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At the 2010 World Cup, New Zealand drew against Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay — finishing as the only unbeaten team in the whole tournament. Zero defeats. Now they're back for a third World Cup, after beating Chile 4–1 in a bold all-black kit. The haka says it all: when the whole team moves as one, those nervous butterflies turn into warrior energy. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

While snow piled up outside, Canadian players trained inside giant domes — white bubbles with a pitch inside. Those tight spaces made them fast, technical and hard to mark. Now Les Rouges arrive at their third World Cup — and for the first time, on home soil. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

In 2026 Mexico will make history for a third time as host country — the first ever to do so. The opening match of the tournament will be played at the Azteca. And an entire nation dreams of the same thing: the fifth game — finally getting past the round of 16 that has stopped them for seven consecutive World Cups. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

In 1970 Morocco became the first African team to earn a point at a World Cup. In 1986, the first to advance from the group stage. And in Qatar 2022, the first ever to reach a semi-final — beating Belgium, Spain and Portugal along the way. They didn't make history just for themselves. They did it for an entire continent. Now they arrive at 2026 with a perfect qualifying record and the Africa Cup of Nations 2025. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

Third place in their very first World Cup. A final in 2018. Third place again in Qatar 2022, after knocking out Brazil. Croatia has done all of this with a population of just four million people. Now Luka Modrić — the midfield magician — leads them one final time. A short story, full of giant moments. And maybe this time, all those red and white checkers lead to one golden star. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

28 years away from the World Cup. Then: 8 qualifying matches, 8 wins. Haaland scored 16 goals — the top scorer of the entire campaign. And the biggest moment came in the San Siro, beating Italy 4–1 — the very team that eliminated Norway in 1998. The Vikings have a word for this: Dugnad. Helping each other. Showing up. Building something together. After the long winter wait, Norway is back — and they mean business. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

Belgium speaks three languages — but football gives everyone one common language. They reached the semi-finals in 1986 and 2018. The 2018 squad was called the Golden Generation, born from a national plan to teach every young player the same way: clever passing, reading the game, lots of touches. Now a new generation has grown up playing 'the Belgian way'. Ranked #7 in the world. Could the Red Devils finally reach the final? LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

How can a country of three million become one of the giants of world football? Uruguay won the very first World Cup in 1930. Then stunned Brazil at the Maracanã in 1950 — El Maracanazo. In qualifying they beat Brazil at home and Argentina away. Their secret? Garra Charrúa — playing with heart and courage, never giving up. Small country. Giant heart. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

They invented Total Football and changed the game forever. Three finals. No title. But every time the world thinks the Orange Machine is dormant, they come back — hungrier than ever. In 2026 they have another chance to win the only trophy that has eluded them. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

For decades, they called it the 'football machine.' Four titles. Eight finals — more than any other country. But even the best machines need a tune-up. Now they arrive with a new generation, a new style, and the same winning essence that made Germany famous all over the world. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

Brazil is the only country to have played in every World Cup. Five titles. The joga bonito. The era of Pelé, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho. And now they head into 2026 with a curious fact: exactly 24 years have passed since their last title—the same gap as between their third and fourth. Is history repeating itself? LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

When La Sele plays, all of Colombia dresses in yellow. 28 matches unbeaten. A Copa América final they nearly won. Dangerous players in every line. And a captain who could be playing his last great tournament. Colombia arrives at 2026 hungry for history. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

Imagine sitting on a beach, looking out at the horizon — that distant line where the ocean meets the sky. For Portugal, that horizon has always been an invitation to dream bigger. Now their greatest player steps onto the world's biggest stage for what may be the very last time. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

Meet the Socceroos — the team that named themselves after a kangaroo! Australia had to fight for every step in football. But after a miracle match and five World Cups in a row, they arrive in 2026 stronger than ever. Can they go further than before? LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

It all began with a manga — a comic called Captain Tsubasa. That story inspired an entire generation. That generation grew up, trained, and in Qatar 2022 beat two world champions. The Samurai Blue have qualified for seven straight World Cups and have one official goal: win it in 2050. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

The most-attended World Cup in history was held here in 1994. The women's team has won four world titles — more than anyone. And now the men's team arrives at 2026 at home, with Pochettino, players in Europe's biggest leagues, and a whole nation behind them. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

Two stars. Four finals in seven World Cups. A country where football literally has its own school system. France reminds us that greatness doesn't appear by accident — it grows through practice, through learning, from the kids who train every day to the champions who shine on the biggest stage. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

England didn't just shape football — they invented it. Almost 160 years ago, the rules were written here. They won their only title in 1966, at home, in front of a roaring crowd. Now, ranked third in the world, the Three Lions are knocking harder on the door than ever. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

When someone says Tiki-Taka, the whole world knows exactly what they mean. Spain turned that style into an identity. Now they arrive as number one in the world, with Euro 2024 won and a perfect qualifying campaign. The new Furia Roja is 18 years old and already one of the brightest stars on the planet. LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE