BBC

Half a century on from Pele's infamous prophecy that an African nation would win the World Cup before the year 2000, could the continent finally deliver its first World Cup in 2026? In a special bonus episode from the More than the Score podcast, the BBC’s Lee James is joined by former Democratic Republic of Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani and former Sierra Leone captain Steven Caulker to discuss the hopes of the ten African sides competing in the tournament.

They discuss the impact Morocco reaching the semi-finals in 2022 has had, the strength of Senegal and give their thoughts on when an African nation could win a World Cup.

Senegal’s Iliman Ndiaye tells the podcast they’re going to the tournament with the aim of winning it and they never fear anyone.

Former Nigeria captain Sunday Oliseh tells us it’s possible an African team could go one better than Morocco did in 2022 and that he wants to see an African team win the tournament in his lifetime. Plus, we also hear from Ghanian legend Micheal Essien.

More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars, trends and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. With 48 teams competing across Mexico, the US and Canada, BBC World Service promises to take you deeper - from the group stages to the final. Search for More than the Score wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

Millions of adults across the UK, have not told their families what they want to happen to their money and property when they die. STEP, the Society for Trust and Estate Planners, reported this week on a survey which found 8 out of 10 adults had kept their loved ones in ignorance of their wishes. A third of them did not even have a will, leaving its distribution to complex legal rules rather than what the family itself might want. What should people do to avoid this?

It is nearly forty years since the government sold off British Gas and encouraged us all to Tell Sid as part of Margaret Thatcher's 1986 dream of a share owning democracy. Today, the present Labour government wants people to invest more and it has appointed the Investment Association, alongside 19 of the UK's leading financial services firms, to lead an industry wide initiative to persuade people with savings to move at least some of them into shares. This "Invest for the Future" campaign has its own mascot - Savvy Squirrel. Could this lead to cultural change in the way we invest?

And when might you have to pay tax on the interest you earn on savings? We'll explain all.

Presenter: Paul Lewis

Reporters: Dan Whitworth and Jo Krasner

Researcher: Catherine Lund

Editor: Jess Quayle

News Editor: Justin Bones

(First broadcast at 12noon, Saturday 16th May 2026)

The two remaining hosts of the men's football World Cup, Canada and the US, have joined Mexico in holding their opening ceremonies. They also played their first matches. Canada drew 1-1 with Bosnia-Herzegovina, and the US beat Paraguay 4-1. Also in this podcast: Elon Musk becomes the world's first trillionaire. Iran's foreign minister says his country and the US have never been closer to an agreement to pause fighting for a further 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. And the Chinese government has accused foreign spies of attaching sensors to turtles.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.

Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Photo: Fans at the FIFA World Cup 2026 Fan Festival at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Credit: Reuters/Arafat Barbakh

The most watched sporting event in the world has not been without its controversies, including high ticket prices and transport costs, as well as rows over visas and concerns about security. But, we wanted to hear from supporters. We bring together three world cup super-fans, including Craig who has walked across the United States to see his team compete. “Football is the universal language of the world,” he tells us. “That is just fact no matter where you travel, no matter where you go.” We also hear from guests in Jordan, Curacao in the Caribbean, Cape Verde and Uzbekistan. They share their excitement of watching their countries take part for the first time.

Elon Musk has become the world's first trillionaire after SpaceX shares soared following the company's stock market debut in New York. Andrew Peach examines what's driving the company's remarkable rise from its Starlink satellite business to the enduring appeal of the Musk brand.

Also on the programme, Switzerland is preparing to vote on proposals to limit population growth. But could restricting migration come at a cost to the country's economy?

And we'll assess the legacy of one of the art world's biggest names, as David Hockney dies aged 89, and ask what continues to make his work so sought after and valuable.

(Picture: A billboard of SpaceX is pictured on the day of SpaceX's initial public offering (IPO) at the Nasdaq MarketSite, in New York City, U.S., June 12, 2026. REUTERS/Jeenah Moon)

Elon Musk's satellite, AI and rocket company, SpaceX, has enjoyed a successful first day on the Nasdaq stock exchange, reaching a value of $2.2 trillion. Can the valuation be justified? We ask economist Dr Mohamed El-Erian.

