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Scotland stun Denmark to qualify, who else is joining England and France from UEFA at The World Cup? A look at Hugo Broos’s South Africa
2 Plays2 days ago
Nick and Ken discuss a dramatic end to the UEFA automatic qualifiers and take a deep dive into CAF qualifiers South Africa.
Ken needs to pick up form in Kenny’s Quiz – can you beat him?
Your weekly guide to the pinnacle of world soccer brought to you by Global Sports Podcast Network.
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Transcript
Introduction and Humor
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're listening to Ropes the World Cup 26 podcast, part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. A very good day to you wherever you are listening in the world. My name is Nick Britton. I am joined on this podcast, as I am always joined on this podcast, a man who is to football what Scott McTominay is to overhead kicks. It's Mr. Ken Davis. How are you, Kenny?
00:00:34
Ken Davies
I'm very well, thank you. Saturday morning. I've been practicing my overhead kicks. That was a goal, wasn't it?
00:00:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
is
00:00:39
Ken Davies
That was actually a goal.
00:00:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is that why you're doing this podcast lying on the floor? with
00:00:44
Ken Davies
I am.
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
with
00:00:44
Ken Davies
I'm in traction.
00:00:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
kind of Mate, I would love to see you even try an overhead kick.
00:00:52
Ken Davies
Absolutely no chance. Best chance of that. Just throw the ball in the end, push me down the stairs. That's the practice. Close as it's going to go.
00:00:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I could be tempted to do that. Never mind throwing the ball. Let's go straight
World Cup Qualifiers Overview
00:01:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
to the second bit. um Yeah, it's been a really exciting week in terms of qualification for the World Cup because the UEFA leg of it all has come to an end. So we now know all the teams who are going through automatically from Europe.
00:01:18
Ken Davies
Very exciting.
00:01:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
also know not only who is in the playoffs, but who's going to play who again in the playoffs. So there are a couple of big teams in the playoffs. And before you say it, no, i' not I'm not.
00:01:26
Ken Davies
Wales, Wales.
00:01:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
whilst there asked that And potential banana skin here or there. So we're going to go through all of that. And then we're going to have a look at one of the teams that qualified a few weeks ago, and that is South Africa, and assess their chances. So lots to go through in today's podcast. So let's get on with it in terms of looking at what's been happening this week in the World Cup news. So congratulations this week.
00:01:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Joining their UEFA colleagues in qualification are Spain, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, and Scotland.
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's an extraordinary game against Denmark.
00:02:11
Ken Davies
Are you sure of that coming?
00:02:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
and We'll come to that. We're going to talk about that in in just a moment. So they join the already qualified Croatia, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal.
00:02:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's 12 teams there who have qualified from Europe. And I don't think there's any great surprises in there. The big ones are all through quite comfortably. Ken, i don't think anybody's going to be too shocked when they see that list that that line-up, are they?
00:02:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Apart from perhaps Scotland, who were the outsiders.
00:02:43
Ken Davies
no There's couple of interesting ones. um i think, firstly, it's great because gives us, I think, our next 15 episodes.
00:02:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know.
00:02:53
Ken Davies
But... Yeah, Switzerland. All Switzerland always punch above their weight, don't they, given the size of the country? you know, consistently in Austria, I remember the days of Hans Krankel in 1978 very fondly.
00:03:08
Ken Davies
remember the famous, were talking about it before, the famous game with Germany, or West Germany, as it was at the time. that so I can't remember the the team that they eliminated because they fought out this really boring draw.
00:03:20
Ken Davies
um But it was... ah Or 1-0 victory for West Germany, I think it was. But anyway, it was ah it's great too ah it's great to see it all concluded.
00:03:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
has
00:03:28
Ken Davies
It's concluded quite quickly, actually, because they did start late.
00:03:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
They started very late um and it feels like it's gone really quickly for some of the teams, like Spain, some of the teams that were involved in the Nations League earlier this year. They've they've had to play in a short space of time.
00:03:39
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:03:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's fine. So they're they're all going to be there
Playoff Structure Explained
00:03:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
the World Cup. The playoffs have also been decided in terms of who's playing who. So just by way of how this works, there are four slots still up for grabs from the
00:03:53
Ken Davies
What I want you to do, Nick, I want you to pick the winner of all four slots of each of the groups as we go down it.
00:03:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, no problem. So it's four slots and thus there are what's called four pathways, pathway A, B, C and D. And there's four teams in each of those pathways and the winner of the A, B, C, D pathway gets a slot at the World Cup. And essentially they've been drawn, they they play one game, so that so names out of a hat.
00:04:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Team A plays Team C and Team B plays TD. And the winner of those plays a final and they go through, if that makes sense.
00:04:27
Ken Davies
Yep, does.
00:04:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, pathway A is Italy versus Northern Ireland and Wales versus Bosnia and Herzegovina.
00:04:36
Ken Davies
So who's winning the final of those four, do you reckon?
Pathway Predictions and Debates
00:04:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it'll be Italy. ah Italy ah italy are of strongest are the strongest team. I think they'll beat Northern Ireland.
00:04:44
Ken Davies
I'd like to kind of work with Italy is always good fun.
00:04:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i mean...
00:04:49
Ken Davies
I like it.
00:04:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:04:50
Ken Davies
I like watching Italy play. So even though Wales are in that pot, I suppose Italy will get through.
00:04:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
that um That'll sort of mean the end of Northern Ireland and Wales' hopes this time around. Yeah,
00:05:02
Ken Davies
Yeah, sad, but I think if if we're put if we're looking in our...
00:05:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
absolutely.
00:05:07
Ken Davies
You're looking in your crystal ball, mate. I think it's ah it's Italy, isn't it, on that one?
00:05:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I think Italy will look at that. When you look at some of the other groups, they'll look that and think they've got away with one here because that's a very, very favourable path. When you look at the other side, path b is a lot tougher at call because you've got Ukraine versus Sweden in the first game and Poland versus Albania in the second game.
00:05:20
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:05:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm not sure because, I mean, Sweden's qualifying team is absolutely wretched.
00:05:35
Ken Davies
Sweden has been terrible.
00:05:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they've got a place in this playoff. um They didn't win a single game during qualifying, but they've got a place here because of their Nations League performances, famously. But they have got a good side on paper.
00:05:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
They've got a really good side.
00:05:50
Ken Davies
I think Sweden is going through.
00:05:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah I think, you know what? I just thought i've got ive i thought that when I looked at this, thought sneaky feeling. They're going to come to the party, albeit a bit late. They're going to come to the party here. um So, yeah, I think so. i think Sweden for that one. Path C is Turkey versus Romania and Slovakia versus Kosovo.
00:06:09
Ken Davies
turkey and it's nearly christmas as well
00:06:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think Turkey as well, and I'd like to see Turkey. say I like the kit. That's the reason I quite like see Turkey.
00:06:18
Ken Davies
yeah so the reason we're picking turkey is because we like their kit and it's quite near christmas it's not exactly it's not winning the pulitzer prizes is it
00:06:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we used to go and hold it.
00:06:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, that's just good.
00:06:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, it will be if they get through. Because everybody will go, you're geniuses. We've just been looking at all these stats and data and all this kind of stuff and realise we've been wrong all along. All along. And then pathway D is Denmark versus North Macedonia and Czech Republic versus the Republic of Ireland.
00:06:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a tough one.
00:06:46
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:06:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
monitor
00:06:48
Ken Davies
Mike Gutfeld's Czech Republic.
00:06:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, Denmark were the best. In the shootout this week... with between Denmark and Scotland and the winner went through Denmark were probably the better side even with 10 men they were the better side for quite long periods of the game we're going to come on to Scotland in just just a second because it's worth just mentioning them well they're going to go in they should go into it with confidence but they might go into it on a bit of a downer um Czech Republic are always a good side Republic of Ireland have you know it's a really hard one to call us so going
00:07:19
Ken Davies
very even Very even group. If I if i had a gun to my head, though, had to pick one for that. I think it's Czech Republic.
00:07:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. Okay, I'm going to go Denmark on that one.
00:07:29
Ken Davies
Okay.
00:07:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
For no reason other than, ah don't know. ah couldn't, you can mention that. I don't know.
00:07:36
Ken Davies
it is
00:07:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
i just...
00:07:38
Ken Davies
There's a piece of paper width between all them teams, I think.
00:07:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
not
00:07:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So those games taking place in March, and as to say, the winners of those, Path A, B, C, D, get into the... World Cup. Congratulations to whoever that
Regional Teams Announcements
00:07:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
is. That'll be a good good round of playoffs there. um In the meantime, running alongside of that, we now know who's going to play in the sort of the big FIFA inter-confederation playoff, which we've had teams sort of drop in there from various parts of the qualifying campaigns. And there's one team from each of these regions. And they are Bolivia,
00:08:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Congo DR, who represent Africa.
00:08:17
Ken Davies
Mm-hmm.
00:08:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Olivia obviously coming from South America. ah Congo DR, who represent Africa. Iraq, who represent Asia. Jamaica from on Cacaf region. New Caledonia. me It seems a long time since we've talked about them, isn't it? From Oceania. And Suriname from whichever one I've missed out.
00:08:39
Ken Davies
ah Shurinam are from...
00:08:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:44
Ken Davies
i thought they CONCACAF.
00:08:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I thought they were as well. Maybe two go through.
00:08:47
Ken Davies
Two go
00:08:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
from think I think maybe two do, actually.
00:08:52
Ken Davies
through for CONCACAF.
00:08:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Two go through.
00:08:52
Ken Davies
Really?
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they do, yeah. that's that's I thought they were. I was looking at that list thinking about Jamaica already. three um I see Jamaica's failure to make the World Cup directly has cost Steve McLean his job.
00:09:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
He left Jamaica.
00:09:07
Ken Davies
Really?
00:09:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
the Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:09:10
Ken Davies
After learning the language and everything.
00:09:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly that, even even though they are still in with a shot of going to the USA. camp left in this week so And then finally, finally, we're getting there, finally in the CONCACAF region, Curacao, Haiti and Panama have all booked their
Focus on Curacao and South Africa
00:09:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
ticket. They'll all be at the World Cup next week.
00:09:33
Ken Davies
Curacao are a dark horse.
00:09:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Awesome.
00:09:36
Ken Davies
I'm telling you, they have had a fantastic, fantastic qualification campaign.
00:09:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
When you say Dark Dark World wants to do what exactly?
00:09:45
Ken Davies
Well, they've done well to get there, and I am very much looking forward to doing the Curacao episode because ah I know nothing about it apart from, is it blue? There's a drink, isn't there, I think.
00:09:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
though, yes.
00:09:59
Ken Davies
ah But but but um they've had a great qualification. i've been keeping me on them from day one. they they've They've been the best by far the best team, better than Jamaica.
