Summer '26: A Global Soccer Showdown

In this episode, Gary Striker and The Qooligan analyze the latest developments in the upcoming World Cup 26, including roster announcements, production quality of team reveals, and insights into the host nations' teams. They discuss key players, surprises, injuries, and strategic considerations for the tournament. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

England open against Croatia — the side that's knocked them out before — then Ghana and Panama. On paper, England should top Group L. On paper. We've seen this movie. This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group L we break down all four sides — England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one result tha...

It's almost certainly the last one for Cristiano Ronaldo — and Portugal's path runs through a quietly excellent Colombia, debutants Uzbekistan, and a DR Congo side that earned it the hard way. Group K has bite. This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group K we break down all four sides — Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR Congo — call who's going through, who...

The holders are back. Argentina start the defence in Group J against a sharp Austria, a physical Algeria and debutants Jordan. The favourites should cruise — should being the operative word. This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group J we break down all four sides — Argentina, Austria, Algeria and Jordan — call who's going through, who's booking early flights...

Erling Haaland finally gets a World Cup — and he's walked straight into France. Add a Senegal side full of Premier League muscle and a gritty Iraq, and Group I is can't-miss. This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group I we break down all four sides — France, Norway, Senegal and Iraq — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one resu...

Japan beat both Germany and Spain at the last World Cup. The Netherlands are favourites in Group F — but Japan, a chaotic Sweden and a stubborn Tunisia make this anything but a free pass. This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group F we break down all four sides — Netherlands, Japan, Sweden and Tunisia — call who's going through, who's booking early flights hom...

Germany should stroll it. But the story of Group E is Curaçao — one of the smallest nations ever to reach a World Cup — sharing a pitch with a dangerous Ivory Coast and a sneaky-good Ecuador. This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group E we break down all four sides — Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Curaçao — call who's going through, who's booking early flig...

European champions, frightening in midfield, and drawn into a Group H where Uruguay are genuinely dangerous, Saudi Arabia have a habit of upsets, and Cape Verde are living a fairytale. Spain are the team to avoid. This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group H we break down all four sides — Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde — call who's going through,...

The golden generation is greying. Belgium open against Egypt, fancied Iran are lurking, and New Zealand are making up the numbers — but is there one more deep run left in this Belgium side? Group G has a sleeper in it. This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group G we break down all four sides — Belgium, Egypt, Iran and New Zealand — call who's going through, wh...

Everyone's looking at the hosts. They shouldn't be. Switzerland are the quiet operators in Group B, with Canada riding the home crowd and a stubborn Bosnia side scrapping behind them. This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group B we break down all four sides — Canada, Switzerland, Qatar and Bosnia & Herzegovina — call who's going through, who's booking early fl...

Hosts, home crowds, and a group that's there for the taking. Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye are no joke — but if the USA don't get out of Group D, there are real questions to answer. This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group D we break down all four sides — USA, Türkiye, Australia and Paraguay — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and...

Scotland waited 28 years to get back — and the draw handed them Brazil and a Morocco side that reached a World Cup semi-final last time out. Brutal. Group C is carnage. This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group C we break down all four sides — Brazil, Scotland, Morocco and Haiti — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one result...

Home soil, a friendly draw, and an entire country watching. Mexico have no hiding place in Group A — and South Korea will have plenty to say about it. This is Summer of '26 — our group-by-group ride through World Cup 2026. In Group A we break down all four sides — Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and Czechia — call who's going through, who's booking early flights home, and the one result that blo...

Every match. Every moment. Every controversy. This summer, the world stops for football, and we'll be breaking it all down for you — from the group stage chaos to the final whistle. Joining the mayhem: Gary Striker, the man who bleeds football, and The Qooligan, who keeps it cooler than the other side of the pillow — together, they're your ultimate World Cup companions. Hooligan Soccer: A Global S...