← Football Weekly
Football Weekly
World Cup 2026 preview: Groups I-L – Football Weekly
00:52:36
Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jonathan Liew and Philippe Auclair to preview Groups I-L
Loading summary
Transcript159 lines
- [00:00]
Johnny Liu
This is the Guardian.
- [00:09]
Max Rushden
Hi POD fans. Max here. Barry's here too.
- [00:11]
Barry Glendenning
Hello.
- [00:12]
Max Rushden
Football Weekly is supported by Hotels.com Now, Barry, question. When you're booking a hotel, do you use hotels.com actually, you're probably just going to say, I don't know. Producer Joel does it.
- [00:20]
Barry Glendenning
I don't know. Producer Joel does it.
- [00:23]
Max Rushden
Well, I think you should give it a try for yourself. Obviously, it's a massive summer of soccer and loads of our listeners will be traveling to watch the tournament and and needing to book somewhere great to stay. So it's good to know that when you're a Hotels.com member, you can save up to 20% on hundreds of thousands of hotels. Plus you earn rewards on every stay. So each trip you take helps pay for your future trips. Just use those rewards like cash. And importantly, there are never any blackout dates.
- [00:45]
Barry Glendenning
What's a blackout date?
- [00:47]
Max Rushden
Well, it's a date where you can't use travel rewards frustratingly. Usually on or around major holidays or other peak travel periods. But there are no blackout dates with hotels.com rewards.
- [00:57]
Barry Glendenning
Superb.
- [00:58]
Max Rushden
Yes. So next time you're booking somewhere to stay, just book it at hotels.com hotels.com it's all in the name. Hi POD fans. Max here. Football Weekly is supported by Contentful Marketers. No matter what pitch you play on, a big win feels the same electric. It's that moment when you read the play before the trend even starts. Beat the clock on a campaign, a little help from AI and connect with customers in real time like you've trained for it your whole career. That's contentful. World class digital experiences, built fast, built beautifully. Create and launch personalized content in an instant across every channel your customers are watching. No chaos, no limits, just open field. Take your shot@contentful.com. Hello and welcome to the Guardian Football Weekly. World cup previews. Group I to L. A Group L. How long before teams are in Group Z? Knocking it into row Z. England and the rest of Group L can wait until the end as we continue alphabetically. Group I, France and their squad. Goodness, but a tricky group. Senegal and Norway. And a tough old draw for Iraq. All the sides in Group J begin with A. Argentina, Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Okay, three of them do. Group K, Portugal, Dr. Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. And then Group L. Can Tuchel's boys do it? England. Those Croatians? I don't have to say it. Ghana and Panama. This is the Guardian Football Week. Clean. All right, previewing these four groups. Johnny Liu. Welcome.
- [02:40]
Johnny Liu
Hello.
- [02:40]
Max Rushden
Bonjour. Sava, Philippe. A Clerc.
- [02:44]
Johnny Liu
And hello.
- [02:44]
Max Rushden
Barry Glendenning.
- [02:45]
Barry Glendenning
Bonjour.
- [02:46]
Max Rushden
Okay then, Group I, France, Senegal, Iraq and Norway. France managed still by Didier Deschamps. Won it of course, in 98 and 2018. Runners up last time. Senegal managed by Pap Joe. Got to the quarterfinals in 2002. Last 16, last timeout. Iraq managed by the Australian Graham Arnold. Best ever is the group stages and Norway managed by style. Solbacken got to the round of 16 in 1998. France then Philippe. Very good squad, isn't it? Deschamps, fourth World Cup. Has he won you over yet?
- [03:16]
Philippe Auclair
No, but he doesn't care because it's one of the things which are far more important than me, I think when you say squad, I think you have to qualify that a little bit because first of all there's the bad news that William Saliba has on his back and that he might not be available for the first game at least of the World Cup. So that's. Which is a bit of a pity because he's probably our best. I was going to say ball playing centre back. Other than that it's a team that's very heavily. I mean, when you look at it, it's completely unbalanced by which I mean the attacking potential of it is absolutely frightening. And the defense can be a bit frightening as well from time to time because it is not very well balanced. And I would also say that our midfield nowhere as strong as it has been in the past. You know, when you have to rely perhaps on Golo Kante at the age of 35 to hold everything together. Tchouameni didn't have the greatest of seasons. Rabiot. I don't need to tell you who Rabiot is, but going forward it's true that if you can be embarrassed by riches. Yeah, France is hiding under the carpet because it's just. It's just insane. Even with Hugo Ekitike missing, who probably would have been playing probably on the left wing had he been fit. But still, you know, when you've got the likes of Mbappe and Dembele and Bakola and Desiree Douay, who was absolutely brilliant by the way, in their last warmer game and
- [04:53]
Max Rushden
who starts who starts
- [04:55]
Philippe Auclair
and Rayan Cherky, it's a big problem because. Well, it's not a big problem. It will depend the kind of tactical setup that Deschamps uses, would imagine that there are some players that he will not be able to leave out and that's Dembele and Mbapp and I would say myself, Michael Olise, but I'm not even sure about that. It would be possible perhaps if Kylian accepted to go on the left wing rather than stay in the middle. To have a team like you would have Mbappe Dembele due and Olisse behind them, which I have to say I quite like the sound of that. And with the possibility of Cerky coming from the bench as a number 10 Barcola as a joker and you think that's brilliant. So yes, it's. Who do you leave out in attack? But I maintain that we do have problems at the back. Honestly, players like Diote Upamecano and Ibrahima Konate do not really inspire confidence. Again, had pretty difficult season. In the case of Konate, there is still the problem of right back despite the best, Jules Kounde being very good in some ways. In many ways in fact. And people were actually saying maybe we should have Juan Zayrem replaying that. You know, it's the defense and the midfield for me are not as strong as they have been in the past. Attacking wise, yes, it's probably one of the strongest French team ever on potential on paper, but it's not a balanced team and that's why I don't think that France can be seen as the out and you know, out out favorite for, for the competition.
- [06:34]
Max Rushden
What do you think, Johnny?
