Connections: Soccer Edition arrives for the 2026 World Cup
The Athletic has unveiled a new daily puzzle called Connections: Soccer Edition, timed to coincide with the upcoming men’s World Cup. The game invites both casual viewers and seasoned analysts to engage with soccer trivia and wordplay, offering a fresh way to interact with the sport while following matches, live blogs or podcasts.
Each puzzle presents sixteen words or objects that must be sorted into four distinct categories based on hidden commonalities. The categories are color‑coded to signal difficulty, ranging from the easiest hue to the most challenging, and every set contains exactly one correct solution.
Players are allowed three incorrect guesses before the answers are revealed, adding a modest penalty that encourages careful thought. The challenge is released at midnight in the player’s local time zone and remains free to access throughout the tournament.
The Athletic will support solvers with a series of "Coach" articles that provide hints and guidance for each puzzle. The first Coach piece is slated to go live shortly after the game’s debut, and additional articles will appear throughout the competition.
The concept mirrors the widely praised Connections game created by Wyna Liu for The New York Times, but narrows its focus exclusively to soccer terminology, player names, historic moments and related themes. Mark Cooper, a senior editor at The Athletic, curated the initial batch of puzzles, ensuring they reflect the breadth of the sport.
Puzzles will be housed in a newly designed Play Center within the platform, a section that may require an app update to view. The Athletic plans to promote the game across its website, mobile app, newsletters and editorial articles, making it easy for fans to discover the daily challenge.
The World Cup itself will be staged across three nations — the United States, Mexico and Canada — from June 11 to July 19, 2026. As the tournament unfolds, Connections: Soccer Edition will run in parallel, offering a continuous stream of brain‑teasing content for fans watching from stadiums or from the comfort of their homes.
Beyond the game, the experience is intended to fit into quiet moments, such as before bed or during a break between matches, providing a light‑hearted distraction that still celebrates the global nature of soccer.