The Athletic’s daily Connections: Soccer Edition puzzle returns on July 5, 2026 with a fresh set of clues that tie directly to the upcoming 2026 World Cup. The game asks players to sort 16 words into four distinct categories, each sharing a hidden commonality.
At its core, the puzzle is simple yet demanding: identify the underlying link that unites a group of words and place them together. Success requires a mix of soccer knowledge, pattern recognition, and a dash of lateral thinking.
The four categories
For the July 5 edition the categories are World Cup‑winning head coaches, in‑game actions, terms associated with the captain, and Women’s World Cup‑winning players. Hints are provided in the form of single words: SCALONI, THROW, ARMBAND, and SAWA, each pointing toward one of the four groups.
The full solutions are as follows: the coach category includes SCALONI, LÖW, DEL BOSQUE, and DESCHAMPS; the action category comprises SHOT, THROW, SAVE, and BLOCK; the captain‑related terms are ARMBAND, HANDSHAKE, TEAM TALK, and TOSS; and the women’s tournament category lists CARMONA, LLOYD, SAWA, and PRINZ.
The mind behind the game
Will Jeanes, a senior editor at The Athletic, crafts these puzzles and supplies the background that brings them to life. His writing blends a deep appreciation for soccer history with a knack for turning statistical nuance into engaging storytelling, making the Connections series a staple for fans who crave both competition and context.