The Game

Latest Episodes:

WORLD CUP DAY 21: Harry Kane rescues England Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

It wasn't pretty and it was mighty tense but England are through - just - thanks to a late brace from Harry Kane.

A performance lacking fluidity in attack and a defense that looked porous at times leaves Thomas Tuchel with far more questions than answers.

The talking points: Kane is world class, England's right side and how does Tuchel fix the defense?

Matt Lawton gives reaction live from the Atlanta stadium, before Tom Clarke joins Gregor Robertson and James Gheerbrant to dissect an England win and ask how can England beat Mexico at the Azteca ?

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WORLD CUP DAY 20: Mbappe and Olise shine, can Kane and Bellingham follow? Jul 01, 2026

Show notes

Is there a more iconic or productive World Cup duo than Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise? Gregor Robertson joins Tom Clarke to discuss another brilliant performance by France as they swat Sweden aside to reach the Round of 16.

James Gheerbrant sends his thoughts on Norway's win against Ivory Coast and another goal for Erling Haaland. And Jonathan Northcroft joins Tom to preview England's clash with DR Congo - will it be another Jude Bellingham masterclass for Thomas Tuchel's side?

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WORLD CUP DAY 19: Paraguay stun Germany Jun 30, 2026

Show notes

Germany have lost a World Cup penalty shootout for the first time in their history as Paraguay produced one of the stories of this tournament so far.

Tom Clarke hears from Michael Grant at the ground and is joined by Gregor Robertson to dissect that momentous win and also discuss Brazil's comeback against Japan.

In part two Tom Allnutt reports from Monterrey and an astonishing penalty shootout between Netherlands and Morocco and Tom and Paul Hirst discuss Argentina's World Cup title defence so far.

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WORLD CUP DAY 18: Round of 32 predictions and England update Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

From now on it's knockout football. Who goes through, who goes home?

Tom, Gregor and Tony attempt to predict all of the remaining round of 32 ties...and work out who makes it to the final. Spoiler alert is isn't Australia.

We take a more detailed look at England and their next opponents DR Congo, take some listeners questions "What is Thomas Tuchel's beef with Trent Alexander Arnold?"

And a quick look back at Argentina, Portugal and Canada beating South Africa.

Gregor Robertson and Tony Cascarino join

Tom Clarke back in the studio - find us on YouTube @thetimessport

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WORLD CUP DAY 17: England win but do they need to improve? Jun 28, 2026

Show notes

England top their group and progress to the round of 32. It was better than Ghana, there were some reasons to be cheerful, but let's be honest...it was a bit laboured. How far can England go playing like that? Is there more to come or is this the limit of England's ability?

Immediate reaction from Matt Lawton at the ground before Tom Clarke, Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd take a closer look at the performance.

Just as we pressed stop, Steve Clarke resigned as Scotland coach. So Gregor and Tom put the headphones back on to assess Steve Clarke's reign and where next for the Scottish national team....

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WORLD CUP DAY 16: Cape Verde heroics, now England expects Jun 27, 2026

Show notes

They did it! Cape Verde are into the knockouts after a 0-0 draw with Saudi Arabia and will face Lionel Messi and Argentina in the next round.

Ian Whittell joins Tom Clarke to discuss their heroic World Cup story and Tom also hears from James Gheerbrant who watched Spain beat an angry Uruguay and Tom Allnutt who saw a thrilling draw between Iran and Egypt.

There are six more games to go including England's final group game with Panama - Matt Lawton joined Tom to preview this one and discuss why a statement win is vital for Thomas Tuchel's side.

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WORLD CUP DAY 15: Ecuador joy as Brobbey becomes unlikely hero Jun 26, 2026

Show notes

Ecuador stunned Germany in an eventful round of final group stage games, as they qualified for the knockout stage.

Tom Clarke hears from Times journalists across America as Paul Hirst reports on Netherlands 3-1 win against Tunisia, James Gheerbrant watches Sweden rescue a draw with Japan and Peter Rutzler see Turkey salvage some pride by beating co-hosts USA 3-2.

In part two Tom chats to reporter Ian Whittell who offers his view on Brazil and Spain and previews Cape Verde's huge clash with Saudi Arabia as they attempt to keep their remarkable World Cup story going.

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WORLD CUP DAY 14: Scotland tortuous and why Mainoo needs minutes Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

They are not out, yet. That is about as good as it gets for Scotland after a 3-0 defeat against Brazil. Michael Grant and Gregor Robertson dissect another dismal display with Tom Clarke and ponder whether Steve Clarke's side deserve to go through?

In part two Jonathan Northcroft joins from the England camp with the latest on injury fears for Reece James. He and Tom wonder whether Thomas Tuchel has overdone it on 'vibes men' in his squad and discuss the need for Kobbie Mainoo to get some game time against Panama.

And despite Scotland's misery Tom has still seen two of his goals of the tournament for Canada and Haiti.

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WORLD CUP DAY 13: England thwarted, Ronaldo invigorated Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

After brilliance in game one there was boredom in game two for England their fans as Ghana battled for a 0-0 draw.

Tom Clarke is joined by Matt Lawton, Alyson Rudd and Gregor Robertson to dissect a frustrating game and ask what more Thomas Tuchel could have done to get the win.

Elsewhere there was a big win for Portugal and two goals for Cristiano Ronaldo - Tom Allnutt checks in from the ground to offer his thoughts.

And we look ahead to the final round of group stage matches as Scotland prepare to face Brazil - how are the nerves Gregor!?

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WORLD CUP DAY 12: Greatest Golden Boot race ever? Jun 23, 2026

Show notes

Lionel Messi is the all-time record goalscorer at World Cups and he is leading the Golden Boot race for this tournament with five goals but Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland are hot on his tail.

Can Harry Kane keep pace? Jonathan Northcroft joins Tom Clarke to preview England's second match with Ghana and discuss the impact Jude Bellingham is having on this World Cup as his partnership with Kane improves.

Paul Hirst reports from another Messi masterclass and James Gheerbrant survived the rain and storms to watch France, Mbappe and Michael Olise reach the knockout stages before Haaland got Norway a 3-2 win against Senegal.

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