- [06:35]
Johnny Liu
I think Philippe's right in, in a lot of ways. I mean this is, I mean I think it was, it was a few months ago when they, when they played some played against Colombia and Deschamps gets asked about, about bolstering the midfield and he sort of makes a joke about oh, he's an. I'm, I'm an attacking coach now. I've been, I've been holding back I' back long enough, which is, which is nice. But it's also the sort of thing coaches start to say when. Well, actually they've got one eye on their, on their legacy. You know, there's, there's a sort of. Is it hard to say? There's like a Southgate 2024 vibe to all this. Obviously we know Deschamp is leaving after this tournament. We know Zidane is coming in and, and we know that there is a huge amount of pressure domestically for, for Daeshop to, to get the most out of this incredible wealth of attacking talent. And you know, we got a. I think we got a taste of what that might be like. And this, this, this front four that people assume is, is going to be the first choice front for Elise Dembele due and Mbappe, they've only Actually started one game together before, which was the Nations League semi final against Spain last summer. And if you, if you remember what happened then, they went 4 nil down. They were absolutely overrun. And obviously a lot of water under the bridge since then. But I think it just underlines the delicacy of that balance, the delicacy that Deschamps actually has struck so well in previous tournaments in providing that firm platform. And now we're in this place where the questions are how much structure do they actually need? How much freedom should they be given? I think the talent in that squad gets them to, you know, quarterfinal, semifinals without, without too much trouble, actually, that they are simply that good and they're, they're their highest level. The level of football they're capable of playing is so high. But against teams that, that can. Can really hurt them, that can play against them with genuine freedom and invention. I do wonder whether, you know, that that defense is going to hold up against. Against really, really elite opposition.
- [08:42]
Philippe Auclair
One thing as well is that I think the most fluid and fluent performance I've seen from France recently was in the friendly against Colombia. You know, they went to America, they played Brazil with what I would call the A team. And then he used the A B players for the game against Colombia wearing, by the way, the most magnificent kit that I've seen a French team play in for a very long time, reminiscent of the 1982 legendary team. And they looked fantastic. But anyway, my point being that it was the most fluid and fluent performance. And who was starting? Actually, Turkey and Akliush both started that game and they played with a freedom. I mean, one touch football. It was absolutely extraordinary. It was like watching, you know, yeah, one of those 80s team, or perhaps a 2000 team as well. And this is when Desire Duy actually scored his first two goals for France. So, and I left, I finished watching the game thinking, well, I don't know exactly where I stand with this team because most of the people I've just seen, most of the players who have been so convincing will probably not be in the team that will start the tournament in America. So these are choices that the show is going to have to make. And I'd like to, you know, I'd like to hope that this being his last tournament for France is going to take the handbrakes off and be perhaps a little bit more, I don't know, encourages players to be a bit more.
- [10:15]
Max Rushden
Be more Aussie. Ardiles. Be more Ange Postecoglou.
- [10:18]
Philippe Auclair
Yeah, be more Aussie. Be more Aussie. But you know what? I don't think that's going to happen.
- [10:24]
Max Rushden
No, Baz below France, we presume they'll win the group. And then how do you see it?
- [10:30]
Barry Glendenning
I think Senegal finished second. They have a rock solid defense. They only conceded two goals in seven games at Afcon, which they won, then didn't win. And now, as we've established, we don't know they might win it again. They have a big mix of experience and youth. So tournament know how in the form of Sadio Mane, Kaladou Koulibale, Idrisa Ganegue, Eduard Mendy. And then they've like a trio of teenagers that have been chucked into the squad as Sana Gel Ibrahim Embay from PSG and Bal Sapoto Yai from Bayern Munich. Apologies for the mangled pronunciations. I don't think I've done very well there. But I think they are the African team that is most likely to go deep into the tournament and probably too good to be referred to as dark horses. I was wondering, Philippe, is their match so they open against France? I think France might not necessarily win that game. It could even lose. But is that a big needle match?
- [11:39]
Philippe Auclair
It certainly is. And all the more so that Papcio, the manager was in the team of the 2002 World Cup. He didn't play against France, but he gave the past that gave and gave the pass to Henri Kamara, which the golden goal which enabled them to go to beat Sweden. But he wasn't that group of players, the Bruno Metzu group of players. So yes, there is needle, by the way, it's not unpleasant needle, there's just very competitive. It's a nice needle. But I'm not absolutely sure that France will finish top of that group at all. And when I see that group, I really regret the fact that the eight best placed, you know, third teams will go through because if it were only two out of four, this group would be absolutely monstrous. Senegal are really, really, really tough. And when you've got a front line with Ndi Jackson and Manet and you realize that's not even what they're the strongest. But that's, Barry said, rightly their defense, which is just crazy. And we've seen as well, you know, what they did in the afcon, they're basically with Morocco, the best African team. And that's saying a lot. So I would say Senegal, I've got a chance and they've got a chance to top that group if they start well against France. Absolutely.
- [13:05]
Max Rushden
And as well, Johnny, you've Got Norway who do have Haaland supported by Sorloth and Strand Larsen. Big man, big man, big man. With, you know, Erdogard behind them like, like they are a top heavy team. Lars mentioned it the other day, but that is not a team you want to play against particularly.
- [13:23]
Johnny Liu
No, ab. Absolutely not. I mean, I think a lot of people are talking them, talking them up as, as dark horses. You know, the famous tournament Dark Horse, which, which is probably putting the kiss of death on them. But they, they were the top scorers in, in qualifying. We, we know what they do. The way they, they tore Italy apart in qualifying was, was frightening. So, so this is a squad that obviously marshalled and led by Haaland and the threat he creates goes into this tournament with a huge amount of hope and quite a bit of expectation actually. They're actually. There are actually that many precedents for a team, I mean the omens for a team that hasn't competed in the World cup for, for so many years. And, and there have been quite a few of these teams over the years. I remember, you know, Peru coming in, in, you know, like really fancied in 2018, you know, Canada as well. There aren't that many precedents for a team coming back to the World cup after such a long layoff and, and doing well. Turkey in 02, you'd say is perhaps the only, only real outlier. But, but generally the, the tournament know how is such a huge deal and you wonder that, you know, if Norway get to a big knockout game or whether that lack of tournament know how is going to sort of derail them. But they have, they do have so much talent as you know, Odegaarden and Sandeberg and Noosa and Oscar Bob as well. It's a really, really, really stacked team.
- [14:54]
Philippe Auclair
I have to. Well, confession. I'm speaking to you from Oslo. So where Norway beat Sweden, it's your
- [15:01]
Max Rushden
Nobel Prize finally, Philippe.
