Welcome to Make Football Great Again! 🌍⚽ 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: ✅ How Iraq won the 2007 Asian Cup with players sleeping in airports and no training facilities ✅ The incredible story of national unity—how football brought together Sunnis, Shias, Kurds, Christians, and Arabs ✅ Iraq's dramatic 2026 World Cup qualification journey (including the controversial Asian Cup quarter-final loss to Jordan) ✅ The challenges Iraqi fans face traveling to the US World Cup ✅ Key players to watch: Ali Al-Hamadi, Ayman Hussain, Zidane Iqbal, and more ✅ Graham Arnold's tactical masterclass and how Iraq plans to compete against France, Norway, and Senegal ✅ Why this World Cup is about so much more than football—it's about changing global perceptions of Iraq Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Will the co-hosts shock the world, or repeat past heartbreaks? 🇨🇦⚽ 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. 🚀 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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Croatia is a country of just 3.8 million people, yet they have reached consecutive World Cup semi-finals. How do they keep doing it? In this episode of Make Football Great Again, Harry Brent sits down with Croatian football expert Lovre Nikolaicic to map out Croatia’s definitive roadmap to the 2026 World Cup. From Group L tactics against England, Ghana, and Panama, to Luka Modrić's final tournament at 41 years old, we break down everything you need to know about the Vatreni. We also dive deep into Croatia's next generational talent, Tottenham-bound center-back Luka Vušković, and explain why his potential is completely "through the roof." https://x.com/CroatiaFooty https://x.com/CroLovre Who wins the opening match: England or Croatia? Let us know your score predictions in the comments below! 👇 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nima Tavallaey, Italian-Iranian football journalist and host of the Italian Football Podcast, joins Harry Brent to discuss how Iran's "golden generation" could fare in Group G, alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand at the 2026 World Cup. You can follow Nima on X: https://x.com/NimaTavRood Italian Football Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@ItaFootPod https://www.youtube.com/@ItaFootPod __ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can the relentless winning machine of French football break the tournament blockades and claim a third star in North America? 🇫🇷⭐️ In this episode of Make Football Great Again, host Harry Brent sits down with ESPN writer and French football expert Julien Laurens to map out the definitive tournament preview for France. We discard routine statistical sheets to explore jaw-dropping tales of international fan folklore, inner-locker room fractures, and the revolutionary academy systems shaping modern tactical profiles. 🔥 In this episode, we unpack: The Baguette Smuggling: The unbelievable true story of how a legendary French super-fan attempted to bypass international livestock laws inside a hallowed loaf of bread. The CONCACAF Hotbed: Exploring the ruthless street football culture of Paris and why French academies continuously produce the most polished wonderkids in world football. The Unbeatable Engine: Why a hypothetical double pivot of Claude Makélélé and N’Golo Kanté would force an absolute international forfeit. The Tactical Mutation: How manager Didier Deschamps plans to trade his trademark defensive conservatism for a devastating 4-2-3-1 setup. The Unpopular Prediction: A bold defense of Thomas Tuchel’s appointment and why a France vs. England final feels mathematically inevitable. 🔗 Grab Julien Laurens' New Book ("Kylian Mbappé: The Definitive Biography"): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kylian-Mbappe-Definitive-Biography-World/dp/1399629565 🔔 Subscribe to Make Football Great Again so you never miss a stop on our global roadmap down to the opening match of 2026! #WorldCup2026 #FranceFootball #KylianMbappe #ZinedineZidane #ThomasTuchel #HarryKane #SoccerPodcast #RoadTo2026 ⏳ The Timecodes 0:00 – Teaser: An unbeatable midfield engine & an unpopular England prediction 0:21 – Welcome to Make Football Great Again! 0:50 – Meet Julien Laurens: Discussing the biography of Kylian Mbappé 1:11 – Segment: One Truth and One Lie (Michel Platini at the Louvre vs. the smuggled rooster) 2:22 – Balthazar the Rooster: Exploring the scale of Clément d'Antib's 1500-match legacy 3:33 – Historical Context: Traumatic penalty shootouts in Qatar and half a century of waiting 4:27 – Segment: The Travel Log – Who is France’s definitive footballing GOAT? 5:48 – Erasing the 50s: Why Zinedine Zidane edges Michel Platini on technical elegance 6:18 – Inheriting the Throne: Can Mbappé surpass Zidane's historical estimations? 7:43 – Border Rivalries: Why French fans closely watch Belgian and Swiss football 8:41 – The "Bad Boy" Gene: Redefining the passion of Nicolas Anelka and Eric Cantona 10:40 – The English Legend: Why Thierry Henry face structural imagery limits back home 13:30 – Incompetence at the Top: Dissecting the catastrophic locker room fallout of 2010 15:56 – Rebuilding the Midfield: Tracing the historical lineage of the French No. 6 18:21 – Hotbeds of Football: How local academy systems handle impatient wonderkids 21:10 – Segment: The Scouting Report – Front four variations and roster setups 22:33 – Striking the Roster Balance: Adapting after Hugo Ekitiké's injury blow 24:30 – The Ego War Illusion: Why Mbappé's modern captaincy protects the inner circle 26:53 – Defending like 25: N'Golo Kanté's unyielding positional utility 28:49 – The Defensive General: Sizing up the modern strategic legacy of Didier Deschamps 32:01 – Winning is the Minimum: Exchanging conservative frameworks for tournament dominance 33:26 – The England Swap: Inserting Harry Kane into a front-four cheat code 34:49 – Rapid Fire Round: Best No. 6 & Historical Ligue 1 Icons 39:03 – Tracing Foundations: Nicolas Anelka vs. David Trezeguet 42:25 – Outrageous Hot Take: Thomas Tuchel carries England to a final crunch 43:21 – Outro & Next Episode Permutations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Football reporter Kenta Hagiwara from the Asian Football Show joins Harry Brent to preview the "scariest dark horse" at the 2026 World Cup: Japan. https://x.com/AsianFutbolShow https://www.youtube.com/@TheAsianFootballShow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can the historic kingpins of African football finally break their World Cup hoodoo and make a deep run in North America? 