It's our very last World Cup podcast of the summer!

It's a bittersweet moment as we look back on 7 weeks of non stop football. Thank you to everyone who's listened!

We use this show as an opportunity to reflect on the tournament as a whole, beginning with a wide ranging discussion on the future of international football, including whether Spain and France are destined to dominate future tournaments and a potential crossroads for South American nations.

We also discuss whether the Premier League is actually bad for the English national team and how USA and Mexico take another step in 2030.

We then address the tournament awards – do we agree with the winning players?

Next, we give out our highly prestigious James Rodriguez award to one lucky fella. We also reexamine and update our pre-tournament James 11-man lineup and go through some tournament superlatives.

Finally, we re-rank all 48 teams that competed at the World Cup.

We're headed on a brief holiday until August, when we'll be back with our regularly scheduled Europa/Conference League programming, more Club Spotlights, and some surprise content to be announced soon.

See you soon, and cheers to you all!

Chapters:

00:00 – the start

02:49 – how are we feeling?

04:52 – tournament reflections, will Spain and France continue to dominate?

07:47 – is the Premier League bad for English team?

14:35 – state of South America

21:31 – USA and Mexico

31:14 – pros and cons of expanded tournament

38:57 – tournament awards

43:33 – James Rodriguez Award

01:01:17 – superlatives

01:10:18 – re-ranking teams

Spain are your 2026 World Cup champions!

We're talking all about Spain's 1-0 extra time triumph over holders Argentina, including Argentina's negative approach, their lack of chances and poor behavior postgame, and how Spain once again controlled all facets of the game.

Additionally, we debate each side's place among the pantheon of great international sides, as well as Golden Boot-winner Rodri's place among the pantheon of great midfielders, and project whether Spain is a budding dynasty.

Cheers to Luis de la Fuente and España!

Chapters:

00:00 – the start

01:02 – immediate reactions

09:48 – what went wrong for Argentina?

32:08 – Spain is really good, Ferran Torres, Nico Williams

39:22 – Rodri

44:31 – is Spain building a dynasty?

47:09 – what is this Argentina side's legacy?

53:57 – Trump, the halftime show, & "New York New Jersey" Stadium

58:07 – 3rd place game – France 4-6 England

The World Cup final kicks off tomorrow, and we're breaking it all down for you on our Spain-Argentina preview!

We begin revisiting each nation's World Cup pasts and what's at stake for each in the historical pantheon.

We also discuss the country's relationships to one another. Though they've only previously played once at a World Cup, they are steeped in shared culture and footballing history, including Barcelona, Lamine Yamal, and of course, Lionel Messi (yes, we talk about the bathing photo).

Then we move on to discuss the unique tactical battle between two sides that operate very differently. Can Argentina affect Spain's metronomic midfield? How will Spain defend Messi? Can Argentina challenge Spain's immaculate defensive record?

Additionally, we tackle the key personnel and wonder if Argentina is still underrated – as crazy as that sounds – before picking a combined 11 between the teams.

Cheers to us all!

Chapters:

00:00 – the start

03:17 – Spain & Argentina's World Cup histories

13:02 – footballing connections between the countries

20:40 – tactical profiles & keys to the game

39:36 – combined 11

51:30 – predictions

Our Club Spotlight series is returning for a special World Cup edition!

At this season's tournament, we have four nations competing at their first ever World Cup: Curaçao, Cabo Verde, Uzbekistan, and Jordan. As the competition progresses, we will be highlighting each footballing nation – exploring their political, geographical, and sporting histories and learning how they got here.

The final episode in our series is about Uzbekistan, the first Central Asian nation to qualify for a World Cup – and also the region's largest by population.

We delve into the country's rich history, from its ancient roots to its time under Soviet control, to its modern era of independence.

Often defined for its economic isolation and horrific civil rights record, we at its slow evolution in the past ten years as its steadily opened up to the rest of the world and how it is addressing improvements in civil and social reforms.

Next, we move to their footballing history, which dates back before the 1920s, and detail their path from limited opportunities under Soviet rule to the formation of the White Wolves in the 90s, as well their infamously arduous and frustrating path to qualifying for their first World Cup.

Finally, we talk about their appointment of Fabio Cannavaro as manager, their exciting youth development and evolving roster, plus a look back at how they performed in their debut on the world stage.

Cheers to the footballing nation of Uzbekistan!

Chapters:

00:00 – the start

01:29 – Uzbekistan facts

03:02 – historical background

05:05 – government & civil rights

11:20 – footballing history

16:54 – World Cup qualifying trials & tribulations

23:22 – current roster

26:12 – Cannavaro, tactics, & how did they do?

Sources:

https://www.beinsports.com/en-asia/football/fifa-world-cup-2026/articles/uzbekistans-world-cup-exit-was-brutal-says-cannavaro-2026-06-28

https://www.youngpioneertours.com/the-worlds-only-double-landlocked-countries/

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-16218112

https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/europe-and-central-asia/eastern-europe-and-central-asia/uzbekistan/report-uzbekistan/

https://wrasse.plymouth.ac.uk/ac-news/uzbekistan-football-federation-a-deep-dive-1767647931

https://web.archive.org/web/20160923175048/http://www.espnfc.com/story/341697/uzbekistan-and-bahrain-to-play-it-again

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/10/uzbekistan-world-cup-2026-team-guide

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7157871/2026/03/31/uzbekistan-world-cup-2026/

And then there were two.

The World Cup final is set, but how did we get there? We're break down all the details and reactions from two scintillating semifinals!

First, we delve into the latest edition of English heartbreak, as they fell 2-1 in yet another dramatic Argentine comeback. We discuss the disastrous negative tactics that led them to failure and why we're having this conversation at yet another major tournament. Why can't they get out of their own way? And should Tuchel be sacked?

Additionally, we commend the usual Argentine resolve, Messi's continued brilliance, and enjoy Lautaro's much-awaited big moment for his country.

We also discuss how national teams should be hiring coaches. Does it work to lure big-name club managers, or should they be building and promoting through the youth ranks?

Next, we move to Spain's comprehensive 2-0 victory of France, debating what Deschamps got wrong in his final game in charge. We question his lineup and substitution choices, while also singing the praises of the brilliant performances from the Spanish midfield and fullbacks.

Cheers to Luis de la Fuente and Lionel Scaloni!

Chapters:

00:00 – the start, thoughts on a Spain-Argentina final

06:23 – England vs Argentina, what went wrong for England?

22:03 – Argentina's comeback

31:14 – Tuchel's future, how should you find a national team coach?

40:47 – Spain vs France, what happened to France?

58:43 – Spain are cool customers

01:01:55 – referee performances

We're back to talk all things World Cup Quarterfinals!

Naturally, we have to start with the spectacle that was England-Norway – a match that featured maximum drama on and off the pitch.

Jude Bellingham once again starred, scoring both of England's goals, but the game could've easily gone the other way thanks to a number of key moments.

We talk how Solbakken and his players baited England in a false sense of security early in the game, before jumping on them post hydration break, and how close they were to being up 2-0 if only Sorloth laid the ball off to Erling Haaland.

Then we delve into the VAR controversies – first the potential sky cam interference in the build up to Bellingham's equalizer, then Norway's disallowed go-ahead in the second half.

We also discuss Nyland's tough moment in goal, leading to Jude's winner in extra time. How did England survive another close shave? Are they built for the moment or too reliant on individual moments?

Next, we address further officiating controversies in Argentina-Switzerland, where Embolo was sent off for simulation thanks to VAR intervention. Do we think the right decision was reached here? Why does this one feel like an existential crisis?

England-Argentina is a semifinal for the ages – both for on and off the pitch reasons. Who do we think has the edge in this great rivalry and why?

Finally, we move on to Spain's narrow win over Belgium and France's walk in the park against Morocco. We debate whether either team has been properly challenged yet, what Spain has been missing in the attacking third, and what to expect in a star-studded matchup.

Cheers to Ståle Solbakken! Ro!

Chapters:

00:00 – the start

05:09 – England 2-1 Norway

11:29 – Sorloth's 2 v 1

16:30 – Bellingham + sky cam

20:11 – Norway's strong 2nd half

28:47 – Tuchel's subs + Jude's winner

33:41 – big picture for England

37:21 – Argentina 2-1 Switzerland

38:20 – the Embolo red

46:27 – England-Argentina preview

49:15 – England-Argentina's past World Cup meetings

52:18 – Spain 2-1 Belgium

53:39 – Belgium's bizarre tournament

54:42 – Spain's issues in attack

59:10 – France 2-0 Morocco

01:05:17 – some love for Didier Deschamps

01:09:01 – disappointment in Morocco

And just like that, only 8 remains.

The World Cup Round of 16 has come and gone, and we've broken down all the big moments.

And unfortunately for the Americans, we must start with a USMNT audit after their all-time stinker on Monday night, losing to Belgium 4-1 in Seattle. What went wrong for this team after such a promising June?

We examine the team's mental weaknesses, the dreadful individual performances, including Dest, Freese, Ream, and of course, Pulisic, and wonder if Pulisic should continue to be the face of this team. We also address the Balogun situation and Trump's intervention, expressing our frustration on the damage this does to American soccer's perception across the globe.

Then we recap an instant classic at the Azteca, where England held on to beat Mexico 3-2. What went right and wrong for a Mexico side that left it all out there but couldn't find a decisive moment of quality? And did England prove something to themselves and to the world with their mental fortitude?

Egypt nearly shocked holders Argentina in another all-timer in Atlanta on Tuesday, but much of the conversation is mired in VAR and refereeing decisions. How did Egypt nearly accomplish a historic upset and went wrong in the final 20 minutes? And is there any merit to claims that this was rigged for Argentina?

Next, we perform autopsies on eliminated Brazil and Portugal, two contenders than never reached their potentials. We discuss first how Carlo approached the Norway game – did he get it wrong? Or was the team just undone by poor finishing? And on a larger scale, does Brazil even know who they are anymore?

There's a lot of blame to go around on the Portuguese side, and we delve into why Roberto Martinez got everything wrong this unbelievably talented group of players.

We also hail Norway's greatest ever win, with a predictable star turn from Haaland and an unpredictable one from Nyland in goal, as well as some brave decision from their coach, Solbakken.

Finally, we briefly touch on France withstanding Paraguay's aggression and the defensive showcase that was Switzerland-Colombia.

Cheers to Murat Yakin and Switzerland!

Chapters:

00:00 – the start

02:20 – USA 1 - 4 Belgium

05:37 – USMNT's mental weakness

08:24 – Trump's interference

13:08 – what Belgium did well

15:34 – Pulisic

22:30 – Mexico 2 - 3 England – Mexico's thrilling send off

28:43 – how did England withstand the Azteca?

34:37 – Canada 0 - 3 Morocco

37:11 – Argentina 3 - 2 Egypt – how did Egypt almost pull it off?

39:58 – VAR controversies – were Egypt robbed?

47:21 – Brazil 1 - 2 Norway – a Brazilian autopsy

53:20 – Haaland, Nyland, Solbakken – Norway's triump

56:00 – Spain 1 - 0 Portugal – Roberto Martinez gets it all wrong

01:01:25 – France 1 - 0 Paraguay

01:02:08 – Switzerland (pens) 0 - 0 Colombia

01:03:40 – the World Cup of stars & power rankings

01:05:17 – quick Quarterfinal thoughts

We're back after a thrilling and dramatic inaugural Round of 32 at the World Cup!

We were going to lead off the pod with Germany, but then Cabo Verde happened (again). What a story and what a performance (again) from the Blue Sharks, who took Messi and the defending champions to the very brink in Miami, and in the process, provided one of the greatest World Cup games of the century. We spend some time heaping love on their performance, from the heroic individual performances to the brilliance of Bubista's tactics to their undying belief and stamina. What a moment, what a team.

Next, we move on to tournament disappointments, including Germany, The Netherlands, and Senegal. First, we wonder what should Germany's identity be moving forward and why couldn't Nagelsmann get it right with this group. Then we tackle Koeman's catastrophe versus Morocco, where he seemed to sabotage his own team's chances for success, before asking what went wrong for a Senegal group that was fully in control with ten minutes to play against Belgium.

Elsewhere, all six pre-tournament favorites advanced, but only France and Spain comfortably. England were pushed to the brink by a terrific DR Congo, with Harry Kane coming up huge again. Is this a sign of trouble for the Three Lions or were Congo just awesome? Brazil also need a late winner to send Japan home, but a promising second half performance has us wondering if we're foolishly doubting Carlo once again.

Portugal, too, were up against it, with some questionable VAR interventions salvaging Ramos' stoppage time go-ahead. We debate if Croatia were unfairly treated, how they bossed the second half, and whether this version of Portugal has any chance against Spain.

We also officially welcome Morocco and Norway into our Official Contenders circle. Congrats to all involved.

All 3 hosts have advanced, so we look ahead to each's chances to reach the quarterfinals. The U.S. is, like, better than Belgium right? Can Mexico really knock out England in the Azteca? And can Canada hang with Morocco?

And finally, we power rank the remaining 16 nations and identify the round's best games.

One final cheers to maestro, Bubista!

Chapters:

00:00 – the start

01:28 – Cabo Verde

11:42 – Germany

21:17 – Netherlands

29:27 – Senegal-Belgium

33:50 – England-DR Congo

40:53 – Brazil

43:48 – Spain & France

45:12 – Portugal-Croatia

54:10 – Argentina

57:43 – Morocco & Norway are contenders

01:01:39 – Hosts advance: USA, Mexico, Canada

01:13:22 – Farewell Ivory Coast, Japan

01:19:24 – Round of 16, power rankings

01:22:51 – Round of 16, pick 'em