Christian and Alexis bring on USMNT legend Tony Meola and Apple TV Keith Costigan to chat the state of MLS ahead of the 2025 season. Then, Christian and Alexis have 19 season MLS veteran Dax McCarty join the show to look back at a decorated career that includes beating Messi. Later, Christian and Alexis eact to news in Europe including West Ham sacking head coach Julen Lopetegui as well as Tottenham and Newcastle taking the lead in their Carabao Cup semifinal ties.

982 was arguably the year that the continent of Africa first made its impression at the World Cup. African football expert Paul Doyle joins Rob and Martyn to discuss the exciting flair of Algeria, the Disgrace of Gijon, the indomitable lions of Cameroon and the debut of the 30 year-old Roger Milla. If you want to listen to the next three episodes of this series now and ad-free then head to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can access them all for $3.99. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scotland travelled to Spain with arguably their strongest ever World Cup squad desperate to atone for the humiliation of Argentina but with a devilish group to overcome. Author Tom Brogan joins Martyn as they find some catharsis from an interesting campaign and try and rank the five World Cup efforts from 1974 to 1990. As of Monday 23 December Episodes 3 to 7 of this series - covering Northern Ireland, Algeria, Cameroon, the resonance of this Brazil side, the two greatest World Cup games of all time and a full roundup of the tournament - are all available to download, ad-free, at patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast for $3.99. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi Lalas and David Mosse recap an electric MLS Cup Final between the LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls. The Galaxy secured their record 6th title behind goals from Joseph Paintsil and Dejan Joveljic in the first half. Lionel Messi was also named the 2024 Landon Donovan MLS MVP with 36 goal contributions in 19 MLS matches. The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 announces groups and the match schedule ahead of June 14th kickoff. Over in Europe, the USMNT players continue to make noise. Malik Tillman, Richard Ledezma, and Ricardo Pepi record an American hat trick in their dominant win over Twente. Christian Pulisic exits the pitch early against Atalanta due to a right calf tear. (6:39) In #AskAlexi, the guys address discussions on American players to MLS, anti-American bias, and soccer cleats impact on the beautiful game. To wrap the show Alexi shares his story with long-term LA Galaxy equipment manager. (39:13) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How exactly did Messi step up as a leader to drive Argentina to World Cup glory? What has Arne Slot done to take Liverpool to the next level? What makes Brighton such a successful club? Gary is joined by World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister who also reveals the best manager he’s ever worked with and how Mo Salah has got him spending more time in the gym. Get 30% off Hearth with the discount code "TRIF" at drinkhearth.com Sign up to The Rest Is Football newsletter at therestisfootball.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on It Was What It Was, we're looking at one of football's most remarkable underdog stories. Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper take us back to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, where Nigeria’s “Dream Team” shocked the world and won men's gold - the first African team to win a senior global football tournament. From Kanu’s heroics, to dramatic comeback victories over Brazil and Argentina, they explore how this historic triumph cemented African football on the global stage - and inspired a new generation of players. If you’re enjoying the podcast, please hit subscribe to never miss an episode, and consider leaving us a five-star review to help others discover the show. Thank you for listening! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the Spanish World Cup on the horizon and the Argentinian flag being raised in Port Stanley, fears were high that England may not even get to go. Trouble off the field - both historical and hypothetical - would shape the English game in the 1980s. In his brilliant new book 'Go To War: Football On The Brink In The '80s', Jon Spurling brings out both the light and shade of a turbulent decade for the national game. From trouble to tragedy and inflatables to fanzines, he sits down with Martyn to discuss the fan experience of the 1980s. Jon's book can be found here https://amzn.eu/d/c56EFo9 and all good bookshops. If you want to support the podcast or want your episodes without ads and a couple of days earlier then head over to patreon.com/NessunDormaPodcast where you can subscribe for only $3.99 a month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is Pep Guardiola's five-year plan? Why are Algeria being crowned as 'Unofficial World Champions'? Is the Swindon training ground really haunted? And why would anyone ever disrespect the Nations League? Just some of the important issues Marcus, Jim, Vish and Andy are here to try and solve... Find us on X, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, and email us here: [email protected]. Sign up to the Football Ramble Patreon for ad-free shows for just $5 per month: https://www.patreon.com/footballramble. ***Please take the time to rate us on your podcast app. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!*** The Football Ramble, the original and best football podcast. Brand new podcasts every single weekday throughout the Premier League season and every day throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. No cliches. No ex-pros like Peter Crouch or The Rest is Football. Just the funniest football conversation out there. Your guardian for the season, daily not weekly. Stick to the Ramble, totally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Thursday's OTB Breakfast Bite - a bitesize sampling of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, none other than Paul Mescal joined us for a very special edition of You Had To Be There. Alan Quinlan assessed the Ireland team selection for tomorrow night's test with Argentina at the Aviva. And Gavin Cooney joined us to look ahead to the Republic of Ireland's Nations League clash with Finland. And it's there we take our Breakfast Bite, with Gavin saying the onus is on Ireland to start on the front foot. Catch The Off The Ball Breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app. SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

Welcome to Wednesday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your bitesize sampling of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast. This morning's show began with a look at this morning's papers, which includes the opprobrium thrown Robbie Keane's way after the FAI got the former Maccabi Tel Aviv manager in to present caps to the current Republic of Ireland squad. Elsewhere on this morning's show, we spoke to Argentina assistant coach Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe ahead of Friday's test with Ireland. We also chat to former Leinster and Ireland hooker James Tracy. Plus, Nathan catches up with Ireland starlet Andrew Moran before Thursday's Nations League clash with Finland. Catch The Off The Ball Breakfast show LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app. SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join