🇪🇬🌍 In this episode of Make Football Great Again, host Harry Brent sits down with African football journalist and expert Ali Howorth to map out the definitive tactical and cultural profile for Egypt. We look past simple stats to uncover unbelievable tales of political activism, historic international grudges, and the intense systemic frameworks defining Egyptian football. 🔥 In this episode, we unpack: The Presidential Anomaly: The unedited story of how hundreds of thousands of Egyptians wrote Mo Salah’s name on their official voting ballots. The Lusail Formula: A granular look at the historic night when Mo Salah single-handedly dragged a struggling Egypt team to the world stage. The Ramos Grudge: Why the entire nation of Egypt has never forgiven Sergio Ramos for his "wrestling move" in the 2018 Champions League final. The Port Said Trauma: Tracing the dark history of the 2012 stadium massacre and how it drastically altered the structural lineage of domestic Egyptian football. The Talent Conundrum: Sizing up Eintracht Frankfurt's Omar Marmoush and how manager Hossam Hassan plans to fit his elite attacking starlets into a back-five framework. Follow Ali Howorth For Elite African Football Coverage: 🔗 https://x.com/ahoworth97 Read all of the latest world football news on Mirror Football: 🔗 https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/ 🔔 Subscribe to Make Football Great Again on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify to follow our global scouting mission down to the opening match of 2026! #WorldCup2026 #EgyptFootball #MoSalah #SergioRamos #AfricanFootball #HarryKane #KylianMbappe #RoadTo2026 ⏳ The Timecodes 0:00 – Teaser: A massive voting anomaly & an unyielding international grudge 0:20 – Welcome to Make Football Great Again! 0:47 – Meet Ali Hawa: Sizing up the true power of African football 1:15 – Segment: One Truth and One Lie (Stadium shadows vs. the write-in voting ballots) 2:14 – Analyzing the scale of Mo Salah’s 2018 political write-in votes 2:23 – Historical Context: Missed boats in 1934 and half a century of waiting 2:56 – Segment: The Travel Log – Who is Egypt’s absolute footballing GOAT? 4:51 – Slaying Giants: Turning international qualifiers into national holidays 5:21 – Historic Masterminds: Tracing the iconic Afcon dominance of Mohamed Aboutrika 7:17 – Regional Rivalry: Why Egyptian fans closely watch Algerian football 7:58 – Post-Soviet Trauma: Tracing the dark fallout of the 2012 Port Said tragedy 9:30 – The Private Icon: How Salah’s neutral political stance protects his star status 10:20 – Segment: The Scouting Report – Roster breakdown & Ultimate Team gems 16:23 – Sizing up the Attack: Blending Omar Marmoush with Mo Salah 18:21 – Tactical Blueprint: Exchanging expansive setups for a low-center Back 5 19:36 – The Legend at the Helm: Punditry mechanics under Hossam Hassan 20:33 – Career Milestones: Salah’s driving focus to break the all-time goal record 21:00 – Group G Breakdown: Surviving Belgium, Iran, and New Zealand 22:52 – The Twin Manager Framework: The complete, telepathic connection of the Hassan brothers 24:14 – Defending with Everyone: Core center-back frailty analysis 26:39 – The England Swap: Inserting Marc Guéhi into the back line 27:02 – Rapid Fire Round: 2026 Tournament Winner & Golden Boot 31:16 – Outrageous Hot Take: A climate-induced operational freeze 33:09 – Outro & Next Episode Preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Uzbekistan shock the corporate giants of world football and navigate a brutal Group K? 🇺🇿 In this episode of Make Football Great Again, host Harry Brent is joined by Asian football expert Martin Lowe to chart the definitive 48-nation roadmap for the Uzbek national team. From near-miss heartbreaks to their active system under Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro, we explore why this team of structural underdogs is finally ready to make a splash on the global stage. We dive deep into the cultural identity, administrative dramas, and tactical blueprints behind the White Wolves, breaking down: ⚽ The 2005 Replay Scandal: The unbelievable, controversial refereeing mistake that cost Uzbekistan a historic spot at the World Cup. ⚽ The Footballing GOAT: Why Maxim Shatskikh’s legacy at Dynamo Kyiv paved the way for a whole generation. ⚽ The Cannavaro Blueprint: How a legendary Italian defender brought immense professionalism and stability to the squad.⚽ The Olympic FC Innovation: How a manufactured team allowed young players to fail safely and develop tactical maturity. ⚽ The Star Boy: Why Man City's Abdukodir Khusanov is currently tracking as one of the best young defenders in world football. Follow Martin Lowe and the Asian Game: 🔗 https://x.com/plasticpitch - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4t1TlqXUhyRVExWcYVD88A - https://open.spotify.com/show/3Uu7bDa2nIrpLVIeHLBR2E 🔔 Subscribe to Make Football Great Again so you never miss a stop on our global scouting mission to the 2026 World Cup! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Could the smallest nations at the 2026 World Cup pull off the ultimate giant-killings against the elite of world football? 🌍⚽ In this episode of Make Football Great Again, host Harry Brent is joined by African football journalist Ali Howorth to map out the definitive tournament previews for Cape Verde and the Democratic Republic of Congo. We look far past standard tactics to uncover incredible tales of geopolitical turmoil, tragic near-misses, and the ultimate unifying power of football across both nations. 🔥 In this episode, we unpack: The Irony of FIFA: The truly unbelievable administrative blunder that abruptly saw Cape Verde disqualified from their first real World Cup dream. The Birth of a Nation: Why a simple football stadium in Praia holds the literal baseline history for Cape Verde's independence. The Rotterdam Pipeline: The fascinating, under-reported demographic truth about where Cape Verde actually sources its top talent. The 1974 Zaire Strike: The tragic behind-the-scenes reality of the player who purposefully tried to get sent off against Brazil to avoid a dictator's wrath back in Kinshasa. A Curfew for the Leopards: How international matches completely suspend military operations and regional blockades in the conflict zones of Eastern Congo. Roster Dynamic Changes: How Premier League names like Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe adapted to a defensively stubborn system. 