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England are in to the World Cup Semi Final! Harry Brent and a jude-bulant John Cross break down an game full of controversial calls, and quotes as the viking are sent rowing back to Norway ๐ณ๐ด
Jude Bellingham strikes again, Djed Spence runs rampant and Harry Kane puts in a captains effort to see the three lions into the next round where they will face Argentina ๐ช
England were certainly feeling the Miami heat which saw several intriguing substitutions and several players given some much needed rest. What can we expect from England against Lionel Messi and Argentina on Wednesday?
Let us know your thoughts ahead of the game in the comments!
Make Football Great Again is the definitive 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup, combining deep-dive interviews from across the globe with legendary tournament anecdotes from our veteran reporters.
Read all of the latest football news: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/
Subscribe to our new Make Football Great Again newsletter for everything World Cup 2026: https://www.mirror.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/?view=Solus&mailingListId=c4fc9b20-3be6-4105-9f07-3ae274c4031b&utm_source=solusarticle
#England #ThreeLions #Football #Soccer #WorldCup #WorldCup2026 #2026WorldCup #podcast
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A frustrated John Cross joins Harry Brent in their Match Day preview ahead of Englands Quarter Final clash with Erling Haaland's Norway ๐ณ๐ด
They discuss the clash of the titans as goal scoring machines Harry Kane and Erling Haaland face off for the first time on the international stage and Fifa's multiple decision reversals!
It's all about heat and yet again the possibility of a weather delay as isolated storms threaten to surround Miami.
Make Football Great Again is the definitive 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup, combining deep-dive interviews from across the globe with legendary tournament anecdotes from our veteran reporters.
Read all of the latest football news: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/
Subscribe to our new Make Football Great Again newsletter for everything World Cup 2026: https://www.mirror.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/?view=Solus&mailingListId=c4fc9b20-3be6-4105-9f07-3ae274c4031b&utm_source=solusarticle
#England #ThreeLions #Football #Soccer #WorldCup #WorldCup2026 #2026WorldCup #podcast
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Saknas det avsnitt?
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A jubilant John Cross joins Harry Brent from Mexico City to react to the "heroic" England win in the World Cup Round of 16.
They discuss the phenomenal individual performances from Jude Bellingham and Jordan Pickford, red card and penalty controversies, the Curse of the Right Back, and an eventful night for Jordan Henderson (despite not playing a minute at Estadio Azteca).
From altitude to attitude, Harry and John briefly look ahead to the quarter final clash against Norway, and ask whether the Three Lions should start dreaming of glory.
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Make Football Great Again is the definitive 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup, combining deep-dive interviews from across the globe with legendary tournament anecdotes from our veteran reporters.
Read all of the latest football news: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/
Subscribe to our new Make Football Great Again newsletter for everything World Cup 2026: https://www.mirror.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/?view=Solus&mailingListId=c4fc9b20-3be6-4105-9f07-3ae274c4031b&utm_source=solusarticle
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It’s the TOUGHEST test of Englands World Cup campaign yet! ๐ณ๐คฏ
In this episode of Make Football Great Again, host Harry Brent is joined by the Mirror’s Chief Football Writer, John Cross, to preview Englands incredible challenge of facing a formidable Mexican team at the famous Estadio Azteca!
Adjusting to altitude with thinner air, faster ball movement and faster accumulation of fatigue, we discuss how England are to tackle this monumental challenge.
๐ฅ In this episode, we unpack:
The weather and the potential storms that threaten to delay the game!
Altitude acclimatization and the question of some help from a certain drug!
Defensive capabilities: Is Djed Spence good enough to stay on in place of Reece James and is Jarell Quansah back fit?
Will Harry Kane yet again be Englands saviour?
The Ultimate Challenge: Previewing the Round of 16 clash against Mexico at the infamous Estadio Azteca, where the hosts have only lost 2 games at their home ground!
๐ Subscribe to Make Football Great Again so you never miss a match reaction or preview during England’s 2026 World Cup campaign!#EnglandFootball #WorldCup2026 #HarryKane #JudeBellingham #DeclanRice #ThreeLions #EstadioAzteca #EnglandVsMexico #SoccerPodcast #JohnCross
Make Football Great Again is the definitive 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup, combining deep-dive interviews from across the globe with legendary tournament anecdotes from our veteran reporters.
