Five Aside

The Five Aside crew break down Cape Verde’s historic World Cup journey, debate whether Spain should be worried after a sluggish opener, and react to France’s statement win over Senegal. The guys also dive into Ousmane Dembélé’s role for France, Senegal’s transition from its golden generation, and why African teams are making a serious impact on the world stage. Plus, plenty of World Cup banter, predictions, and hot takes along the way.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro and FIFA Fan Fest experiences

01:00 – Meeting Cape Verde fans and the beauty of World Cup culture

03:30 – Cape Verde vs Spain recap and predictions revisited

04:30 – Will Cape Verde change their approach against Uruguay and Saudi Arabia?

11:50 – Has Spain’s performance changed expectations?

14:00 – Spain’s reliance on Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams

15:20 – Ferran Torres frustrations and Spain’s attacking issues

18:00 – World Cup favourites: France, Spain, Argentina, England & Netherlands

22:40 – France vs Senegal reaction

24:00 – Mbappé’s elite goalscorer mentality

25:00 – Is Senegal’s golden generation nearing the end?

28:50 – France look like serious contenders

30:00 – The Dembélé debate: PSG star, France passenger?

35:40 – Senegal’s substitutions and tactical mistakes

39:00 – Norway, Iraq and early World Cup surprises

40:00 – Why South American teams have struggled so far

44:00 – African teams making a statement on the world stage

49:00 – Côte d’Ivoire’s potential dark-horse run

51:00 – The growth of African football and final thoughts

The World Cup is finally underway and the Five Aside crew are here to break down all the opening-day drama. AK and Inii react to an underwhelming opening ceremony, South Africa’s nightmare start against Mexico, South Korea’s impressive display against Czechia, and a chaotic Canada vs Bosnia clash. Plus, they preview USA vs Paraguay and debate whether Mauricio Pochettino’s Americans can finally live up to the hype. Banter, bold predictions, and plenty of football chaos as the tournament gets rolling.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro & World Cup excitement

00:43 – Opening ceremony reactions: did Mexico underdeliver?

01:56 – World Cup theme songs: Waka Waka vs the rest

03:08 – Mexico 2-0 South Africa review

04:00 – Why South Africa struggled so badly

06:52 – Mexico’s chances in the tournament

09:38 – Can South Africa recover from the opening defeat?

14:04 – South Korea vs Czechia review

16:36 – Lee Kang-in and South Korea’s midfield dominance

18:20 – Czechia’s strengths and set-piece threat

20:02 – Why Czechia may struggle to progress

23:13 – Canada vs Bosnia review

24:58 – Canada’s lack of quality despite the result

27:45 – Canada’s group-stage outlook

29:18 – USA vs Paraguay preview

30:18 – Can Pochettino deliver for the USA?

32:20 – Expectations for America’s “golden generation”

34:41 – Match predictions: USA vs Paraguay

35:54 – Looking ahead to Brazil vs Morocco

36:14 – Outro

The Five A Side Podcast is BACK — and we're coming in hot with the World Cup already underway right here in Atlanta 🔥

We reunite the full crew — Dalu, AK, Temi, Haruna, and special guest Tobi — to break down everything World Cup 2026. From the vibe (or lack of it) in Atlanta, to who's actually winning this thing, to the African teams we're riding with all tournament long.

We get into France's squad depth, Spain's scary balance, Portugal's Ronaldo problem, and why England under Tuchel might actually be different this time. Plus — Nigeria didn't make it. We had to talk about it.

Then things get real when we debate the Thomas Partey handshake situation, the Somali referee denied a US visa, and what it means to host a World Cup in this political climate.

Oh, and we close it out with the most memorable World Cup moments of all time — '82 Brazil, '06 Zidane vs Brazil, Uruguay vs Ghana 2010 — the nostalgia hit DIFFERENT.

⚽ Topics Covered:

World Cup vibe in Atlanta — is the city ready?