- [15:04]
Philippe Auclair
I have actually been put up in the hotel when the Nobel Prizes stay, which I could not afford if I had, if I were not invited to that conference. But there you go in any case. More importantly, Norway beat Sweden last night. It was there basically the farewell game before they flew off to the World cup and they left Martin Lutherd on the bench. Obviously Erling Holland didn't, didn't play either, but Strand Larsen scored two and Norway were really good. Very, very good. And what really is impressive is that how relaxed they seem to be. You know, even in this country where people are very critical towards football. As you know, Norwegian fans have got Very strong views about the World Cup. I've got very strong views about sportswashing and all this sort of thing, but they really. That team is really provoked an output of, I don't know, enthusiasm, which is quite remarkable and which doesn't seem to have got to them at all. They seem to be totally relaxed in that role and they are. Well, okay. Are they dark horses? I don't know. Are they a little bit. Not as light as other horses, probably, but there is a really wonderful dynamic and momentum behind them right now, and I think they're more balanced and more complete that perhaps they're given credit for, or not given credit for.
- [16:30]
Max Rushden
But as a word on Iraq, I mean, the scenes in Baghdad when they qualified were quite unbelievable. Australian Graham Arnold, the manager, but this is a. They've been given quite a tough little
- [16:39]
Barry Glendenning
draw here, that's for sure. And I think, weirdly, if they can get a result, it's unlikely. This could be one of the groups where third doesn't go through, which would be remarkable because when you look at it, on the face of it, you just go, oh, well, it's going France, Senegal, Norway through, but Iraq, it's the first World cup for 40 years. They beat Bolivia in an intercontinental playoff to get to it. Graham Arnold is a good coach. They've got this awful draw. I reckon they will be happy with a point. A win would be excellent and could really put the cat among the pigeons. And getting out of the group would be the stuff of their absolute dreams, but it seems so unlikely.
- [17:23]
Max Rushden
All right, Group J, then. Argentina, Algeria, Austria and Jordan. Argentina, managed by Lionel Scaloni for West Ham fans, won it in 78, 86 and of course, last time out, 2022. Algeria, managed by Vladimir Petkovich. Best ever is the round of 16 in 2014. Austria, that's where Ralph Ranick is. Came third in 1954. And Jamal Salami manages Jordan. Their first appearance at the World Cup. This, Johnny, seems like a pleasant draw for Argentina.
- [17:55]
Johnny Liu
Yeah, it is, actually, and which is, I think, quite a good thing for them because we saw how slowly they started four years ago, where Saudi Arabia, let's be real, almost put them out in the first weekend. And Argentina has spent. They spent the last two or three years playing quite a lot of what I call joke friendlies. You know, they've been playing teams like Australia and Beijing and Indonesia and Puerto Rico. Basically what they've done is they've tried to take their most bankable asset on like a US tour. It's basically like a Springsteen tour. They've been trying to play every city in the US and, you know, they've been taking them to New Haven and Sacramento and, and Fort Worth, whatever. And it creates a bit of an issue, really, because, first of all, it's allowed them to sweat their most bankable asset, the most famous player in the world, and pretend they're acclimatizing for the World Cup. But it's hard to see any point where they've been remotely tested in any of these friendlies, which makes it kind of hard to gauge where they are as a team. The spine of it, the continuity from four years ago, I think, I think 10 of the 11 started. Basically everyone except Di Maria from the 2022 final is in this squad. So obviously Scalodi's gone for continuity there. And this is essentially a squad that's four years older. Martinez is four years older, Messi is four years older, Taliafico is four years older. I saw a clip a couple of months ago of Ottamendi, who may well start from him in central defence, getting put on the floor for Benfica by some teenager called Oskar Piaczewski and looking like every day of his 38 years. Yeah, essentially. And he's 38 years old. Otamendi is 38 years old and he could end up starting in central defense for the defending champions. So the formula, I think, is pretty clear that they're going to use their nous and they're going to use their platform and their stability to suffer and sweat and take teams to know to the places they don't want to go. But it's, it's, it's really hard to gauge what their highest level is because we, we haven't really, we haven't really seen, you know, we haven't really seen them play at a high level, arguably since the last Copa America.
- [20:19]
Max Rushden
Yeah. And I wonder, Baz, like, will Messi become an issue like Ronaldo, like, he can't play like Messi used to play, but he isn't Ronaldo.
- [20:29]
Barry Glendenning
You know, I don't think he's as petulant and self indulgent as Cristiano Ronaldo is.
- [20:36]
Max Rushden
A high bar.
- [20:37]
Barry Glendenning
Yeah, he, he will need to have his minutes managed. He will need Julian Alvarez and La Toro Martinez to, to help him out and step up, take some of the weight off his shoulders. This Argentina team, as Jolly said, the continuity is strong, but there's a, a real end of an era feel about this. I have a feeling they might not do very well, but they're, they're obviously in with a shout. They're nowhere near the runaway favorites they were last time, but I wouldn't be surprised if they had a very early exit.
- [21:14]
Philippe Auclair
I wouldn't be surprised if there were a couple of very strange results in that group, to be honest. I think it's in. It looks like Argentina and three others, but I think it's a bit more unpredictable than that. I'm really quite curious to see what this Algerian team is going to do with Petkovic, who is somebody who talk about big tournament experience. He's got it. And you look at some of that Algerian squad and still captain Barry at Mahrez, by the way, there are some absolutely terrific players, and I mean absolutely terrific players, and I really don't know what exactly to expect of them. For me, they're a bit of an unknown quantity. And also I look at this Jordanian team and I know everybody's going to laugh at them, but have a look at what they did at the end of last year in the Arab Cup. They were absolutely fantastic. They were only beaten in extra time by Morocco after beating Saudi Arabia and Egypt, who are two powerhouses. They had a fantastic tournament. That was just a few months ago and we have very. We don't know those players. I mean, apart from perhaps there's one who plays for Ipswich Town, who is on the Ipswich Town books, which is not quite the same thing as playing for Ipswich Town.
- [22:26]
Max Rushden
Sure.
- [22:27]
Philippe Auclair
But. Yes, but they are a team that could surprise people. And this group, for me looks like. I don't really know what's going to happen, which is one thing to look forward to. And I do think as well that each Argentinian team is. Doesn't fill me with utmost confidence, to be honest.
- [22:46]
Max Rushden
Johnny, you go with that.
