Copa Independent

The big World Cup preview 03.06.2026 54min

The World Cup is nearly here and this week on Copa Independent, the team discuss the tournament favourites, the dark horses and, erm, Scotland, as well as how politics and money have created a World Cup like nothing we’ve ever seen before.Will Carlo Ancelotti deliver a record sixth World Cup for Brazil? Is Spain’s midfield the best at the tournament? How far can England go? And could a side like Ecuador or Norway go all the way?Plus trivia on World Cup records, and it’s time to pick the striker in Copa Independent’s all-time World Cup XI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 10 greatest World Cup players of all time 28.05.2026 46min

The World Cup is nearly here, and we’re counting down the best of all time. This week a panel of Independent journalists have voted on their greatest stars.From Pele and Messi to Maradona and Beckenbauer, with a sprinkling of Zidane, Mbappe and Ronaldo in the mix, these are the players who have lit up the “greatest show on earth” over the past 96 years.Independent sports writers Lawrence Ostlere, Miguel Delaney and Kieran Jackson discuss the controversial name in the top 10, why Cristiano Ronaldo was overlooked, and why our No 1 pick just had to top the list.See the full list of the top 50 World Cup players here https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-50-greatest-players-pele-maradona-messi-zidane-ronaldo-b2984529.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why Tuchel axed England's big names before World Cup 22.05.2026 21min

Miguel Delaney and Lawrence Ostlere were at Wembley to see Thomas Tuchel explain his England squad for the 2026 World Cup.They chew over the big-name omissions and why Tuchel didn’t pick Phil Foden, Cole Palmer and Trent Alexander-Arnold – and how Ivan Toney mysteriously returned to the conversation this week. Miguel also discusses his intimate briefing with the England manager. And, under severe pressure from a diligent Wembley security chap, they even find time to pick one more player for Copa Independent’s all-time World Cup XI. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to win the World Cup 14.05.2026 55min

As more big players struggle with injury, and there is now an expectation that set-pieces at the World Cup will be refereed in a completely different way to the Premier League, a few international managers are already adapting plans. Which begs a bigger question: what is the best way to win a World Cup?Are there set approaches? Can you "playbook" it, as Gareth Southgate tried? Do you need an ideology, as Spain have? Are properly world-class attackers essential? Can you still hide away a winning system for a year in the way Sir Alf Ramsey and Carlos Bilardo did? How influential are conditions? Were Brazil 1970 only so good because no one could press in Mexican midday heat?We get into all of this and more in the latest Copa Independent podcast, with Miguel Delaney, Lawrence Ostlere and - making his debut - Adam Clery.Don’t forget the special World Cup nostalgia segments in stoppage time, extra time and penalties either, where we decide on the best historic feature of each tournament. This week: the greatest World Cup ad, the next addition to our all-time tournament XI – the big one, the number-10 playmaker – and, of course, some trivia questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Weight of the waistcoat: Is England manager really ‘the impossible job’? 08.05.2026 55min

Fourteen men have managed the England men’s team since Sir Alf Ramsey won the World Cup in 1966, and none have come close to repeating the feat. Under high expectation, intense scrutiny and crippling pressure, a series of England managers have been hounded, humiliated, abused and, in Sam Allardyce’s case, stung by a ruthless media. No wonder Graham Taylor called it “the impossible job”.In this week’s episode of “Copa Independent” – The Independent’s new World Cup podcast – chief sports writer Lawrence Ostlere is joined by chief football writer Miguel Delaney and senior sports writer Kieran Jackson to discuss what it takes to be the England manager, why it’s so “impossible” and whether a foreign coach like Thomas Tuchel is the answer.The episode also features a debate on our all-time World Cup XI, as they attempt to select a central midfielder to play alongside German great Lothar Matthaus, with plenty of disagreement before eventually settling on a player who has never won the World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I saw the Spain down in Africa 01.05.2026 48min

We all know the ingredients that make a great World Cup, from moments to atmosphere, and 2010 had them all… but was it really a great tournament? Does that depend on age? And what of its champions? Were Spain boring or was it the opposition? Was this England’s worst World Cup? And would you have done what Luis Suarez did against Ghana? Lawrence Ostlere, Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly get into a right debate about it all. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The great World Cup rip-off 24.04.2026 47min

With 2026 set to be by far the most expensive World Cup ever to attend, we investigate how it's got to this - and what it means for the future. This isn't just from being in an expensive United States right now. Fifa have been significant drivers, mostly through ticket prices but also some of the deals struck for the tournament, raising further questions about their leadership of the sport. We also speak to Thomas Concannon of the Football Supporters Association, who spells out exactly how difficult this is for fans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Born in the USA: 1994's great American World Cup 16.04.2026 45min

As the World Cup returns to America, it would not have been possible without the spectacular success of USA 94. That was actually a huge gamble at the time, but more than paid off - in multiple ways. A colourfully open tournament was the consequence of unique factors coming together at once, but also changed the World Cup for the future. A tournament full of soul had an immense commercial legacy - right up to the Glazers taking over Manchester United. We discuss that and so much more from a tournament packed with storylines and moments, like whether Brazil were actually good winners, whether Baggio’s legacy has been enhanced by that miss and if a World Cup is better without England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Donald Trump win the 2026 World Cup? 10.04.2026 47min

In the last 15 months alone, the build-up to this World Cup has brought more unprecedented developments than any previous tournament in history, above all a host nation bombing a participant through the Iran war. That raises many questions, right up to what influence Donald Trump is going to have on how this World Cup develops. But there's also another: if any other country was responsible, would there be calls for a boycott? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The other World Cup England should have won 02.04.2026 44min

Since England won the World Cup in 1966, they have not been back to another men’s final, appearing in only two semi-finals in 1990 and 2018 in their closest attempts at repeating the feat. So, as the 2026 World Cup approaches, on the 60th anniversary of that famous Wembley win, should England have won more tournaments with the talent and resources at their disposal? And can Thomas Tuchel finally end the wait this summer? In the second episode of The Independent’s World Cup podcast, sports writers Lawrence Ostlere, Miguel Delaney and Kieran Jackson discuss which past tournaments England could have won, why they’ve underdelivered and whether the neurosis of 60 years of hurt can ever be overcome. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jules Rimet still dreaming: how the World Cup became the biggest cultural event in history 26.03.2026 50min

For the first edition of our weekly Copa Independent podcast, we are looking at the very meaning of the World Cup itself, and the two sides of the biggest cultural event in human history. But why has it got to that level? Why does it feel like nothing else in sport? Has it fulfilled the ideals of its creators? What would Jules Rimet, who envisioned a competition to bring mankind together, think of how it is now politically used? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was Liverpool’s Win Due To ‘Drab’ Season? 02.05.2025 31min

Join Miguel Delaney and Adam Clery in the 2nd episode of a new podcast; State of Play.Also, while you're here, follow Adam's brand new YouTube channel right here: www.youtube.com/@TheAdamCleryFootballChannel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing: State of Play 05.04.2025 41min

*Cough cough* Is this thing on?The Independent is resurrecting this channel with a new show; State of Play.Join Adam Clery and Miguel Delaney for a brand new podcast about the politics of the Premier League, the controversies of the modern game and, well, the state of play.This is a pilot episode, so please do get in touch to tell us what you thought!Also, while you're here, follow Adam's brand new YouTube channel right here: www.youtube.com/@TheAdamCleryFootballChannel Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Maradona 26.11.2020 38min

Host Vithushan Ehantharajah is joined by Miguel Delaney and Melissa Reddy to discuss Diego Maradona, who sadly passed away on Wednesday morning in his native Argentina.One of the great players in the history of the game Maradona won the World Cup with Argentina in 1986 as well as, and even more impressively in many ways, two Scudettos with Napoli in the eighties and early nineties. Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Follow Indy Football on social media to keep up to date with all the latest stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pep stays at Manchester City 19.11.2020 45min

The gang are back to discuss Pep Guardiola's two-year contract extension at Manchester City. Vithushan Ehantharajah is this week joined by Miguel Delaney and Jack Rathborn to chat about the recent international break, the dramatic Euro 2020 play-offs as well as what to expect when the Premier League returns this weekend.Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode.Follow Indy Football on social media to keep up to date with all the latest stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

United's best performance 29.10.2020 39min

There were wins for all four English teams in the Champions League with none more impressive than Manchester United’s statement win over RB Leipzig at Old Trafford on Wednesday night. So, was that United's best ever performance? Host Vithushan Ehantharajah is joined by Miguel Delaney and Melissa Reddy to discuss that game and more. Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Follow Indy Football on social media to keep up to date with all the latest stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A sour end to the international break 15.10.2020 44min

Another international break in the books, but don’t worry, only 25 more days until the next one.England beat Wales and Belgium but then succumbed to Denmark, with Harry Maguire and Reece James, after the final whistle, seeing red.Host Vithushan Ehantharajah is joined by Melissa Reddy and Jack De Menezes to discuss England and preview the upcoming Premier League fixtures, as well as talk about Project Big Picture.Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Follow Indy Football on social media to keep up to date with all the latest stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 41 goal weekend 06.10.2020 47min

One of the wildest weekends in Premier League history is in the books. 3-0, 4-0, 6-1 and 7-2... and West Ham winning another football match. Host Vithushan Ehantharajah is joined by Miguel Delany, Melissa Reddy and Mark Critchley to discuss the goals and what led to them. The team also talk transfers after the closure of the window on Monday. Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Follow Indy Football on social media to keep up to date with all the latest stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

City meltdown, transfer sagas and clash of the titans preview 30.09.2020 34min

Vithushan Ehantharajah is joined by Mark Critchley and Jack Rathborn discuss City's disastrous defeat to Leicester at the Etihad at the weekend, and preview Guardiola's upcoming personal clash with Bielsa when they face Leeds.Mark shares what he's heard from the United camp on the potential signing of Jadon Sancho from Dortmund and the team also look ahead to the coming games.Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode.Follow Indy Football on social media to keep up to date with all the latest stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sizing up the 20/21 season 22.09.2020 53min

Liverpool are winning, Manchester United are not and Kepa Arrizabalaga is making massive mistakes. That can only mean one thing - the new Premier League season is well and truly underway. Host Vithushan Ehantharajah is joined by Melissa Reddy, Jack Rathborn and Mark Critchley to discuss the opening weekend of games. Subscribe to this series so you never miss an episode. Follow Indy Football on social media to keep up to date with all the latest stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.