Full tournament predictions: France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina

Portugal's midfield depth vs the Ronaldo problem

African teams built for the heat — Morocco, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire

England squad selection debate: Palmer, Maguire, Bellingham, Henderson

Group of Death breakdown

MVP predictions for the tournament

Thomas Partey controversy

Most memorable World Cup moments ever

🎙️ Subscribe, like, and share with your people. Five Aside will be at the games in Atlanta all tournament — stay locked in.

#WorldCup2026 #FiveAsidePodcast #Atlanta #WorldCup #Football #Soccer #PremierLeague #Nigeria #Arsenal #France #Spain #Portugal #England #africanfootball

Timestamps

0:00 – Intro / Banter & Setup

1:45 – Welcome Back / Temi Returns to the Pod

3:00 – World Cup in Atlanta: Vibe Check & Is the City Ready?

7:00 – Atlanta World Cup Energy vs. European Host Cities

8:45 – Who's Winning the World Cup? Predictions Begin

9:00 – AK's Pick: France — Why They're the Most Balanced Squad

14:00 – Dalu's Pick: Spain — The Most Complete Team

17:30 – Haruna's Heart: Portugal & Bruno Fernandes Hype

20:30 – Portugal's Midfield Debate: Are They Actually the Best?

22:00 – Ronaldo Problem: Does He Hurt Portugal?

24:00 – Tobi Joins the Pod / His Pick: Spain, Dark Horse: Netherlands

26:00 – 48 Teams, 12 Groups — Nigeria Didn't Make It. How We Feeling?

28:30 – What Does Expanding to 48 Teams Mean for Quality?

29:30 – Will the Heat Be a Factor? African Teams Built Different

31:30 – African Teams to Watch: Morocco, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Congo

33:30 – Japan as a Dark Horse? France Won't Make the Semis?

37:00 – Norway & Ødegaard: Underrated Group Stage Threat

38:30 – Group of Death: France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq

40:30 – England Under Tuchel: How Far Can They Go?

45:00 – MVP Predictions: Bruno / Yamal / Olise / Messi / Ødegaard

49:00 – Top Contenders Breakdown: Can Anyone Upset France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina?

51:00 – England Squad Selection Debate: Palmer, Maguire, Bellingham, Henderson

58:00 – Favorite World Cup Songs (Wavy Flag, Waka Waka)

1:08:00 – Most Memorable World Cup Games (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014)

1:15:00 – Brazil '82: The Best Team to Never Win

1:20:00 – Nigeria's Missed Opportunity: What It Means for the Golden Generation

1:25:00 – African Teams: South Africa, Cape Verde, Egypt, Congo Deep Dive

1:31:00 – Somali Referee Denied Visa / FIFA & Immigration at the World Cup

1:32:00 – Thomas Partey Handshake Controversy: Debate Gets Heated

1:44:00 – Outro / Five Aside in Atlanta for the World Cup

What happens when a Nigerian mum discovers her son has two dangerous obsessions: animals and football? In this hilarious and heartwarming episode, Dalu sits down with his mum to unpack the origin story of his football addiction. From kissing cats and sleeping in dog houses to singing Okocha's name at sunset, the conversation takes a nostalgic turn through Nigerian football culture, Rangers vs Iwuanyanwu chaos, World Cup memories, Arsenal heartbreak, and the moment Neymar won Mum's heart forever. A funny family conversation packed with football banter, childhood stories, and unexpected Neymar fandom.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introducing Mum's first Five Aside appearance

00:45 – The childhood animal obsession that worried Mum

02:00 – The infamous cat-kissing incident

03:00 – Discovering football through Jay-Jay Okocha

05:00 – Why Mum thought football passion was dangerous

05:40 – Rangers vs Iwuanyanwu: the referee-slapping story

07:40 – Football becomes the "lesser evil"

08:20 – Growing up with football injuries and football conversations

09:15 – Mum learns football through Messi, Brazil and international stars

10:00 – The Brazil match that made Mum fall in love with Neymar

11:30 – Neymar mania: skill, dribbles and surviving tackles

12:40 – Praying for Neymar after his injuries

13:20 – Is anyone else in the family this football-obsessed?

