Mailbag: Has the 48-team World Cup been a success? | 2026 FIFA World Cup

0:00We all belong outside. We're drawn to nature. Whether it's the recorded sounds of the ocean we doze off to, or the succulents that adorn our homes, nature makes all of our lives, well, better. Despite all this, we often go about our busy lives removed from it. But the outdoors is closer than we realize. With AllTrails, you can discover trails nearby and explore confidently with offline maps and on-trail navigation. Download the free app today and make the most of your summer with AllTrails. Think of a toilet as just an everyday object. Your entire perspective shifts the moment you experience a Kohler smart toilet.

0:37Design changes everything, transforming a basic routine into something extraordinary. With standout aesthetics and intuitive controls, these are functional works of art. Stunning design that never sacrifices performance. Enjoy customizable features for elevated comfort and convenience. It's more than a fixture. It's a cleaner routine and a more refined space. Experience the difference of Kohler Smart Toilets. Find more at Kohler.com.

1:30buzz.com slash audio and use code audio for 20 % off your first purchase. That's B-O-M-B-A-S.com and use code audio. Where's your playlist taking you? Down the highway? To the mountains? Or just into daydream mode while you're stuck in traffic? With over 4 ,000 hotels worldwide, Best Western is there to help you make the most of your getaway, wherever that is. Because the only thing better than a great playlist is a great trip. Life's the trip. Make the most of it at Best Western. Book direct and save at bestwestern.com. This episode is sponsored by Michael's, your destination for all things birthday parties.

2:10We just had Lucky's first birthday, and it was so great to be able to go into Michael's and get everything. Of course, I knew they had craft supplies there, but I didn't realize how expansive their party supplies were. And Michael's really is where you can go to get everything for a party, whether you're planning a kid's birthday or even an adult celebration. They've got over 4 ,500 party supplies, more than 60 different themes, and prices starting at just 99 cents. Plus, they've recently lowered prices on hundreds of items. We found adorable decorations, balloons, everything we needed to pull the party together without making a bunch of different shopping trips.

2:43Plus, I always have a good time going to Michael's. I love shopping there. I could just browse the aisles forever. But if you're short on time, like I always seem to be, you can also get same day delivery or buy online and pick up at the store. They even offer free helium inflation on select balloon styles, which is such a lifesaver. And it was for our party, truly. So if you've got a birthday coming up or just a celebration, remember Michael's everything to celebrate anything. Visit Michael's in store or shop online now.

3:18Luke Moore: Hello everybody, welcome to the Football Ramble Mailbag. Surprise performances, unknown players and this World Cup are the orders of the day. It's Thursday 9th of July, I'm Marcus Speller. I'm Luke Moore and I'm the Dushin and the Hunter Raja.

3:42Luke Moore: Hello everybody, it's mailbag time! There's a little gap in the World Cup schedule, finally. And that gives us reason to put a mailbag out there. We're going to have to do a mailbag to relieve some of the pressure on Marcus's overflowing sack. Very crass. What? I'm just saying, there's a lot of letters. I mean, there is football back. It's your sack. A lot of correspondents. Sort your own sack out, mate. Yeah. Oh, okay. I've got my own sack to worry about. No one's writing me letters. I'm worried about Bikai Osaka. See if we can relieve some of the pressure on his muscles. Right, let's start with this.

4:15Oh, that's worse somehow. What? Yeah, it is a bit worse. How can people get in touch with us, Marcus, before we start with one? Oh, that's a good idea.

4:22Luke Moore: I'd forgotten. Perhaps some people have. Well, here we are. Message us on X. Currently known as X. Formerly known as Twitter. Hopefully one day we'll get it back. Blue Sky or Instagram. Still doing Blue Sky, apparently. At Football Ramble. They had a go. I've literally forgotten about the existence of Blue Sky. Comment on YouTube. Hello, is anyone here? Hello? Yeah. That's not Blue Sky, is it? I had a little pop at Blue Sky a while back. and he wants me to give all the correspondence and now he's chatting about Blue Sky it's a discussion show we're having a discussion or email at showafootballramble.com and of course friends of the Ramble get priority patreon.com forward slash football ramble or sign up on YouTube there you go fair enough well done mate against a lot of duress under a lot of duress I had a pop at Blue Sky here we go and the people who got offended about me slagging off Blue Sky are obviously so liberal and so wet their heart just wasn't in it it was nothing like getting criticised by the proper internet trolls it was actually quite it was like a diet coke of an internet criticism they're the council crew aren't they yeah I mean I don't think anyone cares about me enough to council me I love it if they took to Twitter to have a go at you for slagging your blue sky yeah they wouldn't because they're morally opposed to Twitter aren't they as we all should be to be fair what you need is a good counselling right this from Ruckus Patrick on the Football Ramble Discord I can't believe that's what his mum's named him no Mrs.

