What if Football

The 2022 FIFA World Cup is in the bag after an iconic final at the Lusail Iconic Stadium between France and Argentina. In a match that many billed as Lionel Messi versus Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi finally completed his collection, chalking off the World Cup as he broke the record for World Cup appearances and lifted Argentina’s third World Cup in one of the more chaotic finals in history. Join us as we cover all that and more, as well as the third-fourth place play-off between Croatia and Morocco from Saturday.

Learn more about your ad...

Football didn’t come home, the 56 years of hurt for the England men’s national team continues but there is a lot to celebrate from the World Cup. From shocks dished out by Saudi Arabia and Japan in the groups, to the stupendous runs of form from Morocco and Croatia. Tunisians, Argentines and Brazilians brought the atmosphere, whilst Africa and Arabia shone. Ahead of the final between Argentina and France, let’s review the 2022 tournament, from the perils that eventually met England, Brazil and Portugal to the shocking eliminations of Belgium, Germany and Uruguay. 

Learn more ab...

The 2022 World Cup final is nearly here, are you excited yet? Before our preview of the final and recap of the 2022 tournament tomorrow, we've got our final World Cup rewind to take care of. We delve into the most recent World Cups to examine the Vuvuzelas and Jabulani of 2010, the continuation of the World Cup curse in the form of Italy, Spain and Germany as well as England's first real go at winning a World Cup since 1990, ultimately in defeat.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2022 World Cup final is nearly here, are you excited? Before we preview that, we've got two more World Cup rewinds to take care off. First, we take a look at an era dominated by Brazil and France. When Ronaldo was misfiring, Zidane was heading in in 1998. When France failed to score in their defence of the World Cup in 2002, Ronaldo netted the golden boot and the Selecao's fifth World Cup. In 2006, neither won the tournament, as Zidane headbutted his way to a red card in his final ever professional match.

Learn more about your...

France booked themselves in for a second successive World Cup final with a win over Morocco from the Al Bayt Stadium in Wednesday’s semi-final. One destiny will be decided, will it be that of a two-trophy Kylian Mbappe and Didier Deschamps, or will Lionel Messi win his first World Cup? In today’s podcast we review Wednesday’s semi-final and look forward to the weekend’s pivotal games.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday night at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, Lionel Messi’s iconic dream of lifting the World Cup trophy continued as he and his Argentina side pencilled themselves into Sunday’s final against one of France or Morocco with a scintillating counter-attacking performance against Croatia. We’ve got that, the preview from today’s semi-final and more sober takes on England’s World Cup in today’s World Cup Daily Podcast.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup are finally upon us. Since there's no new football to cover just yet, have another nostalgic throwback to the good old days. Where Diego Maradona reigned supreme in 1986, fell just short in 1990 before bowing out ignominously in 1994. Relieve the talents of Lineker, Gascoigne, Baggio, Platini, Caniggia and Romario, when we cover the World Cup tournaments from 1986 to 1994.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The quarter finals are over, we're truly in the business end of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Today, however, whilst the players enjoy a well-earned rest, we're returning to another golden era in the history of the World Cup. We're talking Pele vs Bobby Moore at the 1970 World Cup, the Cruyff turns of the 1974 World Cup, the Archie Gemmill goal of the 1978 World Cup and the stupefying Brazilians of 1982.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a battle that many were calling Gareth Southgate’s biggest test or England’s biggest fixture since 1966 or even Kylian Mbappe v Kyle Walker, France won out. It means that football won’t be home anytime soon. Earlier on in the day we were treated to yet more history: Morocco became the first African team to reach a World Cup semi-final in defeating Portugal 1-0.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first day of 2022 FIFA World Cup quarter finals delivered a perfect storm of brilliant goals, football, fighting as well as a bumper four hours between Brazil and Croatia and Netherlands and Argentina. Penalties were sent wide, saved and scored to create two semi-finalists, eliminating the favourites Brazil and perennial bridesmaids Netherlands.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices