Yes we Canada! | 2026 FIFA World Cup

0:00I tell myself, it's not about comparing. But then I start wondering, what can they lift? Are they adding more weight to their barbell than I am? And suddenly, I'm not training. Then I realize, my journey is not theirs. I've earned every step. So I smile. My smile is the shape resilience takes to keep me moving. To put more smiles out into the world, Colgate has supported female athletes for over 50 years with the Colgate Women's Games, the nation's longest-running indoor track and field series for girls and women. Colgate, your smile is your strength. Hey, Pablo Torre here. As a sports journalist, I've covered global sports for many years now.

0:36And there is one thing that I can promise you. Nothing compares to the World Cup. And this time, it is even better thanks to McDonald's. You have the chance to take home one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal. The cups feature some of the biggest legends in football, like David Beckham, Terry Henry, and Ronaldinho, Christian Pulisic, Lamin Amal, and Alfonso Davies. Right now, get one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal only at McDonald's. At participating McDonald's, only for a limited time, while supplies last, all rights reserved, copyright 2026.

1:09McDonald's at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Hannah, I just Venmo'd you for dinner. Obsessed. I'm literally spending it right now on the lip gloss that's been sitting in my cart. What do you mean spending it right now? You instantly spend your balance with the Venmo debit card. Stop. Say more. More exactly. The more you do with Venmo, the more you get, like earning up to 5 % cash back with Venmo Stash. Get the Venmo debit card or check out online. Venmo Stash bundle terms and exclusions apply. Max$100 per month. See terms at venmo.me slash stash terms. Venmo checkout not available at all merchants. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp Bank N.A.

1:49This is a Monday.com ad. TheSameMonday.com helping people worldwide getting work done faster and better. TheSameMonday.com designed for every team and every industry. TheSameMonday.com with built-in AI, scaling your work from day one. TheSameMonday.com that your team will actually love using. TheSameMonday.com with an easy and intuitive setup. Go to Monday.com and try it for free. Yes, TheSameMonday.com. Best thing that's ever happened to you financially. Go. Easy. Sold my car on Carvana. Amazing offer. Really? I hit 200 on the scratcher. Did the scratcher come to your house and hand you a check?

2:30No. How many scratchers did you hit to get that? I hit a button on Carvana.com once. Okay, that's fair. It's like the lottery, except you always win. Not like the lottery at all, actually. Exactly. Inexplicably good. Offers worth bragging about. Sell your car today on Carvana. Pickup fees may apply. Is your cost of home insurance increasing? Get a quote online today with Arizona Home Insurance Company at ArizonaHomeInsurance.com. Arizona Home Insurance Company is a direct, local home insurance company, is A-rated by AM Best, and has an over 90 % customer satisfaction reported. We are Arizona-based since 1990 and part of the Regional Western Mutual Insurance Group, which has been insuring homes for over 80 years.

3:14That's ArizonaHomeInsurance.com. Direct. Reliable. Affordable.

3:22Luke Moore: Just another Manic Monday, everybody. Welcome to the Football Ramble. Canada Marsh into the next round and South Korea are angry. It's Monday, 29th of June. I'm Marcus Speller. I'm Luke Moore. And I'm Tim Campbell. Soon!

3:48Welcome everybody!

3:49Luke Moore: Come on! What? I mean, seriously. What's that? Just the worst man. Fletch? Yeah. Just the worst man. Yeah, I know what you mean. You can't say anything else. Just the worst man. Sue. Come on. Exactly. It's all about all by one, isn't it? What, this? Yeah. Let's start the show, everybody. Come on, we've got big news. People have been asking for months and we can finally announce today that the Green Football Ramble Admiral Home Kits are back in stock today. Somebody pass me one for coming out loud. Producer Bruno, grab one over here. They sold out. There they are. Soon. There we are. Cristiano, are they on sale today?

4:32Luke Moore: Soon. Right, there we go. Should they buy them, Ian? Do it. There you go. Okay. Can you buy them or do you have to? Biddy, biddy. No, you can just buy them. That's all you can do. I think we're going to be in for. How many buttons have you got there? Look, I'm holding it up there. Chuck it over here and I'll hold it while you're doing it. Come on. And they've got the Football Ramble badge on the left pec. I'll put it over Keggy. Oh, good catch. I'll put it over Keggy's face. There we are, you see. They're back. Yeah, they sold out very quickly before those beauties. The green and black ones is beautiful.

5:04Luke Moore: Absolutely beautiful. It's so beautiful. It's the best kid. So I think they're going to fly off the shelves. Yeah. So heads of football... Despite that read. it's a great kid it's a great kid head to Football Rumble Store to get yours now the link footballramblestore.com you are right to say that yeah it's not.net it's not a physical store no that we know of footballramblestore.com get yours now the link is in the show notes okay right now that's out of the way we can talk about the only game that happened yesterday yeah which is probably not true the only knockout game that happened yesterday sorry yeah it's fair because I don't think we deserve any more after that we did get a moment of quality at the end of course the game finished south africa zero canada one yes we canada yes we canada is jesse marsh's uh new slogan presumably yes um it was we got a moment of quality and it spared us extra time we were all worried about it it felt like it was going to go to extra time from about five minutes in yeah the other day we were talking about the unofficial world champions now being Turkey and how that's really sad because it's left the tournament.

6:15Pete proposed having a friendly during the tournament to keep it in play. This felt like what that would have been.

6:22Luke Moore: So who are the unofficial? It's Turkey, isn't it? Because they beat the USA. Oh, I see what you mean. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And they're going to play France to defend it in their first Nations League game. Nice to hear about the Nations League. The thing that was like truly depressing about this, this is like Hugo Bruce's last game as a manager. Yeah, they kept saying that as well in the commentary. And rightly so, based on this. It's like one last day until retirement. I thought surely something more dramatic than what happened was going to happen. It would basically be like, if in Lethal Weapon, they think about getting Danny Glover out for one last job and they go, not worth it, not worth it.

6:59Put him on a desk shift. Yeah, forever. Put him in that bit where Lester Freeman is in the wire just doing the evidence room.

7:05Luke Moore: If you were going to be retired by someone, would you happy it was Jesse Marsh? No. No, it's the last thing you want. Horrifying. Can I fast forward to the bit after the game where he does that performative thing in the pitch? You're all Canadian heroes. Yeah, what's the purpose? So I'm trying to find an angle to not be unfair to Jesse Marsh. Yeah, I know what you mean. So, but what is the possible... I won't. I don't think he can. Jim, it's me you're talking. What is the possible justification for him wanting to do that in front of the world's cameras when he could have easily just done it in the dressing room?

7:34Well, like when Phil Brown did it to Hull City, turning them off.

