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
Semifinal Breakdown & What a Final: Spain vs. Argentina
It's Spain vs. Argentina for the World Cup — European champion against South American champion, in a final that doubles as the ultimate Finalissima. Gary Striker and The Qooligan break down how we got here, starting with Spain's semifinal masterclass: a boa-constrictor press that suffocated the supposedly unstoppable France, an inspired sweeper-keeper display from Unai Simón, an Oyarzabal penalty,
Semifinals & VAR: England-Argentina, France-Spain & the Wire That Wasn't Reviewed
Four teams left, and one big argument. Gary Striker and The Qooligan are straight into it, as The Qooligan — a referee himself — lays out the VAR problem hanging over the quarterfinals: an England goal that appeared to clip an overhead camera wire and was never reviewed (FIFA say it didn't), and the red card that he believes unbalanced Switzerland's fight with Argentina before it started. His argu
Quarterfinal Showdowns: France-Morocco, Norway-England & the Upsets Brewing
The hosts are gone, and the heavyweights are left. On the eve of the quarterfinals, Gary Striker and The Qooligan first hold a post-mortem on a chastening round of 16: the USA's flat exit to Belgium — capped by a nightmare goalkeeping error and a record US audience — as all three host nations bowed out in the same round, two fighting and one, sadly, with a whimper. Cue some honest soul-searching a
England's Heroics & FIFA Is Corrupt, Shockingly
What a night at the Azteca. On this round-of-16 recap, Gary Striker and The Qooligan relive England's heroics — a late-night, weather-delayed classic in which the Three Lions stunned Mexico despite going down to ten men, with Jude Bellingham at another level and Harry Kane playing both hero and villain. Add in Jordan Pickford's saves, Gilberto Mora announcing himself at seventeen, and eleven nerve
Round of 16 Upsets on the Cards — Mexico to Beat England?
Gary's back from the road, and the knockouts are heating up. Reunited with The Qooligan, the guys preview a round of 16 they think is ripe for upsets — starting with the big one: Mexico to beat England. Between the altitude, the Azteca, a home side that hasn't conceded all tournament, and an England team that looked like a deer in headlights against DR Congo, both hosts land on the same bold call
USMNT Deep Dive: Can They Beat Bosnia? — with special guest Ben Jacobs
The real test starts now. With Gary away, The Qooligan sits down with journalist Ben Jacobs — who's been following the US men's national team all tournament — for a proper deep dive into Pochettino's side ahead of their win-or-go-home round-of-32 tie with Bosnia. It's a chance to end a drought of more than two decades since the USMNT last won a World Cup knockout game.
Ben lays out exactly what t
The Real World Cup Starts Now: Round of 32 — with special guest Nick Britten of Road to World Cup 26
The group stage is in the books — and the real World Cup starts now. With Gary away, The Qooligan welcomes back fellow referee and Hooligan contributor Nick Britten of the Road to World Cup 26 podcast for a wide-ranging look back at a record-breaking opening act and ahead to a mouthwatering round of 32.
Did 48 teams water the tournament down? Not a chance, the guys argue — the expanded format kep
USA Show Weakness & France vs. Norway: Goals, Goals, Goals
The USA showed their cracks — and the timing couldn't be worse. On Day 15 of World Cup 2026, Gary Striker and The Qooligan dig into a sobering defeat to a dead-rubber Türkiye that exposed the very weaknesses their two opening wins had papered over: shaky defensive communication, flat spells, and a last-minute collapse The Qooligan likens to Sunday-league defending. With a Bosnia side that loves a
Australia to Surprise & Japan vs. Sweden Is a Must-Watch
Decision Day keeps delivering — and the upsets are piling up. On Day 14 of World Cup 2026, Gary Striker and The Qooligan break down a chaotic round of group finales before previewing today's deciders. The headline shock: South Africa dumped a flat, much-changed South Korea out of the tournament, completing a stunning vindication of the side everyone wrote off — and leaving Son Heung-min's men as T
Scotland vs. Brazil: The Mouthwatering Tie & Mexico's Clean-Sweep Bid
Decision Day is here — and from now on, every group plays out at the same time. On Day 13 of World Cup 2026, Gary Striker and The Qooligan tee up the group-stage finale, headlined by the fixture they've been circling all tournament: Scotland vs. Brazil in Miami. Samba meets the Tartan Army under the Hard Rock roof, and Gary's heading to the game himself — desperate for Scotland to find a moment an
Mbappé & Messi on Fire, Ronaldo Stuck on Zero
The strikers struck — and one of them is still stuck on zero. On the final day of the group stage's second round, Gary Striker and The Qooligan break down a glorious day of goals on Day 12 of World Cup 2026. Kylian Mbappé looks reborn in a France shirt, silencing the doubters (and the petition) with a brilliant display against Iraq. Lionel Messi scored twice to break the all-time World Cup goalsco
Spain Kick Into Gear & Can Argentina Push On?
Spain have woken up — and Argentina are next on the clock. On Day 11 of World Cup 2026, Gary Striker and The Qooligan break down a Spain side that finally clicked against Saudi Arabia, then turn to today's blockbuster slate and ask whether Argentina can push on against a tougher-than-it-looks Austria. Gary's all-in on Messi's men as his new favorites; The Qooligan plays contrarian, warning that th
Vozinha, His Mother & Cape Verde's Big Day — Plus Spain Need a Win
It's a World Cup of goalkeepers — and two dads are here for it. On a Father's Day edition, Gary Striker and The Qooligan break down Day 10 of World Cup 2026, where the story keeps coming back to the men between the posts. Curaçao's Eloy Room produced a jaw-dropping 15-save display to hold Ecuador and grab a historic point, while Bart Verbruggen's seven saves underlined a Dutch side rolling Sweden
Brazil Underwhelm, USA Top Group D & Will Sweden Find Goals?
The USA basically won twice on Friday — and only played once. On Day 9 of World Cup 2026, Gary Striker and The Qooligan explain how a Pulisic-less USA ground out a comfortable win over Australia, then watched Paraguay's stunning upset of Türkiye hand them top spot outright on the head-to-head tiebreaker. Now Pochettino can rest Pulisic's tender calf, wipe his yellow-card risks clean, and give the
Can the USA Perform Without Pulisic & Will Brazil Only Draw Haiti
One week in, and the World Cup has found its rhythm. Gary Striker and The Qooligan break down a dramatic Day 8 of World Cup 2026 — starting with the question hanging over tonight's USA game: will Australia simply try to kick Christian Pulisic out of it? With Pulisic downgraded to questionable and a history of being hammered by the Socceroos, Pochettino faces a real call — and the guys dig into why
Argentina Now Favorites & How Will England Line Up? — with special guest Zach Lowy
Messi changed the conversation. On Day 7 of World Cup 2026, journalist Zach Lowy joins Gary Striker and The Qooligan after a masterclass that has Argentina installed as many people's new favorites — and the guys debate whether the defending champions have leapfrogged France.
Lionel Messi's hat-trick against Algeria didn't just light up Kansas; it drew him level with Miroslav Klose's all-time Worl
Mbappé Wants to Defend & Will Messi Do It Again? — with special guest Nick Callow of Hayters TV
France want to defend their crown, Argentina want to do it again — and Hayters TV's Nick Callow joins Gary Striker and The Qooligan from London to break down a blockbuster Day 6 of World Cup 2026.
All eyes are on Mbappé. Ahead of France vs. Senegal — a fixture that should've been a quarterfinal — the guys unpack his striking admission that he needs to be better defensively and more of a team play
Sweden Look Dangerous & Can Iran Be Competitive?
Sweden suddenly look like a problem. On Day 5 of World Cup 2026, Gary Striker and The Qooligan dig into a goal-soaked Sunday led by the Isak–Gyökeres partnership — a near-quarter-billion-dollar strike pairing that tore Tunisia apart and helped get Tunisia's coach sacked one game in. The guys make the case that Sweden have leapt up the contenders list, even in a true group of death.
There was hist
Australia Stun Türkiye, Qatar's Miracle & a Brazil-Morocco Dud — Plus Today's Games
Saturday delivered the shock of the tournament — and Gary Striker and The Qooligan break it all down on Day 4 of World Cup 2026. Australia stunned a gifted Türkiye side, and The Qooligan — a referee himself, fresh off officiating his own games all weekend — makes the case that it was a masterclass in management: Tony Popovic's switch to a back five, a bold goalkeeper gamble that paid off with eigh
USA Come Out Storming — Plus Today's World Cup 2026 Games
The USMNT came out storming — and Gary Striker and The Qooligan are still buzzing. On Day 3 of World Cup 2026, the guys break down a scintillating American performance against Paraguay: Christian Pulisic running riot down the left, Folarin Balogun's top-bins screamer, and a Gio Reyna stunner at the death — built off twenty-odd passes — that blew the roof off SoFi. The Qooligan, a referee himself,
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.
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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 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 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 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 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 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 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
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 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
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
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