World Cup Football etc
Hopes & dreams; society & cultures - what the greatest sporting tournament on earth offers above all is an entry point to people across the world. Join journalists Paul Schmidt-Troschke, Jon Bonfiglio, and football expert Declan Link - alongside a host of special guests - on this unique take on all things related to the World Cup. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series, copy and paste the following link: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
DISCUSSION: England vs. Panama; DRC vs. Uzbekistan; Portugal vs. Colombia
Declan Link live in NJ/NY after the England vs. Panama game, and Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio in the studio, review the last 24hrs at the World Cup, and the end of the group stages.
FEATURE: Children Born in Refugee Camps Represent Adopted Nations at WC
Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio look at the remarkable stories of many footballers at the tournament who were born in refugee camps and now represent adopted nations at the WC finals with pride.
DISCUSSION: Cape Verde Through!; Bielsa's Legacy Tarnished; Turkiye Finally Show Up; Norway's WC Project Bigger Than Group Stages; Bond Villain Gianni Infantino
The musketeers are back for another WC round-up, with Paul Schmidt-Troschke oscillating between despair at Germany and joy with Cape Verde; Declan Link awash with his NY Midtown experience, and Jon Bonfiglio trying to keep it all together.
FEATURE: Curaçao - Smallest Nation Ever at the Finals
Paul Schmidt-Troschke with a special feature on the island nation of Curaçao.
DISCUSSION: Ecuador vs. Germany; Curaçao vs. Ivory Coast; Japan vs. Sweden; Tunisia vs. Netherlands; Portugal’s Predicament; Norwegian Listeners; Declan Link at Estadio Neza ‘86
Declan Link , Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio return to discuss the latest round of matches, and much more.
DISCUSSION: Haiti vs. Morocco; Brazil vs. Scotland; Switzerland vs. Canada; Bosnia Hercegovina vs. Qatar
The team are back for the latest WC round-up and discussions.
NEWS: Katia Itzel García - 1st Mexican Woman to Referee a Men’s WC Match with Tunisia vs. Netherlands
Paul Schmidt-Troschke looks at the groundbreaking story of Mexico’s premier female referee, Katia Itzel García.
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Colombian Teacher & Broadcaster Constanza Leal Melo on the Indivisibility of Football, Politics & History in Colombia
Colombian teacher & broadcaster Constanza Leal Melo, founder of the online PENSART network, talks about Colombia, the World Cup, footballing greats, and how politics and history form an essential part of football for the country.
For more information on her work and platforms, copy and paste the links below:
https://www.pensartoficial.com/home/culturales/ebqqiam-cuentos
https://youtube.com/@pensartarteymovimiento?si=YV_mYrue1AwOD1Ki
DISCUSSION: England vs. Ghana
With Declan Link reporting from Boston, and Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio in the studio, the team report and review the England vs. Ghana match.
FEATURE: Estadio Neza & Danish Dynamite - How a Forgotten Stadium of Mexico '86 is Central to Denmark's Footballing Mythology
Jon Bonfiglio looks at the incredible history of the Estadio Neza, and how it forms a central part of the foundational mythology of Danish football.
DISCUSSION: Argentina vs. Austria; Norway vs. Senegal; France vs. Iraq
Declan Link joins the pod from Boston, ahead of the England match, alongside Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio in Mexico.
FEATURE SERIES: Football's Greatest International Rivalries - USA & Mexico
In this excerpt of the second part of a mini-series during the World Cup, available in full to subscribers on Patreon, the team look at the greatest international footballing rivalries, continuing with Mexico and the USA. The full episode is available on the World Cup Football Etc/World Sports Etc Patreon page:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
DISCUSSION: Uruguay vs. Cape Verde; Spain vs. Saudi Arabia; Belgium vs. Iran; New Zealand vs. Egypt
Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to review the latest games from the World Cup, plus additional talking points.
To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
NEWS: The Sunday Column
Paul Schmidt-Troschke takes an in-depth look at the history of the Democratic Republic of Congo and how it plays a prominent part in the 2026 World Cup for the DRC.
DISCUSSION: Germany vs. Ivory Coast; Netherlands vs. Sweden; Curacao vs. Ecuador
Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to review the latest games from the World Cup, plus additional talking points.
To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: WFTV producer Tom Cook on the Impressive Showing of Co-Hosts USA
Declan Link speaks to WFTV producer Tom Cook about the USA's impressive start to the tournament, and what comes next.
DISCUSSION: USA vs. Australia; Scotland vs. Morocco; Brazil vs. Haiti
On-the-ground reports from Cookey and Gordon Mousinho, plus regular chat from Declan Link and Paul Schmidt-Trsochke, plus Jon Bonfiglio stuck on a bus.
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Interview with Australian Football Legend Corey Mckernan
Declan Link speaks to Australian Football legend Corey Mckernan ahead of the Australia vs. USA World Cup match.
DISCUSSION: Portugal in Crisis; Mexico First Team to Qualify; Canada Hit Six
Declan Link returns to the pod, alongside Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio.
