Rory Symon

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, John Brewin, Seb Hutchinson and Jonathan Wilson for the second part of Football Weekly’s summer mailbag. They discuss artificial intelligence in football, their specialist subjects, how transfer gossip works, their routes into the industry and which club a new football fan should support.

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, John Brewin and Jonathan Wilson for the first part of Football Weekly’s summer mailbag. The panel answers listener questions about officiating at the 2026 World Cup, how they spend the football off-season, celebrity resemblances and Barry Glendenning’s traditional note-taking methods.

A Football Weekly podcast celebrates Spain’s second World Cup victory in 2026. The discussion argues that Spain deserved the title, while criticizing Argentina’s performance, noting that they did not record a shot until extra time and that goalkeeper Unai Simón made no saves. The episode also covers Tom Cruise, an England-France Harlem Globetrotters and Soccer Aid crossover, and listener questions.

England lost 2–1 to Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semi-final after taking the lead through Anthony Gordon. The panel examines manager Thomas Tuchel’s defensive substitutions, debates how much responsibility he bears for the defeat, and considers what may happen to him next. The episode also previews the final between Argentina and Spain and answers listener questions.

Spain defeated France 2-0 to reach the World Cup final after dominating possession and restricting the French side. The defeat marked Didier Deschamps’ final match as France manager, while the podcast previews England’s meeting with Argentina to determine Spain’s opponent. It also discusses FIFA’s plans for the final’s half-time show and the possibility of expanding the World Cup to 64 teams in four years.

The Football Weekly podcast discusses England's 2–1 extra-time victory over Norway, secured by two goals from Jude Bellingham, sending England to only their third World Cup semi-final and a meeting with Argentina. It also covers Argentina's extra-time win over Switzerland, noting that Switzerland had been on top at 1–1 before Breel Embolo was sent off, and previews the semi-finals while answering listener questions.

Football Weekly discusses Spain's late 2–1 victory over Belgium, secured by Mikel Merino after substitute goalkeeper Senne Lammens spilled the initial shot. Spain advance to a semi-final against France. The panel also previews England versus Norway, highlighting concerns over Marc Guehi's hamstring, Declan Rice's stomach problem and disciplinary issues, while looking ahead to Argentina versus Switzerland and answering listener questions.

The Football Weekly podcast discusses France’s comfortable 2-0 victory over Morocco, which made them the first team to reach the 2026 World Cup semi-finals. Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé are highlighted, with Mbappé praised for his finish despite having a penalty saved. The panel assesses France’s tournament form, previews Spain versus Belgium, discusses England and Jarell Quansah’s ban, and answers listener questions.

Argentina came back from 2-0 down with just over 10 minutes remaining to defeat Egypt 3-2 in added time and reach the World Cup quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland. Switzerland advanced by beating Colombia on penalties. The episode also discusses the United States’ disappointing elimination, previews the quarter-finals and answers listener questions.

The podcast reviews Belgium’s 4–1 victory over the United States in Seattle, with Romelu Lukaku helping send Belgium through to face Spain. It also examines Portugal’s exit after a subdued match against Spain, focusing on Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup appearance and the debate over Roberto Martínez’s decision not to drop him. The episode additionally reflects on England’s win in Mexico, previews the remaining last-16 matches and answers listeners’ questions.

England defeated Mexico 3-2 at the Azteca in a dramatic World Cup match, advancing to the quarter-finals despite the sending-off of Jarrell Quansah and a tense final half-hour. England will face Norway next. Elsewhere, Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway eliminated Brazil in what was described as the biggest result in Norwegian football history, while the match marked Neymar’s final appearance for Brazil. The programme also discusses Folarin Balogun being cleared ahead of the United States’ game against Belgium, reportedly following lobbying from the White House.

The Football Weekly podcast discusses France’s narrow victory over Paraguay, secured by a Kylian Mbappé penalty, sending France into the World Cup quarter-finals against Morocco. Morocco reached the last eight by defeating Canada 3–0, although the result is described as flattering because Canada created early opportunities. The episode also previews Mexico versus England, includes stories from Miami, and answers listener questions.

The podcast reviews Cape Verde’s dramatic extra-time defeat by Argentina, highlighting Cape Verde’s resilience and Sydny Lopes Cabral’s standout moment. It also covers Egypt’s penalty-shootout victory over Australia, which ended Harry Souttar’s impressive defensive performance in heartbreak, and Colombia’s win over Ghana. The presenters preview upcoming World Cup matches and answer listener questions.

The Football Weekly podcast discusses Portugal’s dramatic World Cup victory over Croatia, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s first knockout-stage goal and a late Croatian equaliser ruled out after video review. The hosts consider whether Croatia veterans Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic have played their final World Cup matches. They also review Spain’s comfortable 3–0 win over Austria, featuring two goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, Switzerland’s first knockout victory in nearly 90 years against Algeria, listener questions and correspondence.

The podcast reviews England’s 2–1 comeback win over the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with Harry Kane scoring twice and moving ahead of Pelé in World Cup goals. England advance to face Mexico, although their performance is described as needing significant improvement. The United States beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2–0 through goals from Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman despite playing the final 30 minutes with ten men after a controversial red card. Belgium also reached the last 16 after overturning Senegal’s late advantage with two goals in three minutes and a decisive penalty in extra time.

France’s dominant performance against Sweden raises questions about whether any team can match their attacking strength, while a late Erling Haaland goal sends Norway into the last 16 to face Brazil. Mexico’s strong showing at the Azteca continues, and upcoming matches including England versus DR Congo are previewed alongside listener questions.

Germany exit the World Cup after a penalty shootout defeat to Paraguay, with a late disallowed goal adding to the drama. Brazil come from behind to beat Japan through contributions from Casemiro, Gabriel Martinelli and Bruno Guimarães, securing a place in the last 16. The episode also previews Netherlands versus Morocco and answers listener questions.

Canada reach the World Cup round of 16 with a last‑minute win over South Africa, while Austria and Algeria draw in a chaotic Group J finale. Lionel Messi scores off the bench, and upcoming matches are previewed alongside listener questions and regular podcast features.

England secured top spot in their World Cup group with a laboured 2-0 win over Panama, earning a favourable draw but setting up a last-32 meeting with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who recorded their first World Cup victory by beating Uzbekistan 3-1. Croatia defeated Ghana 2-1 under the influence of Luka Modric, while Colombia and Portugal drew in Miami. The episode also previews the first last-32 match, covers Steve Clarke’s resignation after Scotland’s elimination, and answers listener questions.

France strengthened their status as World Cup favourites by beating a heavily rotated Norway side 4-1, with Ousmane Dembélé scoring a hat-trick. Senegal moved close to the round of 32 with a 5-0 victory over Iraq, while Cape Verde reached the knockout stage at their first-ever World Cup after drawing Saudi Arabia for a third consecutive time. The podcast also previews the final group matches, including England’s game without Reece James, and features listener questions and discussion.