5:37Patrick's son Ruckus Ruckus we've named him Ruckus have you really After his granddad. Rucky for sure. Thank you for emailing him, by the way.

5:46Luke Moore: Yeah, we appreciate that. No, he's a discorder, so he deserves respect. Less effort. Cut the ruck up. Now, he says this. At this stage, does the expanded World Cup feel like a success or a failure? It's quite a tough question to answer. At this stage, he says. I honestly think, and I know that we're keen to get definitive answers on this show and make it interesting for our listeners by saying what we actually think. But you're not sure. And I don't think I'm someone who doesn't give a firm answer most of the time. I think this is a tough question to answer because I think that there genuinely are pros and cons to it.

6:21And if you strip away all the controversy about the fact that it's being run by an administration of absolute fucking buffoons, right? And forget that bit of it and go, on its own face, is a 48-team World Cup a good idea or not? You can make the argument either way. the reason I'm saying that is because it's clearly beneficial for far more for a far more broad reach

6:46Luke Moore: well African and Asian teams exactly who get a little seat at the top table and get far more just a little seat well they do they get far more exposure and far more chance to actually be a part of it but on the other hand the football calendar is a joke basically and we've gone through a phase of the first round the group stage we had an extraordinary amount of games just to get rid of 16 teams so look I do think it's a nuanced answer. I think you can make an argument for it being a good idea and you can make an argument for it being a bad idea. I think that given the World Cup is the biggest tournament in football and for me always will be, it does make sense to give people more of a chance to play in it.

7:25And the only way you could do that without expanding it is essentially taking a load of qualification spots away from Europe, which is basically the cradle of modern football. It's hard to justify that, but you do need to get Africa and Asia more involved. So it's hard to say.

7:38Luke Moore: It is hard to say. What do you guys think? Well, I mean, well, I'll put it to you, Vish. I mean, there's 211 FIFA have recognised nations, I suppose. Get in. Yeah. So, for example, like Gibraltar's not a nation, but they have a team of FIFA's here. And there's 48 teams. I mean, you're not far off a quarter of the teams in FIFA qualifying for this World Cup. Yeah. I I've enjoyed it I but you're always going to enjoy a World Cup yeah maybe and I don't necessarily equate I suppose the standard of football to whether it was success I think as Luke's touched on there's loads of logistical issues and the very nature of it being a World Cup means you end up having you know the state of the world in many different ways is represented in what we see rather than not necessarily so overtly but I mean the fact that We've had this situation with Balogun, for example.

8:38It's a good example of where America is as a nation and so on and so forth. I find it hard to find things that I have actually disliked. Would you say the refereeing has been a success? Do you think it's been a contributing factor? These are different things, though. Well, it's not really, is it? Because the question is, does the Expanded World Cup feel like a success or failure? And I think part of the flow of refereeing has been because they just, you can't have the stodge of being, as Luke said on Monday show, like, oh, sorry, the previous day show, quite litigious. And I think it requires a level of flow to allow, you know, appreciate the games are always going to last as long as they're going to last.

9:24But I think you need that kind of constant flow so it doesn't seem like a grind.

9:29Luke Moore: Yeah, I mean, okay. I think we are struggling to answer this for the reasons I mean you sort of say you know slightly speculative points and so on I think does it feel like a successful failure I mean and again the kickoff times are going to play some sort of a part in my answer here because they're obviously not that conducive to us here and I'm not saying kickoff times should be changed by the way I think the fact that the final is going to be for our convenience fine but I think the fact that the final is going to be played at about 3pm I think in New York it will yeah it's 8pm here see actually I think for the players sake that should be probably 7pm agreed do you know what I mean in New York and actually but that's because of how big an event it is and because of the TV audience indeed but I just want to say for the sake when I'm saying about the kickoff times are not conducive for us I'm just talking factually I'm not talking and therefore that's bad so but that's nothing to do with the 48 team well if I may if I may finish my point that the the the kickoff times may be may be playing a part in my answer here I do feel quite exhausted already with this World Cup.