7:38Luke Moore: Yeah. But what's the justification other than the fact he's a performative bellend? That's the reason. Yeah, but I mean, you know, playing God's advocate, I don't know how that would work because I'm trying to be fair to him. That moment is probably more valuable to the boost it gives them if it's public, right? If it becomes a bit of a moment and it's something that the Canada fans get behind and it becomes an iconic thing. Yeah, but in the same way some people write on, you know, Facebook or whatever, love you baby you know you've been in my life just sat next to you just me and the kids now hun yeah I didn't mean that DM me feel like pure shit and so people go what's up hun no but yeah no but like somebody you know saying to their to their wife or significant other some sort of gushy message on Facebook but they're just sat in the next room you can just tell them you can just tell them some people like these sort of more but I'm a bit of a show off so that's why I'm trying to get on board with it no not really yeah exactly no I'm not on Facebook no well there you are it's just too racist even for me it's way too racist oh dear well you are in control of your friends on that yeah yeah you know but anyway but Jesse Marstow I think I think you're right Jim I think that it's that idea of you criticize in private you praise in public but that's what he's well he does criticize in public but I think I think I don't hate if a manager's doing something like that because I think this is such a huge tournament for Canada in particular of all the host nations we know Mexico have got history in the World Cup so do the states I think with the US it's more of a case of trying to get football up to speed with some of the other sports really Canada occupy a different position they would have been the side that people would have been concerned about of the three host nations are they going to go through well of course after the first game you think yeah they should be okay because they look like a proper side so I think there's that I think that yes he is a little bit sort of cringy we know that but that's his style he shouldn't have done that shoe in the middle of him at the end he shouldn't have done I did find it funny when his arms were sort of up and outstretched almost like Jude Bellingham he was just walking around like that I found that a bit odd there was a point before just at half time where he tried to go and talk to the referee as well hold me back hold me back yeah Jameson David was pulling him off yeah I think that's the way he is rightly or wrongly do you think the players like that though?

9:53Luke Moore: I think they've they are responding right? they are they weren't up against much were they? no they weren't whether they like it or not they're into the last 16 of the World Cup and they're having easily their best tournament ever he is suggesting that you know the future generations or even the current generation are going to be hugely impacted and this one would hope that that's definitely the case yeah exactly and I think he's just trying to hammer home the point and he's doing it in a sort of public way I mean it wasn't him well he didn't he didn't beckon the cameras over although you know they were right in his face yeah I think he was probably I think he would have done it whatever he's thinking do you know what he's thinking he's thinking we're in LA baby yeah that's right these Hollywood signs this is how we do it this is my charm sorry this is our charm despite the sort of feeling as neutrals as well of how the game was a bit of a drain it wasn't a great watch but they're through well it is a seismic seismic result for Canada it's a massive result for them because the sport has had to really fight for its own existence in Canada and fight for legitimacy and you know it's not been very well funded and that really is changing clearly we're seeing sort of Canadian players at some on the bigger European clubs and there's obviously a change that has happened.

11:07I know that a lot of young people play it now and it's actually got a quite bright future. It wasn't even very long ago where that seemed absolutely impossible, seemed silly and the football was an afterthought there. So obviously it wasn't a great watch for us when you don't have a particular dog in that fight but I would imagine in Canada this is an amazing feeling, an incredible thing. And they won't care. I don't mean to take away from that. you said neutral there as neutrals I have to push back on that because I feel like I actively think both these teams are poor and saying I'm neutral about it makes me feel like I'm not having an input and my input is they're both terrible and so I don't want to be seen as neutral I want to be seen as actively disliking I like Canada and I like Mama Joy so I'm sort of leveled out as neutral as a country I love Canada as a country I love South Africa when we visited there and I love Mama Joy that's all fine I think the teams both the teams are poor and I think Canada deserve to go through they were the better team yesterday for sure South Africa have achieved history by getting through the group as well so we've got to acknowledge that they've got a result to hang out on I suppose I'm being quite chellish by saying I think they're poor it was a great occasion for both teams

12:19Luke Moore: it wasn't a great game the game was bad it was a bad game where's Dada Joy or should I not ask? don't know not sure not sure maybe he's at home yeah it's your thing I like the cricket it yeah that's why we said that it must be it yeah it must be it so mama joy is doing her thing she's doing her thing she certainly brought me a lot of joy it was great to see it was great camera cut to her lovely lovely lovely but they're sad that South Africa have gone home but they simply do not deserve to be in the tournament anymore after that performance last night that is the system now isn't it yeah I mean Stephen used to Keogh's goal was it was a good one great goal great name and it's yeah I thought it was Eustaquio there's simply no way of pronouncing it that isn't amazing yeah Yeah, that's true.

12:59Luke Moore: What did I say? Eustachio. It doesn't matter. Eustachio. Yeah, I think Eustachio, I think you're right there. Sorry, Stephen. But that was a genuine moment of quality when the ball came to him and he lashes it in the corner and it was just like, yes, it was. I wanted Canada to go through and I wanted them to do it in normal time. Same. Can I put something out there and give Eustachio a big bit of praise by saying, time of the game it happened, style of the goal, the way he scored it, it was very reminiscent of Stephen Gerrard versus West Ham in the FA Cup. Yeah. Oh, I thought you were going to say not quite as good as that.

13:32Luke Moore: I thought you were going to say Steven Gerrard versus Germany in Germany. I don't mind that either. Yeah. That was similar to that too. But I just feel like it was a clutch goal at the very end of the game. Clutch. And Gerrard said himself he only struck it that way because he was knackered and he just wanted to throw his boot through it. And it felt a bit like that because obviously Eustaquil played the whole game in the central midfield. He looked like he was pretty knackered as well by that point. We should be very grateful. Even my mum, who's got a passing interest in football. She messaged me when he scored saying, thank God we haven't got another 30 minutes.

14:04So that's how. There were points where it became almost funny. It was like there were force fields on the goal. I was so convinced so early. It's like, it's not that the ball won't go in. It's that it can't. There is just simply no way this is not going to extra time. And I'm so glad I was wrong. If we were going to be as fair as we could be to South Africa, obviously we've already said they've come through the group and that's amazing for them, which it is. you'd probably have to say that their last ditch defending was very very good it was very intensive they essentially the force field thing you're talking about there is largely to do with the fact that South Africa was so desperate not to concede there was that clearance off the line there was that last ditch clearance when the guys breaking through on goal there was loads of that stuff going on but they just had no quality at all really and I think the right team did go through

14:50Luke Moore: they've overachieved getting into the knockouts let's be honest especially after that first game against Mexico and look it was great to see them go through. That is a glass ceiling punch through for South Africa. But they go home now. Canada will play the winner of Morocco versus Netherlands on Saturday. A proper test. The legalise it derby. Yeah. Can't wait for that. Interesting one. Will Alphonso Davis make an appearance? He made his long-awaited return from injury with 15 minutes to go. No one knows. In this one. I'm glad that whatever happens whether he plays or not I'm glad he's got on the pitch.

15:21Luke Moore: He actually improved them for about 10 minutes as well. Yes, he did. I mean, you can see his quality that he's got but he doesn't look fit though no that's the problem I think he would have been relieved it didn't go to extra time if this was if this was if this game was Bayern Munich versus Freiburg there's absolutely no way he's being rushed back for that it's because it's so it's a home World Cup for his nation but also he's the guy who transcends the entire team can we not talk too much about big European teams being in the World Cup though because Infantino will hear that and try and make it happen What, Bayern Munich?

15:56Yeah. They'd win it. They might do. They would definitely win it. Who would they be playing up front? Because they wouldn't have a lad. And they'd have to share their players with Germany somehow. The whole thing doesn't work. That doesn't mean it won't happen. Won't stop them. They'll have a go.

16:08Luke Moore: Hydration break. Right, change your shirt. It wouldn't shock me if you have to put another shirt on for the hydration break to try and flog that shirt as well. This is the England hydration break shirt. I had something amazing about the hydration break yesterday from the business of sport guys who I like. They're good. And the guy on there, I think he's known for Charlie, he was making the point that Fox Sports paid$485 million to have the rights to the World Cup in the US, right? To show it, to broadcast it, right? He said they've already made double that on advertising from the hydration break.

