The Game

WORLD CUP DAY 18: Round of 32 predictions and England update 29.06.2026 59min

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 17: England win but do they need to improve? 28.06.2026 35min

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.... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 16: Cape Verde heroics, now England expects 27.06.2026 27min

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 15: Ecuador joy as Brobbey becomes unlikely hero 26.06.2026 25min

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 14: Scotland tortuous and why Mainoo needs minutes 25.06.2026 33min

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 13: England thwarted, Ronaldo invigorated 23.06.2026 45min

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!? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 12: Greatest Golden Boot race ever? 23.06.2026 23min

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 11: Cape Verde joy and Rashford's renaissance 22.06.2026 36min

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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 10: Sweden stunned and stick with Ronaldo 21.06.2026 38min

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 9: Hope for Scotland and big dreams for USA 20.06.2026 29min

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 8: McTominay mania and who is Anthony Barry? 19.06.2026 44min

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 7: England and Kane deliver in style 18.06.2026 40min

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 RuddIn the second half Tom Allnutt reports from an underwhelming performance by Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 6: Messi, Haaland and Mbappe shine - over to you, Harry 17.06.2026 47min

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 5: Cape Verde joy and waiting for Messi 16.06.2026 43min

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 4: 19 goals and teasing Tuchel 15.06.2026 40min

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.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 3: Scotland win, just, and water breaks dictate 14.06.2026 25min

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 2: C'mon Scotland!! USA look good 13.06.2026 26min

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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP DAY 1: The Azteca, Team USA and a cave 12.06.2026 33min

The World Cup is up and running. The mighty Azteca stadium became the only stadium to host games in three different world cups. Its turf has seen Pele, Maradona and now the 2026 Mexico side. Our reporter Tom Allnutt was in the stadium. Did the match live up to the hype, does it matter? Pete Rutzler is our reporter following team USA, he gives us a quick run down of the American team...how far will they go in the tournament, are the public following it and how much pressure is on Mauricio Pochettino?Tom and Pete join Tom Clarke on day one of his World Cup marathon, watching every game without waking a three month old baby.See you tomorrow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP 2026 - Are you ready!? 11.06.2026 44min

It is finally here. Tonight Mexico will play South Africa in the opening game. Will it be a tournament for the ages or a step too far for over heated and over worked players?So, a quick look at England - Bellingham or Rogers, Rashford or Gordon?Your favourite World Cup opening games; teams we'd love to see do well and Tom Clarke's mad challenge to watch every match - what are his chances?Gregor details his recent trip to Croatia to meet Luka Modric; what to eat if you're staying up all night and is 4-4-2 about to make a massive come back!?Tom is joined by Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd.From tomorrow we'll be here every morning with your essential World Cup Daily Briefing - listen every morning and don't miss a thing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

WORLD CUP 2026: SCOTLAND PREVIEW 10.06.2026 39min

Scotland could not be happier going in t the World Cup. When was the last time you heard that - 1928!?Eight goals in two games and believe it or not even some talk of their talisman John McGinn not making it into Steve Clarkes first eleven. The Tartan army suddenly have a cutting edge, confidence to burn and mounting expectation. Bring on Haiti!What could possible go wrong?Who better to ask than three of the finest Scots in sports journalism...Jonathan Northcroft, Michael Grant and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.