World Cup News

Welcome back to It Was What It Was the football history podcast. In today’s episode, co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper bring this Graham Taylor series to a close with the Oslo qualifier that defined his reign: a chaotic, tactically muddled 2–0 loss to Norway at the peak of their ‘golden age’, captured in painful detail by The Impossible Job. Unpacking Taylor’s mounting stress, tabloid caricature and “no‑win” selection calls—especially the dilemma of persisting with an undercooked Paul Gascoigne—before explaining how the back-three plan collapsed, England’s structure unravelled, and Norway’s alertness (including a quick free kick) punished them. The episode breaks down England’s chaotic structure, Norway’s tactical calm under Egil “Drillo” Olsen, and Taylor’s famous touchline outbursts, before tracing the fallout: “Norse Manure” headlines, concerns the players had stopped responding, and a demoralising US tour. England briefly revive by beating Poland, but lose in Rotterdam and, despite winning 7–1 in San Marino after conceding almost instantly, miss out as the Netherlands win in Poland. They assess Taylor’s broader legacy, his misfortune with timing and player form, and his later rehabilitation at Watford. 01:51 Norway’s Golden Generation 04:51 Tabloid Mockery Era 06:11 Psychology and Pressure 08:18 The Gaza Fitness Dilemma 18:30 Paranoia and Tactical Switch 22:50 System Collapse in Oslo 25:57 Quick Free Kick Nightmare 29:41 Norway Strike Again 30:32 Tabloid Backlash 32:07 Tactics And Trust 35:18 Bigger Picture Failings 42:56 USA Tour Fallout 43:49 Last Chance Qualifiers 45:36 San Marino Shock 48:28 Reassessing the Taylor Legacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to It Was What It Was, the football history podcast. Today co-hosts Jonathan Wilson and Rob Draper are joined by a very special returning guest - Jan Fjørtoft! In this episode, we will explore Norway’s remarkable rise in the early 1990s and their famous 2–0 win over Graham Taylor’s England in 1993. Fjørtoft explains how Egil “Drillo” Olsen took a previously struggling national team and built belief through a disciplined, direct style, carefully defined roles, and detailed match analysis using hand-written stats and video. The episode breaks down the key tactical choices that unsettled England, revisits both Norway goals, and follows the qualifier run that took Norway to their first World Cup since 1938. Norway will return to the World Cup this summer for the first time since 1998. This episode will be followed by a three part special on Graham Taylor. 01:12 Norway before the rise 04:09 Olsen arrives and stirs 06:47 Direct football philosophy 14:31 Stats and analysis 20:05 Defined roles and system 23:40 Beating England 28:12 Tactical switch 31:33 Gascoigne fitness factor 32:50 Olsen’s Selection Mind Games 37:20 Two Goals Breakdown 42:41 Road to USA 94 Sealed 45:45 Poland Night and Wild Celebrations 48:46 Heroes Welcome in Norway 52:04 World Cup Heat Prep Fiasco 59:59 Egil Olsen Legacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marcus, Andy and Vish are back for The Preview Show, sponsored by Betway! It’s crunch time in the Premier League as Ole’s boys head to Leicester for a 'who can leave the ball in the centre circle the longest' competition. Remarkably, Maguire has played the most football of any player in world football - ideal preparation for a Boxing Day afternoon with Vards. Elsewhere, Arsenal welcome Chelsea, and recent form suggests they will be very hospitable indeed. Plus, Norwegian manager Egil Olsen has chosen a very special name for his mutt, and Big Sam gets ready for his first wind-up as Warnock valiantly comes to his defence. And, to top it all off, Marcus’ game returns! Search ‘Football Ramble’ on social media to find us, and email us here: [email protected]. ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. 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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.