Football Daily

John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball answer listener questions ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. From preparing for foreign player pronunciations, to the matches they’re most looking forward to. And from logistical travel arrangements to their favourite national anthems. Messages, questions and voicenotes welcome throughout the tournament on WhatsApp to 08000 289 369 & emails to [email protected]
00:30 John prepares for Mexico,
03:00 International commentary styles,
07:25 Preparing for player pronunciations,
16:40 First World Cup memories,
21:30 Is World Cup prep different?
30:45 Which matches are they most excited for?
34:00 Which cities are they most excited to visit?
36:55 Favourite national anthems & fanbases,
40:50 Thoughts on sharing commentaries,
42:40 Will the commentators be working in teams?
48:00 What does a rare summer off look like?
50:20 Will there be a World Cup TCV?
5 Live / BBC Sounds commentaries:
Fri 2000 Spain v England in Women’s World Cup qualifying,
Sat 2100 England v New Zealand in friendly,
Tue 2000 England v Ukraine in Women’s World Cup qualifying,
Thu 2000 Mexico v South Africa,
Fri 0300 South Korea v Czech Republic,
Fri 2000 Canada v Bosnia & Herzegovina.

We’ve got together with Americast and Newscast for three special episodes on what could be the most political World Cup ever.

How much will Donald Trump make it about him? Will the US-Iran war affect the tournament? And why are tickets so expensive?

Our own John Murray, Newscast's Adam Fleming, and Americast's Marianna Spring and Anthony Zurcher tell you everything you need to know about what’s going on off the pitch.

In this episode we look at why the US, Canada, and Mexico were picked as hosts, and who’s benefiting from the Trump-Infantino bromance. Parts 2 and 3 are in the Newscast and Americast feeds on BBC Sounds.

Listen to Newscast here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl

Listen to Americast here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p07h19zz

Kelly Cates, Pat Nevin and Roddy Forsyth take a trip down memory lane to reflect on Scotland’s World Cup tournaments of the past and look at what it means to be a Scottish football fan, and the cultural significance of the tournament.
Former players Willie Miller, Alan Rough and Kevin Gallacher join the pod to chat about their experiences at a World Cup, and we can’t talk about the finals without mentioning a World Cup song – and Scotland have had a fair few bangers over the years! So, Belle and Sebastian lead singer Stuart Murdoch pops by to tell the guys about writing this year’s World Cup song, and the inspiration behind that too – and Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie comes on to tell us about writing the song for Scotland’s 1998 tournament.
Timecodes:
06:30 – Willie Miller.
21:52 – Alan Rough.
32:18 – Kevin Gallacher.
51:00 - Stuart Murdoch.
53:30 – Justin Currie.

When England flew to Germany for the 2006 World Cup, expectations were at fever pitch for a star-studded team led by David Beckham. The so-called Golden Generation was ready to deliver. But it never happened – instead came a series of heartbreaks and disappointments that left the fanbase in despair.
Rick Edwards is joined by Sharon, Billy and Gary, three fans who probably suffered through more games than anyone else during the Golden Generation. They reflect on their incredible experiences at different tournaments, but also the growing sense of a team that felt further away from the fans than ever before.
02:24 - How optimistic were England fans going into the 2006 World Cup?
04:31 - Sharon, Billy and Gary’s experiences on the ground in Germany
11:10 - England meet Portugal in the quarter-finals again
13:12 - Owen Hargreaves & underappreciated members of the Golden Generation
17:30 - England at South Africa World Cup 2010
19:15 - Wayne Rooney hitting back at the fans & disconnection with the team
25:03 - The end of the Golden Generation
27:30 - Disaster at Brazil World Cup 2014
29:52 - Reflecting on this era
32:55 - The beauty of following England on the road

Ian Dennis is joined by former England defender Stephen Warnock, as well as BBC Sport Senior Football Correspondent Sami Mokbel, as England land in Florida ahead of the World Cup.
The team discuss the hot Florida conditions within England's camp at West Palm Beach, and how the heat might affect the squad. Then, we hear from players Ollie Watkins, Jordan Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo on everything from motivation, manifestation and how it feels to finally be in America ahead of the World Cup.
Timecodes:
00:50 - Discussion about the hot Florida conditions & acclimatising to the weather
09:16 - Jordan Henderson on his England career & what he brings to the squad
19:42 - Ollie Watkins on missing out in March, getting called up & manifestation
26:32 - Kobbie Mainoo on his qualities & what he's learned through the season