Box2Box, with Rob Gilbert & Willem van Denderen!
With 2025 drawing to a close, Joey Lynch reviews the year that was for the Socceroos & Matildas - with majour tournaments to come for both in 2026. Joey also casts his eye over the big issues from the weekend’s A-Leagues round, both on and off the pitch.
Then to Liverpool, where a week has again proven a long time in football; a win in Europe and the League has Arne Slot’s side in better form, while Mo Salah has returned to the squad against expectation. The Athletic’s Reds reporter James Pearce returns.
Also on the agenda: FIFA World Cup ticket price outrage, Donovan says Popovic ‘got that smugness about him’, Newcastle Jets back in the winners’ circle and more…
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Box2Box, with Rob Gilbert & Willem van Denderen!
The PFA’s annual reports into the A-League Men’s & Women’s competitions are always essential reading, but the damning nature of this year’s edition - released last Thursday - felt particularly important. Union Chief-executive Beau Busch returns, with well over half the men’s competition ‘dissatisfied’ or worse with the APL.
The Socceroos World Cup Group has been (almost) decided, set to play a host nation for the first time since 1974. Daniel Garb forecasts what looks a generous group by previous standards, as well as a word on the A-League Men’s on the field, and sad state of affairs at Anfield as Mo Salah goes nuclear.
Also on the agenda: South Melbourne win the Australian Championship, Adam Griffiths turns into self-proclaimed Lion, Wayne Gretzky fails his geography test & loads more!
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Box2Box, with Michael Edgley and Willem van Denderen.
In mid-November, long-time football administrator and Football Australia Hall of Fame member Brendan Schwab wrote a piece titled: '‘Australian football is at its most important point this century. Our destiny as a football nation is at stake', for Football360.
In an extended chat Brendan expands on his piece, and provides esteemed insight on the various challenges facing the Australian game as it looks to 'build its fourth professional era':from governance to broadcast rights, independent media coverage to club longevity, and plenty more.
Also on the agenda: Faber departs Adelaide United, Pantazopolous has the last laugh in the Sydney Derby, Cooney-Cross' wonder goal, and plenty more...
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Box2Box, with Rob Gilbert, Michael Edgley & Willem van Denderen!

Perth Glory remain without a manager three weeks on from the sacking of David Zdrilic, but have recently moved into their new base at Mirrabooka and feel they’re laying solid foundation off the field. CEO Anthony Radich returns to answer the multitude of questions facing the club.
Then, it’s two months on since Trevor Morgan led the Young Socceroos to their first U20 World Cup since 2013, where they performed admirably at the end of a long cycle. Morgan speaks to the lessons taken on by the group, and his own philosophy on youth coaching.
Also on the agenda: Graham Arnold and Iraq still in the reckoning for the World Cup, Scotland seal their place, and the Championship semi-finals lie in wait.
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Box2Box, with Rob Gilbert, Michael Edgley & Willem van Denderen!

Iraq and the UAE will finally settle the final place from AFC World Cup qualifying on Wednesday, heading into the tie locked at 1-1. Meanwhile, Asian domestic leagues will conclude in the coming weeks with Kevin Muscat eyeing silverware, and Melbourne City look to have their act together in the ACL Elite. The Asian Game’s Scott McIntyre is the man for a comprehensive wrap.
Ruben Amorim looks to have steered Manchester United to calmer, more optimistic waters after the end of a brutal first year in the job. The Athletic’s United correspondent, Carl Anka, returns with England also flying through World Cup qualification.
Also on the agenda: Socceroos struggle against Venezuela, troubling PFA report shows little faith among A-League women’s players in APL, voodoo antics at the penalty spot and loads more!
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Box2Box, with Michael Edgley & Willem van Denderen!
The draw for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup will be held on December 5, with Seattle among sixteen host nations waiting to see which countries are headed their way. Jeremiah Oshan (Sounders At Heart) has been a football journalist in the city for many years, and returns to the show (after a long absence!) with anticipation building.
Then to England, where Arsenal were pegged back to a 2-2 draw with Sunderland, but lost no admirers in what was an exceptionally difficult trip away. The Athletic’s Arsenal correspondent, James McNicholas, returns with the Gunners again leading the table in pursuit of an extremely elusive Premier League title.
Also on the agenda: Tony Popovic drops surprises in his latest squad, Kennedy White’s Victory ALW hat-trick, World Cup draw pot alterations, and loads more…

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Box2Box, with Rob Gilbert & Michael Edgley!
Sydney FC entered the A-League Men’s season facing plenty of questions, but provided a few answers with a thumping 4-1 win over the heavily fancied-Newcastle Jets on Saturday. Captain Rhyan Grant knows what it is to play in title-winning sides; he returns to Box2Box for the first time since 2019 to ponder whether this group could have what it takes.
Then to Scotland, where Hearts are on track for their first title since 1959/60 (with Socceroo Cam Devlin in midfield), and Rangers and Celtic find themselves in differing degrees of crisis. Andy Newport of Glasgow’s Daily Record discusses whether the Jambos can go the distance, and whether the Old Firm can sort themselves out.
Also on the agenda: The Mariners kick off their ALW Championship defence in style, Premier League claims a fourth managerial victim, and plenty more!

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Box2Box, with Rob Gilbert, Michael Edgley & Willem van Denderen!

Mark Milligan has wasted no time in his start to life as Newcastle Jets manager, ending a long trophy drought, blooding the kids, and engendering spirit among the active support. He joins Box2Box for the first time, following Friday’s thumping 5-2 win over Melbourne Victory.
Then to England, where the Championship table is led by Frank Lampard’s Coventry, but propped up by battling former powerhouses in Sheffield Wednesday & United. The Atletic’s Rob Tanner returns to wrap up the second division, with Leicester in mid-table.
Also on the agenda: Football Australia denies a grassroots increase in cost to play, the Matildas are silenced after defeating Wales, and Lionel Messi set to play into his 40s.
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Box2Box, with Michael Edgley & Willem van Denderen!

Adelaide United kicked off the A-League Men’s season on Friday night at home, drew the weekend’s biggest crowd, and banked the three points. New manager Airton Andrioli is into his first senior club job after a working lifetime in youth development, and joins us for the first time.

We then head to Africa, where the first round of World Cup qualifying has been completed. Nine nations are booked in for next year’s World Cup, while four remain alive but with the odds stacked against them. BBC Sport Africa’s Rob Stevens returns for a comprehensive wrap.

Also on the agenda: Ange sacked by Forest, Brisbane Roar knock ‘em down and drag ‘em out, AFC Qualifiers & plenty more!

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Box2Box, with Michael Edgley & Willem van Denderen!

The Australian Championship kicked off over the weekend to widespread celebration around the country, with competitive fixtures and a couple of extraordinary goals claiming headlines. Teo Pellizzeri returns to wrap the round, and assess the latest Matildas squad.

Thomas Tuchel’s England are close to sealing World Cup qualification, and played their best football in their 3-0 win over Wales. Former England defender Stephen Warnock returns with some big names sitting outside the squad as the clock ticks on the World Cup.

Also on the agenda: Socceroos still unbeaten under Popa, Arnie a step from a World Cup return, and Mark Jackson leaves the Mariners on the eve of the season…

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