The S Word

Epizode

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  ¡Viva España! Did Spain just save football? 20.07.2026 52min

  Spain are World Champions! A final that was far from a classic, but the right team won in the end!Did they save football? Were Argentina Anti-Football or is it being overblown? We'll talk about them becoming the villains.And we'll discuss the brilliance of this Spanish team with commentator Phil Kitromilides live from Madrid.Plus what was the experience like in stadium? Half-time shows and post-game brawls discussed with talkSPORT's voice of live sport Adrian Durham.Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Is Bronze a World Cup Medal of Honor? 19.07.2026 42min

  Happy World Cup Final Day! But whilst we previewed the game on the live show, it'd go pretty our of date as a podcast, so we ask the hardhitting questions...Is the third place playoff being a brilliant game still something to celebrate? Is it any consolation for England fans?Will & Master break down the 6-4 barn burner between England & France, and consider what next for the Three Lions?Plus we draft our favourite fanbases of the 2026 World Cup... and make our predictions for the final!EnjoyInstagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Could Messi actually win the Ballon d'Or?! 18.07.2026 46min

  He was a 50/1 shot going into the World Cup, but Lionel Messi, an MLS player, could actually win the Ballon d'Or with a big performance on Sunday!Today's show was a tour of many of our favourite specialist reporters from the World Cup. We talked South American football with Felipe Cardenas and asked if Messi could win footballs biggest indvidual prize for a ninth time?Michael Lahoud joins us on what a huge win the World Cup has been for Africa.And Nate Bukaty on the wider impact of the World Cup in the United States.Enjoy!Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  2026 World Cup Highs & Lows 17.07.2026 46min

  Will & Max pick their 3 things they'd keep from the 2026 World Cup, and what's going in the bin! What would you never want to see again?And is the third place play-off the worst game in football? Even if so, does Thomas Tuchel have extra pressure on him vs France because of the midweek performance?Plus we'll discuss the idea of Football DNA, and the brilliant Kevin Hatchard joins the show. Enjoy!Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Max Scott & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Messi Magnificent as Three Lions go out with a Whimper 16.07.2026 47min

  Did Thomas Tuchel's tactics cost England their first World Cup Final place in 60 years?Or did Argentina just make the right calls in the right moments to win it? And will they claim back to back tiltles this Sunday?!Will & Master break down the pathetic Three Lions performance in the final 30 minutes, and laud Messi's genius.Plus former Premier League Argentine Julio Arca and former England Defender Warren Barton join the show!Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Can England or Argentina beat Spain on that form?! 15.07.2026 48min

  After Spain dominated France in the first World Cup Semi Final was it Spanish Brilliance? Or the French going out with a Whimper?We break down the performance and French Football Journalist Erik Bielderman tells us if Zinedine Zidane is the right answer?Plus former Premier League Striker Troy Deeney joins us to discuss whether England or Argentina could beat Spain if they play that well, and look at the Tuchel/Bellingham relationship.And we hear from the England manager, as well as France legend Emmanuel Petit.Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Sensational Semi-Finals, and who's the next face of the USMNT? 14.07.2026 46min

  Spain v France - game of the tournament? We preview this massive clash.US Soccer legend Brad Friedel joins the show to discuss how the USMNT should approach maximising the 2026 World Cup? Is Pochettino the man to change the mentality of football in America?Plus UEFA want to challenge Gianni Infantino at the next elections, can anyone beat the incumbent FIFA president?Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Is a 64 team World Cup just an Infantino PR Stunt?! 13.07.2026 51min

  Is a 64 team World Cup actually realistic? Is it just an exercise in handing out a participation medal? Is it just Gianni Infantino deflecting from negative press?And the team react to Mike Grella's comments about England, does he have a point? And who is he to make it?Plus Nate Bukaty joins us to discuss whether the World Cup will be a long term success in bringing new fans to the sport in the USA, regardless of how the USMNT did?Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Max Scott & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Bellingham Brilliance, and who are the World Cup Villains? 12.07.2026 51min

  Who are the ultimate World Cup Bad Guys? England or Argentina?!They'll face off in Wednesday's Semi-Final after England scrapped past Norway, and Argentina beat 10 man Switzerland, both in Extra Time.And can either of them beat France or Spain? Is that the real World Cup Final?talkSPORT's voice of live sport Adrian Durham joins the show, as does Argentine full-back Julio Arca, former Norway midfielder Lars Bohinen and European Football Expert Kevin Hatchard.Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Spain to the Semis, now History for Haaland?! 11.07.2026 48min

  Spain make the Semi-finals, but finally concede against Belgium, do they have what it takes to beat France?Erling Haaland's star continues to rise, can he be the driving force to keep Norway's fairytale World Cup going against his country of birth, England?And can Jürgen Klopp help return Germany to international glory?We're joined by European Football Savant Andy Brassell, and live from Miami by Norwegian Football Journalist Henrik SimensenInstagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Olly Clink Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Can Anyone Beat France to a Third World Cup?! 10.07.2026 48min