- [22:47]
Johnny Liu
I think so. I mean, obviously you look at Jordan as the kind of, you know, the, the outsiders. Algeria, like we say that they, they actually have, you know, they have a good pedigree, they have a good squad. Austria are the team that can, you know, that can really hurt them. We know how, how they're going to play under Ralph Ragnick and that. That game against. Against Argentina, the Argentina, Austria game in. In Dallas at noon local time has. Has real kind of epic potential. You know, they've got. They've got Marco Anauic in what's almost certainly going to be his last tournament. They've got all of the guys like, you know, Marcel Sabitzer and, you know, Conrad Limer and, And Kevin Danso and. And so if they can adapt, if Austria can adapt their style of play, to the conditions that they're going to face this summer and they won't be able to play their incredibly high energy, high pressing style. They won't be able to press high and play like and run like demons for 90 minutes. If they can adapt, I think they have a squad that potentially could top the group, but certainly could bloody the noses of one of the tournament favourites.
- [23:57]
Barry Glendenning
Well, just one thing about Algeria. They have to cover almost 5,000km jump in two town zones in their three qualifying games, which is, I think well over twice the distance anyone else has to travel. I don't know if that'll be an issue in these days of luxury first class private planes and whatnot, but it is possibly worth noting also Austria, Paul Weiner from PSV and Carney Chukw, Meka Bary, Dortmund, Ex Aston Villa and Chelsea. They've just declared for Austria, having previously played underage football for Germany and England respectively.
- [24:40]
Max Rushden
Interesting. And that'll do for part one. We'll do Group K in part two. Hi POD fans. Max here. Barry's here too.
- [24:47]
Barry Glendenning
Hello.
- [24:48]
Max Rushden
Football Weekly is supported by Hotels.com Now, Barry, question. When you're booking a hotel, do you use hotels.com? actually, you're probably just going to say I don't know, but producer Joel does it.
- [24:57]
Barry Glendenning
I don't know. Producer Joel does it.
- [24:59]
Max Rushden
Well, I think you should give it a try for yourself. Obviously, it's a massive summer of soccer and loads of our listeners will be traveling to watch the tournament and needing to book somewhere great to stay. So it's good to know that when you're a Hotels.com member, you can save up to 20% on hundreds of thousands of hotels. Plus you earn rewards on every stay. So each trip you take helps pay for your future trips. Just use those rewards like cash. And importantly, there are never any blackout dates.
- [25:22]
Barry Glendenning
What's a blackout date?
- [25:23]
Max Rushden
Well, it's a date where you can't use travel rewards, frustratingly. Usually on or around major holidays or other peak travel periods. But there are no blackout dates with hotels.com rewards.
- [25:33]
Barry Glendenning
Superb.
- [25:34]
Max Rushden
Yes. So next time you're booking somewhere to stay, just book it at hotels.com hotels.com it's all in the name.
- [25:47]
Progressive Ad Voice
You're listening to this podcast, so I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact you might not know yet. Drivers who switch and save with Progressive save over $900 on average. Pop over to progressive.com, answer some questions and you'll get a quick quote with discounts that are easy to come by. In fact, 99% of their auto customers earn at least one discount. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little cash back. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates. National average 12 month savings by $946 by new customers surveyed who saved with Progressive between June 2024 and May 2025. Potential savings will vary.
- [26:32]
Max Rushden
Welcome to part two of the Guardian Football Weekly. So, group K, Portugal, Dr. Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. Portugal, managed by Cristiano, managed by Roberto Martinez, came third in. Last time I got to the quarterfinals. Dia Congo, managed by Sebastian Desabare, best in the group stage of Zaire in 1974. Uzbekistan, managed by Fabio Cannavaro. That's where he is. And Colombia, managed by Nestor Lorenzo, got to the quarterfinals in 2014 and the round of 16 last time they're in the tournament. Portugal, then. Baz. They do look so strong, don't they? Was it Mark Langdon predicting they might win the whole thing?
- [27:15]
Barry Glendenning
Yeah, they look brilliant. Their squad looks absolutely formidable. But. And it's the massive obvious but. But there's no getting around it. Cristiano Ronaldo is still hanging around that squad like an eggy fart. And I just think his presence is incredibly damaging. Roberto Bertinez keeps picking him. I don't know why. I guess he's having pressure put on him by both Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portuguese fa because he must know. He must know that the presence of this man, this monstrous ego, is detrimental to the squad. Now, in the very unlikely event that someone can sit Cristiano Ronaldo down and say, mate, you're going to be a fringe player. Just get behind the lads. You will get minutes. There's no reason why they couldn't go and win this tournament. On paper, their squad is as good as any other, I think. But, yeah, that, that's the massive, massive question mark over this squad.
- [28:18]
Max Rushden
Yeah. And you look at the rest of it, you know, Bruno Fernandez, Vitinia, that and.
- [28:23]
Barry Glendenning
And a slightly smaller question mark. Xiao Felix is obviously still there. Which Joe Felix turns up? The prolific Joe Felix or the Joe Felix that looks like he's never played football before?
- [28:35]
Max Rushden
You look at their squad, Johnny Vitina, Jo Neves, Rafael Bernardo Silva, you know, Mendes, et cetera, et cetera. Do you go along with Barry's assessment?
- [28:45]
Johnny Liu
Look, I've had. I've had so much fun with, with Cristiano Ronaldo at tournaments over the last few years. I, I remember when he got, when he got dropped against Switzerland four years ago, I took great pleasure in writing A sidebar from the game that didn't mention him once. It was all about Gonzalo Ramos.
- [29:05]
Max Rushden
It was.
- [29:05]
Johnny Liu
And then finally por fortugal bring on their big man at the end and Rafael Leal gets his, gets his.
- [29:11]
Max Rushden
So.
- [29:11]
Johnny Liu
And then a couple of years ago I wrote, you know, when they, when they went out to France, I wrote about, I called him the, the chain wrapped anvil that will bring, bring them all down. And you know, I think that that's, that's basically the popular view these days outside Portugal. I, I actually, weirdly, I believe it a little bit less than I used to. First of all, you have the, the Nations League finals lost, lost summer where Ronaldo does, he does play a big part. He scores against Spain in the final. He scores the winner against Germany in the semi final. The goal, you know, the goal against Germany comes from a fierce Ronaldo press, which I didn't think, you know, I,
- [29:54]
Max Rushden
I didn't think Wilson don't.