16:44Luke Moore: Yeah, there you go. It's a fucking cabal. It's an absolute fucking stitch-up. FIFA claim they don't make any money for it, but it makes their product more saleable later on. haven't FIFA got a surplus I remember a number it's in the billions it's in the billions it's like Scrooge McDuck's fault it's under that big glass villainous it's exactly like that lair that they've got in Switzerland very much so what were we talking about today I feel like a really wealthy duck did you see a fan dropped her iPhone over the edge of the stand while trying to join in the Mexican wave one of the highlights of the game does that sum up the game for you massively it wasn't even the first Mexican wave they'd shown on screen I don't think there were two or three of them that made it into the broadcast I don't think it's I think given that this is a joint hosted tournament between the US, Canada and Mexico I think it's disrespectful for them to steal the Mexican wave from Mexico who of course just call it a wave presumably Canada should have their own wave but you need people to join in don't you?

17:40that's very much the nature of it you absolutely do so I'm sure Mexico are okay with that but if no one joins in you can't have one so bear that in mind yes that's true it's like a party presumably what's his name? The Duck Merlin? Merlin, yeah. Can Merlin join in? His wings look restricted a little bit. Not in that shirt. Yeah, that's a shame. You have to hold him up. Yeah.

17:59Luke Moore: Yeah, it's a Mexican flap. Sounds terrifying. Well, look, we're happy that Canada have gone through. They will play Morocco versus Netherlands. We'll talk about that fixture in a little while. I'm happy they've gone through because I think they were better last night. They deserve to go through. I'm not necessarily happy to see South Africa go home. I just don't think they've been that good. It's the knockouts, mate. Exactly. Not everybody can go through despite what FIFA are trying to do in this tournament. Yeah. Now, how about this? Details of every nation's chosen music for this World Cup have been revealed because there's certain songs that we've heard in the stadiums and we think, oh, is that just a DJ getting involved?

18:36Luke Moore: So, for example, Wonderball is actually not a song that the FA have chosen for England. It's a song that I think a DJ played in the stadium in Arlington, which is called Dallas, this World Cup for some reason. It's like Foxborough's being called Boston. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And New York, New Jersey. Which one is it? It's New Jersey. and it's disrespectful to Bob Joby it's because they can't call it the Met Life or the Gillette Stadium because of the sponsorship shit so they have to muck around with it don't they nonsense anyway so Wonderwall was an unofficial thing it just kind of organically happened yeah I think the DJ played it and it worked and you know I don't think Hey Jude by the Beatles is not one but obviously it makes sense so the official ones that have been chosen have been quite interesting so Gala's Freed from Desire is the most popular which has been selected by Austria, France Scotland, Switzerland and the Netherlands Am I right in saying that each team gets four songs, right?

19:23One for the starting 11, one for the warm-up, one for a goal, and one for the end of the game.

19:28Luke Moore: Yeah, but you can have different options within those brackets. That's what I'm saying, yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah, indeed. By the way, Gala's freed from desire. The reason why that's popular is does it all go back to that Wigan fan who was singing about... Stingy's on fire. Yeah, Will Grigg. Will Grigg's on fire, yeah. I think you might be right. I think he does. That's certainly the first time I heard about it. Yeah, because I know people... Then Newcastle stole it with Mitrovic, didn't they?

19:50I don't know. I mean, presumably, if you are in the popular beat combo gala, you're very happy with that.

19:56Luke Moore: You'd be doing... Let's hope that you've made a few quid from it. But there's no way that Freed From Desire would have had anywhere near the kind of plays it's had on Spotify without it. It's like with Seven Nation Army. Some say that's because one of the Italian players started humming it after the 2006 World Cup. No, it started in a bar, didn't it? In Belgium. Yeah. What's on the list? Seven Nation Army. Sure. Which is another popular one as well. Scott, that was another one. Yeah, Freed From Desire has now had... over three quarters of a billion streams on Spotify. Oh, there you go. Yeah. Is that you playing it there?

20:25Careful, we don't have the right for it. Am I playing it?

20:27Luke Moore: I'd have heard something. Yeah, sorry. Maybe you were humming it so effectively. It's just in your hand. Yeah, I might have just played it automatically. Yeah, so England's songs, so the signature song for Better Off or Worse is Sweet Caroline. For Worse. Yeah, okay, fine. I think we're done with that one. They really... Oh, I don't think we are. They've become official now. This whole exercise is basically stopping these things from being organic, isn't it? It is, yeah. Which is, you know, quite dull. So the warm-up songs, they've got a choice of Vindaloo by Fat Liz. Happy with that. You've got to be happy with that.

20:57Luke Moore: Goes all the way back to 1998. Angels by Robbie Williams. Matt. I am enjoying the contrast between those two songs. I've got to give credit where it's due. That'll be back to 97. And then, With A Little Help From My Friends by the Beatles. Yeah, that's decent. It's a clever move they've chosen Chase the Sun because I think that's obviously synonymous with the darts. That's crossed over as well. Yeah, that's the gold music. Yeah, that's very good for the goal so post match there you've got Sweet Caroline you've obviously got three lines as well in there but Wonderball seems to have been the one that takes the fancy and that's really interesting because I think Jim you've touched on something there and it's interesting to explore it like what happens is the organisation the kind of powers that be they try and leap on this and they'll invariably use it as a way to go can we get involved can we make a bit of money out of it or whatever but what continually happens is that things organically pop up anyway and so they've had no control of the fact that it's going to be Wonderwall and it's going to be Hey Jude because they're not clever enough to fucking thought of it and the fans have decided themselves and what will happen in the next World Cup will be Hey Jude and Wonderwall and then the fans will probably think of saying cows because it always comes from them first it's always worth just remembering that it's a relief though that Irishman Noel Gallagher has given him blessing to England using Wonderwall there's a couple of really great ones in there we joked about it the other day Austria are using a scooter song for their goals but the thing is though which one is it it's not how much is the fish it's not how much is the fish but you know what's funny is that in Europe like mainland Europe this is a generalisation of course I know loads of other stuff is popular as well obviously the Beatles ABBA all that kind of stuff but they have got an amazing like penchant for quite shit like hard fast dance music proper happy hardcore stuff yeah and they just unabashedly like kind of unironically love it which I think is kind of cool though that we are seeing that in one regard you know that Dutch song it's called links wrecked the skip your medication so you can use your mind everyone from left to right we're going side to side do you know the name of the artist that makes that Scooter Snolly Bollockers incredible I love that to me of all the fan stuff you see at the World Cup we've seen some tremendous things from Mexico to you know all the other continents and Mama Joy and so on when you see the sped up footage of the Dutch fans there when they the timeline or whatever when they all turn up and go through it does feel like the whole of the Netherlands is there it is incredible it always feels like the Netherlands yeah and the orange as well it's honestly I think that's my favourite it's like an eruptive volcano this year yeah I think that's my favourite of all the fan stuff it's so good but just staying with the music if I may I feel like the Czech Republic they've won this they only picked two songs what do you want Seven Nation Army Wildstruck is fine ACDC's Thunderstruck done end of conversation Thunderstruck's perfect there you go absolutely perfect it's not overplayed Thunderstruck compared to Seven Nation Army it's true and it's got some heft to it as well Scotland also chose Seven Nation Army.