00:10:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay. um Who do you fancy out the Inter-Federation playoffs then? I think we're all rooting for New Caledonia, aren't we?
00:10:13
Ken Davies
I'd love to see that. i think I think me and you've got a better chance, to be honest. Run me through the riders again.
00:10:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bolivia, Congo, DR, Iraq, Jamaica, New Caledonia and Suriname.
00:10:26
Ken Davies
ah Bolivia. Bolivia.
00:10:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. you reckon?
00:10:30
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes. I don't know.
00:10:31
Ken Davies
I just think it's the strongest competition they're playing. i it the
00:10:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes I totally agree with that. It is the Comma Bowl qualifying was the strongest qualifying game.
00:10:40
Ken Davies
It's insane. It's you could it should almost like the World Cup in its own right, Combo Bowl.
00:10:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, you're right. You're right. Okay. So, folks, we are we have we we're there and thereabouts, really. We're as far as we're going to get now until March in terms of knowing who's going to be in the World Cup next year.
00:10:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:10:56
Ken Davies
Must be about 38, maybe 40 of the 48 qualified now.
00:11:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Can't far away, can we?
00:11:05
Ken Davies
Got to be something like that.
00:11:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
come
00:11:06
Ken Davies
going have to draw the whole list up now and just work out exactly where we're going. We're going to all over the place in the course of the next 12 weeks.
00:11:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's a bit of research to had. So that's all of that. And today we're focusing on a country obviously already qualified and we are going to the, well, one of the many lands of safari down in the steep African continent and that is South Africa.
00:11:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:11:40
Ken Davies
Lovely.
00:11:58
Ken Davies
a lovely
00:12:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
it carries on like that a bit. wait waiting
00:12:03
Ken Davies
Love it.
00:12:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you?
00:12:05
Ken Davies
Love that. It stirs the soul, doesn't it?
00:12:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
What? Do you think?
00:12:10
Ken Davies
It does for me. It's it's kind of, ah I think that's, ah it's quite, ah it's quite dark, isn't it? In the sense of it's quite, you know, it's quite, ah it's not a joyful, it's like a hymn, actually.
00:12:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:12:23
Ken Davies
I really like it. I think it kind of kind of, it does build up, by the way. I think i think it's ah it's it's a soul
00:12:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
health Okay, very good. where Where's that coming in the World Cup of National Anthems?
00:12:33
Ken Davies
Oh, quite high. Top 10. Definitely top 10 so far. Probably only in top five then.
00:12:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Blimey. I didn't expect you to say that. I did not expect you to say that. Right, okay, Ken. and South Africa and the World Cup. Of course, they hosted it, 2010. What is their record at World Cups?
00:12:48
Ken Davies
ah Interesting. ah First match. South Africa ever played, 1906. When you think about that, it's just after the Boer War actually. um Very, very long time ago. But of course, they were they really didn't, they weren't involved in the World Cup qualifications for a very, very long time. Firstly, because they weren't member of FIFA until 1962, so they couldn't.
00:13:14
Ken Davies
And then pretty much immediately, they were effectively banned until 1990 because of the apartheid system. So they only really returned to the world stage or even emerged on the world stage, probably even fair to say in 1992. They just either because they went in FIFA or they were banned because of apartheid.
00:13:34
Ken Davies
They never featured at all until then. So it's really a story since the early nineteen ninety s It's quite an interesting one since then, though. um So they've previously qualified on three occasions.
00:13:47
Ken Davies
France, 1998. ah where they were drawn in a group with France, the host nation, obviously, Denmark and Saudi Arabia. They lost 3-0 to France in the opening game, but then drew 1-1 with Denmark and Saudi Arabia. Failed to progress, but a creditable performance. They drew two out of the three. In fact, the story of South Africa in the World Cup, or South Africa in World Cup, is that very close, very close to getting through into the knockout stages on every occasion.
00:14:16
Ken Davies
Second one was ah in Korea, Japan in 2012. it so in 2002, where they who were drawn with Spain, Paraguay and Slovenia. ah They lost 3-2 to Spain.
00:14:28
Ken Davies
They drew 2-2 with Paraguay and they beat Slovenia 1-0. And they only failed to progress because of the number of goals they scored, which is one less than Paraguay. And then most recently as hosts in the 2010, they were drawn with Uruguay, Mexico in France, not the easiest group ever, uh, lost three nil to Uruguay, drew one, one with Mexico, beat France two, one, by the way.
00:14:55
Ken Davies
Um, but again, failed to advance on the basis of goal difference. So, so whilst they've never qualified, never got through to the knockout stages, uh, It's been very, very close and they could very easily have got through to knockout stages in both of those occasions. And of course, now we're talking about an easier qualification process with 48 teams.
00:15:16
Ken Davies
The form over the last 10 games has been pretty good. They've won six, they've drawn three and they've lost one. The only defeat was to Lesotho back in March.
00:15:28
Ken Davies
But when you look at the victories, these six victories and who they're against, it kind of tells you a lot. So they beat South Sudan, Benin, Mozambique, Lesotho, Rwanda and Zambia. It's not the greatest a array footballing talent.
00:15:43
Ken Davies
ah state The fact of the matter is, against pretty poor opposition, they don't really dominate. They don't really dominate. so that But they don't concede many. They've only conceded five in the last 10 games. In fact, in seven of them 10 games, they haven't conceded at all.
00:16:00
Ken Davies
Their ranking, guess their ranking. What's your the ranking is?
00:16:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's pretty low.
00:16:03
Ken Davies
You love rankings.
00:16:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a little very down every week, mate. ah Every... Oh, goodness me. They'll be pretty low down, i think. but there were I don't know, 92.
00:16:16
Ken Davies
Wow, that would be low if you qualify for a 48-team World Cup.
00:16:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'll revise our revvisor i revvis that. fortyf four
00:16:24
Ken Davies
That would be high, if you're right. No, it's 61st.
00:16:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
in the middle age
00:16:28
Ken Davies
ah But that's I think that's one of the that is definitely one of the lowest teams that are qualified for for for the competition. Very interesting story on ranking, though, because obviously when they only came into the ranking system in 1992, at was their first ranking.
00:16:44
Ken Davies
ah they get They got up in three years to what place when you start on 124th? That
00:16:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
27.
00:16:52
Ken Davies
sixteenth
00:16:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really? That high? That high. Just because they played loads of games and got just got amassed loads points I mean, the ranking system is kind of slightly, you have to have a system in place, don't you? Obviously. But it is slightly skewed because you can just play a load of really poor teams, win games and get points and move up the rankings.
00:17:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
But it's not really a true reflection of where you are on the global stage.
00:17:13
Ken Davies
No, we should really devote one episode, complete episode, to ranking. ah Unfortunately, they were unable to meet.
00:17:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
you really You nearly finished that sentence without laughing. You nearly did it.
00:17:29
Ken Davies
So this is just a running joke, isn't But anyway, um they were unable to maintain their 16th place. And it's the trend has been generally downwards from there. So they find themselves now in 61st.
00:17:42
Ken Davies
ah But their average rank over the course of the last 15 years, so was about 55th. So they've definitely done well to qualify for a 48-team competition.
00:17:52
Ken Davies
But I think the ranking is not not far off what their true position is.
00:17:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, fair enough. Yeah, okay. And that that that's ah that's fair.
00:18:01
Ken Davies
Thank you.
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think when people think of South Africa, they think of World Cup 2010 and they probably remember them for that team that that kind of burst onto the world stage a little bit and got
South Africa's Team and Formation
00:18:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
that high ranking. But yeah, they've s slipped back there. when I was looking down the list of players and there aren't really any players that that you're going to recognise that much. I don't i don't think.
00:18:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I'm going to pick out three players, but just before I do, Ken, maybe a word from our esteemed sponsor.
00:18:29
Ken Davies
Yeah, because as we know, as Hugo Bruce knows, Bruce, Bruce, Belgian bloke, it pays to get your team selection right. And here at Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery partner. We chose Zencasta.
00:18:45
Ken Davies
Zancaster makes it easy to bring your vision to life, share it with your audience, wherever they may be. It's got a 4K video recording. It's got very easy AI editing tools and top tier distribution tools all in one place.
00:18:56
Ken Davies
If you've got a story to tell, go and tell it with Zancaster. Check the show notes for more details.
00:19:24
Ken Davies
Turn your mic on, Nick. Turn your mic on.
00:19:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
I ruined it right in there. That was such a good intro as well. We're going to have a look at three key players from South Africa who I expect to see at the world Cup next year, and you will expect to see it the World Cup.
00:19:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know what? When you when you chat around the water cooler this time, well, in a few months' time now, it's catching up, isn't it?
00:19:43
Ken Davies
Is water cooler play for him?
00:19:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, water cooler.
00:19:45
Ken Davies
What was it?
00:19:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Set her off, yeah. When chatting around a water or the coffee machine or around a pint over a pub and somebody brings up, oh, yes, I have a plane tomorrow. go, don't know anything about them. You can go, actually, I know i know a fair deal about them.
00:19:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And there's, yeah, and you know what? There's three three players that I think might do pretty well for them.
00:20:04
Ken Davies
You can't buy that kind of knowledge, can't we? can probably. We don't have to even have to pay for it.
00:20:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
We can't.
00:20:09
Ken Davies
You get it free for it.
00:20:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
interesting
00:20:10
Ken Davies
from here
00:20:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
say We don't charge anything. So, yeah, you can get it for free. So, we'll do and and everybody goes oh and everybody will go, right? Everybody will go, oh, yeah, ha, ha, ha, as if. Right, go on then, smart aleck. Tell me who the goalkeeper is.
00:20:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then you go, well, the goalkeeper is Ronwen Williams.
00:20:28
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:20:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
who's 33 years old, and he plays for the Premier League, South African Premier League, I should say, Mamalodi Sundowns.
00:20:30
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:20:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's also the captain of the South African national team. Yeah.
00:20:39
Ken Davies
Yes. Played a lot of played a lot of football for him.
00:20:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
you Yeah, he's a good player. He was ranked ninth best goalkeeper in the world at the 2024 Ballon d'Or. He actually started in London.
00:20:48
Ken Davies
What?
00:20:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was a youth player at Tottenham.
00:20:51
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:20:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tottenham was younger when he was was young, but he spent nearly all his career at the Sundowns making 278 appearances. Made his South African debut in 2014. He's got 52 caps. He's their regular keeper and their captain.
00:21:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Then we're going to move on up the pitch to defensive midfield.
00:21:09
Ken Davies
It sounds suspiciously Welsh, by the way.
00:21:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
What, Ronwen Williams?
00:21:13
Ken Davies
It does sound suspiciously Welsh.
00:21:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
a do He doesn't look particularly Welsh.
00:21:20
Ken Davies
Really?
00:21:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
He just walked around with a leak on his head, or a daffy was sticking out of his collar. That's right.
00:21:27
Ken Davies
Okay. Sorry, I interjected.
00:21:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's right. ah Te Boho... Mokwena is my next pick. He's a defensive midfielder, listed as one of the most valuable players in the South African League, well known for his long-range shooting and his ability to connect the defence and attack in games. And look, I'm not going lie, it I just literally took that off Wikipedia because I couldn't find any information about him. And I looked and looked and I looked and I couldn't really find out what kind of player he is. But he's got 50 caps, he's got six goals and he's and he's always in the team.
00:22:00
Ken Davies
Yeah, defensive Matilda.
00:22:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know He's always in the team. So, so you know, thanks thanks Wikipedia for that. That's about all I can find out about him. And and then we're going to move up to a ah top of the pitch then and striker evidence, Mac Goba, who's 25 years old. He plays for, again, in the South African Premier League, Orlando Pirates.
00:22:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Doesn't sound like it should be the South African Premier League. It just sounds like it should be the MLS. MSG. Unless I always get that he's He's come through the ranks. So he's played for the 23s. He's played in the Olympics.
00:22:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Made the move up. And he's got 21 caps and five goals. There was a bit was a bit of um controversy evolving him, actually, earlier this year, where he played for South Africa in a game against Lofoso in qualifying, despite being essentially being banned.
00:22:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
He was suspended. And FIFA ruled South Africa had breached the rules and imposed a three-y forfeit on them.
00:23:03
Ken Davies
Wow.
00:23:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:05
Ken Davies
Really?
00:23:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really?
00:23:08
Ken Davies
Well, that's interesting because that 3-0 forfeit is the only game that they lost.
00:23:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ah.
00:23:14
Ken Davies
And I didn't realise it was a forfeit until that moment.
00:23:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
There you go. There you
00:23:19
Ken Davies
So maybe they're better than we think.
00:23:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Joining the dots, my friend. Yeah, joining the dots.
00:23:23
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:23:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there we go. um ah Yeah, Williams, McQuayner and Makoba are three players that I think will feature pretty heavily for South Africa next year.
00:23:33
Ken Davies
Thank you.
00:23:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Please expect to see them. And now you can go and tell all your mates about them.
00:23:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
I might have jumped in a little bit earlier with that, Kenny, actually, because I'm about to bounce back to you to tell us what formation they play. And then I'll spin it.
00:23:58
Ken Davies
Yeah, so add add a little bit that when you're around the water cooler with these with these phantom friends that you don't have, and you can pretend that you've got friends around the side talking about the South African football team, you can also mention that they've got a very consistent formation, which is 4-2-3-1. They play every single game.
00:24:20
Ken Davies
ah which And 4-2-3-1 seems to be the the standard formation these days. i was having a look through all the, what's this, episode 29 or something like that, 36, 36, of which certainly 30, I think, have been, well, certainly maybe 28 have been devoted to teams.
00:24:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
food 36, my friend. Yeah,
00:24:37
Ken Davies
4-2-3-1, I reckon, comes up as the standard formation at least 50% of the time these days.
00:24:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
still fun
00:24:44
Ken Davies
um
00:24:45
Ken Davies
And as Nick mentioned, ro Roman Williams at the back. Mpikazi, Ndaveza, Kabini, Nghazana.
00:24:56
Ken Davies
Of course, you can forget Nghazana as the back four. ah Defensive midfielders, Mokrema and Aubas. The attacking midfield tends to be Apollos, Mboué and Nkota.
00:25:11
Ken Davies
And up front, you're right, it was Innocence, what's his name?
00:25:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Evidence, Mac Cobalt.
00:25:19
Ken Davies
Evidence. and I knew it was something judicial.
00:25:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:22
Ken Davies
I just couldn't remember the first. day it was something
00:25:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
All right.
00:25:24
Ken Davies
um But my Lyle Foster plays up front quite often as well. So that's another name just to throw into the mix.
00:25:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Very
Scotland vs Denmark Match Recap
00:25:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
good. Right. i i did say at the top of the show, i wanted to just talk very briefly about the Scotland game in this week, only because it was such an extraordinary game. There wasn't a huge amount of... There was a little bit of jeopardy ah going into this last round of qualifiers the UEFA, but none more than the Denmark-Scotland game, because essentially whoever won qualified. It was just a qualifying shootout.
00:25:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And...
00:25:55
Ken Davies
And essentially, Scotland had done well to get to that point because didn't they win the game before that in order to, if you like, to get into that position?
00:25:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:26:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
have done well. I mean, they lost to Greece um just before, which kind of was a bit daunting.
00:26:05
Ken Davies
Hmm.
00:26:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
But they went into it knowing that a draw was no good, a defeat was no good. They had to win the game to qualify. And it was a really, i mean, look technically it wasn't a great game of football, but in terms of excitement-wise, it was a very, very exciting game of football.
00:26:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And three, the interesting thing about it is there three sort of potential goal of the seasons in the
00:26:28
Ken Davies
Mm-hmm.
00:26:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
For Scotland in one game.
00:26:30
Ken Davies
Mm-hmm.
00:26:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
and well Not only one game, it's about half an hour. So the first one was overhead kick by McTominay, which kind of got the goal scoring underway. Then Denmark equalised. And then Scotland scored a ridiculous goal where it was a corner and...
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
The whole of the Denmark defence just missed it, including the goalkeeper. And Laurence Shankland has just stood literally on the goal line and tapped in from a corner. i mean, that should never be allowed.
