The Athletic Bolsters Soccer Coverage with Tom Bogert's Return Ahead of 2026 World Cup
The Athletic is making a significant move by bringing back Tom Bogert, a renowned newsbreaker in American soccer, to enhance its roster of talent ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Bogert, known for his ability to break stories in the MLS, will resume his role as the outlet's MLS and breaking news reporter. His return is seen as a strategic move by head of U.S. Soccer Martin Rogers, who aims to build a powerhouse team of American soccer journalists.
Rogers praised Bogert's track record as a newsbreaker and highlighted his dedication and resourcefulness in cultivating sources and breaking stories. The decision to bring Bogert back to The Athletic is part of a larger strategy to assemble a top-tier team of sports journalists and editors. Bogert expressed his excitement to rejoin The Athletic and continue to grow as a newsbreaker, writer, and teammate.
The addition of Bogert follows a series of strategic moves in The Athletic's soccer department, including the hiring of Henry Bushnell and Charlie Davies. Bushnell has made an impact with investigative work on the World Cup ticketing process and collaborations with Paul Tenorio. The Athletic's goal is to have the best writers covering American men's soccer by the time the 2026 World Cup arrives.
Despite some difficult personnel decisions, The Athletic is close to achieving its goal of assembling a top-notch team of soccer journalists. With the World Cup approaching, The Athletic is positioning itself as the premier destination for American soccer coverage. The competition in the soccer media landscape leading up to 2026 will be an intriguing storyline to watch.
In conclusion, The Athletic's strategic moves, including the rehiring of Tom Bogert and the addition of top talent like Henry Bushnell and Charlie Davies, demonstrate its commitment to becoming a dominant force in American soccer journalism. As the 2026 World Cup draws near, The Athletic's investment in top talent sets the stage for an exciting and competitive landscape in soccer media.