14:20 – How Kanu, Arsenal and neighbours shaped Dalu's fandom

15:20 – Supporting Arsenal and 20+ years of suffering

16:00 – Mum's plea for Arsenal to stop ruining household happiness

16:25 – Future appearances and signing off

Arsenal’s Champions League dream ends in the cruelest way possible: penalties. In this special Five Aside fan reaction episode, emotions are running wild as Gunners and PSG supporters debate controversial penalty decisions, Dembele vs Mbappé legacy talk, Arteta’s tactics, transfer targets, and whether Arsenal are one step away from becoming Europe’s next powerhouse. Raw, passionate, and completely unfiltered fan reactions straight from the final.

Timestamps

00:00 – PSG fans celebrate European glory

01:00 – Is this PSG team the start of a dynasty?

02:00 – Ligue 1 advantage debate & Dembele's performance

03:00 – Dembele vs Mbappé: Who is the bigger PSG legend?

04:00 – Arsenal fans react to the heartbreak

04:45 – Did PSG deserve the win? Tactical breakdown

06:00 – The penalty controversy explodes

07:00 – Arsenal’s squad, transfers & Premier League success

08:00 – Chelsea fans join the banter

08:45 – Were Arsenal actually the better team?

09:30 – Arsenal supporters process the defeat

10:30 – Reasons for optimism: Arsenal’s future in Europe

11:15 – Summer transfer targets discussed

12:00 – Kvaratskhelia to Arsenal? Fan recruitment pitch

12:45 – Eze debate: Hero or culprit?

14:00 – Arteta criticism and Gabriel’s penalty miss

15:00 – Should Gabriel have been taking penalties?

16:00 – Rival fans give Arsenal credit despite defeat

17:00 – VAR inconsistency and major refereeing decisions

18:00 – Deflated Arsenal fans look ahead to next season

19:00 – Full match breakdown and tactical reflections

20:00 – Kvaratskhelia penalty incident revisited

21:00 – Madueke penalty controversy debate

22:00 – Neutral perspective on the refereeing decisions

23:00 – Did the better team win? Final verdicts

24:00 – Why Arsenal fans should still believe

The Five Aside crew goes ALL IN on the UCL Final debate as Arsenal fans, PSG supporters, and certified football terrorists clash over tactics, “world-class” players, underdog narratives, and whether Declan Rice can survive PSG’s midfield chaos.

From Saka debates to Arteta tactics, Hakimi injury concerns, Enrique’s revenge arc, and Arsenal fans claiming “the pressure is off” — this one gets HEATED.

Plus: the funniest joke of the episode — “Fly Emirates vs Emirates Fly Better” — might genuinely decide the final. 😭

Will PSG’s attack overpower Arsenal’s defense? Or are the Gunners finally ready to complete the dream? Chaos, banter, and football Twitter-level headloss throughout.

Timestamp

0:00 Intro & panel predictions

3:00 Arsenal defence vs PSG attack debate

7:00 PSG's system — how they attack

8:00 Flanks vs midfield — Bayern comparison

10:00 Route to the final

11:00 Underdog debate

13:00 Arsenal fan culture & social media

16:00 World-class players in Arsenal's squad?

17:00 Weak Premier League season debate

22:00 Arsenal going in with no pressure

24:00 PSG overconfidence — Club World Cup story

26:00 Luis Enrique respects Arteta

28:00 How will Arteta set up?

31:00 Timber vs Mosquera at right back

34:00 Martinelli vs Zubimendi

36:00 PSG midfield — just let them have it?

