Tariq Panja
@tariqpanja
⚽️💰🚓 Co-author Football's Secret Trade| NYT Global Sports Correspondent| ✉️tariq.panja@nytimes.com |tariq.panja@protonmail.com
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has to leave the post match conference after breaking down in tears. He gave it absolutely everything and had been talking about what a toll leading Argentina has taken and his pride in his team. He has been a gent throughout the tournament. The team, perhaps less so.
Argentina taking defeat in their stride. That performance had shades of that ugly one in the 1990 loss to West Germany. Shame really after such a thrilling tournament.
“Estamos juntos” indeed. Man 1 - Ethics complaint investigation over FIFA-Gate funds that have allegedly been inappropriately received. Man 2 - Subject of criminal investigation and travel ban over corruption claims and now reported US investigation two. Both deny the allegations
The World Cup brought people together in ways that few if any other events do. Ellio Gomes, a Cape Verde fan, sat near a guy who had a resemblance to him and other family members, they got talking, and quickly realised they were in fact cousins.
It isn’t the White House task force’s role to decide these matters. It’s FIFA’s rule. But I supposed FIFA has for the past 6 weeks become a branch of the federal government so …
This fanatics guys loves a photo op. Strange part of self promotion business of the rich and powerful. Who is it for?
I haven’t seen a single person with Spanish colours in this city. So strange a day before the World Cup final. Feels like tomorrow will be 90 percent Argentina/Messi, 9 percent VVIP, 1 percent Spain
Scaloni on Tuesday: This is just about football, nothing more than that. Argentina players on Wednesday …
Thomas Tuchel looking forward to staying in the job. “I have contract until the home Euros. I’m looking forward to that even though it’s hard to look that far ahead at the moment.”
To go on your own social channels and post a photo of you signing $$$ bill is a choice. This is the FIFA president in action at the most expensive World Cup in history, one where rules have been bent to favour the powerful.
Watching an 11th hour ticket negotiation take place between local Atlantan, a guy on the end of the phone and this small group of Argentina fans. Lots of pacing, the chewing gum chewing getting more frantic: “We are used to suffering”
For Cristian Malaspina, president of Argentinos Juniors, Maradona’s first professional club, one stands out: Maradona celebrating while furious English fans hurl insults in the background. “It is the best example of who he was,” Mr. Malaspina said, “a popular man pursuing a cause.”
“I’m an ordinary guy who scored a great goal against the English, who killed our kids in Malvinas,” Maradona said in a 2019 interview. “That’s why everyone knows me now — because the grandfather told the father, and then the father told his son.”
Fun interaction between two Argentina fans last night. One of them says to the other that if VAR was around in 2014 than Argentina might have won the final. The other, looks at him square in the face, and says “… and what if VAR was around in 1986 hombre?” The first guy, “good point” 🤜 ⚽️
These were just some of the empty sections at Arrowhead stadium at another dramatic Argentina game. Some sections filled in by volunteers — the free labor force used by FIFA for what will be the most profitable World Cup in history.
Celebrity airport spot. No Qatari private jet for Mexico’s World Cup coach Javier Aguirre. He’s in with us. A real gent. And is still buzzing about it his interaction with Anthony Gordon: He’s my friend.
On the trail of Maradona. And the fight to sell his legacy. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/07/w...
What a jolly way to take such a heavy defeat. Mexicans can fiesta whatever the circumstances, and that tonight was pesado. Viva Mexico 🇲🇽
The idea that Folarin Balogun and Donald Trump would cross paths when he made his arsenal debut at Dundalk three years ago would have been 🤯 And yet.