World Cup Rambling

Chile feels a burning sense of national pride as World Cup hosts, having suffered a traumatising earthquake in 1960, before losing their key organiser in the weeks leading up to the 1962 tournament. H...

6 Maj 202227min

After a mammoth 48 group matches, dragged out over two stages, the 1982 World Cup finally remembers that it’s supposed to be a knockout competition. A resurgent Italy, with Paolo Rossi having found hi...

1 Apr 20221h 16min

The first group stage is over, but the unusual format of this competition means it’s time for another group stage. Poland reach the semi-finals for the second time in three tournaments, after shutting...

4 Mars 20221h 10min

Here is the long-anticipated (yeah right) start of series two. We’re going back in time to the 1982 World Cup. Joao Havelange’s conception of the ‘biggest World Cup ever’ came to fruition, as the 24-t...

4 Feb 20222h 15min

A tantalising snippet of what you have to look forward to in the second series of World Cup Rambling, which is due to start on Friday 4th February 2022. Subscribe to World Cup Rambling on your podcast...

7 Jan 20221min

Time to provide you all with some much-needed Christmas cheer. This episode is a snappy look back at the 2014 World Cup, through an article that I wrote at the time. Twitter: @MatthewOkot @WorldCupR...

17 Dec 202118min

Deep political shadows lay across the 1974 World Cup. This was epitomised by the Group 1 meeting between West Germany, the hosts, and their brothers from over the border, East Germany. The stage was s...

1 Okt 202128min

With one game remaining, Brazil and Chile were level on points in their qualifying group. Brazil had a superior goal difference, which meant they required just a draw to reach the 1990 World Cup. Chil...

3 Sep 202132min