23:45Luke Moore: They've also got Loch Lomond by Run Rig, 500 Miles, and Yesir Ike Boogie among some others. Yeah. Yeah, I mean... It's a bit predictable, but they enjoy it. South Africa's one features Benny McCarthy, which is pretty cool. That's now you're talking. You should have to have a player involved. Yeah, I agree. And we could just use World in Motion. It's dust Johnny Barney as well. Oh, yeah, I was going to say. For a moment there, I was thinking, Andy Cole, who has... That Andy Cole single is so poor. Diamond likes him. It's literally outstanding. Yeah. Yeah. Diamond Lights is funny because if you watch the appearance of them on Top of the Pops, Chris Waddell's like not sure.

24:18Does not want to be there. No, Waddell is absolutely lapping it. Diamond Lights is a really unusual piece of music as well because it's from that era where... It's a bit Duran Duran. And it's a little bit Tears for Fears where pop music was kind of a little bit dark sometimes. You can 100 % imagine in that era, Glenn Waddell would chat to a woman in a bar or something and be like, no, no, I'm actually a singer as well. You can absolutely believe that. Yeah, you can. Really strange. at the Ramble World Cup watch-along on Saturday night, a listener called Ed said a really interesting thing to me that has stuck with me since, I think relates to this music thing.

24:54He wondered if the crowd noise is being turned down during games. And I was thinking about that. It's like, he might be onto something. Why would they do that? What's the rationale? The atmosphere has not sounded particularly loud on the TV. And I wonder if that's actually something that's really happening, maybe to avoid particular chants or whatnot. What do you guys think about that? I think it's a conspiracy theory that I don't want to get involved with. Okay. So you think maybe because people are chanting about Trump or something like that? Well, possibly. I don't know if the crowds are particularly well-miked, but I think he's right.

25:26I don't think we've heard the crowds very much.

25:28Luke Moore: Well, I wonder if... I don't know, because obviously in America and Canada, I wonder if those stadiums, particularly in the States, they're not football stadiums, are they? Yeah, so they're not built for that. And I wonder if they sort of mic'd up in the same way. I feel like a couple of games, it's been really good atmosphere-wise. I think Mexico City have been good. Yeah, but a football country, though. And I think I could hear... In a football stadium, so... I feel like I could hear the England... Yeah, that's true. I feel like I could hear the England fans. Oh, they'll always punch through there.

25:56Exactly, yeah. Who knows? I'm not against it as a theory, given the political nature of some of the stuff that England fans are going to see. I'm not necessarily saying that that's the... That's definitely the reason for it, if it is happening. I think he's right. Ed, if that is a real name, is it?

26:10Luke Moore: Presumably you've given him a different name. Good name, just two letters, easy. It's easy to remember. Well, we'll see. Jim, there's another little, dare I suggest, conspiracy theory we're going to talk about in the next part. But coming up after this, Ramblers of the World Unite and South Koreans are very, very angry.

26:31Luke Moore: This next part of the podcast is brought to you by icons.com, the world's leading signed sports memorabilia company. Icons.com is home to authentic signed memorabilia from football's greatest names, including Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, Pele, Zinedine Zidane, R9, Gaza, Jude Bellingham and many, many more. And every last signature on the Icons.com website is guaranteed genuine, so you can be sure you're getting the real deal. Icons.com CEO Dan Jameson joins us now. Dan, you go to some extraordinary lengths to serve the fans and get these pieces of memorabilia signed. What's the most memorable trip that you've had to make?

27:12Oh, man. I mean, we chase footballers all over the globe. So it's a great job to have. We got the license for the Ballon d 'Or and you have to start collecting all the Ballon d 'Or players like we had most of them. So the greatest person we had to track down was George Ware. Oh, my goodness. The reason no one had done it was because he was being the president of Liberia. And also because they couldn't tackle him because he was just taking the ball around people all the time.

27:37Luke Moore: Yeah, that's it. He was still dribbling. It had just gone on forever. So, yeah, he invited us. He'd just lost his election. So he invited us to Liberia. So we jumped on a plane, took two days to get there, landed in a random airport and were escorted by a gun-toting security man into a compound. so uh yeah so we signed sort of liberian shirts and ac milan photos of the classic goal and um yeah and then we kind of flew back got stuck in morocco on the way home and eventually collapsed with a ballon d 'or signed and a full authenticated product so that was brilliant what is it like then i mean it must be it must be quite something when you get the nod well the the classic story is pretty much one of my first ever stories so it's 2009 we're in buenos aires oh now you're talking diego maradona there we go saying i can't see you tonight so what do you do you go out into palermo in argentina and you have a few beers midnight you get a call that diego will see you now ha nice you have to drop everything including your pint rush back to the hotel grab the stuff drive across town and go to his mum's house because they've just finished watching their telenovela and it's it's now over you go into this little house and diego is in the back room and he goes to one of those beaded curtains and he sort of emerges this is about quarter to one and um he's got a big smile on his face and yeah he sits down and starts signing everything if if it was easy anybody could do it but yeah you try tracking down diego we mentioned authenticity before and you have the the triple lock authentication um and tell us a little bit more about that well uh we introduced it with leo messi just before christmas so essentially what you do is you uh you videotape the entire signing and it's all geolocated and time stamped and so on and what we want to do is show to the customer the exact moment your product is signed so here It is Leo signing your exact product at the exact time in the exact location.

29:49So what we do is we have an NFC, which is just a chip, basically, in your product. You can scan it with your phone, comes up with all the authenticity credentials, the photos, the timing, the license and all those sort of good things. And it basically creates a triangle between the physical product, your phone and our data records. so it's it's sort of tripling down on reassuring customers that this stuff is real because authenticity is everything to us and without it we don't have anything we have to prove every day that this stuff was really signed by your heroes and that's why it's worth what it's

30:24Luke Moore: worth and that's why you go to the great lengths to uh yeah to make sure that's all authentic as you say uh dan a pleasure talking to you i'm sure we could have talked a lot longer about so many stories you've got but thank you for sharing those ones that you did with us absolute pleasure Thanks, fellas, and enjoy the World Cup. It's going to be iconic. Indeed it is. So Jude Bellingham is the latest player to join the collection, and to mark this worldwide exclusive, icons.com are running a special competition where you can win a 2026 England shirt signed by Jude Bellingham himself. Just head to icons.com forward slash win, that's icons.com forward slash win, and follow the instructions.

31:01All you need to do is answer one question for your chance to win this amazing prize.

31:06Luke Moore: Entries close at the end of June, so don't delay. Head to icons.com forward slash win and get involved.

31:36like David Beckham, Terry Henry, and Ronaldinho, Christian Pulisic, Lamin Amal, and Alfonso Davies. Right now, get one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal only at McDonald's. At participating McDonald's, only for a limited time, while supplies last, all rights reserved, copyright 2026, McDonald's at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Hannah, I just fan-moed you for dinner. Obsessed. I'm literally spending it right now on the lip gloss that's been sitting in my cart. What do you mean spending it right now? You instantly spend your balance with the Venmo debit card. Stop. Say more.

