The Game That Bridges Soccer Fans and Word Lovers
Every day leading up to the 2026 World Cup, a new edition of Connections presents sixteen words that must be sorted into four groups of four, each sharing a hidden commonality. Players are allowed up to three incorrect guesses before the puzzle ends, and each puzzle is designed to have a single, definitive solution.
The June 13 puzzle explores four distinct themes: the equipment that appears on a soccer kit, the head coaches who have lifted the Champions League trophy, expressions tied to Brazilian football culture, and the words that complete the phrase “Half _____”. Hints for these categories are SOCKS, GUARDIOLA, PELÉ and VOLLEY, respectively.
Solving the clues reveals the full sets: BOOTS, SHINPADS, SOCKS and SHORTS for the kit items; GUARDIOLA, FLICK, KLOPP and MOURINHO for the winning coaches; PELÉ, YELLOW, MARACANÃ and JOGO BONITO for the Brazilian‑soccer terms; and WAY, VOLLEY, TIME and CHANCE for the “Half _____” completions.
Behind the Puzzle
The puzzle was devised by Will Jeanes, a senior editor at The Athletic who specializes in soccer history and statistics. Jeanes brings a meticulous approach to the game, ensuring that each clue feels both challenging and fair while drawing on his deep knowledge of the sport’s narratives and data.