Read all of the latest football news: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/
Subscribe to our new Make Football Great Again newsletter for everything World Cup 2026: https://www.mirror.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/?view=Solus&mailingListId=c4fc9b20-3be6-4105-9f07-3ae274c4031b&utm_source=solusarticle
#England #ThreeLions #Football #Soccer #WorldCup #WorldCup2026 #2026WorldCup #podcast
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It’s the great escape in Atlanta! ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐ฅ
In this episode of Make Football Great Again, host Harry Brent is joined by the Mirror’s Chief Football Writer, John Cross, to break down England’s stressful, heart-stopping 2-1 victory over DR Congo in the final group stage match of the 2026 World Cup.
After trailing for 70 minutes, captain Harry Kane once again played saviour, flipping the match with two late goals to book the Three Lions a spot in the Round of 16. We dive into the controversial penalty shout that VAR ignored, the impact of FIFA's new hydration breaks, and give our brutal player ratings for the squad (with a few harsh realities for Marcus Rashford and Djed Spence).
๐ฅ In this episode, we unpack:
Harry Kane's Heroics: Why his second goal will go down in England World Cup folklore.
The Penalty Controversy: Did Kane leave his foot in, or did the referee and VAR completely bottle a clear foul?
Midfield Fatigue: Is Declan Rice running on empty? Why the Rice & Elliot Anderson pairing isn't working.
The Left-Side Void: The ongoing struggles of Marcus Rashford when starting versus coming off the bench.
The Ultimate Challenge: Previewing the Round of 16 clash against Mexico at the infamous Estadio Azteca, where the hosts have a 79% win rate.
๐ Subscribe to Make Football Great Again so you never miss a match reaction or preview during England’s 2026 World Cup campaign!
#EnglandFootball #WorldCup2026 #HarryKane #JudeBellingham #DeclanRice #ThreeLions #EstadioAzteca #EnglandVsMexico #SoccerPodcast #JohnCross
โณ The Timecodes
0:00 – Intro: England's heart-stopping 2-1 victory over DR Congo
1:47 – The Emotional Rollercoaster: Going from sheer panic to absolute glory
3:02 – Attacking Fluidity: Was this England's best attacking performance of the tournament?
4:56 – The Penalty Controversy: Did VAR rob Harry Kane before halftime?
7:12 – FIFA's Hydration Breaks: How the controversial pauses saved England's tactical setup
9:44 – Player Ratings: The Defence (Pickford, Spence, Guéhi, Konsa)
11:08 – Midfield Ratings: Why Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice cannot play together
13:03 – Attacking Ratings: Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford's struggles, and Harry Kane's heroics
15:58 – The Subs: Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka's impact
16:17 – 3 Things We Learned: The broken left flank, Djed Spence's starting spot, and Declan Rice's exhaustion
19:22 – The Estadio Azteca Factor: Previewing the historic Round of 16 clash against Mexico
21:38 – Thomas Tuchel's Job Security: Is a Round of 16 exit acceptable for England?
22:55 – Outro: Looking ahead to Sunday's Azteca preview
Make Football Great Again is the definitive 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup, combining deep-dive interviews from across the globe with legendary tournament anecdotes from our veteran reporters.
Read all of the latest football news: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/
Subscribe to our new Make Football Great Again newsletter for everything World Cup 2026: https://www.mirror.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/?view=Solus&mailingListId=c4fc9b20-3be6-4105-9f07-3ae274c4031b&utm_source=solusarticle
#England #ThreeLions #Football #Soccer #WorldCup #WorldCup2026 #2026WorldCup #podcast
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What a whirlwind the World Cup has produced over the last 24 hours with two big footballing nations being taken out on penalties.
In this episode John and Harry discuss Englands prolific penalty takers, mentality and what it's going to take for the team to reach the final. France have sent shockwaves through the tournament with an impressive win whilst Norway took down the Ivory Coast to reach the countries first Round of 16 in the World Cup.
What will happen as England take on DR Congo, let us know your score predictions in the comments down below...