🔗 Follow Ali Howorth For Elite African Football Coverage: https://alasdairhoworth.substack.com/ Check out Ali's insights on Twitter/X: https://x.com/ahoworth97 On the Whistle podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@otw_podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The definitive 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup continues! 🌍🏆 In this episode of Make Football Great Again, host Harry Brent is joined by renowned African football journalist Ali Howorth to deep-dive into West African powerhouses Ghana and the Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire). From incredible dressing room trivia (did a squad really get thrown in prison?!) to the lingering legacy of Luis Suarez's infamous 2010 handball, we cover the culture, the chaos, and the tactics shaping these two incredible teams ahead of the tournament. Ali Howorth: https://x.com/ahoworth97 & https://alasdairhoworth.substack.com/ We break down Ghana's reliance on Jordan Ayew, the tactical shift under Carlos Queiroz, and why the incredibly talented Ivory Coast squad might just be the ultimate dark horse—if they can survive a brutal tournament path. Who are you backing to go further this summer? Let us know in the comments! 👇 #WorldCup2026 #Ghana #IvoryCoast #BlackStars #Elephants #AfricanFootball #PremierLeague Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Make Football Great Again, the definitive 48-nation roadmap counting down to the biggest party in football history: the 2026 FIFA World Cup! In this episode, host Harry Brent goes on a global scouting mission to profile Australia. He speaks to Lachie Avil, host of the Round Ball Australia podcast, about how the Socceroos will fare in Group D, alongside Turkey, Paraguay and co-hosts the United States. 🔗 Follow Our Guest: Check out Lachie Avil on YouTube/Twitter: https://www.youtube.com/@RoundBallAus - https://x.com/LachieAvil 📰 Stay Updated With Mirror Football: Read all of the latest world football news and analysis: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/ Subscribe to our brand new Make Football Great Again newsletter to get the most important World Cup stories and tactical secrets delivered straight to your inbox every morning: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-newsletter-england-signup-36662262 ⏳ The Standard Timecodes Structure 0:00 – Intro Teaser (The best 5-10 second hooks) 1:15 – Welcome to Make Football Great Again! 1:45 – Segment 1: One Truth and One Lie (The Icebreaker Trivia) 3:30 – Segment 2: The Travel Log (National GOAT & Celebrated History) 12:15 – Segment 3: The Scouting Report (Tactical Setup, Talisman & Roster Stars) 24:00 – Segment 4: The England Swap (The Ultimate Hypothetical) 26:30 – Segment 5: Rapid Fire & Outrageous Tournament Predictions 30:00 – Wrap Up & Next Episode Preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Jordan survive a true World Cup "Group of Death" and shock the absolute heavyweights of world football? 🇯🇴 In this episode of Make Football Great Again, host Harry Brent sits down with Palestinian football journalist and Arabian football expert Basel McDardy to plot the ultimate 48-nation roadmap for The Chivalrous. From the bizarre eras of British managerial legends to their modern-day status as one of Asia's most lethal counter-attacking sides, we unpack how Jordan defied the odds to reach their first-ever FIFA World Cup finals. We dive deep into the cultural shifts, squad secrets, and tactical blueprints behind the team, breaking down: ⚽ The Redknapp Favor: The funny, bizarre truth behind Harry Redknapp’s brief stint as Jordan's manager. ⚽ The Historic Heartbreak: How a controversial, VAR-heavy Asian Cup Final left a bitter taste and fueled a World Cup fire. ⚽ The Transfer Controversy: The real reason why Cardiff City's Youssef Salech isn't on the plane to the World Cup. ⚽ Tactical Identity: Why Jordan prefers to suffer without the ball and how they plan to trap Austria and Algeria. ⚽ The European Blueprint: How Ligue 1 star Moussa Al-Tamari redefined what is possible for Jordanian footballers. Follow Basel McDardy and check out Football Palestine: 🔗 WhatsApp / Link: [Insert Link Here] Check out the rest of our 48-nation roadmap here: 🔗 [Insert Playlist Link Here] #WorldCup2026 #JordanFootball #MoussaAlTamari #AsianFootball #HarryRedknapp #CONMEBOL #UnderdogStory #SoccerPodcast #RoadTo2026 ⏳ The Timecodes 0:00 – Preview: Can Jordan beat Son Heung-min and Austria? 1:45 – Welcome to Make Football Great Again! 2:43 – Segment: One Truth and One Lie (The Match Ball Falcon vs. The Unpaid Manager) 4:39 – Overview: Group J, the Three A's, and Jordan's Historic Rise 5:05 – Segment: The Travel Log – Who is Jordan's Football GOAT? 7:17 – Most Celebrated Result: Dominating South Korea at the Asian Cup 8:14 – Controversial Heartbreak: The Three-Penalty Qatar Final 10:40 – Believing the Hype: Turning Asian Cup Momentum into World Cup Reality 14:39 – The Surreal Era: Ray Wilkins, Harry Redknapp, and British Influence 17:01 – Finding the Formula: Why Arab Managers Unlocked the Jordan Roster 18:24 – Segment: The Scouting Report – Roster Breakdown & Premier League Bubble 20:15 – Meet the Talisman: Ligue 1 Star Moussa Al-Tamari 21:16 – The Youssef Salech Controversy: Why the Cardiff Forward Stayed Home 24:05 – Hidden Absences: The West Brom Tamer Bani-Hani Paperwork Mess 25:50 – Group J Analysis: Facing Messi, Argentina, Austria, and Algeria 29:03 – The Moroccan Blueprint: Manager Jamal Sellami’s Continuous System 31:58 – Tactical Profile: Content with "Suffering" & Devastating Transitions 35:24 – The England Swap: Giving Declan Rice to Jordan 36:52 – Rapid Fire Predictions for the 2026 World Cup 40:11 – Outrageous Prediction: Squeaking into the Round of 32! 42:35 – Wrap Up & Next Nation Preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Albert Kim and Jason Lee join Harry Brent in the latest edition of our 48-nation roadmap to preview South Korea at the 2026 World Cup. Led by Spurs legend Son Heung-min, who will captain South Korea at his fourth World Cup, how will the Taegeuk Warriors fare in Group A against Czechia, South Africa, and co-hosts Mexico? BibimBallers: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmd3Zu8DBpu62JXFHwYQ2tg Albert Kim: https://x.com/Albert_Kim2022 Jason Lee: https://x.com/Jasons_JaysHub __ 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harry Brent is joined by ITV World Cup presenter Semra Hunter to discuss how "beautifully structured" Spain could win the 2026 World Cup. Semra warns how Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, two of the "most special, unique wingers in world football", could destabilise defences, if fit, and the striker problem for the European champions. Semra Hunter: https://x.com/SemraHunter __ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this edition of our 48 nation roadmap, Harry Brent takes us to Scandinavia with Swedish football journalist Frida Fagerlund. Who is the GOAT of Swedish Football? Did Zlatan Ibrahimovic truly invent a word? And can Gyokeres fill his legendary boots at this year's World Cup? 