Today's NYT connections: sports edition hints and answers for june 11, #626

At a glance:

• Yellow group answers: Atlanta, Mexico City, Philadelphia and Toronto – the 2026 World Cup host cities.
• Green group answers: Les Éléphants, Oranje, Socceroos and Three Lions – nicknames of World Cup national teams.
• Blue group answers: AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea and United States – clubs and national side that Christian Pulisic has represented.

What the puzzle is

The New York Times Connections Sports edition for Thursday, June 11, 2026, celebrates the upcoming FIFA World Cup by grouping words into four themed sets. Unlike the standard NYT Games app, this edition is published by The Athletic and can be played for free on its own platform. The puzzle follows the familiar “find the connections” format: a grid of sixteen words must be divided into four groups of four, each sharing a hidden link.

Hints that guided solvers

CNET’s Gael Cooper shared four hints that ranged from easy to challenging. The yellow‑group hint simply asked, “Where they play,” pointing directly to host‑city names. The green‑group clue mentioned “The Pharaohs,” a nod to Egypt’s nickname, steering solvers toward national‑team monikers. The blue‑group hint referenced “He’s a star for his star‑spangled team,” a clear allusion to U.S. midfielder Christian Pulisic. Finally, the purple‑group hint, “La Albiceleste,” signaled Argentine players.

Full answers by category

Yellow group – 2026 World Cup host cities

• Atlanta
• Mexico City
• Philadelphia
• Toronto

Green group – nicknames of World Cup teams

• Les Éléphants (Ivory Coast)
• Oranje (Netherlands)
• Socceroos (Australia)
• Three Lions (England)

Blue group – Christian Pulisic teams

• AC Milan
• Borussia Dortmund
• Chelsea
• United States (national team)

Purple group – Argentina World Cup players

• (Giovanni) Lo Celso
• (Alexis) Mac Allister
• (Lionel) Messi
• (Nico) Paz

Why the 2026 World Cup matters

The 2026 tournament will be the first to be co‑hosted by three nations – the United States, Canada and Mexico – and will feature an expanded 48‑team format. The host cities highlighted in the puzzle (Atlanta, Mexico City, Philadelphia and Toronto) are among the confirmed venues, underscoring the event’s North‑American focus. By weaving these locations into a word‑game, Connections taps into the global excitement while offering a light‑hearted cultural snapshot.

How the puzzle fits into the broader Connections series

Connections, launched by The Athletic in early 2023, has become a daily brain‑teaser that blends trivia with pattern‑recognition. Each edition adopts a thematic lens; the sports edition aligns with major sporting calendars, while other versions have explored music, cinema, and technology. The format encourages casual fans and hardcore puzzle‑solvers alike to engage with current events, making it a versatile tool for both entertainment and education.

What’s next for players

Fans can revisit the June 11 puzzle on The Athletic’s site or app, and they can also check CNET’s daily hints for future editions. As the World Cup approaches, expect more sport‑centric puzzles that spotlight qualifying matches, player milestones, and host‑city trivia. Keeping an eye on the evolving roster of host venues and team nicknames will give solvers a strategic edge in upcoming challenges.