Make Football Great Again is the definitive 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup, combining deep-dive interviews from across the globe with legendary tournament anecdotes from our veteran reporters.
Read all of the latest football news: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/
Subscribe to our new Make Football Great Again newsletter for everything World Cup 2026: https://www.mirror.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/?view=Solus&mailingListId=c4fc9b20-3be6-4105-9f07-3ae274c4031b&utm_source=solusarticle
#England #ThreeLions #Football #Soccer #WorldCup #WorldCup2026 #2026WorldCup #podcast
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England are through to the Round of 32 as Group L winners! But let’s be completely honest, Thomas Tuchel’s side made hard work of a 2-0 win over Panama at the MetLife Stadium.
In this episode of Make Football Great Again, host Harry Brent is joined by the Mirror’s Chief Football Writer, John Cross, live from the stadium to dissect a laboured but much-needed victory. We break down another superstar performance from Jude Bellingham and discuss Harry Kane rewriting the history books by eclipsing Gary Lineker’s World Cup goalscoring record.
We dive deep into the tactical gamble of Tuchel's reshuffled midfield, major structural warnings after Panama cut through England's defence, and the absolutely mind-boggling right-back injury curse that has claimed Jarell Quansah. Finally, we hand out our post-match player ratings and debate whether it’s time to fully commit to Jed Spence for the knockout rounds.
Episode Timestamps
00:06 – Introduction & Match Overview: Harry and John react to England’s 2-0 win over Panama and topping Group L.
00:50 – The Jude Bellingham Show: Discussing Bellingham’s game-changing performance and why he’d walk into any world-class side.
02:28 – Tuchel’s Tactical Reshuffle: Breaking down the mass changes, the deeper role for Bellingham, and Kobbie Mainoo being left out.
04:00 – Defensive & Structural Concerns: Why Panama and Ghana’s counter-attacks prove England are wide open ahead of the knockout stages.
05:46 – The Right-Back Injury Curse: Jarell Quansah limps off. With Rhys James and Tino Livramento out, how does Tuchel solve this nightmare?
07:34 – Post-Match Player Ratings: John scores the squad, including Bukayo Saka’s fitness, Marcus Rashford’s sharpness, and Jordan Pickford’s nerves.
10:31 – Substitutes & Milestones: Jordan Henderson sets a historic 7th major tournament record, plus a look at Noni Madueke and the left-flank dilemma.
12:21 – Key Takeaway 1: The Alarming Panama Stats: Dissecting how Panama managed 13 shots and matched England's XG.
13:21 – Key Takeaway 2: Kane vs. Lineker & The Ballon d'Or: Breaking down Kane’s record-breaking night and his case for football's ultimate individual prize.
14:55 – Key Takeaway 3: The Case for Jed Spence: Why it's time for England to stop improvising and back Spence at right-back.
16:13 – Looking Ahead to the Round of 32: Key details for England's next knockout match
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Straight from Thomas Tuchel's pre-match press conference from the Bowels of New York and the Metlife Stadium.
In this episode, John and Harry break down more bombshells out of the England camp: the injuries and troubling news of Reece James' hamstring, the mood in the camp and what Panama could potentially turn up with!
Plus, John gives his honest prediction on the result and matchday squad Tuchel will select for the game!
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Same old England? Just when we thought the Three Lions were building serious momentum after defeating Croatia, Thomas Tuchel’s side turned in a ponderous, frustrating 0-0 draw against a resilient Ghana side in Boston.
In this episode of Make Football Great Again, Harry Brent is joined by the Mirror’s Chief Football Writer John Cross straight from the stadium to break down where it all went wrong. They dissect England's historical struggle with "second game syndrome," ask why the attack looked so incredibly sluggish against Ghana’s low block, and question some baffling tactical decisions—including the inverted fullback dilemma and leaving Ivan Toney on the bench.
Plus, John delivers his definitive Match Player Ratings, highlighting a stellar defensive display from Mark Guéhi, an erratic night for Jordan Pickford, and a frustratingly quiet outing for captain Harry Kane.
What’s inside this episode:
The Low Block Conundrum: Why England couldn't move the ball quickly enough to stretch the Ghanaian defense.
Tuchel’s Selection Critique: The weird dynamic of right-footed fullbacks on the left flank and the benching of Marcus Rashford.