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Panama overcome the giants of Group L and shock the world at the 2026 World Cup? 🇵🇦 In this episode of Make Football Great Again, host Harry Brent is joined by Jack from the Dead Ball TV YouTube channel to chart the definitive 48-nation roadmap for the Panamanian national team. From the legendary European legacy of Julio Dely Valdés to the modern tactical identity under Thomas Christensen, we explore exactly why this generation is ready to create a massive milestone on the world stage. We dive deep into the cultural power, controversies, and tactical secrets behind Los Canaleros, breaking down: ⚽ The Pitch Invader Mystery: The legendary, heartwarming (and time-wasting) tale of the "Grandmother of Panama". ⚽ The GOAT Debate: Why legendary striker Julio Dely Valdés still holds the majority vote. ⚽ The Christensen Effect: How a manager took Panama from 78th to 36th in the FIFA rankings. ⚽ CONCACAF Shift: Why the power balance might actually be tilting toward the Caribbean. ⚽ Scouting Report: Why box-to-box midfielder "Afro Man" Coco Carrasquilla is one of the most exciting players in world football. Follow Jack and Dead Ball TV: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDeadBallTV | https://x.com/thejacksvn Read all of the latest football news on The Mirror: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/ 🔔 Subscribe to Make Football Great Again on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify so you never miss a stop on our global scouting mission to 2026! #WorldCup2026 #PanamaFootball #ThomasChristensen #CocoCarrasquilla #CONCACAF #HarryKane #SoccerPodcast #RoadTo2026 ⏳ The Timecodes 0:00 – Preview: The "Grandmother of Panama" pitch invasion 1:22 – Welcome to Make Football Great Again! 1:52 – Meet Jack from Dead Ball TV (and the Panama propaganda allegations) 2:50 – Segment: One Truth and One Lie (The parrot gift vs. the fainted grandmother) 4:45 – Recapping the historic 2018 World Cup debut 5:14 – The Travel Log: Who is Panama's footballing GOAT? 6:45 – Panama's most celebrated result: That controversial win over Costa Rica 8:25 – Is the balance of power in CONCACAF shifting to the Caribbean? 12:50 – Reflections on the 2018 tournament & getting a "Group of Death" 13:00 – Segment: The Scouting Report – Roster breakdown & European players 14:20 – Meet the Talisman: "Afro Man" Coco Carrasquilla 15:40 – Hipster takes: Orlando Mosquera and the "saucy" Ismael Díaz 17:04 – Group L Preview: Navigating England, Croatia, and Ghana 19:30 – High stakes out the gate: Sizing up the crucial Ghana match 21:10 – The Tactician: Is Thomas Christensen the best manager in CONCACAF? 23:55 – Form guide: One defeat in 16 matches 25:25 – Tactical Profile: Strengths vs. "Stormtrooper FC" finishing weaknesses 26:40 – The England Swap: Giving Harry Kane to Panama 27:30 – Rapid Fire: 2026 World Cup Winner, Golden Ball, and Golden Boot 29:30 – Outrageous Predictions: Senegal, Japan, and final predictions 30:45 – Wrap Up & Next Nation Preview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Against all odds, severe political crisis, and historic tragedy, Haiti is heading to the biggest stage in football! Can this passionate nation pull off the ultimate underdog story at the 2026 World Cup? 🇭🇹 In this moving and deeply insightful episode of Make Football Great Again, Harry Brent sits down with Haitian sports journalist Caleb Pierre to plot the definitive 48-nation roadmap for Les Grenadiers. From the historic 1974 squad that shocked Italy to the current crop of stars playing in the Premier League and Ligue 1, we look at the tactics, the players, and the profound power of football to unite a nation in crisis. In this episode, we break down: ⚽ Voodoo & Controversy: The crazy true story of the 1974 qualifiers. ⚽ The Ultimate GOAT: How Emmanuel Sanon became a permanent legend in Haitian history. ⚽ Football as Hope: What qualifying for the World Cup means to a country recovering from catastrophe. ⚽ Scouting Report: Key players to watch, including Wolves' Jean-Ricard Bellegarde and Sunderland's Wilson Isidor. ⚽ The Brazil Connection: Why half of Haiti will be torn when they face the Seleção. ⚽ Outrageous Predictions: Will Haiti shock Scotland and score twice against Brazil? Follow Caleb Pierre & Check Out His Work: 🔗 https://x.com/Caleb_Jephte #WorldCup2026 #HaitiFootball #LesGrenadiers #CONCACAF #UnderdogStory #HarryKane #LamineYamal #SoccerPodcast #RoadTo2026 0:00 – Preview: Can Haiti shock the world? 1:20 – Welcome to Make Football Great Again! 1:54 – One Truth, One Lie: The Voodoo Witch Doctors 2:45 – Haiti’s World Cup History & Breaking Dino Zoff's Record 3:37 – The Travel Log: Who is Haiti's Football GOAT? 4:06 – Most Celebrated Result: The 2019 Comeback vs. Canada 5:03 – The Historical Grudge: Why Haitians Root Against France 8:04 – Remembering Emmanuel Sanon's Legacy 8:44 – The Diaspora Dilemma: Jozy Altidore & Mike Maignan 10:00 – Football as a Unifying Force Amidst Severe Crisis 11:21 – Rising from Tragedy: 16 Years on From the Earthquake 13:18 – Segment: The Scouting Report – Roster Overview & UK Stars 15:52 – Group C Expectations: Facing Brazil, Scotland, and Morocco 17:48 – The Match for Peace & Haiti's Love for Brazil 18:43 – Tactical Blueprint: Stopping Scott McTominay & Scotland 19:41 – Meet the Talisman: Danley Jean Jacques 20:35 – Surprising Standouts: Wilson Isidor's Point to Prove 21:03 – The Manager: The Rocky Relationship with Sébastien Migné 22:00 – Tactical Setup: Humility, Defending, and Counter-Attacks 22:55 – Core Team Strengths vs. Defensive Weaknesses 24:44 – The England Swap: Putting Harry Kane in a Haiti Shirt 25:06 – Rapid Fire Predictions for the 2026 World Cup 27:44 – Outrageous Prediction: Stunning Brazil! 