- [29:56]
Johnny Liu
I know, but he did it. If you watch the goal, if you go back a few phases, Ronaldo charges down, charges down the keeper and they win back possession. He's, I think he is prepared to, to knuckle down a little bit. You know, he's, he's sharing the free kick duties at Al Nassr with Joao Felix, which, which I think is a good sign. And I think if he does, if Barry said, as Barry says, if he does accept a reduced role or, or the fact that he's not necessarily going to be the star of this team all of the time, and there are, there are kind of signs that that is happening, that he sort of recognized that this might, this is probably, you can never say certainly this is probably his last World Cup. And whether there's this kind of messy effect where everyone else says, let's win this one, let's run like bastards to win this one for him, which is kind of a mad reason to want to win a World cup from an outside perspective, but does kind of have a weird internal logic to it. And the other factor is who does play up front if Ronaldo doesn't? Because obviously, you know, we're talking about the talent that's, that's stacked in every other area of the team. But you know, if it, if it comes down to it, do you really want, you know, Gonzalo Ramos has had, you know, very nothing kind of season at psg. Joao Felix, obviously, you know, Rafael Lyles, you know, international scoring record is terrible. Ronaldo will have a role to play. And, you know, when it comes to, you know, marshalling that. That. That 6 to 18 yard, you know, area. There's actually nobody. Nobody want few players. You'd want more in that. In that. In that position.
- [31:32]
Philippe Auclair
It's amazing. Well, it's amazing. I'm listening to Johnny. I think that everything I thought before we started this preview is wrong. You sound very convincing, John.
- [31:43]
Johnny Liu
I convinced myself. I mean, you know, we've all got this kind of orthodoxy now.
- [31:47]
Philippe Auclair
I do think that Gonzalo Ramos would be a better option than Cristiano Ronaldo, this being said, climbing down from that little cloud. The other thing, part of the problem for me is the fact that I don't think that they've got the manager who is going to deal with that question particularly well when you've got a manager who hates confrontation. Absolutely hates it even more than umax, which is saying something he hates to put, you know, to.
- [32:15]
Max Rushden
I love confrontation.
- [32:16]
Philippe Auclair
Yeah. Yeah, you do.
- [32:18]
Max Rushden
Really?
- [32:18]
Philippe Auclair
Yeah, yeah.
- [32:20]
Max Rushden
He.
- [32:21]
Philippe Auclair
He is more than a diplomat. He's a bit of a. He's a bit of a Pollyanna, really. So therefore, he's not going to dress this. He's always going to be able to fall back on. Well, look at his. Look at Ronaldo's international record. Look how important he's been in the recent past with us and so forth. And then what the other players think about Cristiano Ronaldo. Actually, I don't think anybody knows because I don't think anybody would dare to say anything in Portugal about the great man, because you would immediately find yourself being ostracized. On the other hand, if you're talking about great squad, this is the most balanced, most complete squad of them all. I include France, certainly, but I also include Spain in that. It's by far from one end of the pitch to the next, the most balance. And the midfield is just insane, really insane.
- [33:11]
Max Rushden
Yeah. And actually, Barry, they do. The group looks friendly, doesn't it?
- [33:16]
Barry Glendenning
Yeah. So Dr. Congo in the group managed by Sebastian de Sab. It's their first World cup in 52 years. Obviously, Dr. Congo, massively populated country, but it's constant conflict there. Most of their players are European, born in Europe. They've got Aaron van Basak, Axel Tune, Wissa, who has not had a good season by any standards since he's moved to Newcastle. They're a resilient team. They're tactically disciplined. I think much of their realistic part to the knockout involves getting a result against Colombia in the second game and then beating Uzbekistan. And I. I don't think that's out of the question. Oh, they also have Sunderland's, Arthur Masuaka. Masuaku.
- [34:10]
Max Rushden
Any thoughts generally on Colombia or Uzbekistan?
- [34:13]
Johnny Liu
Yeah, I mean Colombia about a couple of years ago went on this incredible run between about 20, 23 and 24. They, they beat Spain, they beat Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, I think maybe, maybe Mexico. They reached the final of the Copa America. And at that point you say this is, this is actually legit, legitimate contender. And what has happened to them since then? I, I don't, I don't really know. But the, I saw, you know, I saw highlights of that France game where basically a first string Colombia loses, you know, gets destroyed by a second string France and it's, it's really clear something's gone quite awry in that team. They're not taking John Duran. John Duran, I mean, I think has just is one of those guys who, it's really sad. He's just kind of lost all kind of appetite for the game. And so, you know, they, they decided they couldn't take him. They want a training camp in Spain. They decided they couldn't take him. And what, what you have left is a team based around James Rodriguez, who like might even retire at the end of this tournament. He was 34. And a mixture of, I think players who are a little bit past their peak. You know, the guys like Yeri Mina and, and Luis Diaz who has been, who has been brilliant for buying this this season, but is, but is 29 and has played a full club season at high intensity. So, you know, it's, it's a team that's low on confidence and maybe not entirely sure of their best starting 11, maybe not even entirely sure what their identity is anymore. So I think for the other two teams in this group it could be, could be kind of chaos. I'm really looking forward to this group because I don't think Colombia are going to perform like people are expecting them to. And Dr. Congo and Uzbekistan are the sort of teams that can create a lot of chaos in that group.
- [36:04]
Barry Glendenning
Whoever wins this group gets a lot easier run or draw, basically. Brackish, I think is the word we're using these days, isn't it?
- [36:13]
Philippe Auclair
Yeah. I mean, just to carrying from what Tony was saying about Colombia, if you look at that squad, it's old. It's very old. There are only two players under the age of 25 in it, which is very old, especially in modern football and relying on players who've got tons of experience but who are on the wrong side of 30 for the most part. So and I journey. I was also struck by how easily France dismantled them. It's so they were not probably famous last words, but this could be a pretty tough World cup for Colombian supporters is the way I would put it.
- [36:56]
Max Rushden
And finally Barry, Uzbekistan beyond Fabio Cannavaro. What have you got for us?
- [37:01]
Barry Glendenning
Well, he he was appointed after they qualified. Uzbekistan have a a history of glorious failures and near misses when it comes to qualifying for the World Cup. They're at this one. Abdukadur Kushanov, man city defender is obviously their best known player. They're expected to be a tough watch trying to grind out draws and and nick goals on the break, but it would be a surprise if they finished anywhere other than bottom.
- [37:29]
Max Rushden
All right, that'll do for Group K. We will finish our previews with Group L and England.
- [37:37]
Progressive Ad Voice
You're listening to this podcast so I know you've got a curious mind. Here's a helpful fact you might not know yet. Drivers who switch and save with Progressive save over $900 on average. Pop over to progressive.com answer some questions and you'll get a quick quote with discounts that are easy to come by. In fact, 99% of their auto customers earn at least one discount. Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little cash back. Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates national average 12 month savings by $946 by new customers surveyed who saved with Progressive between June 2024 and May 2025. Potential savings will vary.
- [38:14]
SoFi Ad Voice
High interest debt can be a real vibe killer. Credit cards, personal loans and more can make you feel uncomfortable even in the sanctuary of your own home. Well, what if you knew that SOFI can help you leverage your home's equity to feel more at ease? It's called a SOFI Home Equity Loan. Nixon could consolidate your debt at a typically lower interest rate than existing debt with lower monthly payments and all while keeping your existing mortgage rate. View your rate@sofi.com payoffdeb today. Mortgages originated by SoFi bank and a member FDIC and MLS number 696891. Terms and conditions apply. Equal Housing Lender.
- [38:53]
Max Rushden
Welcome to Part three of the Guardian Football Weekly. Group L then England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama, England managed by Thomas Tuchel. The best they've ever done is they won it actually in 1966. Got to the quarterfinals last time. Harry Kane putting that penalty over the bar against France. Croatia managed by Zlatko Dalic, runners up in 2018, came third last time. They're indefatigable, aren't they? Garda managed by Carlos Quiros, got to the quarterfinals in 2010. Of course they did. We all remember that game. Knocked out the group stages last time. And Panama, managed by Thomas Christensen, have been there once before. 2018, let's start with England then. David says, is this the Most settled starting 11 England have had going into a World Cup? What do you think, Johnny?
- [39:39]
Johnny Liu
Yeah, people keep, people keep moving the goalpost on England, don't they? You know, 2018, you, you, the, the, the, the wrap on England is that they always underperform at tournaments. 2018, you've reached semifinals. Oh, but you didn't, you didn't play anyone. You didn't play anyone good. So you've never beaten anyone good. You lose to the first big nation you come up against. Euros 2021, they beat Germany and they reach the final. Yeah, yeah, but you're on home soil, you know, you can't, you know, you can't really. And, and it's this sort of thing where nations become bad by virtue of having been beaten by England. So 2022, they played brilliantly against France in the quarterfinals, and they're a penalty kick away from the. Potentially going all the way there. Yeah, but, you know, you've fallen short again. And, and then Euro 2024, they reach the final, like, very unlikely. Ah, yeah, but you know, again, you didn't beat anyone good because, you know, Netherlands aren't a big footballing nation anymore. And, and also you play terribly. It basically comes down to this. And it, if, if they win, then the whole thing is, you know, the whole project almost is vindicated. And I think I've talked myself into this. I think they will. And I think, because when I'm, when I'm looking at teams going to a national tournament, I'm always asking, what, what's their, what's their motivation? What's their greater purpose? What is their why? And it kind of struck me with England that there's a real kind of purpose, sense of purpose, almost arrogance to them.
- [41:09]
Max Rushden
Now.
- [41:09]
Johnny Liu
We are the best league in the world. We are the, you know, the center of the footballing universe. And now is the time to prove it. They have, you know, maybe not the best squad in terms of talent, but I really love the way that Tuchel has, has plotted out every area of, of the pitch and every kind of possible scenario that he's picked a squad that is calibrated to the demands of a tournament. They know how to keep the ball now. They're pretty good at keeping the ball to the, to the point of View where, you know, to the point where people start saying it gets boring. But they have the highest possession of European qualifying, which is going to be crucial in the heat. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson and Drew Bellingham, if he starts one of the best midfields in the tournament and they have the best striker in the world, potentially on current form. So I see no reason why they can't do it. It's just. Can they get over this, the neurosis and the shit that people will throw at them and the kind of the circus that will follow them. I think that's the big unknown because I think they've got all of the keys this time.
- [42:11]
Max Rushden
Barry, do you want to come anymore after hearing that?
- [42:14]
Barry Glendenning
Yeah. Look, I'm always concerned. I think this is a really good England squad. I have very, a lot of time for Thomas Til as a manager. I suspect he will be better than Gareth Southgate. And by the way, imagine my shock last night. I was doing the washing up and I suddenly heard my own voice coming from the television and I was in one of the opening scenes of the. The drama. Dear England. Now, I don't remember giving anyone permission for that. I certainly haven't received a royalty check or a.
- [42:49]
Johnny Liu
They're not creative enough, they're not positive enough.
- [42:51]
Barry Glendenning
No, I was, I was talking them up. I was appalled. Surely they could have found an England journalist to do this. You know, that's. That's a job for Henry Winter if ever I saw one. But anyway, there I was. So, yeah, that was a shock to the system. I might look. Phone lit up like you're into your English. Anyway, that's by the. By my concern. My main concern for England will be the. The conditions, the heat, the potential of a game against Mexico in Mexico in the quarterfinal and. But otherwise I give him a great chance.
- [43:29]
Max Rushden
What do you think, Philip?
- [43:31]
Philippe Auclair
I. I agree with that. When I heard Barry say, my main concern for England, I think, is that England would win. I think that would be our top. Then we could have perhaps a little. I don't know if you're going to watch England's final game together, but we could have a. A replay of what you did in the past, which was.
- [43:50]
Max Rushden
Well, of course, yeah, the jig, the chef's kiss, you know, we know all the things and I don't. I just don't ever believe they'll win it. I don't ever believe they'll win it. And I'm at peace with that. I don't think. I'm just saying that to make myself feel better. But I, I agree with the other lads, Philly, that, you know, there is balance to this squad. There is a sense of purpose. There is that not just picking all, you know, the attackers. You know, there is a method with two.
- [44:17]
Philippe Auclair
Yeah, and, and, and it's, it's a team of players who've won quite a lot of things with their clubs as well. It's. It's a younger team as well. There have been some pretty sharp calls from, from Tuhal when he, when he named his squad. They were the right choices, by the way. Perhaps the only thing you would actually know. Let's not squabble about that. And the fact is he will be in a situation that I think New England manager has been in before in terms of his own relationship with the old country. He doesn't give a toss about it. He will not be ruffled by anything that's going to be put in the paper. Absolutely not. And I think it will be. This will have an impact on the players as well. And honestly, yes. I'm sorry, Max, but they're my favorites for the tournament, really. They are. Absolutely. It's the momentum, you know, it's the momentum which seems to me. There seems to be a right feel around that team and it's got. Yeah, it has the right ingredients. People used to say, well, they don't have the central defenders. Well, actually, no, they do. Oh, they don't have a defensive midfielder. Well, yes, they actually do. And forward, they're terrific. And blah, blah, blah. You carry on. No can do it. Absolutely.
- [45:37]
Max Rushden
Do you think Bellingham starts Jonny over Morgan Rodgers?