32:11More exactly. The more you do with Venmo, the more you get, like earning up to 5 % cash back with Venmo Stash. Get the Venmo debit card or check out online. Venmo Stash bundle terms and exclusions apply. Max$100 per month. See terms at venmo.me slash stash terms. Venmo checkout not available at all merchants. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp Bank N.A. Best thing that's ever happened to you financially. Go. Easy. Sold my car on Carvana. Amazing offer. Really? I hit 200 on the scratcher. Did the scratcher come to your house and hand you a check? No. How many scratchers did you hit to get that?

32:47I hit a button on Carvana.com once. Okay, that's fair. It's like the lottery, except you always win. Not like the lottery at all, actually. Exactly. Inexplicably good. Offers worth bragging about. Sell your car today on Carvana. Pickup fees may apply. Could AI help you do more of what you love? Workday is the AI platform for HR and finance that actually knows your business. We help you handle the have-to-dos so you can focus on the can't-wait-to-dos. It's a new Workday.

33:26Relief, aggression, delight, food!

33:30Luke Moore: Welcome back to the Football Ramble, everybody. I tell you what, I would like to give Fletcher... Let's go! Have we lent enough into how bad that is? I thought you'd done it already. I mean, Jim didn't really do it. I mean, we're not talking about Portugal today, but fine, go on then. Fill your boots. I mean, you already have early. You called him the worst man. How can you add to that? I can't. Other than sort of capital punishment suggestions. Well, you know, let's see how we go for the rest of the tournament before we start talking about that. I just think it's like preposterously bad. Yeah, it's just really embarrassing.

34:01How can you be so far removed from the listeners and the viewers you are literally employed to serve by doing that?

34:10Luke Moore: Luke, Jim, do you agree with Luke? Do you need another soundbite to add? Yeah, do you agree with Luke? Is this bad? Do you agree with him? Do you, Jim? Do you? I'll do it again if you don't agree with him. I agree with him. Good. Now we can move on. We've got some Ramble fan correspondence. We've been asking for correspondence from countries still represented in the tournament. And the listeners have responded. Yes, they have. Ivan Sanchez emailed show at footballramble.com and says, Hello amigos, Mexican fans are currently over the moon. Love it. Truly amazing that the rest of the world is now seeing how amazing Mexico is as a country.

34:44I've travelled extensively around Mexico myself, two weeks into Loom. And I also actually loved it. I've been to Mexico as well. Yeah. So we've got it covered. Ivan continues, with all the videos of fans, dogs and ducks, all getting so much love, it's the best thing about Mexican surrealism and it is the one thing FIFA can't monetize. We love football, we love people, we love beer and we love to party. Whether it's a World Cup, wedding, baptism, quinceanera or a death. We love it so much, we come back from the dead once a year to party and celebrate and I think that's beautiful. And I agree. Mexico is an amazing place and it's brilliant to see the spotlight on it.

35:22Have you really? Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's great. Yeah, it was alright. Yeah. It must have been great. I think Mexico's got a real... I've not been there but maybe this is why I feel this way because I haven't experienced it myself and it looks so good they must be they've got to be one of the best countries in Mexico I don't know about their problems but with all this stuff none of my favourite places I've ever been for sure

35:41Luke Moore: the problems are not when you're talking about culture and people and so on it's got to be up there like that stuff is to do with other things yeah it's you know nobody's culture is you know gangs or whatever do you know what I mean I've got a Dia de los Muertos ball marker where I play golf with have you just yeah that's how much I love for Mexico well there you are you see Jim and I have, you know, puts into perspective us going there. Yeah. Two weeks in... Tulum. Tulum, right, good. Is that Cancun way? No, it's a bit further down. Flew into Cancun and there was immediately a bar at the bit where you wait for your airport transfer.

36:11Great start. Get a tequila, Dan. Yeah, exactly. You can.

36:15Luke Moore: Whether you like it or not. Great that we've had... I love hearing from a Mexican listener. That's fantastic. He might well... If indeed England and Mexico play each other... I don't want to hear from him again. I was about to say. Yeah, dead to us. Well done. You've had your fun. Ivan it's great to hear from you but you I mean if the games go as we hope and expect you're going to be dead to us this time next week yeah but they come back from the dead though oh yeah I can't get out of it I think we're in trouble I think we're in serious trouble big time what about this from Adam Asherati I hope I'm pronouncing that name right Adam he's emailed at showatfootballamble.com greetings from an Algeria fan based in Brooklyn hello it's been a strange World Cup so far I feel robbed that I couldn't enjoy Messi's hat trick but instead lamented our Nepo baby keepers capitulations we're better known for scowling Daddy Zidane in the stands than anything accomplished on the pitch plus our coach looks like a cross between Robert Downey Sr and William F.

37:06Buckley Jr that is a really deep cut it really is he then followed up with another email after that saying my uncle sent a clip of his town going wild celebrating Riyad Mahrez's injury time winner his two minute clip was just long enough to capture Austria's equaliser

37:19Luke Moore: which presumably they celebrated as well condolences to Iran football's fucking brilliant well yeah so I mean They clearly celebrated that third Algeria goal more than the actual Algeria team because there are some people who are quite suspicious. Are those people in the room with you now, Marcus? I can see lots of people in the room. Whether they're here or not is a different matter. But yeah, some people are quite suspicious of what went on at the end of that Algeria-Austria match. Now, we talk about, oh, was it incredible? And how can you, you know, a 3-3 draw, you know, proof that there was no kind of funny business and so on and so forth.

37:53Luke Moore: Both Algeria and Austria, as well as West Germany, involved in the disgrace of Gijon in 1982. So, of course, a draw was good for both sides to progress in this game. Now, when Riyad Mahrez's footage is emerging, when Riyad Mahrez scored, both benches, Austrian and Algerian benches, seemed to have a bit of a dispute about something. Seems a bit odd. So you fucking said you wouldn't do this? Some people may interpret it that way, Luke. Mahrez's teammates seemed a bit subdued after he scored because one moment they were going through and they were going to play Switzerland and when he scored that goal it was you're going through but you're going to play Spain and so Mahrez himself said post-match about the incident and the goal it was a bit awkward to be honest we were playing wide and they were sitting but at the last minute someone plays a ball inside and he turns I have to make the run I have to respect football I have to score I know it's an awkward situation but it's football.

38:53Luke Moore: I have to respect it. And the good thing is they score and they qualify. We both qualify and it's the most important thing today. He said that post-match. Is that translated though in an unhelpful way? Well, either or, there's enough footage in the game where people are going, hang on a minute. I mean, journalist Oliver Kaye, who's a journalist here, said the majority of the second half was the most insipid 30 minutes of football since the disgrace of Gi Hong in the 1982 World Cup. I think nothing will be done of this because how could it be? But the problem is nothing realistically can be done presumably because FIFA don't want to draw attention to it because it's their own fault.

39:33Luke Moore: People also forget the last five minutes or so because it was far less time between Mexico and Italy at the 2002 World Cup. Right, right. Was it? I think it was 2002 World Cup. Tell us what you're talking about. Mexico went 1-0 up. A draw would have been fine for both but Italy needed something out of the game and Alessandro Del Piero scored late on in about the 85th minute something like that and needed the goal and then in the last five minutes of that game afterwards like they it is like that business in the 1982 World Cup they just sat around and passed it back and I remember the comments going oh they know what's funny and it was almost like a bit jokey but it was the same thing people sort of forget about that one but what's interesting is that in 1982 meant this disgrace of hee-haw you guys keep referring to what that meant was following that they then moved the final group games to be played at the same time because at the time it probably would have been a far more effective way of doing it because communication wasn't as easy things were happening in different places because Algera played the previous day to West Germany playing Austria exactly and they both knew what they had to do they knew a 1-0 victory for West Germany that now doesn't really work because the information people receive is kind of instant now you've always got the situation where like this one the other day where they just already know because of the way the groups are.