27:59 – Wrap Up & Next Nation Preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Morocco REALLY win the 2026 FIFA World Cup? After becoming the first African nation ever to reach a World Cup semi-final in Qatar 2022, Morocco head into 2026 with massive belief, huge expectations, and a generation of talent ready to shock the world again. In this episode of Make Football Great Again, we’re joined by Moroccan football journalist Ahmed Talal Ahmed to break down everything surrounding Morocco ahead of the tournament. We discuss: 🇲🇦 Morocco’s incredible rise in world football 🇲🇦 Why Moroccan fans believe they can WIN the World Cup 🇲🇦 Ashraf Hakimi, Brahim Diaz & the stars to watch 🇲🇦 The legacy of Walid Regragui 🇲🇦 Morocco’s controversial AFCON triumph 🇲🇦 Adel Taarabt vs Hakim Ziyech 🇲🇦 Why Morocco’s mentality has completely changed 🇲🇦 Expectations for the 2026 tournament PLUS: ⚽ Morocco’s greatest football legends ⚽ The 2022 World Cup miracle run explained ⚽ Morocco vs Brazil, Scotland & Haiti predictions ⚽ Bold World Cup predictions 👇 Let us know in the comments: How far will Morocco go at the 2026 World Cup? #Morocco #WorldCup2026 #Hakimi #BrahimDiaz #AFCON #FootballPodcast #MoroccoFootball #Ziyech #WorldCup #AtlasLions 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of Make Football Great Again, Harry Brent sits down with Turkish football expert Soccer Bob to break down EVERYTHING you need to know about Turkey ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. ⚽ Can Arda Güler lead Turkey’s golden generation? ⚽ Is Vincenzo Montella the right man for the job? ⚽ Why are Turkish fans considered some of the loudest in football? ⚽ And can Turkey repeat their legendary 2002 World Cup run? From Galatasaray chaos to Hakan Şükür controversy, this is a deep dive into Turkish football culture, history, tactics, fan expectations and outrageous World Cup predictions. 👇 Let us know in the comments: How far will Turkey go at the 2026 World Cup? #Turkey #WorldCup2026 #ArdaGuler #TurkishFootball #Galatasaray #Fenerbahce #FootballPodcast #Soccer #FIFAWorldCup #MakeFootballGreatAgain 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Uruguay may have a population of just 3 million people — but they’ve won 2 World Cups, 15 Copa Américas and produced some of football’s most unforgettable moments. In this episode of Make Football Great Again, Harry Brent is joined by Uruguayan football expert Álvaro Pérez from Uruguay Football English to break down Uruguay’s football culture, history and chances at the 2026 World Cup. We discuss: ⚽ The truth behind Uruguay’s football identity ⚽ Héctor “El Manco” Castro — the one-armed World Cup final goalscorer ⚽ Luis Suárez’s infamous handball vs Ghana ⚽ Whether Uruguay wasted the Suárez–Cavani–Forlán generation ⚽ Marcelo Bielsa’s impact on the national team ⚽ Federico Valverde, Darwin Núñez and Uruguay’s current stars ⚽ Why Argentina may fear facing Uruguay in 2026 ⚽ Álvaro’s surprise prediction for the tournament Subscribe for more World Cup team profiles as we cover all 48 nations heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. #Uruguay #WorldCup2026 #LuisSuarez #Bielsa #FootballHistory #UruguayFootball 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The United States are co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup — but can the USMNT finally live up to the hype? In this episode of Make Football Great Again, we’re joined by the hosts of the All Out Soccer Podcast to break down everything surrounding the USA ahead of the biggest World Cup in history. We discuss: ⚽ Christian Pulisic and whether he’s fallen short of expectations ⚽ Mauricio Pochettino’s impact on the USMNT ⚽ Why Weston McKennie could be the key player ⚽ The pressure of hosting the World Cup ⚽ USA’s chances of reaching the quarter-finals ⚽ Lionel Messi’s influence on football in America ⚽ Ticket prices, politics & tournament controversy ⚽ Bold predictions for the 2026 World Cup PLUS: 🇺🇸 Landon Donovan vs Clint Dempsey 🇺🇸 Best American Premier League players ever 🇺🇸 USMNT strengths & weaknesses 🇺🇸 Predictions for USA’s World Cup run 👇 Let us know in the comments: How far will the USA go at the 2026 World Cup? #USMNT #WorldCup2026 #Pulisic #USA #FootballPodcast #Soccer #MauricioPochettino #Messi #WorldCup #MLS 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Germany is the most consistent nation in World Cup history, but after back-to-back group stage exits, the "Die Mannschaft" is in a race against time. Can Julian Nagelsmann restore their former glory before the 2026 World Cup kicks off? 🇩🇪 In this episode of Make Football Great Again, Harry Brent is joined by Marcus Fjørtoft (host of the German Fußball Podcast) to break down Germany's roadmap to 2026. From the legendary legacy of Franz Beckenbauer to the current tactical dilemmas facing Kai Havertz and Florian Wirtz, we explore whether Germany is truly a contender or a falling giant. In this episode: ✅ The GOAT Debate: Why Franz Beckenbauer stands alone. ✅ The Nagelsmann Verdict: Is the "Wunderkind" believing his own hype? ✅ Tactical Missing Piece: Why Harry Kane is exactly what Germany needs. ✅ Rising Stars: Keep an eye on Pavlovic and Lennart Karl. ✅ 2026 Predictions: A deep run or another disappointment? #WorldCup2026 #GermanyFootball #Nagelsmann #HarryKane #DFBTeam #FootballRoadmap #PremierLeague #KaiHavertz #FlorianWirtz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can South America’s ultimate clean-sheet machine stun the global powerhouses and go deep into the 2026 World Cup? 🇪🇨🛡️ 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. 🔥 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. 🔗 Follow Nathan Joyce and the Copa Club Podcast: https://youtube.com/@thecopaclub?si=ScaDBjpnomAO7cgz https://x.com/TheCopaClub -https://open.spotify.com/show/55qUiyYLD4wQWYiCtbeYKa?si=yT8-ZxonS1efeAXfMD5HFQ - https://thecopaclub.substack.com/ - https://x.com/TheCopaClub 🔔 Subscribe to Make Football Great Again so you never miss a stop on our global scouting mission down to the opening match of 2026! #WorldCup2026 #EcuadorFootball #MoisesCaicedo #EnnerValencia #KendryPaez #PieroHincapie #SoccerPodcast #RoadTo2026 ⏳ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Erling Haaland lead Norway to World Cup glory? 🇳🇴 In today’s episode of Make Football Great Again, Harry Brent is joined by Marcus Fjørtoft to break down the definitive 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup. Norway hasn’t graced a World Cup stage since 1998, but with a "Golden Generation" led by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Arsenal’s Martin Ødegaard, the expectations have never been higher. We dive deep into: ✅ The Haaland Factor: Is he the footballing GOAT already? ✅ Tactical Breakdown: Can Norway’s defense hold up against France and Senegal? ✅ Breaking the Curse: Why 2026 is the year Norway finally returns to the big stage. ✅ Rising Stars: Why you need to keep an eye on Antonio Nusa. Whether you're a fan of the Premier League stars or looking for the best dark horse bets for the tournament, this deep dive into Norwegian football culture and tactics is a must-watch. #WorldCup2026 #ErlingHaaland #Norway #MartinOdegaard #FootballRoadmap #PremierLeague #SoccerAnalysis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this special episode of Make Football Great Again, Harry Brent and John Cross react to Thomas Tuchel's 2026 World Cup squad! Who was the most surprising omission, and who has an incredible opportunity to shine on the biggest stage of them all? 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can the Czech Republic overcome the "Group of Death" at the 2026 World Cup? 🇨🇿 In this episode of Make Football Great Again, Harry Brent is joined by Zdeněk from the Footglish Podcast to break down everything you need to know about the Czech national team’s journey to the summer of 2026. From the legendary "Golden Generation" of Nedvěd and Poborský to the modern-day leadership of Tomáš Souček and the goal-scoring threat of Patrik Schick, we dive deep into Czech football culture, history, and tactics. In this episode, we discuss: ✅ The Panenka Legend: The hilarious true story behind the world’s most famous penalty. ✅ The GOAT Debate: Why Pavel Nedvěd remains the undisputed king of Czech football. ✅ Scouting Report: Which Premier League stars and rising talents in France will lead the line in 2026? ✅ Group A Analysis: Can they handle the high altitude and the pressure of playing co-hosts Mexico? ✅ The Verdict: Is reaching the Round of 32 a realistic target for this squad? Timecodes 0:00 – Introduction to the Czech Roadmap 1:05 – One Truth, One Lie: The Panenka Beer Bet 3:39 – Czech Republic’s World Cup History 4:33 – The Travel Log: Who is the Czech GOAT? 6:27 – Most Celebrated Result (Euro 2004 vs. Netherlands) 11:00 – The Ballon d'Or Debate: Nedvěd vs. Henry 15:52 – Scouting Report: Players to Watch 18:37 – The New Captain & Squad Hierarchy 21:14 – Group A Challenges: Altitude & Mexico 23:44 – The England Swap: Which Three Lions player would join the Czechs? 24:43 – Rapid Fire Predictions for 2026 27:14 – Controversial Prediction: England's Penalties! Read all of the latest football news: https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/ Follow Zdeněk and the Footglish Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TeacherZdenek 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Journalist and Bosnia Mega Fan and member of the BH Fanaticos, Erva joins Harry Brent to preview Bosnia and Herzegovina in our 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup. He offers some crucial insight into the prowess of the Bosnian Ultras, the passion and pride that takes them on a journey following their national team and what this world cup means to them... 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

🚨 FINAL WEEK UNTIL 26 MAN SQUAD IS ANNOUNCED 🚨 Harry and John make their case to Tomas Tuchel on who should make the final 26 man squad heading to the 2026 Fifa World Cup. Crossy make a case for Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins has given undeniable proof England need him this Summer and Anthony Gordon hanging in the balance with a potential move casting shadows over his future. We will be back with you on Friday to review the squad announcement, until then, COMMENT who would make you 26 man squad? 🧐 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harry and John break down this week’s Premier League action and domestic drama. Marcus Rashford fires Barcelona to another La Liga title, while positional rival Anthony Gordon spends another week on the bench — but who will be the one feeding England’s talisman, Harry Kane? With just one month to go, places in Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad are still up for grabs. Who will be on the plane, and who will be left on the beach? 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harry and John break down this week's Premier League action and domestic drama. A long season brings questions over Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers' form and fitness heading into the World Cup. With Bukayo Saka back on form and Harry Kane breaking records every week, could a season-defining World Cup see him win the Ballon d'Or? 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Journalist and transfer expert Pipe Sierra joins Harry Brent to preview Colombia in our 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup. He offers a blunt assessment of Colombian GOAT James Rodriguez, manager Néstor Lorenzo and the South American nation's chances this summer. __ 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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Babacar Diarra, a French and African football expert/journalist, joins Harry Brent for the latest edition of our 48-Nation Roadmap for the 2026 World Cup. He discusses the chances of Senegal, who won the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations on the pitch, but were later stripped of the title. The Lions of Teranga briefly left the field in protest during the contentious final in January, and the Confederation of African Football (Caf) overturned the result of January's final. Senegal have lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Diarra tells Harry about Senegal's striker problem, coming against the French, and their new rivalry with Morocco after the controversy around AFCON. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Cross joins Harry Brent for another edition of our Player Ratings series, asking who will be on the plane to the 2026 World Cup, and who will be on their holidays? John and Harry discuss Thomas Tuchel's dwindling choices for the England squad, and react to the weekend's Premier League and FA Cup games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can Saudi Arabia recreate the magic of Qatar 2022 and navigate past Spain and Uruguay? 🇸🇦 In this episode of Make Football Great Again, host Harry Brent sits down with Saudi football expert Mo Fayed to trace the definitive 48-nation roadmap for the Green Falcons. From their dramatic historical managerial turnovers to the structural realities behind the massive investments in the Saudi Pro League, we explore what it will take for this squad to rise above domestic pessimism and make a splash in North America. We dive deep into the unique fan culture, domestic bottlenecks, and tactical system variables, breaking down: ⚽ The Mancini Walkout: The dramatic, unedited story behind Roberto Mancini abandoning his players during the 2023 Asian Cup shootout. ⚽ The GOAT Paradox: Why Asia's Player of the Year, Salem Al-Dawsari, faces internal club vs. country scrutiny. ⚽ The Cristiano Ronaldo Effect: How training alongside icons like Benzema and Ronaldo is physically shifting local training standards. ⚽ The Athletic Deficit: Why the traditional regional "family night" coffee culture poses a distinct physiological challenge to high-level sports development. ⚽ Roster Hidden Gems: Why breakout full-back Mohammed Abu Shamat is currently tracking as one of the best domestic options in the country. Follow Mo Fayed for expert Arab football coverage: 🔗 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4t1TlqXUhyRVExWcYVD88A - https://www.instagram.com/fayadzinho/ 🔔 Subscribe to Make Football Great Again on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify to follow our global scouting mission down to the opening match of 2026! The Timecodes 0:00 – Teaser: Roberto Mancini walks out & an audacious Argentina prediction 0:17 – Welcome to Make Football Great Again! 0:46 – Meet Mo Fayed: Tracking the Green Falcons' narrative trajectory 1:15 – Segment: One Truth and One Lie (Managerial turnover volume vs. the shootout abandonment) 3:32 – Analyzing Mancini's 2023 Asian Cup exit controversy 4:54 – Segment: The Travel Log – Who is Saudi Arabia's true football GOAT? 7:55 – Most Celebrated Result: Slaying Messi and Argentina in Lusail 8:39 – Banter Rivalry: Why Saudi fans closely watch Egyptian football 10:32 – Roster Bottlenecks: Are domestic stars losing essential game time to foreign icons? 13:56 – Foreign Manager Bias: Why the Middle East constantly imports tactical celebrity 15:42 – Look Ahead: Infrastructure, expectations, and hosting 2034 18:35 – Segment: The Scouting Report – Roster breakdown & Ultimate Team gems 20:17 – Sizing up the Talisman: Salem Al-Dawsari vs. Firas Al-Biraikan 21:10 – Under the Radar: Why Mohammed Abu Shamat is a proper threat 22:09 – Group H Breakdown: Surviving Spain, Uruguay, and Cape Verde 23:37 – Managing Expectations: Sizing up the tactical system under Georgios Donis 25:45 – The Pro League Balance: Living, breathing, and training with Cristiano Ronaldo 28:34 – The Cultural Friction: Coffee culture, late nights, and physical peak ceilings 29:16 – The England Swap: Inserting Harry Kane into the attack 29:47 – Rapid Fire Round: 2026 Tournament Winner & Golden Boot 30:39 – Outrageous Hot Take: Lionel Messi's early exit 31:22 – Outro & Next Nation Preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jon Cotterill, South American football expert, commentator and scout, joins Harry Brent to discuss Brazil in our 48-nation roadmap to the 2026 World Cup. He discusses the Brazilian greats, the humiliation against Germany in 2014, and how Carlo Ancelotti's side could fare in this summer's tournament. You can order Jon's books here: Anatomy of a football scout: An in-depth look at player recruitment: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anatomy-football-scout-depth-recruitment/dp/6500322711 Scouts’ Stories: A Life in the Shadows (Anatomy of a Football Scout): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scouts-Stories-Shadows-Anatomy-Football/dp/B0FL13YG6B Brazil in the World Cup: the story of the Seleção on football’s greatest stage (Anatomy of a Football Scout): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brazil-World-Cup-footballs-greatest-ebook/dp/B0DKVBDX3Q Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harry Brent is joined by Dutch football expert Michael Statham to discuss the Netherlands' chances at the 2026 World Cup. Michael is frank with his assessment of Ronald Koeman, as well as the expectations for the Netherlands this summer. He also shares his thoughts on the embarrassment of riches in the midfield for Oranje. https://x.com/EredivisieMikehttps://www.football-oranje.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harry and John break down this week's Premier League action, along with John's latest player ratings for those who are on the plane and those who can book their holidays. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

South Africa head to the 2026 World Cup with renewed belief — but can Bafana Bafana make history? In this episode of Make Football Great Again, host Harry Brent is joined by renowned journalist Melissa Reddy to break down everything you need to know about South Africa ahead of the tournament. From the legacy of the 1996 AFCON triumph to the cultural power of football across the country, we explore what makes South African football so unique — and why this World Cup means so much. We also dive into: The team’s tactical identity under Hugo Broos Key players like Lyle Foster The challenges of their World Cup group Whether Bafana can finally reach the knockout stages Plus, a brilliant story about Nelson Mandela’s unexpected “psychological impact” on opponents 😂 You can follow Melissa on X: https://x.com/MelissaReddy_ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The "Engine Room" of Europe is ready for North America. 🇨🇭 Switzerland has never failed to make it out of the group stage in over a decade, but can they finally break their 88-year knockout drought? In this episode of Make Football Great Again, Harry Brent is joined by Swiss football expert Craig King to profile the "heartbeat" of the Nati: Granit Xhaka. We dive deep into: The Hallucinating Goalie: The wild true story from the 1954 World Cup. The Xhaka vs. Shaqiri Debate: Who is the true Swiss GOAT? Tactical Breakdown: How Murat Yakin turned a "second-tier" reputation into a giant-killing machine. 2026 Predictions The Breakout Star: Why you need to watch Johann Manzambi this summer. TIMESTAMPS: (0:00 - The "Heartbeat" of Switzerland (1:15) - One Truth, One Lie: The Hallucinating Goalie (4:15) - Switzerland’s 2026 Group & Permutations (5:50 )- Who is the Swiss Football GOAT? (10:00) - The Greatest Win: Sinking France at Euro 2020 (15:10) - Scouting Report: Premier League Stars to Watch (24:30) - The 2026 Breakout Player: Johann Manzambi (32:20) - Quickfire Predictions: Who wins the World Cup? JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Who is your favorite Swiss player to ever play in the Premier League? Let us know in the comments! #WorldCup2026 #Switzerland #GranitXhaka #SwissFootball #FootballPreview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a substitute appearance against Liverpool, is Phil Foden at risk of missing out on England’s World Cup squad? In this episode of Make Football Great Again, we break down the latest England player ratings and the biggest talking points ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. 🔥 Topics covered: 📉 Foden’s dip in form at Manchester City — what does it mean for England? 🧤 James Trafford vs Dean Henderson — who should be England’s No.2? 🧱 Defensive standouts like Marc Guéhi and rising star Nico O'Reilly ✨ 🚨 Liverpool FC’s England drought — no players heading to the squad?! 😳 🎯 Cole Palmer, Eberechi Eze & the No.10 selection dilemma 🤯 🩺 Fatigue concerns around key players like Harry Kane and Declan Rice 😬 With just weeks to go before the World Cup, competition is fierce—and some big names could miss out. 💬 Who makes YOUR England squad? Let us know in the comments! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