37:00 Joint combined XI begins

43:00 Midfield trio — Rice, Vitinha, Neves

47:00 Right wing — Saka vs Doué

51:00 Left wing — Dembélé as player of the tournament

54:00 Luis Enrique's team-first culture

57:00 Match predictions

1:01:00 Dembélé vs Mbappé — bigger PSG legend?

1:03:00 Rice vs Fabregas — bigger Arsenal legend?

1:08:00 Daniel defends Fabregas

1:11:00 How we became fans — origin stories

1:16:00 Final words & outro

Arsenal fans in Atlanta absolutely lose the plot after finally ending the drought — and the scenes are pure chaos. From emotional lifelong supporters and rival fan banter to Bruno Fernandes debates, Tottenham survival stress, Klopp nostalgia, and Arteta praise, this one has everything football culture is about.

There’s singing. There’s screaming. There’s tears. There’s cooked takes. And somehow Spurs fans still caught strays.

Football heritage was alive and well tonight.

Timestamps

00:00 – Arsenal fans flood the celebrations

00:45 – Father & son Arsenal story goes emotional

01:45 – “I don’t know what to feel” after winning the league

02:40 – Arsenal fan club president speaks on the journey

04:10 – “We suffered for this” – emotional Arsenal speech

05:20 – Predictions for next season & Champions League hopes

06:00 – Reliving Arsenal heartbreak over the years

07:10 – Rival fans react to Arsenal’s title win

08:15 – Bruno Fernandes vs Declan Rice debate erupts

10:00 – Set-piece assists argument gets heated

11:20 – United fans back themselves for next season

12:00 – Crowd chaos & trophy celebrations continue

13:10 – Harry Kane banter and trophy jokes

14:00 – Arsenal fans already predicting next season

15:00 – “We want our trophy!” crowd takeover

16:10 – Years of banter finally paid back

17:00 – “God did” – Arsenal fans celebrate the payoff

18:00 – Chelsea fan reacts to Arsenal lifting the title

19:00 – Pep Guardiola, Man City & next season discussion

21:00 – Liverpool fans debate Arne Slot & Klopp legacy

23:00 – Klopp vs Pep tactical legacy discussion

25:00 – Nigerian football shoutouts & fan culture

26:00 – Lifelong Arsenal fan reflects on the pain years

27:00 – Champions League optimism goes through the roof

29:00 – Spurs fan enters the chaos

30:00 – Relegation survival stress explained

31:00 – “Slot Out” chants begin

33:00 – Tottenham ownership frustrations aired out

34:00 – Chelsea ownership & oil money banter

35:00 – More title celebration madness

36:00 – Arsenal’s defense praised as Europe’s best

37:00 – Final trophy scenes & crowd erupts

Manchester United finally got their hands on a trophy this season… unfortunately it’s the all-time assist leaders list. 😭

Who really knows ball better? Temi puts Chidalu and Ak through a brutal Premier League assists challenge — naming players from the ALL-TIME EPL assist leaders list until somebody folds.

From safe picks like Giggs and KDB to outrageous misses, panic answers, and the shocking Özil debate, this one gets heated FAST. Plus, someone’s walking away with free Chick-fil-A… and someone’s walking away ashamed. 😂

Did they cook or embarrass themselves? Watch till the end and play along in the comments.

Timestamps

0:00 – Intro & rules explained

0:42 – The EPL assists challenge begins

1:15 – Giggs, Fabregas & Henry start strong

2:00 – Jesus FAILS immediately 😭

2:35 – Van Persie miss shocks everyone

2:55 – The Mesut Özil controversy

3:30 – Gareth Barry sneaks onto the list

4:00 – Drogba & Gerrard enter the chat

4:45 – James Milner top 10 revelation

5:10 – Dennis Bergkamp saves Arsenal fans

5:45 – Ashley Cole confusion causes chaos

6:25 – Roy Keane disasterclass

6:55 – David Silva & Scholes restore order

7:35 – Raheem Sterling surprise appearance

8:10 – Pressure starts hitting HARD

9:00 – Mo Salah almost forgotten 😭

9:45 – Bruno Fernandes sneaks into top 20

10:20 – Winner crowned + Chick-fil-A trophy

10:50 – Outro, donations & absolute nonsense

Arsenal are Premier League champions — and the Five Aside boys are losing their minds. From emotional fan confessions to Declan Rice propaganda, Arteta debates, Pep Guardiola legacy talk, and Xabi Alonso confirmed at Chelsea, this episode is pure football chaos.

