NYT Connections Soccer Edition Puzzle #42 — Answers for July 22, 2026
🔥 View Today's Hints & Progressive Clues →✅ Full Answers
🟨 National Team Nicknames
Gli Azzurri
La Albiceleste
Les Bleus
Oranje
🟩 Tacticians / Famous Football Managers
Ancelotti
Marsch
Tuchel
Cannavaro
🟦 Famous Tactical Styles & Philosophies
Catenaccio
Route One
Tiki-Taka
Total Football
🟪 African Football Club Names
Mimosas
Pirates
Pyramids
Sundowns
🎯 Strategy Tips
Start by isolating the national team colors/nicknames (Yellow), as they are very distinct. Next, look for the four tactical styles (Blue) versus the head coaches (Green). Leave the African club names (Purple) for last if you are less familiar with CAF Champions League teams like ASEC Mimosas or Mamelodi Sundowns.
⚠️ Red Herring Warning: Cannavaro was an iconic defender in Catenaccio-style Italian teams (Gli Azzurri), which might tempt you to pair him with tactics or international teams rather than the manager group. Similarly, Total Football and Oranje share a deep Dutch connection—make sure you separate national team nicknames from tactical systems!