00:26:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if Denmark are wondering why the why they're not at the World Cup right now and planning their flights and are instead looking at playoffs, well, that goal particularly, yeah that's just some rank bad defending.
00:26:59
Ken Davies
set pieces
00:27:12
Ken Davies
the other two goals were somewhat i won't say flu but they were they were you know then if both of those may very easily not have gone in both of these the other goals or certainly two of the goals
00:27:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just good.
00:27:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
bos Well, I know, I think that's a bit unfair because it was 2-2. I Scotland went 2-1 up quite late in the game.
00:27:31
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:27:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you're just thinking, right, OK, it's about 10 minutes to go here. Just see it out. And within about two minutes of letting a goal again, just through poor defending, Poor defending, Dogu, the Man United player, scored.
00:27:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's in and around sort of eight yards out, seven seven or eight yards out. And there's nobody really closing him down or standing near him to prevent him from shooting. It's just poor defending.
00:27:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway, looked like was going to be a classic Scotland. Had their opportunity. Were winning the game twice. of Blown it. And it's playoffs for them. And then suddenly, into injury time we go.
00:28:01
Ken Davies
I
00:28:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
and I'll tell you what it reminded me, Ken. It massively reminded me of the um Bobby Zamora goal for QPR against Derby in a play-off two years ago, where the ball comes across and a Go and watch it.
00:28:17
Ken Davies
don't think there's no one else in the world that you know no one else was saying that just reminds me there's a more a goal against the Richard Keough and Derby in 1904 or wherever it was
00:28:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
you
00:28:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
playing the role of Richard Keogh was a Denmark defender who had the perfect opportunity to clear it and just kind of waved his leg at it, just messed it up completely and it fell perfectly into the path of Kieran Tierney who from just outside the area just bent it in with his left foot and
00:28:47
Ken Davies
Great call.
00:28:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
I can't quite decide whether it took a little nick in or or not from one of the defenders. um But it was a great hit, nonetheless. And of course, it's pandemonium because there's about six minutes left still of injury.
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
maybe Maybe less, actually. Maybe maybe about four or five minutes left of injury time. And... Scotland is just kind of panicking a little bit and Denmark aren't really throwing the kitchen sink at them. And then this sort of extraordinary thing happens yeah right at the end, in the very, very last kick of game because the referee didn't even start the game again, whereby Denmark have the ball and there's whistles, you know, whistles and howls for the final whistle echoing around Hampden Park.
00:29:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm watching them and all they're doing is is passing it Instead of slinging it in a box, which is what you've got to do, they're sort passing from left to midfield to midfield to right back into midfield and just going...
00:29:33
Ken Davies
Yeah. Looking for a gap that's never going to appear.
00:29:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the referee's just going to blow at any time. Just put it in the box. Put it in the box. Anyway, they then lose just lose possession in midfield. And Kenny McLean picks the ball up, finds a bit of space halfway out and just smags it over Smichel's head into the goal.
00:29:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it's 4-2 and the referee blows up and that's the end of the game. It it was fantastic.
00:29:55
Ken Davies
What a way to finish game. It was a classic. Scotland, I think, at the World Cup, will deliver classics. that you still were used to, you know.
00:30:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. It's an entertaining team to watch. And they're brilliant fans. And I'm really, really pleased. I'm so pleased for Scotland. And many congratulations to Steve Clark and the team. Because, you know, it's the first time since 1998 they've qualified.
00:30:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
remember.
00:30:17
Ken Davies
Yeah, Steve Clark's had a bit of ham he said a bit of hammer because they've they've not had a great couple of years.
00:30:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I remember.
00:30:22
Ken Davies
but But to be honest, that's a fantastic achievement. They will, I mean, it's a weird thing. They hate they hate the England team. Can you imagine if we'd drawn together? ah But obviously, we kind of like it with Scotland go.
00:30:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I love it.
00:30:35
Ken Davies
It's a like a big brother, little brother relationship, isn't it?
00:30:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
I lived in Scotland for a long time. um I worked there and I think magnificent country.
00:30:40
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:30:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I love it. And so, yeah, I always want them to do well.
00:30:46
Ken Davies
Yeah, we all want it we all want them to do well.
00:30:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I always
00:30:49
Ken Davies
I did see a funny thing on the yeah on the Twitter, ah which said, someone from Scotland saying, you know, why is it that when we go to the World Cup, we'll be drawn against Germany,
00:30:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
well.
00:31:04
Ken Davies
ah Mexico and Italy and England will get drawn against Lesotho, New Caledonia and, and i don't know, Brunei and saying, you why is it England always get the crap teams and we never do?
00:31:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's...
00:31:22
Ken Davies
And to which the response was, because you're the crap team in your group.
00:31:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
and that's
00:31:31
Ken Davies
Kind of how it works, isn't it?
00:31:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
That works, yeah. That's what seeding is. That's what happens.
00:31:35
Ken Davies
Yeah, exactly.
00:31:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah ah the it's a fair It's a fair comment and a very fair response. So, yeah, very, very good. Right. Everybody's favourite time of the week, people?
00:31:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm just going to carry on to the Kenny job. You know,
00:32:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
um out It means it's time for Kenny's quiz.
00:32:05
Ken Davies
Pipes, come on.
00:32:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It can only mean it's time for Kenny's quiz. Now, a pretty dismal performance last week, mate. I need you back on a horse for this one. Back on a horse.
00:32:15
Ken Davies
I'll try.
