout
🔴 Tuchel clears up
@TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/7354112…
8
5
126
90,277
Oliver Kay retweeted
For Raul Jimenez, today perhaps represents the pinnacle of an extraordinary career and journey.
From a near-death experience when he fractured his skull while playing for Wolves against Arsenal in 2020, to playing for Mexico at a home World Cup in front of an adoring, feverish crowd at Estadio Azteca.
@TimSpiers details Jimenez's inspiring recovery — free to read ⬇️
bit.ly/3QjIcmB
22
106
712
111,824
Oliver Kay retweeted
23 Mar 2024
Sir Geoff Hurst scored a hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup final.
He is now the only player alive from that incredible England team.
He opens up to @OliverKay on his career, loss and the strange feeling of being the last man standing.
9
74
413
195,387
Oliver Kay retweeted
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).
🔗 nytimes.com/athletic/7279880…
29
124
408
235,829
Oliver Kay retweeted
Have you heard of our Pick 'Em game?
If you haven't, that's okay — because @JM_Devine is here to explain:
Play here: nytimes.com/athletic/pickem/…
20
88
180
178,201
Oliver Kay retweeted
On a muggy Mexico City lunchtime, FIFA president Gianni Infantino entered the giant cow shed that is the press area at the Estadio Azteca and waved through a gap between a giant television and a temporary wall.
No one waved back.
A few moments later, as music blared unnecessarily, he strode onto the stage for the latest of his World Cup opening acts.
@jacklang on Infantino’s pre-tournament press conference ⤵️
Free to read: nyti.ms/3S01vly
ALT Gianni Infantino.
30
28
219
71,426
Oliver Kay retweeted
Feb 25
"The sun king", "an empty suit", Donald Trump's "great friend", "sort of the king of soccer... I guess… in a certain way"
Ten years ago Gianni Infantino became FIFA president, pledging to "restore the image and the respect of FIFA"
It's been... a ride
nytimes.com/athletic/6415212…
8
6
48
41,460
Jun 10
England World Cup warm-up match in Florida in early June held up by storms. Totally unforeseeable
nytimes.com/athletic/7341949…
7 Jun 2014
RT @philmcnulty: Lightning stopped play. x.com/philmcnulty/status/475… --> England-Honduras in Miami. 30-minute interruption
4
22
47,035
Jun 10
RT @TheAthleticFC: 🚨 Kieran McKenna is to leave his role as Ipswich Town head coach.
More from @David_Ornstein
FREE READ 🔗 x.com/nsm…
8
258
Oliver Kay retweeted
Jun 10
🚨 BREAKING: Kieran McKenna to step down as Ipswich Town head coach. 40yo Northern Irishman decision to take time away from management #ITFC protected financially if/when makes return. Contingency planning already started & now accelerates @TheAthleticFC nytimes.com/athletic/7348408…
581
1,423
18,578
2,308,189