The Guardian has significantly strengthened its US and global sports journalism team with the appointment of three prominent journalists ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. This strategic expansion represents part of the publication's broader investment in its American operations, which has seen more than twenty additional journalists join the organisation over the past twelve months.
New US Soccer Correspondents Bring Investigative Edge
Pablo Iglesias Maurer and Jeff Rueter have been appointed as the Guardian's US soccer correspondents, bringing considerable expertise from their previous roles at The Athletic. Both journalists have established reputations for incisive analysis and hard-hitting investigative work that goes beyond conventional match reporting.
In their new positions, Maurer and Rueter will lead comprehensive coverage of both men's and women's US national and domestic soccer teams while supporting the Guardian's existing Premier League and European football reporting. Their approach will extend beyond the pitch to critically examine soccer's complex intersections with power dynamics, financial structures, labour relations, cultural influences, and political dimensions.
Proven Track Records of Impactful Journalism
Maurer recently conducted a Guardian investigation that resulted in Ernst Tanner, sporting director of MLS's Philadelphia Union, being placed on administrative leave following allegations of misconduct. This demonstrates the serious investigative approach he brings to the role.
Rueter collaborated with the Guardian's Andrew Witherspoon on a December analysis that documented dramatic price increases for 2026 World Cup tickets, with the most severe hikes affecting the most affordable seating categories. This work exemplifies the Guardian's commitment to examining the economic dimensions of major sporting events.
Enhanced Editorial Leadership and Platform Contributions
The Guardian has also appointed Ella Brockway as assistant US sports editor, joining from the Washington Post where she edited coverage across multiple sports including major US leagues, Olympic events, and World Cup tournaments. She will work alongside US sports editors Tom Lutz and Alexander Abnos to manage the publication's expanded US-based soccer coverage while contributing to reporting on the 2027 Women's World Cup, Olympic Games, and other major sporting events.
These three journalists will contribute across multiple Guardian platforms including liveblogs, the flagship Football Weekly podcast (which will record daily in the US during the World Cup), the Soccer with Jonathan Wilson newsletter, and in-person events such as Football Weekly shows scheduled for SXSW in Austin and New York City this July.
Strategic Vision for US Sports Coverage
Betsy Reed, US editor of the Guardian, emphasised the strategic importance of these appointments: "Building on the Guardian's global sports and soccer expertise, these key stateside hires will expand our journalistic range in the US, enabling us to reach a growing and engaged audience. As we approach two landmark events happening in our back yard – the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics – more Americans will come to see the Guardian as a go-to destination for comprehensive coverage, context and commentary."
Steve Sachs, managing director for the Guardian in the US, highlighted the business rationale: "Sports is one of the strongest drivers of habit and loyalty. This expansion reinforces our commitment to the US market and will position us to create meaningful opportunities for sustainable revenue, partnerships and long-term brand strength long after any single tournament or event."
Comprehensive Approach to American Soccer
Alexander Abnos, senior editor for soccer at the Guardian, expressed enthusiasm about the new team members: "Jeff and Pablo have been two of the most dominant forces in American soccer journalism for some time, and Ella has already proven to be one of the sharpest editorial minds out there covering soccer and the sports world at large."
He continued: "The Guardian's coverage of the World Cup, and sports overall, has never been just about scores and highlights; Pablo, Jeff and Ella fit right into that vision. The story of modern American soccer is also about wealth, immigration, culture, labor, power, grassroots movements, international relations and so many other factors that are shaping our world. The Guardian will cover American soccer through all those lenses – and also as the incredible sport that we all love watching."
About The Guardian's US Presence
The Guardian operates as a global, reader-funded news organisation committed to high-quality journalism, progressive values, and editorial independence. Founded in 1821, it maintains a reputation for rigorous reporting and commentary across politics, environmental issues, social justice, sports, wellness, and culture tailored for international audiences.
In the United States, the Guardian employs more than one hundred editorial staff across bureaus in New York, Washington DC, and Los Angeles. Its agenda-setting journalism attracts over forty million American readers monthly, positioning it among the country's leading news websites. The US newsroom has received numerous prestigious awards including the George Polk Award, Scripps Howard Award, Edward R. Murrow Award, and Pulitzer Prize.
