Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Wednesday's grid brings a World Cup-flavored puzzle that tests your soccer knowledge and your wordplay instincts. Whether you're racing the clock or just enjoying a quick brain break, we've got hints and answers to keep you moving.
How The Mini Works
The Mini is a compact version of the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring a 5x5 grid with five Across and five Down clues. Saturdays expand to a larger grid with more clues. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime. No streak tracking here, but the built-in timer lets you compete against yourself or challenge friends.
New puzzles drop at 10 p.m. EST on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday's Mini arrives earlier at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 5x5
Total Clues: 10 (5 Across, 5 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "___ d'Ivoire" this requires knowing the French spelling of Côte d'Ivoire
Gimme Clue: "Trivia question: Has Brazil appeared at every World Cup?" This is a straightforward soccer fact
Theme Spotted: World Cup / soccer
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1. Race starter's equipment
Hint: Three letters. Think track and field, what fires at the starting line?
4. 1-1, for one
Hint: Five letters. What do you call the number that represents a tied match?
6. Wedding speech made with a drink in hand
Hint: Five letters. You raise a glass and say a few words.
7. Book of maps
Hint: Five letters. Starts with A. What sits on classroom shelves showing the world?
8. Trivia question: Has Brazil appeared at every World Cup?
Hint: Three letters. The answer is a simple affirmation.
Down Hints
1. World Cup highlights
Hint: Five letters. What fills highlight reels when the ball finds the back of the net?
2. ___ Major
Hint: Four letters. Think of a constellation, a bear in the night sky.
3. Things found at either end of a soccer pitch
Hint: Four letters. What catches the ball behind the goalie?
4. Time at a hotel
Hint: Four letters. You book one of these when you're not just passing through.
5. ___ d'Ivoire (African nation in the World Cup)
Hint: Four letters. The French word for "coast" in this West African country's name.
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
---
---
---
---
---
Across Answers
1. Race starter's equipment
Answer: GUN
4. 1-1, for one
Answer: SCORE
6. Wedding speech made with a drink in hand
Answer: TOAST
7. Book of maps
Answer: ATLAS
8. Trivia question: Has Brazil appeared at every World Cup?
Answer: YES
Down Answers
1. World Cup highlights
Answer: GOALS
2. ___ Major
Answer: URSA
3. Things found at either end of a soccer pitch
Answer: NETS
4. Time at a hotel
Answer: STAY
5. ___ d'Ivoire (African nation in the World Cup)
Answer: COTE
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Trivia question: Has Brazil appeared at every World Cup?" for YES. It's a gimme if you know your soccer history, Brazil is the only nation to play in every World Cup, but framed as a trivia question, it adds a fun pub-quiz energy to the grid.
Wordplay Winner: "Wedding speech made with a drink in hand" for TOAST. A double-meaning classic, literal toast (raised glass) and a spoken tribute. Clean, clever, and satisfying.
Quick Fill: "Book of maps" for ATLAS. Five letters, no ambiguity, and it crosses neatly with several down entries. A perfect early solve to unlock the rest of the grid.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
When you spot a theme early, today it's World Cup/soccer, lean into it. GOALS, NETS, COTE, and YES all connect to the beautiful game. Recognizing the thread lets you chain answers faster.
Watch for foreign-language clues in the Mini. "___ d'Ivoire" requires the French spelling COTE, not an English variant. The Mini frequently dips into French, Spanish, and Latin for short fill, keep those high-school vocab lists handy.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops tonight at 10 p.m. EST. How did today's grid treat you? Whether the soccer theme had you cheering or the French spelling tripped you up, every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