40:52And I don't know, because I'm not really a mathematical mind, how you would get around that with groups of just four teams. It seems to me you're going to get that eventually whatever happens occasionally. I know what you mean.

41:02Luke Moore: In fact, Iran aren't even in the same group. It was because of the third place business. I think my take would be it was a proper game of football up to a point. And as Oliver Kay has said, and then Mahrez does that. And then I don't think Algeria have let them score. I think Austria have scored a perfectly good goal. But the way it turns out, those quotes, the scenes you saw on the benches and so on and so forth, it is a bad look, but I'd be very surprised. I mean, Ralph Rangnick dismissed suggestions there was any agreement and said after the game, if Alfred Hitchcock had written such a drama, I would probably have said he was completely mad.

41:39That feels like a bit of a dead cat statement itself, doesn't it? It does, yeah, it does. Because that is such an odd thing to say. Yeah, when he said other things, I just thought I'd highlight that. Sure. Alfred Hitchcock's written way weirder stuff to do.

41:49Luke Moore: he did not do a football movie it would have been rubbish indeed and there would have been more deaths had he written it people will talk just as Roy Keane would say do your job and you haven't got to worry about it tell you what Iran if you won all three of your group games you wouldn't be able to worry about it would you and you've been treated fairly so get on with it last piece of correspondence same for everyone exactly it's not a laughing matter Jim no it's not I apologise thank you Jim accepted Marcus do you accept Jim's apology for being disrespectful to Iran I think I will in time okay good let's move on then hopefully we can forget about it yes that's really poor by you Jim sorry I'll be better would you like to hear from an Australian to break this oh yeah is he a GC is he a good cunt

42:43I used to work with a guy called Mitch yeah He had a moustache as well. Australian guy. And he lived on a boat.

42:49Luke Moore: Obviously. And he used to genuinely use the C words as a term of endearment. Yeah, they do that in Scotland. I mean, mate's coming down the pub later after work for a beer. You'll like him. He's a good cunt, mate. Yeah. He used to say that. He's currently on smoke, so leave it alone. Anyway, Kerry Sims has been in touch. My team's still in it. Do it in the accent for a second. You can't offend Australians. Do it in an accent. My team's still in it. Would they be offended by that? My team's still in it and the fucking Aussie boys are going to win it. Geordie Boss, get it up, yeah. Get it up, yeah.

43:24Luke Moore: Aussie listener Cameron Speed sent this voice note in, by the way, while we're staying with Australian things. So let us enjoy Cameron Speed's work. Hey, boys. Cameron from Sydney here, just in from the pub after witnessing the most predictable result ever. But hey, we're through. Can't complain. But what that does mean is that our Round of 32 match will be at 4am next Saturday so I'm going to ask you Ramble boys is that going to be a late night or an early morning still yet to decide but anyway we'll see you and Thomas Tuchel in the final is that a late night or a straight through crew he sounds relatively young he does he's got to stay up he sounds maybe it's just because he's Australian he sounds tall probably quite well put together probably quite young I bet he's got a great tan yeah good at sport yeah definitely good at sport yeah Yeah, growing up fighting sharks, just if you want to swim.

44:16I've not been to Australia. I don't know if that's clear. I've been to Australia. There we go. Yeah, I thought it was great.

44:20Luke Moore: But Jim's got a little key ring or something. Yeah, exactly. That was a bull marker, a gold bull marker. Legitimately, though, I think you're probably going to be fresher, regardless of your age and shark fighting abilities, if you have had some sleep. Well, I would say, Cameron, if you're a young man... I think you'd get up early for it. Well, I think if Cameron's a young man, which he sounds like he is, just be warned by an old man that it is remarkable the change in admin that's involved in this. Basically, when you're a young person, you're like, we need to find a pub that's going to show this.

44:51And that's the only consideration. Now I've got to do it and watch it and I've got a three-year-old son that's like, right, I need to get into the spare room. We need to be a bed file at this time. The son's going to wake up this time. Pub that will accept a three-year-old. Yeah, if you're in Australia. I need to make sure my wife can take the boy in the morning. It's a load of stuff. All I'm saying is just enjoy it while you're young. And I think if you think you're getting past Argentina if you beat Egypt, you're very much mistaken. Yeah.

45:40Beckham, Terry Henry, and Ronaldinho, Christian Pulisic, Lamine Yamal, and Alfonso Davies. Right now, get one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal only at McDonald's. At participating McDonald's, only for a limited time, while supplies last, all rights reserved, copyright 2026, McDonald's at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Hannah, I just fan-moed you for dinner. Obsessed. I'm literally spending it right now on the lip gloss that's been sitting in my cart. What do you mean spending it right now? You instantly spend your balance with the Venmo debit card. Stop. Say more. More exactly.

46:16The more you do with Venmo, the more you get, like earning up to 5 % cash back with Venmo Stash. Get the Venmo debit card or check out online. Venmo Stash bundle terms and exclusions apply. Max$100 per month. See terms at venmo.me slash stash terms. Venmo checkout not available at all merchants. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp Bank N.A. Is your cost of home insurance increasing? Get a quote online today with Arizona Home Insurance Company at ArizonaHomeInsurance.com. Arizona Home Insurance Company is a direct local home insurance company, is A-rated by AM Best, and has an over 90 % customer satisfaction reported.

46:56We are Arizona-based since 1990 and part of the Regional Western Mutual Insurance Group, which has been insuring homes for over 80 years. That's ArizonaHomeInsurance.com. Direct. Reliable. Affordable.

47:15Luke Moore: I tell you what Argentina a little bit like last time in the World Cup and I say this as an England fan who you know England have had fortuitous draws in the Euros really which did help and the World Cup to be fair 2018 2018 yes you're right yes yes yes so again but Argentina you know last time they had you know Australia Netherlands Croatia because we were you know Croatia beat Brazil of course and then France in the final. Funny enough, their best performance was against France in the final. They did show the quality. I think it's fair to say. But this time around, you know, Cape Verde is a draw that they'll be pleased with.

47:47Luke Moore: They'll play the winner of Australia or Egypt and then they'll play the winner of... Like on Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia or Ghana. Is that right? Which my money would be on Colombia as I'm sure a lot of people... I know I'm trying to be a bit Mystic Meg at the moment with the World Cup because it does fascinate me. Go on. I've made the prediction that England would get knocked out by Mexico and the Azteca. Right. Another prediction I'd like to make. There's two more actually. One is I've already said but I'll just repeat it for people. I think Japan will valiantly go out to Brazil. Yeah, I agree.

48:15And I think Colombia might knock out Argentina.

48:18Luke Moore: As an Englishman, I would love that whether it's us or Brazil. Well, if England do progress, again, and I know people are going, oh, look at you already. No, no, but you're just going on the favourites really and what you'd expect. So if England were to get to a semi-final and Argentina, Like I say, the last thing Messi has left to do in an Argentina shirt is mark off. Vanquish England. And it will be a really, really like, VAR didn't pick up on the handball, kind of modern handball sort of thing. But if we were to get an Argentina-Brazil semifinal, I think that would be quite a mouth-walking prospect.

