Copa Independent

In the last 15 months alone, the build-up to this World Cup has brought more unprecedented developments than any previous tournament in history, above all a host nation bombing a participant through the Iran war. That raises many questions, right up to what influence Donald Trump is going to have on how this World Cup develops. But there's also another: if any other country was responsible, would there be calls for a boycott? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since England won the World Cup in 1966, they have not been back to another men’s final, appearing in only two semi-finals in 1990 and 2018 in their closest attempts at repeating the feat.

So, as the 2026 World Cup approaches, on the 60th anniversary of that famous Wembley win, should England have won more tournaments with the talent and resources at their disposal? And can Thomas Tuchel finally end the wait this summer?

In the second episode of The Independent’s World Cup podcast, sports writers Lawrence Ostlere, Miguel Delaney and Kieran Jackson discuss which past tournaments England could have won, why they’ve underdelivered and whether the neurosis of 60 years of hurt can ever be overcome.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first edition of our weekly Copa Independent podcast, we are looking at the very meaning of the World Cup itself, and the two sides of the biggest cultural event in human history. But why has it got to that level? Why does it feel like nothing else in sport? Has it fulfilled the ideals of its creators? What would Jules Rimet, who envisioned a competition to bring mankind together, think of how it is now politically used? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Miguel Delaney and Adam Clery in the 2nd episode of a new podcast; State of Play.

Also, while you're here, follow Adam's brand new YouTube channel right here: www.youtube.com/@TheAdamCleryFootballChannel
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

*Cough cough* Is this thing on?

The Independent is resurrecting this channel with a new show; State of Play.

Join Adam Clery and Miguel Delaney for a brand new podcast about the politics of the Premier League, the controversies of the modern game and, well, the state of play.

This is a pilot episode, so please do get in touch to tell us what you thought!

Also, while you're here, follow Adam's brand new YouTube channel right here: www.youtube.com/@TheAdamCleryFootballChannel
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.