Also on the programme: Sir Grayson Perry responds to news of the death of fellow artist David Hockney at the age of 88. And we report from Scotland, where football fans are preparing to watch their men’s team return to the World Cup after a 28 year absence.

Elon Musk has become the world's first trillionaire after his company SpaceX debuted on the Nasdaq stock market in New York. Shares jumped more than 25% over their initial offer price, valuing the rocket, satellite, and AI firm at more than two trillion dollars.

Also on the programme: One of the world's best-known artists David Hockney has died aged 88; and the English miners who took football to Mexico.

(Photo: SpaceX company leadership ring the opening bell to celebrate during SpaceX's initial public offering (IPO) at the Nasdaq MarketSite in New York City, US, June 12, 2026. Credit: Reuters/Brendan McDermid)

Alistair greets Jakob with news that the minibus taking them to the World Cup cricket match is stuck with a flat tyre, but thanks to a suggestion by Jakob they manage to fix it. Later, at Edgbaston cricket ground, Tracy is thrilled just to be there, while Alistair’s determined nothing will stop Jim having a wonderful day with his friends. Tracy is delighted that Jakob is relaxing and enjoying himself, before Alistair tells them this is Jim’s unofficial leaving do as he’s catching the Eurostar in the morning then following an extensively researched itinerary known only to him.

Adam phones Brian, chasing up some budget forecasts that need updating. Brian tells him the forecasts are none of his concern now and Adam gives up trying to persuade him otherwise. However, Adam turns up later wanting to check some other figures and Brian again does his best to put him off, before telling Adam he’s going to train Ed to use their system. Adam is astonished, suggesting it makes no sense. Brian reckons Adam no longer has a say in running Home Farm, to which Adam retorts that no-one trusts Brian after a series of embarrassing errors. Adam produces a solicitor’s letter starting legal proceedings to remove Brian from the business, as he’s displaying signs of dementia. But Brian trumps this with a letter of his own, proving that his mental capacity is just fine. If Adam challenges it, he’ll fight him to the bitter end. Brian then tells Adam triumphantly to get off his land!

For the final episode of this series, we look at some of the stories that we’re leaving unresolved in our ‘News Quiz 2026 Summer Break Cliffhanger Special’. This includes the latest on the Peter Mandelson scandal and the back and forth between Trump, Israel and Iran. We also discuss the British animals which might make it onto our banknotes, and Andy challenges the panel on their best ways to improve football ahead of this year’s Men’s World Cup.

This week’s panel is Pierre Novellie, Alasdair Beckett-King, Coco Khan and Desiree Burch.

Written by Andy Zaltzman.

With additional material by: Lotte Allan, Angela Channell, Eve Delaney and Katie Storey

Producer: Georgia Keating

Executive Producer: Pete Strauss

Production Coordinator: Asha Osborne-Grinter

Sound Editor: Marc Willcox

Recorded by David Thomas

A BBC Studios Production for Radio 4.

We look back on the life of David Hockney - one of the world's most influential modern artists and one of the best-known British contributors to Pop Art. Unlike artists such as Andy Warhol or Roy Lichtenstein, David Hockney's art often focused more on personal experiences, portraits, landscapes and intimate scenes.

Also: SpaceX is making its stock market debut in New York, setting Elon Musk on course to be the world's first trillionaire. Iran says major parts of an agreement to end the war with the US have almost been finalised after President Trump claimed a deal was ready to be signed. The UN's top official on HIV and AIDS says massive international aid cuts have left the world's response to the disease "in peril". The number of Palestinians forced from their homes in Occupied East Jerusalem is on the rise. And the American singer Taylor Swift has become the youngest woman ever to be inducted into the prestigious Songwriters Hall of Fame.

The Global News Podcast brings you the breaking news you need to hear, as it happens. Listen for the latest headlines and current affairs from around the world. Politics, economics, climate, business, technology, health – we cover it all with expert analysis and insight.

Get the news that matters, delivered twice a day on weekdays and daily at weekends, plus special bonus episodes reacting to urgent breaking stories. Follow or subscribe now and never miss a moment.

Get in touch: [email protected]

Photo: David Hockney, in front of his own paintings at the Royal Academy's Summer Exhibition in Piccadilly, London in 2004.

Credit: Fiona Hanson/PA Wire