00:32:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Three questions, all about South Africa. Here we go.
00:32:19
Ken Davies
Okay.
00:32:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
optionss Two oceans join at the southern point of South Africa. What are they? What are the two oceans that join together at the bottom part, southern part of South Africa? Play along.
00:32:29
Ken Davies
I'd go for it.
00:32:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Shout it out. See how we get on.
00:32:33
Ken Davies
Atlantic and Indian.
00:32:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
The Atlantic and Indian are exactly the right answer, my friend. Exactly the right answer. I was looking for little clapping, but it's not loaded up. Exactly that. Congratulations. One out of one.
00:32:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
cool
00:32:50
Ken Davies
great start.
00:32:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
That pipe's tasting a little bit better, isn't it?
00:32:52
Ken Davies
Oh, I'm giving it an extra suck now.
00:32:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
number
00:32:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
how Can we get any chance can get through any of these podcasts without some pure old joke of yours?
00:33:03
Ken Davies
No, Carry On World Cup podcast.
00:33:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
How many colours are there in the South African flag?
00:33:09
Ken Davies
Oh, that's a good question because I don't think it's straightforward because there's there's all kinds of... Rainbow Nation, innit? So there's all kinds of colours, I think.
00:33:20
Ken Davies
Not literally... not no I think four.
00:33:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
What?
00:33:25
Ken Davies
I think it's something like red, green, yellow and black. So I'm going to go for four.
00:33:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
You're not far away. You're not right, but you're not far away. The answer is six.
00:33:36
Ken Davies
ah blue gloom Blue's in there, isn't it?
00:33:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
lou Blue, red, white, gold, green, and black.
00:33:43
Ken Davies
Yeah. Damn. Close.
00:33:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
never It was close.
00:33:45
Ken Davies
For new cigar.
00:33:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Close, but no pipe. And so it's one of two. So this is to win it. This is the deciding question. hope you're doing
00:33:54
Ken Davies
Come on.
00:33:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which South African city is very well known for its gold mining? Which South African city is very well known for its gold mining?
00:34:13
Ken Davies
Now I would say, and I don't even know if it's a city, I'm getting Kimberley, but I don't even know if that's South Africa.
00:34:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know.
00:34:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's just the name your 18 years, isn't it?
00:34:25
Ken Davies
it couldn I'm going to say, it's not Kimberley, is So what are they?
00:34:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know.
00:34:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't don't know. I don't know.
00:34:38
Ken Davies
Pretoria, Johannesburg. ah
00:34:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know.
00:34:43
Ken Davies
uh there's one i'm there's one i'm missing i know there's one i'm missing but i'm going to go say kimberly because it's the only thing i can think of
00:34:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I
00:34:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't know.
00:34:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's the wrong answer. It's the wrong answer. Oh, mate. The answer was Johannesburg.
00:34:59
Ken Davies
is it i didn't think that was i i i kimberly i don't think it's a city to be honest
00:35:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. He said it, but he didn't say it as your answer.
00:35:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
No. no answer it items Right. Okay. One out of three, Ken, this week. and So...
00:35:13
Ken Davies
I thought I should have, you know, I've left something on the table, i think. i actually couldn't.
00:35:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
think, yeah, you've done, you've done although your score was the same as last week, you've done better than you did last week. You were pretty close.
00:35:23
Ken Davies
Yeah.
00:35:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
I hope you did better at home, though, and and we'll see how we get on. Next week, we're Kenny's Queers Riot. Before we get on to deciding how South Africa are going to get on in the World Cup next year, let's have a very quick look at the, actually, let's not do that. Ken, don't you have a word for my sponsors?
00:35:39
Ken Davies
Why don't we do that? Global Sports Podcast Network is partnered with Bionique, the world's most personalized supplements, because your body's unique. Without knowing what deficiencies you have, and believe me, Nick Scott of UNM, taking off the shelf supplements mean that you're probably not getting enough of the nutrients you need. you're probably getting too many of the ones you don't need.
00:35:57
Ken Davies
Bionique provides 100% tailor-made supplements designed to deliver precisely what your body needs, exactly the right levels. to optimize your health. So click the link in the show notes, use the code GSPN2025, not many days left to do that.
00:36:12
Ken Davies
Get your 40% discount.
00:36:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
like
00:36:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome to the World Cup 26 Podcast, part of Global Sports Podcast Network.
Engagement and Future Content
00:36:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
We always welcome your news and your views and your thoughts and your opinions. So how to get in touch with us, you can email us at roadtoworldcup26 at gmail.com. That's the best thing we get emailed from you. We do read them out. In fact, we need to do a little bit of that, don't we, Ken?
00:36:45
Ken Davies
yeah we do
00:36:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
but bit of a purse bag edition. So thanks to those of you who have sent in emails. We will...
00:36:52
Ken Davies
we'll do one next week Nick we'll do it we'll do it we'll we'll do ah because we've had a few
00:36:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, we'll... Yeah, okay. Yeah, we'll do a post-basket next week. ah Finishing then with the look in South Africa is having a look at who's the manager? Who is the manager of South Africa? I hear you say, i don't know, Nick.
00:37:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tell me. Well, I'm going to tell you. It's Hugo a Bruce. there
00:37:11
Ken Davies
Hugo Boss.
00:37:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not Hugo, boss, no. Hugo Bruce. B-R-O-O-S, in case you're wondering. 73 years old. He's a Belgian former professional football player and indeed a manager. He's been married to South Africa since 2021. His football career, he played high level. He played for Anderlecht in Belgium.