We also get into João Pedro's Brazil snub, Salah's Liverpool legacy, Mourinho to Real Madrid, and whether Arsenal are about to build a dynasty… or if this is just a one-hit wonder. Banter levels? Through the roof.

Timestamps

00:00 - Haircut bets, forgiveness & Arsenal finally deliver

02:15 - Arsenal crowned Premier League champions

05:00 - "Netflix FC" no more: emotional Arsenal reactions

06:50 - The moment Arsenal fans knew the title was real

10:25 - Biggest games of Arsenal's season

14:00 - Arteta debate: genius coach or attacking fraud?

16:20 - The Aston Villa & Man City performances that changed everything

20:00 - Arsenal's spine: Rice, Gabriel, Saliba & Saka

23:30 - Odegaard captaincy arguments get HEATED

30:00 - Declan Rice appreciation session

32:50 - Pep Guardiola potentially leaving Man City

34:10 - Is Arteta the new sheriff in town?

35:15 - Arsenal transfer needs for a title dynasty

38:50 - João Pedro left out of Brazil squad discussion

44:40 - Xabi Alonso confirmed as Chelsea manager reaction

48:30 - Can Chelsea finally trust a manager long-term?

55:00 - Salah, Griezmann & Lewandowski legacy debate

58:40 - Liverpool fans, Trent drama & football loyalty talk

01:00:30 - Who is Liverpool's next legend after Salah?

01:06:50 - Mourinho to Real Madrid — good idea or disaster?

01:13:00 - Will Arsenal defend the title? Final takes

The FA Cup watch party descended into absolute chaos as City fans celebrated another trophy and Chelsea fans held a full-on therapy session. From “Reece PTO James” jokes to Petr Čech cosplay slander, this episode has everything: brutal banter, player-of-the-season debates, treble talk, and one very emotional Chelsea fan trying to survive another disappointing final. Plus: City fans arguing Bernardo vs Cherki, Arsenal catching random strays, and pub chants that definitely shouldn’t be sung around children. Pure football pub culture.

Timestamps

00:00 – “Reece PTO James” enters the chat

01:00 – City fans celebrate FA Cup glory

02:05 – “That match was a snoozefest”

02:45 – Semenyo praise & Doku debates

03:20 – Bernardo Silva Player of the Season shouts

04:00 – “When did you become a City fan?” interrogation

05:45 – Chelsea fan therapy session begins

06:30 – Joao Pedro, Delap & Reece James frustrations

07:50 – Chelsea’s season officially cooked

08:10 – Reece James & Enzo Fernandez analysis

09:15 – Javi Alonso to Chelsea rumors

10:05 – Chelsea transfer clearout wishlist

11:05 – Declan Rice league Player of the Season shout

12:00 – Why Enzo still has Chelsea DNA

13:00 – “Most finals are just boring”

14:00 – Chelsea board gets blamed for everything

15:00 – “This loss is on the board, not the fans”

16:00 – Petr Čech gimmick keeper slander

17:00 – Can City still win the league?

18:00 – Cherki hype reaches dangerous levels

19:10 – Proper pub chants & football culture

20:00 – Longtime City fan shares his origin story

21:00 – The season turnaround after Christmas

22:00 – Bernardo Silva Arsenal-hater appreciation

23:00 – Bruno Fernandes Player of the Season debate

24:00 – Comparing this City team to the treble winners

25:00 – Women’s Super League talk & Leicester catching strays