World Cup Contenders

Could there really be a world where Jude Bellingham doesn’t start for England at the World Cup this summer? With Thomas Tuchel favouring Morgan Rogers in the number 10 role so far, is Bellingham facing a place on the bench? There are also big questions up front. Who steps in as backup to Harry Kane? Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke were both given opportunities against Uruguay but failed to impress, while Ollie Watkins hasn’t quite hit top form this season. Does this point to a wider decline in traditional number nines in the English game? Plus, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards pick their World Cup favourites and assess where England really stand among the contenders. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football Join The Players Lounge for FREE for access to our FPL, tips from Fantasy Football Hub, AI-powered team ratings and our private Slack community. Sign up today at: therestisfootball.com This episode is brought to you by Disney+, where you can watch every match of the UEFA Women’s Champions League live. Visit Disney+ at https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/home Is your door in the draw? Sign up at www.postcodelottery.co.uk People’s Postcode Lottery manage lotteries on behalf of good causes, 18 plus, conditions apply, play responsibly, not available in Northern Ireland. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ✅ Subscribe Here: https://www.youtube.com/@therestisfootball?sub_confirmation=1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🎙️ Listen To The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/therestisfootball ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🗞️ Sign Up To The Newsletter Here: https://mailchi.mp/therestisfootball/trif ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 📱 Follow Us On Socials: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRestIsFootball Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therestisfootball/ Snapchat: https://story.snapchat.com/p/8c729650-9d54-407d-8c62-c658546eee44 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@restisfootball Twitter: https://twitter.com/RestIsFootball ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Alexi and Mosse open the show with an MLS recap to talk Austin FC’s draw in its stadium opener with hype-man Matthew McConaughey, the final game at Crew Stadium, Jakob Glesnes banger, and LAFC’s struggles. (07:08). The guys then talk Copa America, Brazil’s tournament to lose, Argentina-Brazil gap bigger than thought, Alexi’s favorite player, Englishmen/Chilean Ben Brereton’s, and Chile, Uruguay playing with veteran players through the World Cup (27:15). They discuss EURO 2020, including Italy’s impressive run, and why Mosse doesn’t think England appreciates Jadon Sancho. (43:03). In #AskAlexi, fans ask for the USMNT and USWNT player Alexi would pick, Dallas FC academy not translating to success on the field, and if the guys think USMNT will be serious World Cup contenders by 2038. (51:10). Finally, Alexi caps the show with his “One for the Road,” which nods to operating lower-division soccer teams such as the Rochester Rhinos and the newly founded Flower City Union. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alexi and Mosse relive Zlatan Ibrahimovic's unbelievable debut with the LA Galaxy in the State of the Union (1:48). In Mosse Makes the Case (12:39), Mosse makes a pitch for American fans to watch more of the Bundesliga. Also, Alexi looks at the glory of winning the World Cup vs. winning the Champions League in Ask Alexi (21:24) and the guys offer up their top 3 World Cup contenders in World Cup Update (30:07). Finally, reaction to the USMNT's friendly victory against Paraguay headlines The Back Three (36:38). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices