Soccer
What it's like being CAPTAIN at a WORLD CUP - Andy Townsend
The Joy of Football - With Martin Tyler & Neil Barnett›
2 days ago1:39:29
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On this episode of the Joy of Football Podcast, Martin Tyler and Neil Barnett are joined by former Republic of Ireland captain, Aston Villa legend, and renowned broadcaster Andy Townsend for a World Cup special from Dallas as the tournament begins to move through the group stage.
Andy reflects on captaining Ireland at the 1994 FIFA World Cup in the United States and compares that experience to the modern 48-team tournament, discussing what has changed, what remains the same, and whether the expanded format has enhanced football's biggest competition.
The trio then dives into the major contenders. Can Kylian Mbappé fire France to glory? Is Lionel Messi producing one final World Cup masterpiece with Argentina? Are England genuine contenders after a frustrating draw with Ghana? And what should we make of Brazil, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, Norway, Mexico, and the United States after the opening rounds of matches?
Martin's Letter From The Gantry focuses on a historic day in Dallas as Lionel Messi breaks Miroslav Klose's long-standing FIFA World Cup goalscoring record. Martin was there to witness Messi's missed penalty, his record-breaking 17th World Cup goal, and a stunning late strike that further cemented his place in football history. Along the way, there are reflections on Diego Maradona, Mario Kempes, Marco Arnautović, Marcel Sabitzer, and Argentina's enduring love affair with the World Cup.
Elsewhere, Andy gives his verdict on Cristiano Ronaldo's continuing impact for Portugal, discusses why Martin Ødegaard remains such an important figure for Norway despite criticism of his leadership, and explains why World Cups are often decided not by tactics boards but by players capable of producing decisive moments under the greatest pressure.
It's a packed episode featuring Messi, Mbappé, Ronaldo, England, Argentina, France, Japan, the Netherlands, the USA, and much more as three experienced football voices assess the state of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
#worldcup #worldcup2026 #fifa #fifaworldcup #worldcupfinal #messi #messigoal #messiskills #messifans
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The World Cup Is Underway - Martin Tyler Reports from Dallas
Jun 16, 20261:19:39
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"What it's like being CAPTAIN at a WORLD CUP - Andy Townsend" is an episode of The Joy of Football - With Martin Tyler & Neil Barnett. Runtime 1 hr 39 min. Published June 24, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.
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Quick FAQ
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- June 24, 2026.
- How long is this episode?
- 1 hr 39 min.
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- The Joy of Football - With Martin Tyler & Neil Barnett covers soccer. This episode runs on the show's regular cadence.
