Summer '26: A Global Soccer Showdown
North America is hosting the greatest show on earth — and Summer '26: A Global Soccer Showdown is your front row seat. Hosted by Gary Striker, the man who bleeds football, and The Qooligan, the coolest head in the game, this is the podcast for anyone who loves the beautiful game — whether you've followed football your whole life or you're tuning in for the magic of the 2026 World Cup across the USA, Canada, and Mexico. Every episode breaks down the biggest matches, dissects the moments that matter, and makes bold predictions. No fluff, no filler, just pure football. New episodes drop throughout the tournament.
Episodes
Sithole's Red-Card Shame, Beckham Overkill & the USMNT Need to Win the Crowd
Day two of World Cup 2026, and the tournament already has its first heartbreak, its first ad-break punchline, and a game that somehow produced more red cards than goals. Gary Striker and The Qooligan — a referee himself — break down a wild opening 24 hours.
Mexico got the result against South Africa, but not the performance. We unpack Julián Quiñones' one-man show, Raúl Jiménez finally scoring hi
It's Here! Kickoff Day — Breaking Down the New World Cup 2026 Rules & FIFA
This is it. The World Cup is here — and on kickoff morning, Gary Striker and The Qooligan break down everything that's actually changing about the game you're about to watch.
First, the rules. And there are a lot of them: the new substitution clampdown that punishes time-wasting, the straight red card for the hand-over-mouth taunt, VAR reviews on second yellows, captain-only conversations with th
The African Profile: All Ten African Nations at The World Cup
The World Cup kicks off tomorrow — so on the eve of the biggest summer in soccer, Gary Striker and The Qooligan zoom all the way out for a continental macro view: all ten African nations heading to World Cup 2026, group by group.
Morocco headline the continent's hopes — red-hot, deep, and carrying real semifinal expectations after their run to the AFCON final, with Hakimi, Brahim Díaz and Bono le
South America's Teams & Their Chances — with special guest Nathan Joyes of The Copa Club
Two days to kickoff, and the South American contenders are anything but settled. Gary Striker and The Qooligan are joined by Nathan Joyes — South American football journalist and host of The Copa Club Podcast — to go nation by nation through the continent's hopes at World Cup 2026.
Is this the weakest Brazil side in a generation? Nathan argues that finishing fifth in qualifying, Ancelotti's stubb
Betting the World Cup 2026 — with special guest Devin Crittenden of The Soccer Sharps
World Cup week is finally here — and before a single ball is kicked, we're getting our money's worth.
Gary Striker and The Qooligan are joined by Devin Crittenden of The Soccer Sharps (and the World Cup spin-off Capping the Cup) for a betting-brain preview of Summer '26: who to back, who to fade, and where the value's actually hiding.
Devin makes his case for Spain as the best team on the planet
France & England at World Cup 2026: Groups, Squads & Real Chances
Two of the big eight. Two very different summers ahead. Gary Stryker and The Qooligan are joined by Nick Britten — co-host of Road to World Cup 26 and Hooligan Soccer Contributor — to break down France and England's groups, squads, and the pathways that could make or break their tournaments.
France look frightening: Mbappé, Dembélé, Olise, Barcola, and Deschamps chasing one last trophy before he
Europe's Big Three: Germany, the Netherlands & Belgium
summary
Join Gary Striker and The Qooligan as they analyze the upcoming FIFA World Cup, focusing on Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. They discuss team histories, key players, group dynamics, and strategic insights to enhance your understanding of tournament football.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
USA, Mexico & Canada: Which Host Crashes Out First?
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
World Cup 2026 Group L: England's Group of Death
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 th
World Cup 2026 Group K: Ronaldo's Last World Cup
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, wh
World Cup 2026 Group J: Argentina's Title Defence Begins
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
World Cup 2026 Group I: France & Haaland Collide
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 res
World Cup 2026 Group H: Nobody Wants to Play Spain
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,
World Cup 2026 Group G: Belgium's Last Dance
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, w
World Cup 2026 Group E: Germany & the Curaçao Fairytale
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 fli
World Cup 2026 Group F: Japan Will Scare the Dutch
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 ho
World Cup 2026 Group B: Don't Sleep on Switzerland
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 f
World Cup 2026 Group A: Mexico Can't Mess This Up
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 bl
World Cup 2026 Group D: USA Have No Excuses
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, an
World Cup 2026 Group C: Scotland's Group of Death
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
The World Cup is coming — and Hooligan Soccer is ready!
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 Sho
Recommended
10 to Life
1128 MINISTRY
11 O'Clock Comics Podcast
123 GO! Food
1-2-3 Learn Spanish with Me!
128 Civics Questions for U.S. Citizenship Test
12 Hour Sound Machines for Sleep (no loops or fades)
#12minconvos
12 Minute Meditation
12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson, Book Summary, Podcast, English
1440 Explores
1490 Doom - Lore Series Podcast