10:33Luke Moore: Now, again, staying up late and having two kids, maybe that's doing it. I just wonder if it is slightly overkill. But then I haven't really got that impression from too many people. So maybe it is just the fact, you know, staying up late watching the games, I'm just physically knackered. And an incredibly hot summer that we're having over here as well. These are things. I don't feel like the round of 32 has kind of cheapened it really though I would say that and I think it has been competitive and it has allowed teams that otherwise wouldn't have had to play knockout football however the whole third place finish business I think that is slightly unfair on fans how they kind of hang around and they're not sure but we do see that at the Euros as well in a weird way I think probably like a 38 or 40 team World Cup would probably be about the right number, but that doesn't work really.

11:30But 48 doesn't work really either.

11:31Luke Moore: Well, it does, because you have the round of the last 32. All you need to do is reduce the amount of teams that qualify third. Fine, but I mean, I think the idea of when people start saying, well, 64 teams you get rid of, it's just like, come on. That is mental. That is mental. It always goes that way. And the motivations for it are financial. Sure, I can't imagine FIFA rowing back to 32 teams because it would be so immensely unpopular in certain parts of the world that have been overlooked. The fact is that Africa, for so many years, just had like a couple of places, and I think there were up to five, if my memory serves me correctly, in the last World Cup, which is poor.

12:07Luke Moore: Bearing in mind South America, you really have to do something not to qualify. I know people moan about the amount of qualifiers for Europe, but South America are the ones that really, you know, over half the teams can get there potentially. But I think you could rebalance it, though. I think if we're talking about these pros and cons, about because the situation the question is literally about the 48 team World Cup you can balance it better by actually saying do you know what you know only 14 instead of 16 come from Europe and you give two of those to Africa do you need nine Asian teams I'd probably I'd say no I'd say you could probably get a couple off there as well give them a few more but not nine and then you have all of a sudden you're getting towards that number you're talking about I think once you move out of that straight kind of 16 or 32 teams and don't forget the World Cup used to be 24 which doesn't quite work either in World Cup 90 it was 24 and third place teams went through for a bit so they have got precedent for doing that it's always striking that balance between giving people motivation to qualify because I actually think it's been quite good for the Euros to expand it a bit and give nations a chance but ultimately I don't think you can go any more than 48 can you?

13:15I think that would be outrageous also as well

13:17Luke Moore: in terms of host nations as well I mean because you've got Portugal Spain and Morocco you think, okay, they should be able to absorb that. We know with the riches of Saudi Arabia, we have our concerns, we remember the disgrace that went into the making of the Qatar World Cup. But with Saudi Arabia, with the riches, the time they have, there'll be an 80 ,000-seat at all air-conditioned stadium in every street corner probably. But that's their planning and they've got 48 teams. Beyond that though, do countries really want to host 48 teams? I think we'll see more co-hosts and so on and people will say well it can work this tournament there's an immense amount of travel involved for the fans and so on and so forth but let's be honest they're not going to be considered at all because people will always turn up at the World Cup they will always do it and if people say well it's just a tournament for rich fans then it'll be just rich fans that turns up and it's awful to say and it's horrible and I don't want that well that's what we thought this World Cup would be and it hasn't been you know Infantino he's got his way the stadiums have been full I mean there was maybe one or two games early on that is the love of the game which is exploited at every given opportunity so yeah what do you think though Luke or the point or often Vish that does it somewhat somewhat cheapen it in that when you have so many teams qualifying you know with 32 teams yes there are certain teams that are not going to turn up because of qualifying and I do think the rebalance is there you know Africa certainly should have one or two places but just in the general point of but it is meant to be the cream of the crop at the World Cup it's not meant to be some sort of charitable oh come on everybody can come and play and you know people say well you might not get the odd story well Cape Verde finished top of the qualifying group so they would have done it you know you do get those stories yeah that's right you know I remember Latvia qualifying for the Euros you know it seemed remarkable but they did it but the motivation for it is all financial and that has to be seen through that lens they're not doing it as a favour they're framing it as saying well Africa have been badly treated and you know it's imbalanced and the rest of it but ultimately the financial reason is the reason they're doing it So we get that, but what do you think, though, on that point?

15:21Well, I think the answer would probably be, if you can find a way to make the maths work, you may be with a few more than 32, but even if just with 32, you just rebalance it. With 32, the AF, the Asian, so in 2022, it was a 32-team tournament, and the Asian Football Confederation had six teams. Now, part of that was because Qatar were hosting it, but there's no logical argument for them having more teams than the African Confederation, who had five. UEFA had 13. South America had four, right? So there's an argument to be rebalancing it. So, yeah, I think maybe that's the answer. Because the problem is, it trades on the idea that all of us absolutely love football.

16:02So our instinctive position is, well, it's just more football, so it's great, right? But actually, we did go for an awful lot of football, an awful lot of games that seemed quite pointless to get rid of just 16 teams this year. And so I think that is part of it. And so to me, I think also the one thing is underpinning of this whole question at this point. It's actually a bit too early to say anyway, because we've got the real business end still to come. We've got eight teams left in the tournament still. So let's see. But I do think I would say that the football overall has been much more entertaining than perhaps...

16:33And competitive. Yeah, than perhaps some of the naysayers. You tend to get quite a lot of naysayers before each World Cup saying, well, everyone's so knackered, it's going to be what we have, we hold, and there's not going to be any expensive football. and actually that hasn't really been the case for the last few now

16:49Luke Moore: yeah I think I think a good I think the very strong argument for a 48 team World Cup would be other than Germany 7 Curacao 1 every team's turned up and played and you can see that there actually are teams who can turn up and grace the World Cup who wouldn't have done otherwise so I don't think it's I don't think the quality is is is is something to worry about no evidently

17:17Luke Moore: This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. We talk about mental health more openly now, but asking for help can still feel hard, and BetterHelp's latest research confirms it. BetterHelp's 2026 state of stigma report surveyed 2 ,000 Americans and revealed that 85 % of Americans believe getting support is wise, yet 74 % say society discourages people from doing so. Clearly, there's a lot of work to be done when it comes to removing that stigma, so let's do some. If you feel like you need help or know somebody you think would benefit from therapy, BetterHelp is the world's largest online therapy platform, having served over 6 million people globally and their process is simple.

17:54Luke Moore: A short questionnaire helps identify your needs and preferences and they match you with a therapist. With 12 plus years of experience and an industry-leading match fulfillment rate, they typically get it right the first time, but you can always switch to a different therapist from their tailored recs. With an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 for a live session based on over 1.7 million client reviews, it works. Don't let stigma stand in the way of support. Start therapy with BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10 % off at BetterHelp.com slash ramble. That's BetterHelp.com slash ramble. Think of a toilet as just an everyday object?

18:30Your entire perspective shifts the moment you experience a Kohler smart toilet. Design changes everything, transforming a basic routine into something extraordinary. With standout aesthetics and intuitive controls, these are functional works of art. Stunning design that never sacrifices performance. Enjoy customizable features for elevated comfort and convenience. It's more than a fixture. It's a cleaner routine and a more refined space. Experience the difference of Kohler Smart Toilets. Find more at Kohler.com. You're a pro at running your life, at committing to your workout, at showing up every day.

19:08At Bombas, we're pros too. Pros at making socks. Our Sport Assortment has specialized socks for whatever sport you're committed to. Running, hiking, golf, Pilates, and so much more. Made with sweat-wicking yarns, blister-fighting details, and targeted art support. Bombas Sport is pro-level socks from the pros of socks. For another pro, you. Go to bombas.com slash audio and use code audio for 20 % off your first purchase. That's bombas.com and use code audio. Ready to experience something new? All Trails helps you find your next hike. Whether you're looking for something nearby or planning a trip, read reviews from real people like you to choose your trail and know what to expect.

19:49You can also download the map in case service gets spotty. Plan and experience your next hike with AllTrails, the app for exploring the outdoors. Download it today and find your outside.

20:09What about this then from Emily H on X? Hello to you, Emily. She says, which team has surprised you the most, for better or worse?

20:18Luke Moore: I really thought Brazil were going to do more under Ancelotti. And even though the writing was on the wall in qualifying and everybody said, I really thought Ancelotti and the boys would kind of rally, there would be something. And so that surprised me, I suppose. the performances of Brazil haven't surprised an awful lot of people as I say because they were very poor in qualifying they had huge concerns but I honestly thought that Ancelotti would be able to do more than what he did and when he brings on Neymar when the game is poised at 0-0 in 67 minutes it's not right Brazil have got a real problem so that surprised me that would be one team that would immediately leap to mind they've got they've got an issue that they are quite simply now being extraordinarily left behind compared to Europe.

21:11Luke Moore: But the thing is, they've worried about this for a long time. They worried about being left behind by European teams in the 90s even. But they were still performing. I suppose it took a generation. They were still performing, obviously not to the same level, but to a point in that era where they would only pick domestic Brazilians because they didn't want to trouble the European Brazilians by travelling over for qualifications. They had a capable second string and a world-class first string, didn't they? Yeah. I think if you look at the profile teams that have knocked them out, right, it's working backwards.

21:44It's Norway, a good generation of Norwegian players who could beat anyone on their day. Before that, it's Croatia. They were having a great period, weren't they? A bit of a golden generation.

21:53Luke Moore: Yeah, they were a bit older, but yeah. I mean, it's the dying embers of that generation, but still there. A very canny side. Belgium, 2018, another golden generation. Belgium were brilliant, yeah. Roberto Martinez. And then the great man himself. Before that, it was Germany who obviously just gave them a lesson and the Dutch were smashing grab job but they did it in 2010 and then France in 2006 so six World Cups in a row going back 20 years they've been knocked out by European opposition it's not a coincidence which team has surprised you Belgium actually I I thought they were past it to a point I certainly didn't think they'd be this far into it I you know the Senegal game would have been the game that I thought was right that kind of almost proves my my thoughts about them in the they lack a bit of energy they were totally overrun there managed to pull that out of the bag and you know they basically gave USA a lesson who are obviously not as technically gifted but quicker and I thought that was a surprise result I think there's a big distraction going into that game yes 100 % yeah yeah and I suppose you know maybe maybe I've actually talked myself out of that answer because you know who knows they might be in a situation where actually they get their last hand to them by Spain but the fact that they're in a quarterfinal is yeah generally surprised me I'd say for the for worse Senegal Senegal's the answer isn't it I think Germany maybe Senegal I think you know they played four matches at this World Cup and they lost three of them I understand they were in a really tough group the fact is they got through and then against Belgium they had the game and And I think of all the big teams and definitely of all the African sides, I think they are, I would make the argument, the only African side that I think have underperformed at this World Cup.

23:43While also looking good in patches.

23:46Luke Moore: Exactly, yeah, because I think they're a really good side. Morocco have not surprised everybody. You know, they're in the top 10 FIFA teams. They're a really good team. I would argue that they're, as I say, Senegal, only African side that have underperformed. Others have been either par or overperformed, like Egypt, for example. getting to where they did. So yeah, Luke, I would say that, well, for better or worse, I'd say I've been surprised for worse just about just how consistently bad at World Cups Germany are now. I think proper like flat trap bully feeling about them. I felt like that coming into this tournament.

24:22I think I said it at the start of the tournament and obviously they knocked over Curacao easily, which you'd kind of expect. It just feels like whenever they come up against to any kind of resistance, they crumble. And that's, I mean, so that's now two group stages in 18 and 22. It's kind of unthinkable if you're Germany, you can get knocked out in this format in the group stage anyway. So they went through and then they get rolled over by any team that gives them any kind of resistance who aren't even that good. I think that's a real problem for Germany. I think I'm probably of that generation where I find it hard to, you know, almost emotionally feel that Germany will be shit.

24:59But they've been shit for so long now at World Cup.

25:01Luke Moore: But it's mad though, Luke, because Brazil are very, very poor. Italy aren't even there. Germany are poor. It's not great stuff from the Dutch. This is why France are taking the bull by the horns and go, well, I'll tell you what, we'll have a bit of this. Spain are as well. It's an opportunity for England, dare I say. But it's even an opportunity for, say, Norway, for others. It's an opportunity for anybody else who fancies it, really. Because these sides, you know, you go back years, always go back to, say, like the 98 World Cup. I know it was a long, long time ago now, but that is the obvious one.

25:27Luke Moore: But you can go to other iterations, you know, even 2006, where you have a number of sides you think oh blimey we've got them in the last 16 or second round as we used to call it so you know your run to the final could be really really difficult but yeah I think if I was going to say a team that surprised me for the better I'd probably say Switzerland not because I've enjoyed watching them play because I haven't but I think seeing them against Qatar in the group where they were poor and Qatar were really poor by the way and for them to have come through now two knockout games particularly against Colombia who I just think are better than them is pretty good.

26:04I mean, Switzerland quarterfinal is above par for them, I think, given the format of this competition. And they might even go further. I think it's unlikely, but they might do. So I think if you're going to have to be positive about a team, I think you'd probably have to say Switzerland. And I'm partly saying that because I was unfair to them yesterday. So there we go. And what about this one then from Andy via email? Thank you for emailing in, Andy. Which previously unknown player, as in unknown to you, have you been most impressed by at this World Cup?