England’s latest international break raises serious questions ahead of the 2026 World Cup. A disappointing 1-1 draw with Uruguay and a shock 1-0 defeat to Japan have left Thomas Tuchel with plenty to think about — from player fatigue to big-name underperformance. In this special reaction episode of Make Football Great Again, Harry Brent is joined by chief football writer John Cross to break down: 🚨 Why England might actually be in trouble 😴 The growing fatigue problem affecting key players 📉 Phil Foden’s worrying dip in form 📈 Marcus Rashford and Ben White making their case 🧠 Tuchel’s tactical dilemmas and squad balance issues ✈️ Full “On the Plane / Off the Plane” World Cup squad predictions 🌍 Plus: Italy OUT of the World Cup again — what’s going wrong? With just weeks to go until the tournament, are England contenders… or pretenders? 00:45 – England’s disappointing results recap 01:41 – Uruguay draw & Japan defeat reaction 02:10 – Should England fans be worried? 02:37 – Player fatigue concerns explained 05:02 – Biggest risers: Rashford, Hall, Ben White 06:58 – Biggest fallers: Phil Foden under pressure 08:56 – Foden vs Palmer dilemma 09:50 – Jude Bellingham situation explained 12:12 – Key takeaway: “No Kane, no chance” 13:34 – World Cup qualifiers recap 14:00 – Italy OUT again – problem for football? 15:25 – Squad predictions: Strikers 16:23 – Midfield & attacking picks 17:29 – Defence selections debate 18:57 – Goalkeepers & final squad calls 19:27 – Outro & World Cup series plug 👇 Let us know YOUR squad picks in the comments! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harry Brent is joined by John Cross and Andy Dunn to remember the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. They discuss the missed opportunity for England under Gareth Southgate, Harry Kane's leadership, and Ben White's tension with the coaching staff. In this final episode of our Untold Stories series, John and Andy discuss the incredible final between Argentina and France, and whether Lionel Messi can be described as the greatest of all time. Plus they reflect on the controversial decision to host the World Cup in Qatar – and how they covered it at the time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Should Saka's form worry Tuchel? and is Harry Kane the best classic No9 at this World Cup? In this episode of Make Football Great Again, we break down the latest domestic League results from across Europe and analyse the performances of England’s biggest stars playing within them. From standout displays to worrying form, we discuss whether the some players are going to peak or trough at this summers big party! ⚽ Topics covered in this episode: Domestic league cup results England players performing in Europe Premier League players getting a break Tuchel's clever exhibition Trents chances of a call up now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Direct from Wembley, John Cross shares his reaction to Thomas Tuchel's 35-man England squad with Jeremy Cross and Harry Brent. They discuss the snub of Trent Alexander-Arnold, surprise inclusions, and Tuchel's bold calls ahead of the 2026 World Cup. __ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Cross joins Harry Brent straight after England's 1-0 friendly win against New Zealand ahead of the 2026 World Cup. He discusses what it could mean for Thomas Tuchel's selection, and who shone for the Three Lions in Florida - and who needs to up their game. __ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Peter Coates, football writer, podcaster, and scout, joins Harry Brent on his Global Scouting Report to discuss World Cup holders Argentina. Peter, who is the editor of Golazo Argentino, tells Make Football Great Again about Lionel Messi's role in the 2026 World Cup, Argentina's GOATs, and whether Lionel Scaloni's men can retain the title. Peter Coates: https://x.com/Pedro_Coates Golazo Argentino: https://x.com/golazoargentino 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are Premier League players being overworked… and could it hurt England at the next World Cup? In this episode of Make Football Great Again, we break down the latest Champions League results and analyse the performances of England’s biggest stars playing across Europe. From standout displays to worrying signs of fatigue, we discuss whether the intense schedule in the Premier League is pushing players too far. ⚽ Topics covered in this episode: Champions League reactions and key performances England players performing in Europe Premier League fixture congestion Are players being overworked? Young stars in the making What it means for England’s World Cup chances 💬 Let us know your thoughts in the comments: Are Premier League players playing too many games, or is it just part of modern football? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andy Dunn and John Cross share their memories from the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which saw "feel good" England under Gareth Southgate unexpectedly reach the semi-finals. They tell Harry Brent about the goodwill between the England camp and the media, the surprise stars in Russia, and whether the Three Lions could have defeated France if they had made it to the final. From Slabhead to Darts, penalty shootouts to heartbreak, these are the Untold Stories from the 2018 World Cup. __ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Harry Brent is joined by John Cross and Jeremy Cross (not related) for another edition of our Untold Stories series. This time, we travel back to Brazil in 2014. John and Jeremy remember England going into "meltdown" in the group stages under Roy Hodgson, Germany's extraordinary 7-1 victory against the hosts, and meeting a famous face at half-time in the gents. __ 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices