The World Cup is up and running, and after the first week there's already plenty to talk about. We discuss the remarkable story of Cape Verde's goalkeeper and the performance that had everyone talking, weigh up the perennial BBC versus ITV debate as viewers pick their preferred World Cup home, and assess England's convincing opening victory and what it might tell us about their chances in the tournament. We also get into the increasingly controversial hydration breaks, some of the biggest surprises from the opening round of matches, and the stories that are beginning to shape this World Cup.

The World Cup is finally here! In the 1st special World Cup 2026 edition of Kiss the Badge, I share my excitement ahead of football's biggest tournament and discuss some of the major talking points and controversies surrounding the competition. I also reveal my plans for Kiss the Badge throughout the World Cup, including what listeners can expect from the podcast over the coming weeks.And, because no tournament preview would be complete without a few bold calls, I make my full World Cup predictions — from the group stage right through to the final — picking the teams I think will progress, the surprises that could shake up the tournament, and ultimately who I believe will lift the trophy.Will my predictions age like fine wine or be completely torn apart by the opening round of fixtures? There's only one way to find out.Welcome to World Cup 2026. Here we go!

In this episode, I take you along on my trip to the iconic Classic Football Shirts store, where I set myself a simple challenge: spend £500 and see what kind of gems I can come away with.

Across the visit, I pick up five shirts in total — a mix of modern kits, older retro designs, and a couple of proper grail pieces that I couldn’t leave behind. I go through each purchase in detail, breaking down why I chose them, what makes them special, and whether they were actually worth the money.

From standout designs to nostalgic classics and unexpected finds, this is part shopping spree, part football shirt deep dive. I also reflect on the overall experience of hunting for kits in-store and how it compares to online collecting.

If you’re into football shirts, retro kits, or just enjoy seeing what £500 can get you in one of the best stores in the game, this one’s for you.