As the 2026 World Cup draws nearer, fans seeking a quick mental warm‑up can turn to Connections: Soccer Edition, a daily brain‑teaser that blends football trivia with wordplay. The 22nd installment, slated for release on July 2, 2026, continues the tradition of challenging solvers to cluster sixteen items into four sets of four.
Each puzzle asks players to identify a unifying thread that links four of the sixteen entries, a task that escalates in complexity as the week progresses. This particular edition is rated a 4 out of 5 for difficulty, indicating a moderate but satisfying challenge for enthusiasts.
Clues and Categories
The hints supplied for puzzle 22 span four distinct themes: the clubs that have featured Erling Haaland, official partners of FIFA, individuals named Diego, and former cup competitions that have faded from the sport’s history. Solvers are given a nudge for each category before they attempt to assemble the correct groupings.
The solutions are revealed alongside the clues, allowing participants to verify their reasoning and learn the connections that tie the selected words together. This transparent approach not only rewards correct answers but also deepens understanding of soccer’s evolving narrative.
The Mind Behind the Game
Behind the scenes, the puzzle is crafted by Will Jeanes, a senior editor at The Athletic who blends his editorial instincts with a love for the beautiful game. Jeanes’ involvement ensures that each daily offering remains fresh, accurate, and attuned to the pulse of the sport.
Fans can expect the next puzzle to drop at midnight in their local time zone, keeping the rhythm of anticipation alive throughout the tournament.