00:37:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
He played 350 games then.
00:37:34
Ken Davies
What position was he?
00:37:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a good question, actually.
00:37:38
Ken Davies
I'm going to find out.
00:37:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh
00:37:39
Ken Davies
You carry on.
00:37:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't know. I want to say defender, but not sure. He also played 161 times for club Bruges. As a player, he won the European Cup Winners' Cup earth twice. He was a runner-up once. He won the European Super Cup twice and indeed won the UEFA Cup as well. So, highly decorated a football player.
00:38:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Since going into management, he led Cameroon to the African Cup of Nations victory in 2017. And seventeen and um he's also managed, I think he did manage, ivoryco no, Morocco.
00:38:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
He managed Morocco as well and did a good job with them. and and
00:38:24
Ken Davies
Can I just interject at this point and say two things?
00:38:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
echo go yeah
00:38:29
Ken Davies
One, he was a defender.
00:38:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
i thought that's what did say,
00:38:33
Ken Davies
And secondly, I've seen him play.
00:38:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have you?
00:38:39
Ken Davies
Because he was in the Anderlecht team that played Wrexham in the European cut is Cup when it's cut back in 1976.
00:38:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really?
00:38:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, um...
00:38:52
Ken Davies
They beat us and away go
00:38:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, well, ah big word no no great surprise there. No great surprise there. um So anyway, I can't remember remember where I was. Yeah, so he's managed Cameroon. He's done a great, he did a good job with them. He's now manager of South Africa, and he's doing a very good job with them as well. So he's got plenty of pedigree, Kent.
00:39:12
Ken Davies
Yes.
00:39:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's got plenty of pedigree.
00:39:13
Ken Davies
He has. He's been around.
00:39:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
He knows. Yeah.
00:39:15
Ken Davies
He knows the game, knows his players.
00:39:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:39:16
Ken Davies
He's been with them for the last four years. And he's gone to the World Cup.
00:39:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So good luck to Hugo and the South African lads. The question is, how are they going to get on? What are you thinking, Kenny?
00:39:29
Ken Davies
I don't hold out huge hope, I'll be honest with you. ah Although we've now realised that of the 10 games that they played most recently, they haven't lost any because they were only... Lesotho were awarded. And when they played Lesotho in the return game, they won three and none themselves.
00:39:47
Ken Davies
But I just think the standard competition is going to be too much for them. I don't think they've got any... they haven't really got any standout players They haven't similarly got a great deal of strength in depth.
00:39:58
Ken Davies
They haven't got a great World Cup pedigree. ah um I think they're fodder, I'm afraid. I think they're fodder. I think they'll be they'll be the Southern Hemisphere's equivalent of Scotland.
00:40:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so not the worst team, but not a team that's really ever going to do great things.
00:40:20
Ken Davies
No, they could actually be the worst team.
00:40:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah i was trying to i try not to be so cruel.
00:40:26
Ken Davies
So
00:40:29
Ken Davies
they could so ah in in so they're going to get beaten in the semi-final. No, they're going to get knocked out in the group stages, I'm afraid.
00:40:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I'm afraid I've got them down for group stages as well. I think it's going to be very difficult to get out of the group. They might pick up a point here or there. I mean, look, they've they've got they've they've qualified directly. They may well be grouped with somebody who's coming in from through the playoffs, a real minnow, in which case they'll pick up three points. But to get out of the group stage, i think it's going to be very, very hard for them. So, yeah, group stages for me as well, my friend.
00:41:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Make a note.
00:41:03
Ken Davies
Sounds about right. I'm going to make a note in our book and we will one day we'll go through. We've got to redo the predictions, haven't we, when we know everybody who's there.
00:41:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly that.
00:41:13
Ken Davies
Now, I'm going to ask you a question because when we when I first wrote this list, the next one was going to be Qatar.
00:41:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, 36.
00:41:21
Ken Davies
But obviously we've had a load of ah we've had a load of new entrants. What i want you to do is give me a number between 31 and 38 because we're going to go there instead.
00:41:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
okay thirty six
00:41:34
Ken Davies
croish
00:41:37
Ken Davies
We'll go into Croatia next week.
00:41:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Should we post-magnetic speak or Croatia?
00:41:42
Ken Davies
We'll do a Croatia and we'll have a question from the postbag as part of the episode.
00:41:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
and okay
00:41:46
Ken Davies
And we can start to do that because we've got a few questions.
00:41:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah we'll dip it Yeah, we'll dip into the bag. But please, yeah, get in touch with us, right to WorldCup26 at gmail.com and drop us a question and we'd love to hear from you. Right, that brings an end then to this episode and brings the curtain down on a very exciting week of World Cup qualification. I think that that whole qualification process now goes to sleep for a couple of months before all the playoffs kick off in and around March.
00:42:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
But there's still plenty of us, plenty of things, Kenny, for you and I to do, plenty of teams to look at. So keep joining Excellent.
00:42:19
Ken Davies
Yeah, there are. but the twenty six That's the 26th team we've covered. I reckon we've got another 14 now established that we can go out to take us up to the 40 mark.
00:42:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
excellent great
00:42:31
Ken Davies
So we're sorted, aren't we, for the next two or three months?
00:42:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
They certainly are. They certainly are. Well, thank you very much indeed for joining us in this edition. We hope to see you again next week. Have a great week wherever you are doing. Look after yourselves. Look after each other. Goodbye.
00:42:44
Ken Davies
Goodbye, everyone.