- [45:40]
Johnny Liu
I don't think so. I mean, I think Tuchel has shown that he's willing to cull the sacred cows. I think leaving out Foden and Cole Palmer was just, it was just. We. I know it made sense, but it was such an incredible, it's an incredible thing for an England manager to do. And, and I think, you know, he won't have any, any compunction in, you know, leaving Bellingham on the bench or subbing Harry Kane off after 60 minutes if he's having a stinker. He's. I think he's, he's got the authority and he's got the, he's got the record and he's got, I think, you know, the stubbornness and the bloody mindedness to do that.
- [46:15]
Max Rushden
And I mean, we've talked about the squad a bit before, Barry, but I suppose, you know, there, there are, there are a few surprises. You know, Dan Byrne and Jordan Henderson seem to be in as Just sort of, you know, good lads. I maybe that is not fair. You could see Dan Burn being brought on if they're 1 nil down with 10 minutes to go. Going look, be a center back when you're defending but like cause some problems up there. Ivan Toney as well is a really interesting select.
- [46:39]
Barry Glendenning
I think Ivan Tony is a great pick. He takes a perfect penalty. There's no better penalty taker than him around anywhere. It look this English thing of nitpicking over fringe players who probably won't get a minute or, you know, anything more than a handful a minute. It's just ludicrous. I don't really want any part of it. The only selection I have any problem with is the omission of Adam Wharton. I think he's just a terrific player, but he's not there. So there's no point in worrying about him. I think England's first team is excellent. They've got seven good, you know, excellent replacements ready to come on if things get too hot or if they need to change things up. As Philippe has said, Thomas Tuchel doesn't care about any of the sideshow nonsense in the media or the silly questions of press conferences. He doesn't care what anyone thinks of him. He's not enamored to big names or star players. I think it's a great formula for success.
- [47:44]
Philippe Auclair
The other thing, it might be just an impression, but my impression is that this England team will arrive at the World cup in a much better state physically than what I was expecting. So I think there were, I think quite few of us would be worried about the effect of burnout. Super long season in the Premier League. Clubs going quite far in European competitions, well, at least Arsenal Villa and Palace and so on. But that doesn't seem to be really the case. And when you look at the performance level of some of the key players in that side, Harry Kane is in absolutely astonishing form at the moment. Declan Rice is as good as he's been all season, which is really saying something. You're talking about really important players. In this case, even Morgan Rogers, who's played, I mean over 50 games, still looks sharp. It's a team that looks sharper than previous incarnations which tended to arrive at big competitions with players who were either out of form or even carrying slight injuries. And this time Tuchel has decided players who are carrying slight injuries. I'm sorry guys, you're not going to make it. And that is another argument in their favor, especially given the climatic conditions in which the tournament is going to be played.
- [49:00]
Max Rushden
It's the hope that kills you, isn't it? Ted says at what stage will Croatia get tired? Amazing. Barry Perisic is there, Kovic is there. Kramer is there. Modric is there. This is just glorious.
- [49:12]
Barry Glendenning
Yeah, look, this team were runners up in 2018. They came third in 2022. Modric, Perisic, Krameric.462 caps between them still there. It's a, it's just incredible. They do have some young blood. Luko Voskovic is 19 year old. He's been on loan at Hamburg from Spurs. He will be the heart of their defense, probably alongside Josco Gvardiol. Martin Batarina from Como is sort of the heir apparent to Luka Modric. Does Luka Modric start? I don't know. Is he? Come on. Has he got 90 minutes in him? Probably not in the heat, but the presumption seems to be that they will finish second between them and Ghana. Probably. I think it could benefit England to finish second in this group rather than win it. But that's a, you know, a bit of a gamble to try and finish second rather than first. But yeah, I don't really know what to expect from Croatia. They're obviously good players, but they are pushing on, aren't they?
- [50:25]
Max Rushden
What about Ghana, Johnny? How do you see them?
- [50:27]
Johnny Liu
Yeah, I genuinely don't understand why, why countries keep highly hiring Carlos Carros. Like, I, I, I mean, maybe one
- [50:34]
Max Rushden
team has to have that, One team
- [50:36]
Johnny Liu
has to have them, one team has to have Carlos. It's like, whose turn is it? It's like the class Teddy, who's, who's
- [50:40]
Max Rushden
got the Carlos Carreras who takes the Goldfish home for the summer holidays?
- [50:44]
Johnny Liu
Yeah, yeah, he's, you know, he's kind of weathered and, you know, he's got a slightly worn patch. Yeah, I don't know. I mean, failed. Europe couldn't get Egypt to the World cup, couldn't get Colombia to the World Cup. Most recently Oman. Like, what is it, what is it about this guy's CV that that makes like a series of nations that this is, this is our guy, this is the guy. You know, maybe it's the fact that he's, you know, he stood close to Alex Ferguson. The shimmering reflected glory. Look, they have, they're not coming into this tournament in great form. Germany had a field day against them. Mexico had a field day against them. They've been, I think in Wales doing their final preparations and Carols has been, you know, getting very antsy about, about all the Thomas Partey questions. He's been getting. I would be surprised if they did well in this group or in this tournament. I would be surprised. We, you know, we all know about, about the likes of Semenya, we all know about, about Partey, you know, Jordan Ayew I think is still hanging around there, but I haven't seen anything from them that really should give England or anyone else any cause for pause.
- [51:51]
Philippe Auclair
For me, Ghana is one of those teams whose reputation because of their name is much brighter than what they actually have to offer. And it's been the case for a very long time for Ghana, who have always been the team of which so much was expected. I mean, back to the 60s when they, you know, didn't play in the 1966 World cup and they boycotted basically. And when everybody said, oh, look at Ghana, they're fantastic. And it's always been like that generation after generation. This idea that Ghana was somehow a kind of African superpower has taken hold and that's just not true. It's not true. And their team looks not particularly well balanced to me. I don't think they will make a deep impression on that tournament at all, I'm afraid. Can I just ask one thing for, for Luka Modric, because this tournament is the tournament in which Modric is probably going to enter a very, very, very small club, which is the players who have got to more than 200 caps for their country. He's on 196 at the moment. Messi is on 198. So there's only two. I mean, this Cristiano Ronaldo is way ahead. Two hundred and twenty six.
- [53:06]
Barry Glendenning
And the second is on four hundred and seventy five.
- [53:11]
Philippe Auclair
Yes. And so we could have two players coming into the 200 club.
- [53:18]
Max Rushden
So who's the other one?