The Striker Dilemma: Harry Kane’s three-touch frustration in the box and why Ivan Toney was custom-made for this exact game.
Panama Preview: What needs to drastically change on Saturday to secure top spot in the group.
00:06 – Intro & Post-Match Reality Check
Harry and John react to a very "drab" 0-0 draw against Ghana and the immediate comedown from the opening-day joy against Croatia.
00:36 – The Curse of "Second Game Syndrome"
A deep dive into England's historical trend of slipping up in their second group games (2020, 2022, 2024) and why 2018 was the last time they avoided the trap.
02:30 – How to Break a Low Block
John explains why blaming a defensive opposition is a cop-out, criticizing England's ponderous, slow, and labored passing.
05:14 – Weather Excuses & "Sunday League" Mentalities
Debunking the heat myth in a chilly Boston and why England's sluggish opening five minutes set a complacent tone.
07:06 – The Winger & Rashford Mystery
Why was Anthony Gordon so ineffective, and why did Thomas Tuchel leave it so late to bring Marcus Rashford into the mix?
07:45 – Official Player Ratings: The Starting XI
John passes judgment on the team, detailing Pickford's nerve-wracking moments, Guéhi’s Man of the Match performance, and Kane's 5/10 display.
10:00 – The Inverted Fullback Debate
A tactical breakdown of Jed Spence and the awkward positioning of right-footed players dominating the left flank.
12:18 – Substitutes & The Benched Strikers
Rating the impact of Saka, O’Reilly, and Rogers, and calling out the "utterly bizarre" decision to leave Ivan Toney and Ollie Watkins on the bench.
15:01 – Are England Genuine Contenders?
A sobering look at whether England belongs in the top tier of tournament favorites or the "second tier."
15:57 – Looking Ahead to Panama
What England must prioritize on Saturday to fix their rhythm, secure the group, and trigger a much-needed team reaction.
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England are flying high after an emphatic 4-2 opening-day victory over Croatia, but can Thomas Tuchel keep the momentum going?
In this episode of Make Football Great Again, Harry Brent is joined by The Mirror's Chief Football Writer, John Cross, fresh out of Tuchel's pre-match press conference.
John gives us the inside track on the mood in the camp ahead of Tuesday’s crucial World Cup clash against Ghana. A win guarantees England top spot in the group—but history shows the second game is always a banana skin.
We dive deep into Declan Rice’s ongoing injury management after playing an obscene 63 games this season, the tactical selection dilemmas on the left wing between Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon, and why John Stones remains indispensable to Tuchel's blueprint. Plus, we address the highly uncomfortable Thomas Partey handshake controversy and break down how England plan to stop Ghana’s dangerous superstar, Antoine Semenyo.
Will England secure back-to-back World Cup opening wins for only the fourth time in history? Let us know your score predictions in the comments below! ๐
โฑ๏ธ Episode Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to Massachusetts: Inside the England Camp
00:32 – Croatia Aftermath: Has the World Cup Tension Lifted?
02:51 – The Complacency Trap: Avoiding Past Tournament Slumps
05:19 – A Rare Record: Can England Win Their First Two Games?
06:44 – Declan Rice Injury Alarm: The Lower Back & Hamstring Issue
08:37 – 63 Games and Counting: Player Burnout & Squad Rotation
10:15 – Tuchel’s "Reverse Beret" on World Cup Hydration Breaks
11:51 – The Defensive Dilemma: Why Marc Guéhi is Being Left Out
13:50 – Rashford vs. Gordon: Who Wins the Left-Wing Battle?
15:45 – Harry Kane Chasing Messi, Mbappé, and the Ballon d'Or
17:38 – The Thomas Partey Controversy & The Pre-Match Handshake
20:32 – Stopping Antoine Semenyo: The Familiarity Advantage
21:54 – John Cross's Official Predicted England XI vs. Ghana
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Harry Brent is joined by John Cross to react to England's 4-2 win against Croatia.
The World Cup opener for the Three Lions featured the "sensational" Jude Bellingham, an "exquisite" finish from Marcus Rashford, "off the scale brilliant" Harry Kane, as well as a defensive unit that did not click.
Can Harry Kane carry on breaking records? Will we expect more "white knuckle rollercoaster performances" from Thomas Tuchel's side? And should we be worried about Jordan Pickford between the sticks for England?
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Straight from Thomas Tuchel's pre-match press conference from the spectacular AT&T Stadium in Texas, The Mirror’s Chief Football Writer John Cross joins host Harry Brann to preview England’s massive World Cup opening clash against Croatia.
In this episode, John and Harry break down the massive bombshell out of the England camp: Tino Livramento’s tournament-ending injury and Thomas Tuchel's surprise decision to call up Trevoh Chalobah straight from his American vacation. They dive into the internet-breaking FaceTime drama surrounding Harry Maguire’s exclusion, debate the tactical headache on the right wing between Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, and share some wild behind-the-scenes stories from the team hotel—including how the squad handled a midnight Texas tornado warning.
Plus, John gives his honest verdict on where England ranks against heavyweights like France and Spain, and defends the controversial role of football journalists in leaking team lineups ahead of matchday.
Timestamps
01:33 – The Livramento Bombshell & Chalobah Call-Up: Breaking down the injury gamble that backfired, why Trevoh Chalobah was called up from his holiday, and the looming Trent Alexander-Arnold question.
03:56 – The Maguire FaceTime Drama: A look at the viral social media fallout from Harry Maguire being dropped via video call and whether the defender’s reaction was justified.
05:54 – Predicting England's Starting XI: John reveals his predicted lineup, analyzing the 50/50 toss-up between Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon’s defensive work rate, and the centre-back pairing.
08:19 – Inside the Camp: Tornadoes & "Robberies": John laughs off reported camp security issues and recounts the chaos of mid-tournament Texas tornado sirens sending hotel guests into underground garages.
10:30 – Tournament Favorites & Where England Ranks: First-week highlights from the US-hosted tournament and why England sits firmly in the "second tier" behind France, Spain, and Argentina.
13:34 – The Great Lineup Leak Debate: John addresses the criticism aimed at journalists who leak team sheets early and explains why the public always craves inside information.
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England completed their pre-World Cup run with a convincing 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in Orlando—but it wasn’t without a bit of classic Florida weather chaos!
In this episode of Make Football Great Again, Harry Brent is joined by the Mirror’s Chief Football Writer, John Cross, straight from the humid grounds of Florida. From torrential rain delays and bizarre pitch-watering spectacles to tactical masterclasses on the field, we break down everything you need to know ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
In today's episide:
• The Match: Goals from Declan Rice, Anthony Gordon, and Ollie Watkins seal the win.
• The Standouts: Why Jude Bellingham completely owned the midfield and staked his claim for the No. 10 shirt against Croatia.
• The Miss: Noni Madueke’s open-goal blunder that he won't want to watch again.
• Injury Update: The latest on Bukayo Saka’s Achilles tendonitis and how Thomas Tuchel plans to rotate the squad.
• Transfer Gossip: Is Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson really worth a £100M+ British transfer record? Man City and Man Utd think he might be.
• Player Ratings: Full starting XI breakdown, including why Harry Kane needs to stop playing like an NFL quarterback.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - England 3-0 Costa Rica: Match Overview
00:32 - Torrential Rain & American Lightning Rules
03:28 - Performance Review: Pace, Tactics & Tough Tackles
05:01 - Man of the Match: Jude Bellingham Locks Down the No. 10
06:00 - Noni Madueke's Performance & That Infamous Miss
07:49 - Bukayo Saka Injury Update & Squad Rotation Under Tuchel
09:25 - Transfer Talk: £100M Elliot Anderson to Man City or Man Utd?
11:41 - England Player Ratings: Why Kane is Dropping Too Deep
14:45 - Predicted Starting XI vs Croatia & Selection Dilemmas
16:35 - Tuchel’s USA Training Camp & Moving to Kansas City
17:53 - 2026 World Cup Kicks Off Today!
With the World Cup officially kicking off with Mexico vs. South Africa, make sure you're fully clued up. Check out our 48-Nation Scouting Report available right now on the channel, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts!
Don't forget to LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode.
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John Cross joins Harry Brent to react to Thomas Tuchel's press conference ahead of England's friendly against Costa Rica before the 2026 World Cup.
He discusses what he learned from the Three Lions boss, including concerns over Saka's fitness and why England cannot rely on singular players to win the World Cup.
Plus: weather, weddings, darts, and barbecues in a happy England camp.
__
Make Football Great Again is the definitive 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup, combining deep-dive interviews from across the globe with legendary tournament anecdotes from our veteran reporters.
Read all of the latest football news: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/
Subscribe to our new Make Football Great Again newsletter for everything World Cup 2026: https://www.mirror.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/?view=Solus&mailingListId=c4fc9b20-3be6-4105-9f07-3ae274c4031b&utm_source=solusarticle
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In the final instalment of our 48-nation roadmap, Harry Brent speaks to his colleagues Daniel Caw and Darren Cooney from the Daily Record about Scotland.
Can Scott McTominay become Scotland's GOAT? What are the expectations for Steve Clarke's side? And who is the OAP in the Tartan Army?
Daniel and Darren discuss auld rivalries and potential history making at the 2026 World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada, which is only days away.
You can watch Hotline Live, the go-to place for unfiltered opinion on the biggest talking points in Scottish football, on the Daily Record channel: https://www.youtube.com/ โจ@scottishdailyrecordโฉ
Make Football Great Again is the definitive 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup, combining deep-dive interviews from across the globe with legendary tournament anecdotes from our veteran reporters.
Read all of the latest football news: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/
Subscribe to our new Make Football Great Again newsletter for everything World Cup 2026: https://www.mirror.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/?view=Solus&mailingListId=c4fc9b20-3be6-4105-9f07-3ae274c4031b&utm_source=solusarticle
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On this Episode of the 48 Nation Roadmap Harry talks to soccer aficionado Lee Wingate, host of the The Sweeper Podcast. They talk Dutch routes and winning records as they look to score their first World Cup Goals.
Make Football Great Again is the definitive 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup, combining deep-dive interviews from across the globe with legendary tournament anecdotes from our veteran reporters.
Read all of the latest football news: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/
Subscribe to our new Make Football Great Again newsletter for everything World Cup 2026: https://www.mirror.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/?view=Solus&mailingListId=c4fc9b20-3be6-4105-9f07-3ae274c4031b&utm_source=solusarticle
#England #ThreeLions #Football #Soccer #WorldCup #WorldCup2026 #2026WorldCup #podcast
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Welcome to Make Football Great Again! ๐โฝ
In this episode, we sit down with Hassanane Balal, host of the Iraq Football Podcast, to explore one of football's greatest underdog stories.
From winning the 2007 Asian Cup against all odds to qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after 40 years—Iraq's football journey is unlike anything you've ever heard.
Iraq Football Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hassananeIraq
Football Podcast on X: https://x.com/IraqFootballPod -
What You'll Learn:
โ How Iraq won the 2007 Asian Cup with players sleeping in airports and no training facilities
โ The incredible story of national unity—how football brought together Sunnis, Shias, Kurds, Christians, and Arabs
โ Iraq's dramatic 2026 World Cup qualification journey (including the controversial Asian Cup quarter-final loss to Jordan)
โ The challenges Iraqi fans face traveling to the US World Cup
โ Key players to watch: Ali Al-Hamadi, Ayman Hussain, Zidane Iqbal, and more
โ Graham Arnold's tactical masterclass and how Iraq plans to compete against France, Norway, and Senegal
โ Why this World Cup is about so much more than football—it's about changing global perceptions of Iraq
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Will the co-hosts shock the world, or repeat past heartbreaks? ๐จ๐ฆโฝ
Welcome back to Make Football Great Again! In today’s 2026 World Cup preview, Harry Brent is joined by Footy Prime podcast host James Sharman and Canadian Soccer Hall of Famer Amy Walsh to profile co-hosts Canada.
Despite a historic generation of talent playing across Europe’s top tiers, Canada faces massive questions heading into Group B against Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar.
From tactical breakdowns to off-pitch controversies, we cover everything you need to know about the Les Rouges this summer.
๐ Drop a comment: How far will Jesse Marsch's side go this summer? Can they make it out of the group stage for the first time ever?
