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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
Episodes
165 episodes
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Leadership, with CEO and co-founder of XL Soccer World Ciarán McArdle
Ciarán McArdle is the CEO and co-founder of XL Soccer World and the author of The Soccer of Success: How The Beautiful Game Can Help You Achieve Goals In Business & Life. McArdle’s company operates 10 sports facilities in the U.S. and serve...
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DISCUSSION: Latest from Mexico: Iran Moves Base to Tijuana; Pele Statue Unveiled in Guadalajara; Massive Football Art Project 'Vandalized'
Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio discuss the latest news from Mexico.To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreo...
FEATURE SERIES: The Fair & The Just - Football Leagues That Matter - Part One
In this excerpt of the first 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 Footbal...
NEWS: The Sunday Column
Paul Schmidt-Troschke's Sunday column on all things football and the World Cup. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportset...
DISCUSSION: England, Brazil, Belgium & South African Squad Selections
Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to discuss stories emerging from the national team selections of England, Brazil, Belgium and South Africa. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on inte...
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Danish Sports Journalist Mikkel Bruun Christensen
Jon Bonfiglio interviews Mikkel Bruun Christensen about Danish football, failing to qualify for the World Cup, the 'Danish Dynamite' team of 1986 and much more.Christensen has just released a book (in Danish) called: "World Cup - How the...
DISCUSSION: Neymar; Ronaldo; Messi; Neuer; Modric - Will '26 be the Tournament of the Masters, or the Has-Beens?
Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to discuss the surprising and not-so-surprising selections of some of football's ageing stars for the 2026 finals. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series ...
NEWS: Germany's No.1
Paul Schmidt-Trochke with the remarkable news that Manuel Neuer has returned to the role of Germany's No.1. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:https://tinyur...
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Mexican Superfan Mario Paúl Pfeiffer - Part Two
Paul Schmidt-Troschke speaks to Mario Paúl Pfeiffer, a walking encyclopedia on Mexican sports, about wide-ranging topics, including the upcoming tournament. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, co...
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Haiti's Hopes and Dreams, with Jean-Ricardo Compere
In this excerpt from a longer discussion on Haiti's hopes and dreams for the World Cup, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio speak to Haitian entrepreneur Jean-Ricardo Compere for his perspective. The full episode is available on the World...
NEWS: The Sunday Column
Paul Schmidt-Troschke's Sunday column on all things football and the World Cup. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportset...
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Mexican Superfan Mario Paúl Pfeiffer - Part One
Paul Schmidt-Troschke speaks to Mario Paúl Pfeiffer, a walking encyclopedia on Mexican sports, about wide-ranging topics, including the upcoming tournament. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, co...
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Legendary Commentator Jim Rosenthal - Part Two
A special feature interview with Jim Rosenthal, the distinguished English sports presenter and commentator with a career spanning over 55 years, covering eight FIFA World Cups, three Rugby World Cups, two Olympics, 150 Formula One races, and ma...
NEWS: Real Madrid Self-Destructs, Mourinho the Answer; Train Price Reductions to MetLife Stadium; Early Holidays for Mexico Schools Cancelled
Paul Schmidt-Troschke with the latest news. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Legendary Commentator Jim Rosenthal - Part One
A special feature interview with Jim Rosenthal, the distinguished English sports presenter and commentator with a career spanning over 55 years, covering eight FIFA World Cups, three Rugby World Cups, two Olympics, 150 Formula One races, and ma...
BOOK RELEASE: "Red Card: The 2026 World Cup, Sportswashing, and the FIFA Greed Machine" - with Jules Boykoff
In this special episode, Jon Bonfiglio interviews writer & academic Jules Boykoff about his new book "Red Card: The 2026 World Cup, Sportswashing, and the FIFA Greed Machine." The book will be published on the eve of the World C...
DISCUSSION: Looking Back on Haiti's WC Qualification
In this excerpt from a longer from a longer discussion on Haiti's World Cup qualification, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio look back on their time in Haiti in late 2025, when Haiti qualified for the finals. The full episode is availab...
NEWS: The Sunday Column
Paul Schmidt-Troschke's Sunday column on all things football and the World Cup. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportset...
NEWS: "I Wouldn't Pay It" - Trump on Ticket Prices
Paul Schmidt-Troschke with the remarkable news of President Trump saying he wasn't aware of the cost of World Cup tickets and suggesting they are set too high. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics,...
FEATURE: Geoff Hurst's 1966 Shirt, with Gordon Mousinho
The incredible story of Geoff Hurst's 1966 World Cup shirt, with regular guest Gordon Mousinho. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:https://tinyurl.com/Friend...
DISCUSSION: Champions League Return-Leg Semi-Finals Review
Declan Link & Paul Schmidt-Troschke discuss Arsenal and PSG making it through to the Champions League final. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:https://t...
NEWS: News of Profiteering & Prices Rumbles On
Paul Schmidt- Troschke with news of the ongoing issues related to unprecedented price gouging at the upcoming tournament. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below:...
PAST TOURNAMENTS: Focus on Mexico '70; Host City Special - Mexico City
A look back at Mexico '70 as Declan Link talks to Dave Crummer & Graham Wovenden, who were both at the tournament, followed by a look at Host City, Mexico City. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international to...
SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Mexican Artist Diego Mtz Peña on his Commission to Paint a Huge Football for the WC, & Mexico's Chances
Paul Schmidt-Troschke interviews Mexican Artist Diego Mtz Peña on his month-long commission to paint a huge football for one of Mexico's Fan Fests, and his hopes for Mexico at the tournament. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive...