Comfortable co-hosts? The weight of history and how Mexico & Canada are shaping up for the tournament

Comfortable co-hosts? The weight of history and how Mexico & Canada are shaping up for the tournament

Maybe the worst thing about the Republic of Ireland losing their World Cup place to Czechia is missing out on the chance to play tournament co-hosts Mexico in their home stadium - the Estadio Azteca - almost 40 years to the day since Diego Maradona's 'Hand of God' moment cemented its status as one of the truly iconic stadiums in world football.


Paul, Kevin and Malachy discuss the state of play for both Mexico and Canada, as teams and as co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup. Can Mexico top their group to keep home advantage? Can Canada claim their first ever World Cup point?


We also chat to Andrew Downie, a foreign correspondent for Reuters based in Brazil and the author of a number of acclaimed sports books, including a personal favourite of Paul’s, "Doctor Socrates".


Andrew tells us how the 1986 earthquakes in Mexico City jeopardised the country's chances of hosting the World Cup last time round, how they managed to avoid losing the tournament, and the social and political ripple effects the disaster had on Mexican society.

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Episoder(25)

Good cup / Bad Cup? Dave Hannigan in New York, Messi business and the halo effect

Good cup / Bad Cup? Dave Hannigan in New York, Messi business and the halo effect

Yet another moment, yet another highlight reel, yet another memory for us all - courtesy of Leo Messi's remarkable football career.Egypt’s two-goal lead should have been more, but in the end they were...

8 Jul 28min

The Anti-Midas Touch: The US buckle in Seattle, Cristiano bows out, Keith Duggan in Miami and Paul Howard’s Party Trick

The Anti-Midas Touch: The US buckle in Seattle, Cristiano bows out, Keith Duggan in Miami and Paul Howard’s Party Trick

The American Dream is over. The United States, perhaps laden down with the sheer weight of the swirling situation, limped to a 4-1 defeat in Seattle. A result which ends their campaign and potentially...

7 Jul 44min

FIFA under fire: Infantino back in the spotlight, England Conquer the Azteca, and Trump's gaze lands on the World Cup

FIFA under fire: Infantino back in the spotlight, England Conquer the Azteca, and Trump's gaze lands on the World Cup

There was a real expectation heading into this tournament that off-field issues would wreak havoc on World Cup 2026. It's had its moments, but nothing has come close to the news of the past couple of ...

6 Jul 55min

Pole Pole, Slowly Slowly: Ken Early in New York, Kevin Kilbane in Canada, explaining the snickometer, and the delirium of Paul Howard

Pole Pole, Slowly Slowly: Ken Early in New York, Kevin Kilbane in Canada, explaining the snickometer, and the delirium of Paul Howard

"We'll sell you the whole seat, but you'll only need the edge of it."Fridays tend to run giddy on the America 2026 podcast but make no mistake, this World Cup is barrelling into the serious business e...

3 Jul 1h 14min

Doctor Congo will see you now: Gavin Cooney and Paul Howard on England’s near miss, Kane’s tells and Vegemite

Doctor Congo will see you now: Gavin Cooney and Paul Howard on England’s near miss, Kane’s tells and Vegemite

‘It looks altogether brighter’ echoed the immortal words of the BBC commentary mere moments before Brian Cipenga smashed one past Pickford at the near post to hand DR Congo an early lead.Congo fought ...

2 Jul 45min

Tah tah Germany, sayonara Japan, doei Netherlands: Killian Sundermann and Gavin Cooney on the World Cup knockouts

Tah tah Germany, sayonara Japan, doei Netherlands: Killian Sundermann and Gavin Cooney on the World Cup knockouts

The old world is fading, and the new one struggles to be born. There was a time when it seemed a foregone conclusion that the likes of Germany and the Netherlands would loom large at the business end ...

30 Jun 50min

You have to respect the football: Gavin Cooney and Malachy Clerkin on the start of the knockouts, history for Canada, and 'Peak Ball'

You have to respect the football: Gavin Cooney and Malachy Clerkin on the start of the knockouts, history for Canada, and 'Peak Ball'

Jesse Marsch's team stand as Canadian heroes to rank alongside Céline Dion, Justin Bieber and Tim Horton after last night's win over South Africa in Los Angeles - the nation's first-ever World Cup kno...

29 Jun 46min

Scotland in the lap of the gods: Ken Early in Miami, the Neymar tribute act, and the Disgrace of Gijón

Scotland in the lap of the gods: Ken Early in Miami, the Neymar tribute act, and the Disgrace of Gijón

To everything there is a season. That’s a lesson Scotland will surely have to learn if the football gods grant them another crack at this World Cup in the knockouts. Brazil were only too happy to feas...

26 Jun 1h 9min

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