26:29Luke Moore: Vazinha. I've got him. yeah I've got one as well but it's not the same just on the basis of what he was doing against Argentina they lost the game but Haysom Hassan like just ridiculous the way he carried the ball the way he was the pace everything the dribbling I was like how would sign him up surely I'd love to see him at the cottage him and Kevin vying for a play can he cut the muscle absolute self-immolation of Fulham that decided him in a position they've already got Kevin hang on he would be on the was he on the right was he he was playing on the right Kevin would be off the left yeah okay even more of a self in relation Harry Wilson's not there anymore it's true yeah so you're happy to replace him with him although Oscar Bob's done okay he has we need to stack them what about you Vish Ismail Saabari I appreciate he's just signed for Bayern Munich so it's more more of my ignorance but just looks class he's such a just a lovely ball player he's like there's a bit of shirky about him but he's got a striker's hunger and yeah I properly invested in him I was gutted that he was injured I hope he's back for the France game not sure that he is but yeah Saibari I think Luke's going to say you and Manzambi I'm not oh okay I'm going to say Julian Quinonez alright yeah and the reason I think I would pick him is because he is a true dictionary definition World Cup surprising star He's 29.

27:59He's not really played much anywhere you would have seen him. I don't think he's ever played in Europe. He's currently in Saudi. He's actually scored a lot of goals in Saudi for the fact that he's essentially a wide forward. And I thought from the very first kind of five or ten minutes against South Africa, I thought he is a problem. And I thought he might... I did say this, so you can go and run the tape if you want to. I thought he'd be a problem against England as well.

28:22Luke Moore: Well, we were glad he got taken off. Yeah, because that's a problem position he was up against England. He obviously scored as well. I think he's been really good I mean four goals is a great return given that he's I think he only had two goals for Mexico going into the World Cup yeah well four and five yeah so it's I think he's been great I'm surprised he's not I mean this is my probably my snobbishness and my European bias speaking here I'm surprised he's not played in Europe I think given the strength and the breadth of scouting networks these days you think he would have been picked up yeah but he's playing in Liga MX in Mexico they can pay you can make a few quid there and he's done that and he's done that and he's done that and he's done that and he's done that well indeed but I mean obviously from Colombia much was made of that and he went to Mexico yeah so he moved to Mexico when he was 17 I think yeah and he's been naturalised so he obviously loved it there he was doing well and you know but it is nice to know that sometimes some players A.

29:12Luke Moore: don't go and play in Europe or indeed maybe scouting networks in Europe don't find them I suspect it's a bit of both yeah because the scouting networks are so extensive but I think he looked like he belonged he did He belonged against England have got a full of stars and he's shone. He's played very well, very consistently across that tournament under a lot of pressure because obviously Mets go at home and I think he's been great. So I think he would be the stand-up player. I'd literally never heard of him until he came here. A comment from Darren Jones on YouTube. You've often debated who the hardest manager in the Premier League is.

29:45How about the hardest manager at the World Cup? Graham Potter? In a cowboy hat or without the cowboy hat? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well. I mean, it's not Graham Potter, is it?

29:57Luke Moore: No, it's not Graham Potter. And as much as I love the man, it's not Dick Advocate either. No, it's not. It's too old now. I'll tell you what you'd want. Whoever your choice is, you'd want Javier Aguirre as your little assistant. Him telling God the fuck off was so funny. The comic timing of that was so good. And his little face. And you'd be like, he would distract them and then bang! You've got him with the old sand in the eyes. I think Bosnia's Sergei Barbaras is a contender. Yeah. He looks fucking tough. I can't even say what I think he looks like. don't. Please don't. I know where you're going with that, you naughty little sausage.

30:26Luke Moore: He looks tough. Really tough. I think Switzerland manager's tough as well. Well, if we're going on that, I mean Vladimir Petkovic, you could throw him in the mix. But I reckon Sergo is probably harder. Have you got, do you think Merit Yakin's got some chops? I think he knows some people who have some chops. Yeah, yeah. He's not going to get his hands dirty, is he? Nah, he's not going to get his hands dirty. I'll tell you something, they get held down and he walks in and he does the business and he gets his pocket square out and he... Wipes his hands. Like Gus Fring. He wipes his dagger. Yeah, like Gus Fring He's like a Gus Fring type character What were you thinking about Thomas Tuchel?

