World Cup etc

World Cup Football etc

Sports EN ↓ 246 episodes

Hopes & dreams; society & cultures - what the greatest sporting tournament on earth offers above all is an entry point to people across the world. Join journalists Paul Schmidt-Troschke, Jon Bonfiglio, and football expert Declan Link - alongside a host of special guests - on this unique take on all things related to the World Cup. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series, copy and paste the following link: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

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World Cup etc

Episodes

DISCUSSION: Reviewing the Champions League Final 02.06.2026 21:00

Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to digest the Champions League final, and analyse its component parts and what it means.

FEATURE SERIES: The Fair & The Just - Football Leagues That Matter - Part Two 01.06.2026 5:53

In this excerpt of the second part of a mini-series ahead of the World Cup, available in full to subscribers on Patreon, the team look at the most egalitarian football leagues on the planet. The full episode is available on the World Cup Football Etc/World Sports Etc Patreon page: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

NEWS: The Sunday Column 31.05.2026 6:47

Paul Schmidt-Troschke's Sunday column on all things football and the World Cup. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

DISCUSSION: Argentina, Germany & Colombia Squad Selections 30.05.2026 29:54

Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to discuss stories emerging from the national team selections of Argentina, Germany & Colombia. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Leadership, with ex-New Zealand International Midfielder Jeremy Christie - Part One 29.05.2026 31:49

Continuing our special series on leadership, sports & business, Declan Link interviews special guest & former professional footballer Jeremy Christie.

DISCUSSION: Spain, USA, Norway & Ghana Squad Selections 28.05.2026 39:58

Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to discuss stories emerging from the national team selections of Spain, USA, Norway & Ghana. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Leadership, with CEO and co-founder of XL Soccer World Ciarán McArdle 27.05.2026 34:50

Ciarán McArdle is the CEO and co-founder of XL Soccer World and the author of The Soccer of Success: How The Beautiful Game Can Help You Achieve Goals In Business & Life. McArdle’s company operates 10 sports facilities in the U.S. and serves over 3 million visitors annually. He sits on the board of Coaches Across Continents and has received the “40 under 40” and “CEO of the Year” awards from t...

DISCUSSION: Latest from Mexico: Iran Moves Base to Tijuana; Pele Statue Unveiled in Guadalajara; Massive Football Art Project 'Vandalized' 26.05.2026 18:03

Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio discuss the latest news from Mexico. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

FEATURE SERIES: The Fair & The Just - Football Leagues That Matter - Part One 25.05.2026 6:39

In this excerpt of the first part of a mini-series ahead of the World Cup, available in full to subscribers on Patreon, the team look at the most egalitarian football leagues on the planet. The full episode is available on the World Cup Football Etc/World Sports Etc Patreon page: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

NEWS: The Sunday Column 24.05.2026 7:24

DISCUSSION: England, Brazil, Belgium & South Africa Squad Selections 23.05.2026 32:16

Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to discuss stories emerging from the national team selections of England, Brazil, Belgium and South Africa. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Danish Sports Journalist Mikkel Bruun Christensen 22.05.2026 26:32

Jon Bonfiglio interviews Mikkel Bruun Christensen about Danish football, failing to qualify for the World Cup, the 'Danish Dynamite' team of 1986 and much more. Christensen has just released a book (in Danish) called: "World Cup - How the world's biggest sporting event became the world's biggest power game". The book explores the dark side of football and tells the st...

DISCUSSION: Neymar; Ronaldo; Messi; Neuer; Modric - Will '26 be the Tournament of the Masters, or the Has-Beens? 21.05.2026 22:35

Declan Link, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio come together to discuss the surprising and not-so-surprising selections of some of football's ageing stars for the 2026 finals. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

NEWS: Germany's No.1 20.05.2026 9:42

Paul Schmidt-Trochke with the remarkable news that Manuel Neuer has returned to the role of Germany's No.1. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Mexican Superfan Mario Paúl Pfeiffer - Part Two 19.05.2026 28:06

Paul Schmidt-Troschke speaks to Mario Paúl Pfeiffer, a walking encyclopedia on Mexican sports, about wide-ranging topics, including the upcoming tournament. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Haiti's Hopes and Dreams, with Jean-Ricardo Compere 18.05.2026 6:36

In this excerpt from a longer discussion on Haiti's hopes and dreams for the World Cup, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio speak to Haitian entrepreneur Jean-Ricardo Compere for his perspective. The full episode is available on the World Cup Football Etc/World Sports Etc Patreon page: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

NEWS: The Sunday Column 17.05.2026 6:15

SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Mexican Superfan Mario Paúl Pfeiffer - Part One 16.05.2026 20:59

SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Legendary Commentator Jim Rosenthal - Part Two 15.05.2026 24:08

A special feature interview with Jim Rosenthal, the distinguished English sports presenter and commentator with a career spanning over 55 years, covering eight FIFA World Cups, three Rugby World Cups, two Olympics, 150 Formula One races, and many major boxing bouts.

NEWS: Real Madrid Self-Destructs, Mourinho the Answer; Train Price Reductions to MetLife Stadium; Early Holidays for Mexico Schools Cancelled 14.05.2026 6:31

Paul Schmidt-Troschke with the latest news. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

SPECIAL INTERVIEW: Legendary Commentator Jim Rosenthal - Part One 13.05.2026 26:35

BOOK RELEASE: "Red Card: The 2026 World Cup, Sportswashing, and the FIFA Greed Machine" - with Jules Boykoff 12.05.2026 20:19

In this special episode, Jon Bonfiglio interviews writer & academic Jules Boykoff about his new book "Red Card: The 2026 World Cup, Sportswashing, and the FIFA Greed Machine." The book will be published on the eve of the World Cup and will be available on all platforms and in bookstores. https://orbooks.com/catalog/red-card/

DISCUSSION: Looking Back on Haiti's WC Qualification 11.05.2026 6:44

In this excerpt from a longer from a longer discussion on Haiti's World Cup qualification, Paul Schmidt-Troschke & Jon Bonfiglio look back on their time in Haiti in late 2025, when Haiti qualified for the finals. The full episode is available on the World Cup Etc/World Sports Etc Patreon page: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon

NEWS: The Sunday Column 10.05.2026 6:50

NEWS: "I Wouldn't Pay It" - Trump on Ticket Prices 09.05.2026 11:25

Paul Schmidt-Troschke with the remarkable news of President Trump saying he wasn't aware of the cost of World Cup tickets and suggesting they are set too high. To follow our Patreon page for exclusive series on international topics, copy and paste the link below: https://tinyurl.com/FriendsofWorldSportsetcPatreon