- [53:19]
Philippe Auclair
Bader Al Mutawa from Kuwait who retired in 2022 and who's got 202 caps.
- [53:28]
Johnny Liu
Christine Sinclair has entered the chat, by the way. Oh, yes, I know we're post woke now, but.
- [53:32]
Max Rushden
Yeah. Has anyone got a line on Panama?
- [53:35]
Barry Glendenning
Yeah, I don't think they're going to be the whipping boys people probably expect them to be. They got out of a group containing Bolivia, Uruguay in the USA at the last cop America, they got to the final of the Concaf Nations League. Their manager is Danish fellow Thomas Christensen, who I think had one appearance for Spain. I've. That. That's what I've written down here. It was a long time ago. I wrote that down, so. But I presume it's correct. And yeah, they, I mean, their opener is Against Ghana in Toronto. I'm not going to say they could win it, but if they did, it would certainly shake things up.
- [54:18]
Max Rushden
Blimey. I just looked. Christine Sinclair. 331 games for Canada. So, yeah, take that, Luca. Gotta keep going for the next 20 World Cup. I wouldn't put it past him. Quickly, then. So, Philippe, you think England will win the whole thing?
- [54:33]
Philippe Auclair
Yes, absolutely.
- [54:34]
Max Rushden
And you, Johnny?
- [54:35]
Johnny Liu
Yeah, I've gone from France to Spain to France to England in the space of the last 10 days. So come back in a few days, but at the moment, England.
- [54:44]
Max Rushden
Barry, who are you tipping for the whole thing?
- [54:46]
Barry Glendenning
French.
- [54:47]
Max Rushden
Okay, Golden Boot, everybody. Philippe.
- [54:51]
Philippe Auclair
While Harry Kane. Got to be logical here, Johnny.
- [54:55]
Johnny Liu
I'm going Harland on the. On the basis that, you know, he's. He's playing Iraq in the group stage. And Harland against a rock could be even more of a mismatch than some of the other encounters.
- [55:04]
Max Rushden
Baz.
- [55:04]
Barry Glendenning
In the absence of Christian Benteke, my tactical guess for this one, which could badly backfire, is Spain's Mikhail Oyar Zabel.
- [55:15]
Max Rushden
Right. Jose Maria Lal.
- [55:18]
Barry Glendenning
Yeah.
- [55:18]
Max Rushden
Okay. And then some dark horses, then, Johnny, I'm going Ecuador. All right, Philippe.
- [55:23]
Philippe Auclair
It's the first time I think that they've ever been called dark horses. I'm going for Germany.
- [55:27]
Max Rushden
Germany's a dark horse.
- [55:28]
Philippe Auclair
Nobody talks about Germany at all. Funny that.
- [55:30]
Max Rushden
That's true. But I still think they can't be a dark horse. They're always just a horse, aren't they, Baz? Turkey.
- [55:37]
Barry Glendenning
No, Ecuador. Mine as well. Or Uruguay. Or Senegal. I'm hedging. No Ecuador.
- [55:46]
Max Rushden
And Barry, I mean, we've heard England will win it from Philippe and Johnny. Where do you think England will go
- [55:50]
Barry Glendenning
About Round of 16? Exit at the hands of Mexico.
- [55:54]
Max Rushden
Right. Okay. To stay across.
- [55:59]
Philippe Auclair
This was the last episode of Wishful Thinking, starring Barry Glendinning.
- [56:05]
Max Rushden
Find us on Tick Tock, Instagram, Reddit, blue sky, etc. Etc. Etc. Keep listening to us all watching us on YouTube. Thank you, Philippe.
- [56:12]
Philippe Auclair
Thank you very much, Max.
- [56:14]
Max Rushden
Cheers, Johnny. Thanks. Cheers, Barry.
- [56:17]
Barry Glendenning
I hope you're smirking on the other side of your faces in a few weeks.
- [56:21]
Max Rushden
Let it be noted, Barry, that I didn't smirk. I'm not doing any smirking. I'll only smirk if and when we lift the trophy. And maybe I don't think it'll ever happen. See you in la, Baz. Football Weekly is produced by Tai Papula. Our executive producer is Joel Grove. Yeah. Back for the World Cup.
- [56:47]
Johnny Liu
This is the Guardian.
- [56:57]
Max Rushden
Hi, pod fans. Max here. Barry's here too. Hello, Football Weekly is supported by Hotels.com Now Barry, question. When you're booking a hotel, do you use hotels.com actually, you're probably just going to say I don't know producer Joel does it.
- [57:08]
Barry Glendenning
I don't know Producer Joel does it.
- [57:10]
Max Rushden
Well, I think you should give it a try for yourself. Obviously, it's a massive summer of soccer and loads of our listeners will be traveling to watch the tournament and needing to book somewhere great to stay. So it's good to know that when you're a Hotels.com member, you can save up to 20% on hundreds of thousands of hotels. Plus you earn rewards on every stay. So each trip you take helps pay for your future trips. Just use those rewards like cash. And importantly, there are never any blackout dates.
- [57:33]
Barry Glendenning
What's a blackout date?
- [57:35]
Max Rushden
Well, it's a date where you can't use travel rewards, frustratingly, usually on or around major holidays or other peak travel periods. But there are no blackout dates with hotels.com rewards.
- [57:44]
Barry Glendenning
Superb.
- [57:45]
Max Rushden
Yes. So next time you're booking somewhere to stay, just book it at hotels.com hotels.com it's all in the name.
- [57:58]
Progressive Ad Voice
Insurance isn't one size fits all. That's why drivers have enjoyed Progressive's Name your price tool for years now. With the name your price tool, you tell them what you want to pay and they'll show you options that fit your budget. So whether you're picking out your first policy or just looking for something that works better for you and your family, they make it easy to see your options. Visit progressive.com find a rate that works for you with the name your price tool Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and Affiliates Price and Coverage Match limited By state
- [58:27]
SoFi Ad Voice
law, high interest debt can be a real vibe killer. Credit cards, personal loans and more can make you feel uncomfortable even in the sanctuary of your own home. Well, what if you knew that SoFi can help you leverage your home's equity to feel more at ease? It's called a SOFI Home Equity Loan and it could consolidate your debt at a typically lower interest rate than existing debt with lower monthly payments, and all while keeping your existing mortgage rate. View your rate@sofi.com payoffdeb today. Mortgages originated by Sofi bank and a member of FDIC NMLS number 696891. Terms and conditions applied apply. Equal Housing Lender.