48:52Luke Moore: But to answer the question, Luke, I'd love it if Colombia ended up knocking out Argentina. Have you got any truck with that prediction? Do you think it's a chance? Because I think Colombia have been low-key really good. I can't believe they didn't beat Portugal. Yeah, well, I tell you something, but a little bit like last time. They were much better than Portugal. Argentina, I don't think, have been tested particularly. No, they haven't. But, like I say, the ultimate test last time in the World Cup, when they went all the way there, which of course was France, and I don't think there could have been a harder test at that tournament.

49:20Luke Moore: Oh, they were brilliant. They put in for the first seven. Absolutely brilliant. To be honest, it's... Look, again, I don't think any Argentinian and any neutral would say it was a shame how it worked out, because it was one of the greatest finals in games and all the rest of it. However, had they have kept it at 2-0 and not given away that penalty, it would have been one of the greatest displays from a team in a final, I honestly think, because they were magnificent. So we know they can turn it on. But they look like they're going to have a decent run. But yeah, I mean, Colombia and Argentina, if it ended up in a quarterfinal between those two, that would be tasty.

49:50Do you think Colombia got a chance against them? Well, the funny thing with predicting World Cup results like this is that... It's bloody difficult. It's bloody difficult because you always lean towards the favourites. But then it never kind of pans out like that. and reality does it. So, I mean, there is always a chance that something like that can happen. I don't think Colombia would have enough to get past Argentina so far because as Marcus has alluded to, I don't think we've seen their highest level yet and I think they look really ready to kind of step up to that and almost like they are itching for someone to give them more of a game.

50:24It's also a psychological thing. I think they'd win. Argentina and Brazil are such a big goal. Yeah, but Colombia beat Argentina in qualifying and they didn't lose to them in the United States either. Yeah. It's really different in this tournament.

50:34Luke Moore: Let's see. Let's see. anyway let's talk about South Korea we've got to talk about South Korea they finished third in Group A they missed out on qualification South Korea and they're angry about this because it seemed pretty inconceivable after they beat Czech Republic 2-1 and they looked pretty good in that opening game you think well they'll be okay they lost to Mexico that can happen but that absolute disaster what happened against South Africa the whole thing's quite weird because Hyeong-Yung Bo the manager who's quit after this in kind of disgrace really and we'll come on to how the reaction has been around him in a bit.

51:06He managed them in 2014 and they didn't win a game there. It's sort of like us getting Roy Hodgson back or maybe even someone like Steve McLaren because he was really, really unpopular, this fella, even before he took the job. And it's a bit of a strange situation

51:24Luke Moore: that he was there at all. Well, they were worried going into the tournament that he was far too conservative, defensive and so on and so forth. And incompetent as well. Well, I mean, because he was a former player. he played in the 94 World Cup I think I remember him scored against Germany yeah I remember him yeah and again in that first game against Europe they looked pretty good actually I think they were good value for the win but it just hasn't worked out and yeah the knives were out from as you say before the tournament really began and people were like alright fine you've got us there but let's see but now it's all come crashing down the South Korean president Lee Jae-myung has had his say and he said I have not just taken aback by this unexpected outcome it's obviously not them not going I'm not going through I'm utterly baffled when an incompetent person is selected as leader the outcome is as clear as day that's the South Korean president saying that he's asked the Ministry of Culture sports and tourism in the country to investigate what went wrong I've actually read a slightly different translation of that which is the outcome is as predictable as fire it's great very good absolutely incredible shopkeepers back in South Korea have put up signs banning Hong Myung Bo from entering their shop it's not going to be relevant to a huge number of shops.

52:34It's never going to come up, is it? Yeah. If it's super,

52:37Luke Moore: I don't know if they have Lidl in South Korea, but that's unfair. Yeah, it is. You can't get between a man and the middle island Lidl. Aldi? It's a middle island Aldi, not Lidl. No, it's Lidl. It is Lidl. Both. There's definitely one on Aldi. Oh, right. I've never really been on a Lidl. You're missing out. I've got an Aldi quite a lot. There's an Aldi near us and there's no weird middle island that. Maybe we're missing out. This is a Lidl thing. The Middle Island Lidl is just... The middle of Lidl. Yeah, it's the thing of myth. It is. You know. But anyway, hope he manages to... Can I just say, there is 100 % one in Aldi as well.

53:11Luke Moore: Okay. I'm not denying it. Well, Jimmy's denying it. Well, the Holloway Road one needs to step up then. It fucking does. Put some welding masks in there. Take it up with him. I will. Disgraceful. I'll go in there to an Aldi to buy nappies for my son, or I used to, and before I know it, I've come out with a paddling pool, four pipes of Pringles, and, you know. Pringles aren't weird. Pringles are not Middle Isle. They put all the bargains in the Middle Isle as well. No, this is a difference. Are you thinking of food and sort of general items? The Middle Isle in Lidl is like ladders. No food. Ladders.

53:44Yeah. Just any odd item you can think of. Why is this in a supermarket? Yeah, ladders,

53:50Luke Moore: as you say, like sleep. If you're into camping, you'd be, yeah. Or you barbecues, all the rest of it. Nice. Yeah. So this South Korean thing is like a sort of modern version of when the tabloids were just insisting that Graham Taylor was actually a turnip for a long time. It's disrespectful to an honourable man. Yeah, but it was relentless that very specific like, this man is a turnip. Yeah, a vegetable. It's funny how often they're saying you're a turnip again, Dad. It's funny how often the tabloids very specifically a turnip. The tabloids come out on the wrong side of history, isn't it? It is, yeah.

54:24They tried to convince us for years that George Michael was a wrong one. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was clearly one of the most nicest, kindest men in history. Wonder why that was. Yeah, exactly. The turning thing is sort of like

54:35Luke Moore: Dadaist surreal bullying in retrospect, isn't it? Really odd. Very odd. Gentlemen, today we've got some knockout games. We have this evening, yeah. Brazil versus Japan. And Paraguay will play Germany. Netherlands versus Morocco. Tasty ones in there. As we mentioned yesterday, it took 17 days and 72 matches to eliminate 16 teams. Well, the good thing is it will only take six days and 16 matches to eliminate another 16 teams. The big tie, I think, really, Brazil, Japan, Netherlands, Morocco, very, very tasty ties. Yeah, great. We did a little predictions social media clip, Jim, some people sneering at us for mostly going for the favourites.

55:15Luke Moore: Yes. But actually, some people got it wrong because Netherlands are one place behind Morocco in the FIFA rankings. Interesting. So you could say Morocco maybe are a favourite for that. I don't know what the bookies are saying. I would say I would make Morocco favourites for it. There you go. And I went for Netherlands. Someone said Egypt will make me choke on my words and I simply do not care enough about them for that to be possible. So Germany and Paraguay have played each other twice. Once in 2002. Yes. 1-0. 1-0. Late goal. But they've also played on the international friendly in 2013 and they drew 3-0.