  As France make a very good Morocco team look very average, can anyone stop Les Bleus?! Former Spurs & France defender Pascal Chimbonda joins the show.We'll also look at the bizarre delayed penalty with refereeing expert Christina Unkel.And get the Moroccan angle with African Football expert Mbizo Mzamane, plus when will and African team finally win the whole thing?!Plus Master agrees with Adrian Durham on the USMNT's failings, and claims Arsenal shouldn't be favourites for the title next season!Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Olly Clink Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  World Cup Quarter-Final Power Rankings, who's number 1? 09.07.2026 45min

  The Quarter-Finals are upon us, but where do the remaining 8 teams rank ahead of a huge weekend of games?We'll look forward to France v Morocco with talkSPORT's matchday commentator Joe Shennan live from Boston, outside Fenway Park, with fans in tow!Plus are Newcastle falling apart? Are Manchester United doing enough? We'll get the latest transfer news with Chief Football correspondent Alex Crook live from New York.Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  An Instant Classic, but is there a FIFA Messi Bias? 08.07.2026 48min

  Argentina & Egypt just played out an all-time great World Cup Clash in Atlanta, with Master in attendance, but does FIFA favour Messi & Argentina?Or does Gianni Infantino have an even wider problem? Has the horse bolted from the barn after recent behaviours?Plus we get the Egyptian perspective with Michael Lahoud, and look back at Colombia v Switzerland with Felipe Cardenas.And Flex joins us in studio to bury Master for believing the USMNT will go further than England.Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  The USMNT Crash Out & Ronaldo Left in Tears 07.07.2026 47min

  The USMNT we hardly knew ye! Was it a succesful run? Or did they fall at the first serious hurdle?And how did President Trump & FIFA's shenanigans affect their performance?Brilliant US Soccer journalist Zito Madu joins the show, as does USMNT legend Brad Friedel.Plus Spain continue their defensive dominance, dumping out Cristiano Ronaldo & Portugal, how much blame does Ronaldo take? Or should it fall on Roberto Martinez's head?Portugese play-by-play voice Eric Krakauer is with us. Enjoy!Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  England Through, Brazil Out & Balogun Back! 06.07.2026 45min

  England Heroics in the Azteca, was this the most impressive result of the World Cup So Far?! Adrian Durham joins us from Mexico City.The Norweigan Vikings have conquered The Seleção, and a national inquest has started in Brazil, should Ancelotti go? Tim Vickery Joins the show.And the USMNT are back in action tonight against Belgium, with Folarin Balogun available after yesterday's shock news. Has Gianni Infantino's job become untenable? Nate Bukaty joins us!Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Dark Arts taken too far? Plus World Cup Power Rankings 05.07.2026 46min

  France scrape past Paraguay, did this prove Mbappé & co are human? and did Paraguay take the dark arts too far?Morocco labour early, but eventually ease past co-hosts Canada - are they a threat to France? and what on earth is Jesse Marsch on about?!Plus we give our updated World Cup Power Rankings, and Erik Bielderman is in the house taking Les Bleus!Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Olly Clink & Flex in Mexico (Flexico) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Cape Verde leave a lasting impression, and Mexico is no joke! 04.07.2026 42min

  Happy 4th July!!! Firstly, thank you Cape Verde, what a joy you were at this World Cup, and what an exit almost taking out Lionel Messi & Argentina!Have they been your favourite all-time underdogs?Plus Colombia & Egypt make the next round, what can we expect from the South American & African contingent remaining?And with FIFA nearly moving the Mexico v England kick-off time, we discuss the ramifications with our man Flex on the ground.South American football experts Jon Cotterill & Felipe Cardenas join the show.Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Marcus Speller Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  Portugal through by a hair's breadth! Plus Kyle Walker exclusive 03.07.2026 47min

  After needing the controversial snick-o-meter offside to survive a thrilling round of 32 game, how can Portugal beat Spain??The boys also react to Julian Nagelsmann resigning as Germany manager, is it Klopp or bust for Die Mannschaft?And after celebrating 9 CAF nations making the knockouts, only 1 of 6 has advanced so far, why is African football struggling after the group stage? African football expert Michael Lahoud joins the show.Plus our exclusive chat with England legend Kyle Walker on their RB struggles and his feelings on Mauricio Pochettino & the USMNT.Instagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Marcus Speller Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  USMNT & England progress, but not without drama! 02.07.2026 45min

  The USMNT make it to the last 16 to face Belgium, but can they win without talismanic striker Folarin Balogun? We'll break down the game, and that controversial red card.England also sneakl past DR Congo, Harry Kane to the rescue! They'll face the Mexicans in Mexico - have they got any chance at the Azteca?!We're joined by the brilliant Mike Ryan Ruiz, former referee Christina Unkel, and talkSPORT presenters Max Scott & Shebahn AherneInstagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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  USMNT & England In Action, France & Mexico Magnificent 01.07.2026 44min

  Can anyone beat France? Can anyone beat Mexico in Mexico? Can any stop Erling Haaland?!We look back on a brilliant night of R32 action with French football savant Erik Bielderman and the brilliant Flex out in Mexico... Flexico if you will.Plus Will & Master get ready for the USMNT & England's R32 games, and Angelina Kelly joins us from Atlanta for a bit of local colourInstagram: @talkSPORTSWordTwitter: @talkSPORTSWordYouTube: @talkSPORTSWordHosts: Master Tesfatsion & Will Gavin Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.