Sorry for the delay on this one, team - had to wait for the tournament to play out so that I could write it! It's been epic. Thanks so much for joining me for the journey. Please let me know if you have any ideas for the next set of files - player, club or a different tournament... the world is our footballing oyster!

In our twenty-third file, we travel across the United States, Canada and Mexico, 2026 — where the World Cup became bigger than ever before and delivered one final chapter filled with drama.

For the first time, 48 teams competed across three enormous host nations. Scotland returned after 28 years away, Cabo Verde stunned the world on their tournament debut, Norway eliminated Brazil, and fans travelled thousands of miles to follow their teams.

Argentina kept falling behind and somehow finding a way back, while Spain moved through the tournament with calm, control and almost unbreakable defence.

In Episode 23: USA, Canada and Mexico 2026, we uncover how the expanded World Cup created unforgettable new stories, how Argentina survived one impossible escape after another, and how Spain finally brought their remarkable run to an end.

Strap in. History never played it safe.

In our twenty-second file, we travel to Qatar, 2022 — where the World Cup entered unfamiliar territory and delivered one of its greatest endings.

Played in the middle of the club season and surrounded by debate before a ball was kicked, this was a tournament unlike any before it. Famous teams fell, underdogs rose, and Morocco made history by becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. Kylian Mbappé produced a final performance for the ages, but Lionel Messi and Argentina were chasing something that had waited a lifetime.

In Episode 22: Qatar 2022, we uncover how Argentina recovered from an opening shock, how Morocco inspired the world, and how one extraordinary final gave Messi the ending every football story seemed to be waiting for.

Strap in. History never played it safe.

In our twenty-first file, we travel to Russia, 2018 — where a new generation announced itself on the World Cup stage.

This was a tournament of dramatic late goals, penalty shootouts, shocking exits, and underdogs refusing to go quietly. Germany, the defending champions, crashed out early. Croatia fought through extra time again and again, led by the brilliant Luka Modrić. And France arrived with speed, strength, and a teenage Kylian Mbappé ready to light up the tournament.

In Episode 21: Russia 2018, we uncover how VAR changed the World Cup, how Croatia battled all the way to the final, and how France’s fearless young team powered its way to a second world title.

Strap in. History never played it safe.