The Game

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WORLD CUP DAY 11: Cape Verde joy and Rashford's renaissance Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

They've done it again! Cape Verde have shocked the world once more, getting a brilliant and deserved 2-2 draw with Uruguay and become the story of the tournament so far. Can they qualify for the knockout stages?

Tom Clarke is joined by Cape Verde super fan Gregor Robertson to discuss that match and Iran's spirited draw with a struggling Belgium.

Ian Whittell checks in after watching Spain and Lamine Yamal comfortably beat Saudi Arabia and in part two Tom chats to Matt Lawton with the latest news from the England camp as preparations continue for the second game against Ghana. Will Marcus Rashford get a start?

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WORLD CUP DAY 10: Sweden stunned and stick with Ronaldo Jun 21, 2026

Show notes

A stunning win for Netherlands against Sweden has turned Group F on its head. Graham Potter's side were thrashed 5-1 and Tom Allnutt was in Houston to watch it - he joins Tom Clarke to discuss that game and preview Portugal's massive clash with Uzbekistan. Can Roberto Martinez afford to drop Cristiano Ronaldo?

In part two, Tom chats to Martin Samuel about England's impressive start, the big-game players who are delivering and how this World Cup compares to previous editions of the tournament.

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WORLD CUP DAY 9: Hope for Scotland and big dreams for USA Jun 20, 2026

Show notes

Defeated but not downhearted. Scotland lost to Morocco but showed fight in the second half which offers hope for reaching the knockout stages.

Gregor Robertson and Michael Grant join Tom Clarke to dissect Scotland's second match and debate those controversial penalty calls.

Elsewhere Peter Rutzler reports from a jubilant USA camp as they qualify in style - are they Dark Horses for the trophy? And James Gheerbrant watches Brazil get back to winning ways against Haiti before Turkey are dumped out by 10-man Paraguay.

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WORLD CUP DAY 8: McTominay mania and who is Anthony Barry? Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

Cometh the hour, cometh the man? Scotland are in need of a performance from their talisman against Morocco, can Scott McTominay deliver on the World Cup stage?

Tom Clarke previews that big game with Michael Grant and also chats to Peter Rutzler about USA v Australia, as well as catching you up on all the overnight action as Canada thrash Qatar and Mexico become the first side to qualify for the knockout stage.

In part two Jonathan Northcroft offers further reflections from the England camp and reveals more about Thomas Tuchel's assistant, Anthony Barry, and explains why he thinks the new brave, no-nonsense approach to coaching, is proving so effective.

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WORLD CUP DAY 7: England and Kane deliver in style Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

England finally got their World Cup underway and it was worth the wait as they beat Croatia 4-2 in an entertaining game.

Two goals for captain and talisman Harry Kane, one for Bellingham and Rashford and a performance that at times resembled the high intensity Premier League type game that manager Thomas Tuchel has so often talked about. There were issues defensively and Tuchel wasn't happy at half time, but it was a win, an impressive one, and England had a cutting edge.

Tom Clarke gets immediate reaction from Matt Lawton who was at the game in Dallas, and is then joined by Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd

In the second half Tom Allnutt reports from an underwhelming performance by Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal.

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WORLD CUP DAY 6: Messi, Haaland and Mbappe shine - over to you, Harry Jun 17, 2026

Show notes

What. A. Night.

Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland showed their star quality with two goals each as France and Norway impressed but then along came Lionel Messi.

A hat-trick for Argentina's captain as he kicked off his sixth World Cup in style - Tom Clarke spoke to Paul Hirst, James Gheerbrant and Martin Samuel who were at the grounds to witness some big performances from three of the games biggest stars.

And now, it's England's turn. They kick off their tournament against Croatia, Jonathan Northcroft joined Tom to preview that match and wondered if Harry Kane is ready to show he deserves to be regarded in the same group as those modern greats.

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WORLD CUP DAY 5: Cape Verde joy and waiting for Messi Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Four draws and our first 0-0 but when it's Cape Verde getting a point against Spain we don't care!

Tom Clarke hears from Martyn Ziegler who spies some empty seats at Saudi Arabia's 1-1 draw with Uruguay and Peter Rutzler who was in Los Angeles to witness Iran's controversial start to this tournament with an entertaining 2-2 draw with New Zealand - which was followed by a remarkable press conference.

Tom also spoke to Michael Grant to hear how Scotland are coping with being top of Group C and he chatted to Paul Hirst who is with the Argentina camp as Lionel Messi prepares to defend his World Cup crown.

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WORLD CUP DAY 4: 19 goals and teasing Tuchel Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

A thrilling night, loads of goals and familiar names making the headlines. Germany thrashed Curacao 7-1 but maybe the newcomers don't care - Tom Allnutt was in Curacao to watch their debut with the locals as they celebrated their first ever World Cup goal.

Ian Whittell was at the game of the night as Japan snatched a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands before Victor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak gave Graham Potter and Sweden a big win against Tunisia.

Tom Clarke also caught up with Matt Lawton in the England camp and pondered who Thomas Tuchel might pick to start against Croatia.

And in part two Tom chatted to Chief Sports Reporter Martyn Ziegler about ticket prices, VAR and those controversial water breaks.

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WORLD CUP DAY 3: Scotland win, just, and water breaks dictate Jun 14, 2026

Show notes

Blimey, that was tense! But Scotland have a World Cup win and sit top of Group C thanks to John McGinn's winner against Haiti. Which players stepped up and which need to offer more?

Steve Clarke's side top the group after Brazil draw with Morocco in an entertaining game. Brazil turned the game after the drinks break - is football now a game of four quarters?

And we pick the best games to come on Day 4.

Tom Clarke chats to Gregor Robertson and James Gheerbrant

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WORLD CUP DAY 2: C'mon Scotland!! USA look good Jun 13, 2026

Show notes

The USA started their campaign in style, scoring four against Paraguay. The stadium was full, celebs were out in force and the team looked full of energy. Suddenly USA in the next round or the round of sixteen looks a tough draw - how far can they go?

Not so euphoric for Canada but a decent result against a tough Bosnian side.

In the second half - Scotland's big day is finally here. At 0200 GMT they take on Haiti, McTominay is fit after a minor shock, can they do it?

Oh and it's Brazil and Morocco too!

Tom Clarke chats to Gregor Robertson

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