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Nine days. That is the number separating us from the opening whistle of the biggest World Cup in history, and the world of soccer is not waiting around. Coaches are studying film during water breaks, squads are sharpening their edges in front of home crowds one last time, and the stories that will define this summer are already taking shape. France looks like a machine. Canada looks like a team with something to prove. Colombia looks like a party waiting to happen.

This edition has it all: the tactical, the dramatic, the hopeful, and the bizarre. Pull up a chair. The espresso is hot and the tournament is almost here.

When Mauricio Pochettino huddled his U.S. players around a MacBook during a water break against Senegal on Sunday, it looked like a glimpse of what this summer's World Cup is going to feel like. Turns out, it is exactly that. FIFA has confirmed that coaches and backroom staff can use laptops, tablets, and other handheld devices during the mandatory hydration breaks built into every World Cup match, and that opens up a genuinely new dimension in how teams can be coached during a game.

The International Football Association Board's regulations are clear on this: electronic equipment is permitted for tactical and coaching purposes during matches. FIFA sources confirmed to The Athletic that those rules apply fully at the World Cup. The wrinkle is that players must stay on the field of play during the breaks, so they cannot step into the dugout the way the U.S. did against Senegal. But there is nothing stopping an entire squad from gathering at the touchline to watch video on a screen while keeping one foot on the grass.

This is a no-brainer. Other sports have used video, monitors, and tablets on the sideline for years, and the tactical advantages are obvious. Pochettino himself put it plainly after the Senegal match: there is a real difference between telling a player something and showing them. Visual information lands faster, covers more ground, and sticks better. The water breaks, which FIFA introduced as a player safety measure and will now run in every match regardless of weather, effectively split each game into four quarters, giving coaches two additional windows to coach that simply did not exist before in a major tournament setting.

The opportunity is real, but so is the risk. The coaches who use these breaks well will be the ones who keep it simple. Two minutes and change is not enough time to run a film session. It is enough time to show one or two clear clips, reinforce the ideas, and send players back onto the field with focus rather than confusion. The temptation to cram in too much information will be there, and the coaches who resist it will have an edge. It is going to be one of the more fascinating tactical subplots of the entire tournament.

Canada did what they needed to do Monday night in Edmonton, defeating Uzbekistan 2-0 in front of 46,164 fans at Commonwealth Stadium to pick up a confidence-building result in their second-to-last friendly before the World Cup. Jonathan Osorio, making his 90th appearance for the national team, came off the bench at halftime and broke the deadlock in the 58th minute with a strike from just outside the box. Jayden Nelson added a stoppage-time insurance goal, with Tani Oluwaseyi picking up assists on both.

The clean sheet is nice, but Uzbekistan had a handful of genuine chances in the first half, with Eldor Shomurodov creating three real opportunities before Maxime Crepeau bailed Canada out with a pair of outstanding saves. Jesse Marsch's side pressed high and played the kind of aggressive, Red Bull-influenced soccer the coach believes in, which eventually cracked open the Uzbekistan defense in the second half. The attacking intent was there. So was the defensive vulnerability in transition.

That vulnerability is worth watching as Canada heads into Group B, where Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland, and host-nation pressure await. Pressing high is a commitment, and it works until it doesn't. Against a more clinical attacking side, those first-half moments where Shomurodov got in alone could easily end up in the back of the net. Getting out of this group is possible, but it will not be easy, and the margin for error is thin.

One subplot to monitor: Jayden Nelson was not originally named to Canada's World Cup roster, but Marcelo Flores tore a ligament in his right knee over the weekend while playing for Tigres in the CONCACAF Champions Cup final. Nelson made a strong case for that roster spot with his performance Monday. Canada also lost defender Moïse Bombito early to what appeared to be a lower leg injury, adding another layer of roster uncertainty heading into their final tune-up against Ireland in Montreal on Friday.

Colombia sent off their fans in Bogotá on Monday night with a 3-1 win over Costa Rica, and the highlights are worth every second. Los Cafeteros playing in front of a roaring home crowd one last time before heading to North America is exactly the kind of scene that reminds you why this tournament matters. This Colombian squad has the talent, the experience, and the emotional fuel to make a genuine run, and if Díaz carries his club form into the tournament and James and Juanfer can provide the creative spark this group is capable of, they could be one of the most compelling stories of the summer.

France enters this World Cup as one of the two or three most talented squads ever assembled, and that is not hyperbole. Kylian Mbappé needs just two goals to break Just Fontaine's all-time France scoring record at the World Cup. Ousmane Dembélé arrives as the reigning Ballon d'Or winner, fresh off a second Champions League title with PSG. Michael Olise had a sensational season at Bayern Munich. Désiré Doué is 21 years old and already looks like a future superstar. The attacking depth is genuinely staggering, and that is before you even get to the player who might be the most fascinating name on the entire roster.

Rayan Cherki could be the true X factor for France in this tournament. The 22-year-old had a brilliant first season at Manchester City, finishing second in the Premier League with 12 assists and leaving Pep Guardiola openly marveling at his creativity. His combination of close control, unpredictability, and elite passing from both feet makes him uniquely suited to the moments that define knockout tournaments, specifically the games where an opponent parks the bus and dares France to break them down. Cherki can do that in ways very few players in the world can. He is not expected to start, given the talent ahead of him, but off the bench in a tight game, he is a nightmare matchup for any defense trying to hold on.

France was not necessarily the consensus favorite at the start of the year, but their performances in the March international window were genuinely head-turning and shifted the picture. They sit alongside Spain as the top contenders to lift the trophy, in this corner's view. The group, though, is not a formality. Senegal in the opener is a real test, France has painful history with that matchup dating to 2002, and Norway with Erling Haaland looms in the final group game. Didier Deschamps, who steps down after the tournament, will be desperate to add a second World Cup title as his final act.

There is one significant concern to monitor before the tournament kicks off. Arsenal defender William Saliba is reportedly very doubtful after injuring his back, with scans needed to determine the severity. Losing Saliba would be a genuine blow to a backline that is otherwise as strong as any in the field. France can absorb a lot of problems with the attacking talent they carry, but a healthy, settled defense gives them a different ceiling entirely.

Nine days. That is all that stands between us and the opening whistle of the biggest World Cup in history. The pre-tournament window is producing a steady stream of stories, and Monday delivered a full slate across the globe as squads finalize, friendlies wrap up, and the logistics of a three-country tournament start becoming very real.

On The Field

Norway put on a statement performance Monday, beating Sweden 3-1 in Oslo behind a brace from Jørgen Strand Larsen and a goal from Antonio Nusa. Erling Haaland watched from the stands, which is its own kind of storyline heading into Group I against France and Senegal. Alexander Isak came off the bench to score for Sweden, but the Norwegians looked sharp and confident. Colombia also picked up a comfortable 3-1 win over Costa Rica in Bogotá, with goals from Davinson Sánchez, Luis Díaz, and Luis Suárez. Captain James Rodríguez delivered a simple, powerful message to Colombian fans afterward: always believe. Turkey got a 4-0 tune-up win over North Macedonia, with Arda Güler coming off the bench in a welcome sign of fitness for a player who missed time at the end of the LaLiga season.

Off The Field

Miami-Dade County announced free shuttle service to Hard Rock Stadium for ticket holders, with buses running from four different North Miami transit hubs starting three and a half hours before each match. The Metromover, Miami's free downtown train, will also run extended hours through the Fan Fest period at Bayfront Park. It is worth noting the contrast with New York, where train fares to the stadium are reportedly being raised to $98. Miami is making a smart move for the fan experience. Elsewhere, South Africa's chaotic pre-tournament travel situation is resolved, with assistant coach Helman Mkhalele finally receiving his U.S. visa after an initial denial and rejoining the squad in time for their Friday warm-up against Jamaica.

DR Congo Squad Complete: All 26 players, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brian Cipenga, have joined the training camp in Liège. The Leopards make their first World Cup appearance in 52 years starting this month.

Austria Loses Baumgartner: Midfielder Christoph Baumgartner, who had 17 goals and nine assists for RB Leipzig this season, suffered a thigh injury in the pre-match warmup before Monday's friendly and has been ruled out of the tournament entirely.

Tunisia Injury Watch: Hannibal Mejbri left Monday's friendly against Austria in the 78th minute with a knock. No timeline has been confirmed, but the 21-year-old Burnley midfielder is one of Tunisia's most important players heading into a tough Group F.

Yellow Card Rule Change: Players will have yellow cards cleared after the group stage and again after the quarterfinals, giving the expanded 48-team format two amnesty windows instead of the single one used in Qatar.

Guardiola Says No to Inter Miami: According to The Mirror, Pep Guardiola has turned down an approach from David Beckham to take over as Inter Miami manager following Javier Mascherano's departure. Beckham reportedly waited on Guardiola's answer before pursuing other options, but the former Manchester City manager has made clear he is taking a sabbatical and has no plans to return to coaching in the near term.

Cremaschi Makes Parma Move Permanent: Parma has activated its purchase option on Benjamin Cremaschi for just under 5 million euros, making the former Inter Miami midfielder's stay in Italy permanent. The American made nine appearances before a season-ending meniscus injury in March, but Parma saw enough to commit. The move opens roster flexibility for the Herons as they continue to reshape their squad.

U-21 USMNT Heads to Europe: The United States U-21 side traveled to Slovenia for friendlies against Ukraine and Uzbekistan as part of Olympic qualifying preparation for 2028. The roster includes Atlanta United's Luke Brennan and former Atlanta United midfielder Alan Carleton, now playing in Sweden's second division with Sandvikens IF.

RSL Faces Hazing Lawsuit: Former Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Jeffrey Dewsnup, 22, has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the club, Major League Soccer, and U.S. Soccer, alleging he was hazed by teammates as a minor, had injuries mishandled by a coach, and was failed by the organizations responsible for his protection. RSL denies the allegations and says it will defend itself through the legal process.

Jon Nelson is live this morning starting at 9:05 on the SDH YouTube and Twitch channels, and today's show is worth your time on multiple fronts. MLS and NWSL commentator Kacey White joins after coaching at the TST tournament with the U.S. Women's team, bringing a perspective that is both insider and observer at a fascinating moment in the women's game. Jon will also have more on John Textor's ongoing effort to hold onto Botafogo and the bizarre Southampton situation where a manager apparently survived what is being called SpyGate 3.0.

You will also hear clips from an interview with Jozy Altidore at Sogility, a new soccer training facility in Fayetteville. The full conversation drops later today on both the SDH YouTube channel and the Off the Woodwork podcast feed from 92.9 The Game, and it is worth the full listen.

Tonight, Atlanta Soccer Tonight is back at 10pm on 92.9 The Game, the Audacy app, and the 92.9 YouTube channel. Jason Longshore, Madison Crews, and Sofia Cupertino will be on the ground in Fayetteville for the USMNT's morning training session, so tonight's show will have a ground-level look at where this team is as the World Cup countdown hits single digits. The podcast version posts to Off the Woodwork after the show.

If you are in Atlanta tomorrow night, this one is worth your time. The Carter Center hosts "The Beautiful Game Brings Peace" on Wednesday, June 3 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at 453 Freedom Parkway NE, and the panel they have assembled is genuinely impressive. Atlanta United Chief Business Officer Skate Noftsinger, Soccer in the Streets Director of Strategic Partnerships Sanjay Patel, and Carter Center Conflict Resolution Associate Director Ben Spears will discuss how soccer drives social change, cross-cultural understanding, and peace-building, anchored in President Jimmy Carter's and Mrs. Rosalynn Carter's lifetime commitment to human dignity. The conversation will be moderated by Rashan Ali, Atlanta media personality and founder of Sporty Girls, Inc.

Admission is free, but registration is required for both in-person and live-stream attendance. With the World Cup nine days away and Atlanta at the center of the soccer world this summer, this is exactly the kind of event that reminds you the game is bigger than the scoreboard. Find the registration link at the Carter Center's website.

Liverpool Opens Talks with Iraola: Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes has begun formal discussions with Andoni Iraola as the leading candidate to replace the dismissed Arne Slot. The Anfield hierarchy is targeting a more aggressive style of play, and the club is hoping to have a new manager in place before the World Cup opens on June 11.

Rodri Puts His Future on Hold: Ballon d'Or winner Rodri arrived at Spain's World Cup camp deflecting all questions about a potential move to Real Madrid, saying he will address his future after the tournament. The Manchester City captain is under contract through 2027 and focused on helping Spain defend their European Championship form on the biggest stage.

SpyGate 3.0 Details Are Something Else: The full scope of Southampton's orchestrated spying operation has now been published, and it is remarkable. A junior analyst was shown drone footage of Middlesbrough's training ground, hid behind a tree to film sessions, deleted his LinkedIn profile to avoid identification, and was given a fake identity and Eastleigh kit to obtain CCTV footage of Ipswich's training. Southampton accepted breaches involving three separate clubs and the EFL arbitrator called it a contrived and determined plan to cheat.

Textor Refuses to Let Go of Botafogo: Publicly disavowed by SAF Botafogo and removed from his position by court order, John Textor responded with a video declaring he is family, the club belongs to him, and he will not leave until forced out. The saga at Eagle Football Holdings continues to spiral.

FIFA Launches Women's Health Initiative: FIFA introduced a new online project Monday focused on women's health and performance, covering 13 topics from nutrition to fertility and recovery. The effort addresses a significant gap: only six percent of sports science research currently focuses exclusively on women.

Iniesta Begins Coaching Career: Andrés Iniesta has taken his first coaching job, signing with UAE second-tier club Gulf United. The former Barcelona and Spain legend cited a desire to develop young players and is working toward his Pro Coaching Licence.

Kevin Keegan Reveals Stage Four Cancer Diagnosis: The former England, Liverpool, and Newcastle star confirmed publicly over the weekend that he has been diagnosed with stage four cancer, following a family announcement in January. Newcastle expressed their full support and said Keegan will always be welcome at St James' Park.

The work is done in the quiet moments before the lights come on. Every story in this edition points to that truth: Pochettino showing his players video during a three-minute water break, Jesse Marsch identifying the defensive gaps that will get punished if Canada does not fix them, Didier Deschamps managing egos and injuries in the final days before his last tournament. The teams that win World Cups are not always the most talented. They are the ones who used every available minute to be ready when the opportunity arrived. Nine days from now, we find out who did the work.

Song of the Day: "First We Take Manhattan" by Leonard Cohen. A man with a plan, total conviction, and no interest in waiting. That energy belongs to every team still in the preparation window right now.

Jason