30:55I think he could go I think he could go He could handle himself, definitely Have you seen the video We've all seen it Of John Stones dancing to that Yes The look The shoulder The shoulder Yeah, the look Tuchel gives him When he thinks that he's hurt his shoulder Oh yeah He's like Don't fuck around with him Yeah, yeah, yeah Not on my watch

31:14Luke Moore: Wait, what were you thinking of Hossam Hassan Egypt manager Yeah, class, furious Matt Madden's box of frogs Tony Popovich I was going to say Popovich Popovich is a proper Australian hard man Yeah definitely I remember him as a player and he was tough as a player as well Crystal Palace centre back for Crystal Palace I remember him absolutely dominating a couple of Pompey players He's some fucking dumb cunt Yeah Yeah I just because of the way he looks and you know he works out Roberto Martinez That wasn't the man I was thinking Harvey Renard Oh Nah not hard He's a lover, not a fighter. No one's taking him in a fight.

31:52He's the one who goes round the woman's house he fancies while her husband is fighting somewhere else. That's as close as he's getting to a fight. He's not getting stuck in. He's impersonating a soldier, isn't he? Yeah. He's stolen valour. He's stolen valour. So in ancient Rome... He's Summersby. In ancient Rome... Let's talk about ancient Rome for a bit. Single men who didn't want to fight used to scar themselves on their chest.

32:16Luke Moore: Right, okay. Because people who... Come on, this is... No, Renard is a man of honour. No, no, no. And people who used to go to war and happened to be scarring on the back would cover them up because it looked like they were cowards and running away. No, I'm not having any of this. And Renard is somebody who's scarring himself on the chest. You're describing Fabio Cannavaro here. No way. No. You are. I'm not having this with Renard. I'm not having this with Renard. You're starting to be Anastasia Nesta. I'm not describing Fabio Cannavaro. Yeah. So who do we think? I mean, there's a lot of managers, isn't there?

32:43Luke Moore: Popovich is a really good shout. Yeah, who's underrated? Looks like he can definitely handle himself about it. Rudy Garcia? Oh, Rudy Garcia? No way. I think he's a weirdo. You don't think he's got something in his eye. I think he's got something in his eye. Wait, Jesse Marsh, he'd take a beating, wouldn't he? Oh, big time. He'd be all mad. Hey, you're some kind of wise guy. If this was a 48-man Royal Rumble first out. Or he comes in the ring giving it the big one and Popovich just goes, out you go. He's one of the bushwhackers. That's what he is. Wait, Rudy Garcia looks like he's a proper journeyman fuck tomato can boxer.

33:16He just gets knocked over over and over again. he's got a face of a boxer hasn't he he does a little bit yeah

33:22Luke Moore: I think for me it's Popovich I'd be happy I'd be happy to go with Popovich yeah just the Australian thing as well yeah I think I would go yeah alright okay let's go with that it's not Bielsa is it either he's too old now do you think Garcia has a bit of Arturo Agathe about him stop going about Garcia yeah Agathe if he couldn't fight Starla Solbaken would have Garcia Solbaken is underrated as well just his Norwegian strength yeah yeah yeah I think so he's leading ultimately Ultimately, Vish, he's leading a Viking horde. That's not on him, though. You need the respect of the Viking horde to lead them.

33:54Luke Moore: You do. I love how it's all celebrated. It's like, what did they do in history again? Exactly, yeah. Exactly. Imagine if we did anything like that. They're proud of it, aren't they? They're proud of it. Yeah, they are. Yeah, I don't care what anyone thinks. Yeah. And I think that's a train of thought we should go with. Yeah. Right, let's move on quickly. Just around, he drags himself with the St. George's flag. Playing Norway on Saturday. You know what? Just take the silencer off. Let's fucking go for it. Let's go for it. Let's go for it. Finally, from Connor on Instagram, we all know that Vish is a man of the wine and small plates.

34:27Luke Moore: Yeah. So from him... A man of the grape. Yeah. From him, I want to know, what's the plan for Saturday? When do we start drinking and what are we eating? Can I tell you my plan for Saturday? Please. And I suppose this is basically what they're asking. And we need times and addresses where you're going to be. I'm having people round at my house because the pubs are... I'll skip past that. Marcus, are you invited? I don't know you were invited. Because the pubs aren't taking any bookings. You're at a wedding, aren't you? Yes. Oh, yeah, he is. No bookings in the pub. They're all full up. And so I am going to the pub with the people who are coming around to my house at seven, and we're going to take in the atmosphere, and then go back to mine for about 8.30, when I've ordered pizzas to arrive ahead of time.

35:09I love you've got these properly worked out. It's a shame I can't be there for it. I feel the same. I'll take you photos.

35:21I've got wine, I think beer past that point, if you want it, bring it. But got some wine and then we'll take us through to 10 o 'clock for kickoff. We're moving. I've moved my living room around so that we can use the depth of the living room. Yeah. It's a good idea. So that people can sit in with me on the couch. People can row. Yeah. How many people are you having over? It'd be about 10. bloody hell

35:44Luke Moore: yeah yeah yeah and it sounds like not many people but it is for my house yeah yeah okay that 10's a good number yeah so that's what I'm doing so I'm getting atmosphere from 7 there you go well say hi say hi to the lads for me alright he's putting the world's hand clear if you want to say hi are you going to put well you're going to put the pizza on the small plates are you is that what you're going to do he might he'll do what he wants I would have to cut even smaller yeah you would yeah something to think about there you go what about you Marcus what are you doing you're going to be at a wedding are you going to see the game I will be leaving the wedding early to see the game.

36:13Luke Moore: Good for you. How are you watching the game? I would be watching at home. I'd be a wedding full of Scottish people. I'm on the show on the Sunday. Are you on the show on the Sunday? Yeah. Yeah, so got to make sure we take it in properly. To be honest, we've done a lot. We did some World Cup watch parties. The Mexico game was a slog, let's be fair. I'm actually looking forward to replicating the Congo game where you can actually watch it at home and just enjoy it. Lovely. Yeah. Nice one. Well, there we are. Well, quickly, where are we watching the semis? Yeah. I mean, the semis are happening, so whoever's in them you're right you didn't mention England yeah yeah yeah but we'll figure that out later thanks for listening to the Football Ramble part of the Acast Creator Network Luke and Pete are back tomorrow with David Cartlidge oh that'd be good lovely old job Pete on the hosting who knows what's going to happen who knows tune in tomorrow to find out see you then

37:06the Football Ramble is a stack production and part of the ACAST Creator Network.

37:16Think of a toilet as just an everyday object? Your entire perspective shifts the moment you experience a Kohler smart toilet. Design changes everything, transforming a basic routine into something extraordinary. With standout aesthetics and intuitive controls, these are functional works of art. Stunning design that never sacrifices performance. Enjoy customizable features for elevated comfort and convenience. It's more than a fixture. It's a cleaner routine and a more refined space. Experience the difference of Kohler smart toilets. Find more at Kohler.com. Where's your playlist taking you? Down the highway?

37:57To the mountains? Or just into daydream mode while you're stuck in traffic? With over 4 ,000 hotels worldwide, Best Western is there to help you make the most of your getaway. wherever that is. Because the only thing better than a great playlist is a great trip. Life's the trip. Make the most of it at Best Western. Book direct and save at bestwestern.com. This episode is sponsored by Michael's, your destination for all things birthday parties. We just had Lucky's first birthday, and it was so great to be able to go into Michael's and get everything. Of course, I knew they had craft supplies there, but I didn't realize how expansive their party supplies were.

38:38And Michael's really is where you can go to get everything for a party, whether you're planning a kid's birthday or even an adult celebration. They've got over 4 ,500 party supplies, more than 60 different themes, and prices starting at just 99 cents. Plus, they've recently lowered prices on hundreds of items. We found adorable decorations, balloons, everything we needed to pull the party together without making a bunch of different shopping trips. Plus, I always have a good time going to Michael's. I love shopping there. I could just browse the aisles forever. But if you're short on time, like I always seem to be, you can also get same-day delivery or buy online and pick up at the store.

39:13They even offer free helium inflation on select balloon styles, which is such a lifesaver, and it was for our party, truly. So if you've got a birthday coming up or just a celebration, remember Michael's Everything to Celebrate Anything. Visit Michael's in-store or shop online now.

39:32Luke Moore: Every wireless service comes with a cost, right? Wrong. The TextNow app lets you do your thing for free. Get real talk, real text, and 5G data for must-have apps with no monthly bill. Need more data? Add it right from the app. Done? Go back to free. No long-term contracts. No pressure. No surprises. Just wireless that works around you. TextNow. We've got your back. Download TextNow in your app store today. Wireless plans require the purchase of a SIM card. Visit textnow.com for terms and conditions.