55:46Oh, more of that please. So it's only the third time they've ever played each other. Yes, indeed. I'd love Paraguay to knock out Germany but then I'd like anyone to knock out Germany. So it doesn't matter to me. Whoever does it do it

55:56Luke Moore: now hang on there it would be predictable and boring if France won this World Cup wouldn't it it would if France beat Sweden Germany beat Paraguay they both meet yeah fair Germans could do everybody a favour so having said what I said about Colombia when I did the bracket the other day I came up with France v Argentina in the final again I think most people have probably got that I'd like Colombia to knock out Argentina I think they can do it I'd like anyone to knock out Germany I'd love Japan to knock out Brazil I think it'd be a great story. I think Japan will do exactly what Chile did a while back, where everyone loved that Chile team, and they just came up short against Brazil who were just a bit too canny for them.

56:35Do you remember that, Marcus? I do. What year was that? 2010? 2014. 2014 was it, yeah. And Netherlands-Morocco is a true 50-50 game, by the way. I'm not hating on you for picking Netherlands, I get it, but I think Morocco have got a lot of weapons, and I think Morocco are set up to be good against Netherlands. I think despite the fact that Netherlands have got good individual defenders. I've not been impressed with them at the back at all. And I think Morocco could exploit that. Scored a lot of goals though. Yeah, they can score goals. It has the kind of ingredients for a bit of a basketball match this, which could be great.

57:07Luke Moore: Well, Ronald Koeman's not happy about this fixture. He thinks that this game is happening too early in the tournament. He's basically saying, I want an easier team. Yeah. He said, we are both teams that ought to go further than this stage. A match of this nature comes a little too soon at the World Cup, I would say. Yeah, I mean, there is something in that. I mean, he's an absolute fruitcake, Koeman, but there is something in that, by which I mean, Netherlands can, look, you obviously can't control what other teams do, but there is an imbalance in this, and I mentioned it a couple days ago, and the imbalance goes something a bit like this.

57:41If you win your group, you may play a second place team, but you may play a third place team. So it is imbalanced, and they've come off the back of winning their group, right?

57:51Luke Moore: Well, some people knew they were going to play a second place team. you know but it's still not fair fine I mean it's but that's the draw I mean it's not like previous World Cups he's thinking do you know what he's thinking go on we won Scotland yeah we've missed out on having them we have and Morocco probably the best second place team we could have played but also though the winner of Netherlands Morocco you would think would beat Canada in the next round so you're looking at that thinking an enormous chance get it done well get it done and no game is a given but you would have to think blimey can we get there to the quarter final.

58:24Luke Moore: Now, you would probably have France waiting for you there. But, yeah, the mouth-watering prospect of playing Canada in the next round, I think, is huge motivation for both of those teams. But, look, the draw is a funny one. I mean, this is just how it goes. I mean, we could see Portugal play Spain in the last 16. That's because Portugal, you know, they missed out against Colombia. Do you remember 2018 in the second round, France played Argentina in a fucking barn burner France won 4-3 I mean France I think there were 4-1 up yeah but the point is France aren't going to be delighted at playing Argentina in the round of 16 it goes on that sometimes because not always the teams you expect to do well do well again the smart money would have France versus Germany in the last 16 so that is the way it goes everybody but yes intriguing matches today the reason I say he's a fruitcake is because obviously he is managed Southampton yeah partly you have to be to manage them he's something Mikey's come out and said, well, I want to play them.

59:24Luke Moore: Yeah. What kind of message does that send to your players? They're really good. Well, there we are, everybody. We've reached the end of our time today. But thank you so much for listening to the Football Ramble, part of the ACARS Creator Network. Pete, Luke and David will be back tomorrow. How come you two get a day off tomorrow then? I don't have a day off in ages. Yeah. You sound like you need one. I think it's all cashing up with me. All that fizzy art. All that fizzy art. You can never have too much. it sold it out by the way pretty much sold by the way everyone who's listening who bought My Fizzy Arms they liked it thank you very much because it sold out online and we're going to have a chat with them about trying to do some more so the reason you haven't been able to find it online over the last few days I actually had to email the brewery and they said oh yeah it's all gone so that's wild it's a great drop Jim isn't it?

1:00:11it is it's great very drinkable lovely clean crisp lager to watch the football with the only place you can get it now is in my fridge because I've got about eight cans left. All mine, but don't try. Yeah. We don't need that, do we? No. How many cans have you got left in your fridge? I've not had any from the crate yet, actually. Lightweight. So lightweight. He's going to do them all at once. Yeah. V-weight. Shotgun them with a load of Australian mates.

1:00:33Luke Moore: Yeah, exactly. Proper bloke. Fuck Island, Nobsy. Going around. I do remember, though, something you can get your hands on is your brand new Football Ramble admirable kit. There it is. At footballramblestore.com. Admiral have done us a solid there. It's a beautiful kit. Well, we've got a fairly competitive commercial arrangement with them. They've done what they're supposed to do. Okay. And we're doing what we're supposed to do. That's true, yeah. The pilot hasn't done you a solid. He's landed the plane. Yeah, exactly. He's just doing his job. Bit of standards. Do your job, Admiral. You've done your job well.

1:01:03Luke Moore: I'm not saying heaven. No, that's true. I'm just saying they don't necessarily deserve special praise. Do you know what? It turned up. It's great. It's a good shirt. It is a good shirt. It did turn up. So well done to Royal Mail as well. I've somehow managed to turn the quite bad read you did at the top of the show, the worst one at the end footballramblestore.com anyway we're all in this together we are alright then lots of love see you as well we were dead before the ship even sank

1:01:33The Football Ramble is a Stack Production and part of the Acast Creator Network

1:01:44Hey, Pablo Torre here. As a sports journalist, I've covered global sports for many years now. And there is one thing that I can promise you. Nothing compares to the World Cup. And this time it is even better thanks to McDonald's. You have the chance to take home one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal. The cups feature some of the biggest legends in football, like David Beckham, Thierry Henry, and Ronaldinho, Christian Pulisic. Lamine Yamal, and Alfonso Davies. Right now, get one of nine legendary cups when you order the FIFA World Cup meal only at McDonald's. At participating McDonald's, only for a limited time, while supplies last, all rights reserved, copyright 2026.

1:02:23McDonald's at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Hannah, I just Venmo'd you for dinner. Obsessed. I'm literally spending it right now on the lip gloss that's been sitting in my cart. What do you mean spending it right now? You instantly spend your balance with the Venmo debit card. Stop. Say more. More exactly. The more you do with Venmo, the more you get, like earning up to 5 % cash back with Venmo Stash. Get the Venmo debit card or checkout online. Venmo Stash bundle terms and exclusions apply. Max$100 per month. See terms at venmo.me slash stash terms. Venmo checkout not available at all merchants. The Venmo MasterCard is issued by the Bancorp Bank N.A.

1:03:03Is your cost of home insurance increasing? Get a quote online today with Arizona Home Insurance Company at ArizonaHomeInsurance.com. Arizona Home Insurance Company is a direct local home insurance company, is A-rated by AM Best, and has an over 90 % customer satisfaction reported. We are Arizona-based since 1990 and part of the Regional Western Mutual Insurance Group, which has been insuring homes for over 80 years. That's ArizonaHomeInsurance.com. Direct. Reliable. Affordable. Before we continue, let me tell you about a show I love listening to. It's The Upshot, a podcast which covers the side of sports that's normally hidden.

1:03:40From drunken dressing room escapades to deep dives into famous sports personalities and their scandalous lives, hosts Jack and Zach look behind the scenes of some of the biggest sports teams and stars. With the world coming full swing, make sure to check out their recent episodes about this year's most scandalous plays too. That's The Upshot, available to watch and listen wherever you get your podcasts.