For tickets to upcoming events email worldcupetcetera@gmail.com
DISCUSSION: Portuguese Malaise; Mexico vs. South Korea & Canada vs. Qatar
Declan Link returns to the pod after the England match, alongside Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio.
For tickets to upcoming live events, email worldcupetcetera@gmail.com
To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
FEATURE: Uzbekistan - Football on the Rise
Paul Schmidt-Troschke looks at the rise of football in Uzbekistan.
DISCUSSION: England vs. Croatia
Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio review England's 4-2 victory over Croatia in the opening tie of Group L.
FEATURE: Marcelo Bielsa - Madman or Visionary
In the context of Uruguay and the World Cup, Jon Bonfiglio takes an in-depth look at the life, thinking and choices of footballing auteur Marcelo Bielsa.
DISCUSSION: Round-Up of Matchday 6 - France vs. Senegal; Norway vs. Iraq; Argentina vs. Algeria
Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to look at the action from matchday 6 of the World Cup, plus additional talking points.
To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
PAST TOURNAMENTS: England 1966 - Part Four
England in 1966, in association with the British Embassy in Mexico.
Recorded in Mexico City on the eve of the finals at The Lamb restaurant, in front of a live audience. Featuring special guests Gordon Mousinho, who attended the finals in 1966, as well as Chief Reporter to the Daily Star, Jerry Lawton, Deputy Ambassador Rachel Brazier, and Dr. Chris Wood. Part 4/4.
DISCUSSION: Round-Up of Matchday 5 - Cape Verde vs. Spain; Uruguay vs. Saudi Arabia; Belgium vs. Egypt; Iran vs. New Zealand
Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to look at the action from matchday 5 of the World Cup, plus additional talking points.
To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
FEATURE SERIES: Football's Greatest International Rivalries - Morocco & Spain
In this excerpt of the first part of a mini-series during the World Cup, available in full to subscribers on Patreon, the team look at the greatest international footballing rivalries, starting with Morocco and Spain. The full episode is available on the World Cup Football Etc/World Sports Etc Patreon page:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
DISCUSSION: Round-Up of the Weekend's Matches (& more)
Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to look at the action from the first weekend of the World Cup, plus additional talking points.
To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
DISCUSSION: Scotland vs. Haiti
Declan Link speaks to Scottish fan Robin Richardson and Paul Schmidt-Troschke about Scotland's first win at the World Cup in 36 years.
To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
NEWS: The Sunday Column
Paul Schmidt-Troschke with his regular Sunday column on topics of the week.
To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
DISCUSSION: Brazil vs. Morocco
Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to review Brazil vs. Morocco on the third day of the 2026 World Cup.
To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
PAST TOURNAMENTS: England 1966 - Part Three
England in 1966, in association with the British Embassy in Mexico.
Recorded in Mexico City on the eve of the finals at The Lamb restaurant, in front of a live audience. Featuring special guests Gordon Mousinho, who attended the finals in 1966, as well as Chief Reporter to the Daily Star, Jerry Lawton, Deputy Ambassador Rachel Brazier, and Dr. Chris Wood. Part 3/4.
DISCUSSION: USA vs. Paraguay
Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to review USA vs. Paraguay on the second day of the 2026 World Cup.
To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
PAST TOURNAMENTS: England 1966 - Part Two
England in 1966, in association with the British Embassy in Mexico.
Recorded in Mexico City on the eve of the finals at The Lamb restaurant, in front of a live audience. Featuring special guests Gordon Mousinho, who attended the finals in 1966, as well as Chief Reporter to the Daily Star, Jerry Lawton, Deputy Ambassador Rachel Brazier, and Dr. Chris Wood. Part 2/4.
DISCUSSION: Mexico vs. South Africa
Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to review the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.
To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
PAST TOURNAMENTS: England 1966 - Part One
England in 1966, in association with the British Embassy in Mexico.
Recorded in Mexico City on the eve of the finals at The Lamb restaurant, in front of a live audience. Featuring special guests Gordon Mousinho, who attended the finals in 1966, as well as Chief Reporter to the Daily Star, Jerry Lawton, Deputy Ambassador Rachel Brazier, and Dr. Chris Wood. Part 1/4.
NEWS: Mexico City on Edge; Christian Eriksen Collapse
Paul Schmidt-Troschke, Jon Bonfiglio & Mikkel Bruun Christensen with the latest news on the eve of the tournament.
DISCUSSION: Hopes & Dreams on the Eve of the WC (plus a little Real Madrid)
From the building site of his hotel room, Declan Link joins Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio for a discussion on the eve of the World Cup,
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Iconic Commentator Mike Ingham - Part Two
Declan Link interviews legendary football commentator and broadcaster Mike Ingham.
FEATURE SERIES: The Fair & The Just - Football Leagues That Matter - Part Three
In this excerpt of the third part of a mini-series ahead of the World Cup, available in full to subscribers on Patreon, the team look at the most egalitarian football leagues on the planet. The full episode is available on the World Cup Football Etc/World Sports Etc Patreon page:
https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