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On this episode Harry is joined by Sudesh Baniya, co-host of the Asian Game podcast, as the 48 nation roadmap brings us to 2022 hosts: Qatar.
Eager to take advantage of an interesting group, and with an attacking prowess described as "the best Asian football has ever seen", Qatar could surprise fans at this summer's tournament.
The Asian Game podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4t1TlqXUhyRVExWcYVD88A -
The Asian Game podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Uu7bDa2nIrpLVIeHLBR2E
Make Football Great Again is the definitive 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup, combining deep-dive interviews from across the globe with legendary tournament anecdotes from our veteran reporters.
Read all of the latest football news: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/
Subscribe to our new Make Football Great Again newsletter for everything World Cup 2026: https://www.mirror.co.uk/newsletter-preference-centre/?view=Solus&mailingListId=c4fc9b20-3be6-4105-9f07-3ae274c4031b&utm_source=solusarticle
#Qatar #Football #Soccer #WorldCup #WorldCup2026 #2026WorldCup #podcast
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Can South America’s ultimate clean-sheet machine stun the global powerhouses and go deep into the 2026 World Cup? ๐ช๐จ๐ก๏ธ
In this episode of Make Football Great Again, host Harry Brent is joined by Copa Club podcast host Nathan Joyce to deliver the definitive team preview for Ecuador.
We skip past standard roster sheets to explore the mind-bending reality of legal escape stunts, geopolitical qualification drama, and the world-class youth academy turning street football into £100M blockbusters.
๐ฅ Inside this episode, we unpack:
The Valencia Great Escape: The unbelievable true story of how Enner Valencia faked a medical emergency on the pitch to escape law enforcement.
The Valley of Dreams: A deep dive into Independiente del Valle—the revolutionary academy building multi-million-pound pipelines directly to Europe.
The Golden Left-Side Block: Sizing up the monumental defensive solidity of Piero Hincapié and William Pacho.
The Gift of Caicedo: How Moises Caicedo’s record-breaking move to Chelsea fundamentally transformed the infrastructure of Ecuadorian grassroots soccer.
The Star Boy's Burden: The split public opinion inside Quito surrounding Chelsea's teenage phenomenon Kendry Páez.
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#WorldCup2026 #EcuadorFootball #MoisesCaicedo #EnnerValencia #KendryPaez #PieroHincapie #SoccerPodcast #RoadTo2026
โณ The Timecodes
0:00 – Teaser: Slaying expectations & South American football as a religion
0:13 – Welcome to Make Football Great Again!
0:41 – Meet Nathan Joyce: Identifying the dark horses of South America
1:10 – Segment: One Truth and One Lie (Guinea pig healers vs. the faked ambulance escape)
3:56 – Historical Context: David Beckham’s free-kick trauma from 2006
4:26 – Segment: The Travel Log – Who is Ecuador's definitive GOAT?
5:47 – Overcoming Poverty: Antonio Valencia’s legacy at Old Trafford
6:39 – Continental Warfare: Squeezing past Brazil and Uruguay in 2002
8:02 – Geopolitical Beef: Why Chile and Peru tried to get Ecuador banned
10:54 – The Altitude Fallacy: Sizing up the thinning air of the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa
12:16 – Deep Dive: Inside the global talent machine at Independiente del Valle
13:42 – The Caicedo Clause: Tracking contract kickbacks from Woking to Brighton
15:02 – Segment: The Scouting Report – Roster sheet and defensive metrics
16:30 – Relishing the 36-Year-Old: Why Ecuador still heavily leans on Enner Valencia
18:44 – Under the Radar: Tracking Alan Minda and Kevin Rodríguez in Belgium
21:02 – The Polarizing Wonderkid: The shifting public opinion on Kendry Páez
23:48 – Safety First: Is manager Sebastián Beccacece too defensively rigid?
26:04 – Sizing up Group E expectations & navigating knockout permutations
27:55 – The England Swap: Giving Harry Kane to an attack crying for goals
28:26 – Rapid Fire Predictions: World Cup Winners & Golden Boot
30:44 – Outrageous Hot Take: Danilo tracks as the next break-out icon
31:40 – Outro & Next Nation Preview
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