What does the route to the final look like for the Socceroos, and why does it feel like some teams have it so much easier than others? 

With Liam Stapleton, breakfast radio host as half of Ben and Liam and content creator, we break down the state of Groups D and G, where it’s still all to play for heading into the final game, with Belgium continuing to underperform and New Zealand still in contention to progress despite a loss to table toppers Egypt. 

Curacao’s 37-year-old goalkeeper set a World Cup record with 15 saves in their incredible draw against Ecuador.  

Plus, was the USA loss actually that bad for us...or are we overcooking it?  

This episode, alongside radio host, content creator and Liverpool FC tragic, Liam Stapleton, we break down the socceroos recent performance and what they need to do against Paraguay to make it out of group stages.  

We also discuss the new head-to-head rule and why it’s sending teams home early, underdogs to look out for and what makes them dangerous in a tournament setting.  

There’s Liverpool chat (unfortunately), Anfield chaos and we lock Zidane into our all-time World Cup XI. 

Now it all comes down to Paraguay…win or draw and we’re through. 

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In what world do you change a winning formula? Tony Popovich…you’ve got some explaining to do (as does the ref).

But it’s not over yet... OlanTekkers breaks down what went wrong – from Popovich benching in-form players like Irankunda and Metcalfe, to a defensive setup that had us stuck in our own 18 yard box for 45 minutes.

We get into how the US exposed us out wide, why we looked scared to play early and how the game completely flipped in the second half once we actually started going forward. Irankunda comes on and changes everything (again), but there's a lack of creativity in midfield, and surely now Volpato starts the next game?

We’re also joined by our man on the ground in Seattle, sports reporter John Bric, who gives us the vibe inside Lumen Field, the mood of Socceroos fans and what this result means for Australia’s chances of qualifying from the group.

Plus, Ronaldo vs Messi is kicking off again. Portugal players are starting to turn on their main man, Thierry Henry breaks down Ronaldo’s role, while Messi’s just out there doing GOAT things. A hat-trick at 38 in a World Cup - who does that? Big calls, big pressure on the Socceroos, and two GOATs going in very different directions… all in one episode.

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The Socceroos are pulling massive TV audience numbers…the World Cup’s already claimed its first manager…and somehow, our Socceroos young guns might be the fastest players on the planet. 

This episode, I catch up with Socceroos 2022 World Cup Qualifying hero, Andrew Redmayne - the goalkeeper who famously used his “jelly legs” technique in a penalty shootout that saw Australia through to this World Cup.  

He tells us what actually goes into saving penalties at an elite level - how much of it is preparation, how much is instinct and how much of it is just luck. 

We get into that Peru shootout, the mind games, and how it feels knowing you’ve literally changed football laws off the back of one moment. 

We also chat the 2026 Socceroos - whether we’ll beat the USA, what needs to change tactically, and some of Redder’s favourite memories in green and gold. 

Plus, a quick whip around the tournament - Tunisia have already sacked their manager Sabri Lamouchi after one game, France are looking seriously strong, Haaland’s finally off the mark and Cape Verde have just produced one of the all-time defensive shifts.  

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The Socceroos World Cup win over Türkiye in their opening round match is one of the biggest wins in Australian soccer history. This new generation of young players is looking like the real deal. 

Türkiye dominated the game with 72% possession, twice as many shots on target and endless pressure. They rattled the post and Patrick Beach had a blinder to keep the Socceroos in it. But at the end of the day Australia took their chances, and walked away with the win. So today Olan Tekkers is trying to figure out what actually happened.

He's joined by ARN Sports Reporter John Bric who is there on the ground in Vancouver. They discuss that ridiculous Nestory Irankunda moment and whether Tony Popovic cooked up a tactical masterclass...and whether the Socceroos will be exposed against better teams. 

Tekkers wonders if the Socceroos play against Spain or Argentina, will they survive?

Then we look ahead to the Australia vs USA game and whether the Aussies should stick to a defensive set up or go harder for the win.

Regardless, it was a huge win. A lot of noise. And some big questions about what comes next. 

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The World Cup has officially kicked off, and I’m doing what I do best: pretending I’m qualified to talk about it.

First up, I'm saying it how I see it...Ronaldo is finished. I know that may upset a few people, but look - someone had to say it. Portugal are better off if he doesn't play, let alone start.

In the opening game there were three red cards - were they all soft? Did VAR get it right or wrong?

Then, i'm joined by Matilda's and Brighton defender Charlie Rule, who actually knows what she's talking about. We get into what World Cup pressure actually feels like when you’re the one wearing the badge, how early players start thinking about a World Cup cycle, and what separates the ones who get called up from the ones who stay there. (I must've missed the memo).

Charlie gives her thoughts on which teams she thinks are built for this tournament and adds her pick to our Ultimate All-Time World Cup XI. 

We also react to some truly tragic World Cup anthems that are doing the rounds right now and honestly, some of them feel like a crime. 

Then we throw to our sports reporter John Bric who's there in Vancouver giving us the on-the-ground vibe: the fans, the noise, the ticket prices...they are insane.

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This episode of The Failed Footballer is what happens when World Cup fever, actual fever and a touch of delusion all collide at once.

I chat to Adam Peacock, the voice of Stan Sport’s football coverage and one of the most trusted voices in Aussie football, and he immediately starts dropping wild World Cup predictions. England to win, a surprise pick for player of the tournament and how much the heat will affect the best teams.

Then Santo and Ed, football commentators and hosts of the beloved World Cup Fever on SBS, rolled in to talk about the 48‑team “first actual World Cup,” the fact Santo had to Google a country, and the unbelievable stat that twelve sets of brothers are playing at this tournament - with almost half representing different nations. 

I also learned the Socceroos once had a minesweeper clearing the penalty area during a WC Qualifier during the Vietnam War. Meanwhile today’s players complain about the grass being too long...

We get into whether England can survive the American heat, why this Socceroos squad has something about them, and if red cards should be axed entirely (which sounds fun until you imagine Pepe with no rules).

It’s football, nonsense and pure World Cup delirium as we count down to the opening game.

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I failed as a footballer - my words, not yours. But that doesn't stop me from having an opinion...or a podcast.

In this first episode of The Failed Footballer, I OlanTekkers kick off the World Cup with a mix of chaos, confidence and conviction. Before a ball is kicked in Canada, Mexico and the US, I lay out my predictions - who's going to win it, who's going to bag the most goals and which young star is going to be this year's James Rodríguez.

I sit down with someone who did make it: Socceroos legend and A‑League head coach Mile Sterjovski. A man who’s lived the grind, the doubt, the World Cup pressure and the responsibility of guiding the next generation. Together we break down the Socceroos squad, give advice to young players, debate the tactical identity and explain what it will take to get the Socceroos out of the group stages.

Finally, I throw across to my mate and ARN sports reporter John Bric, who’s flying to North America to follow every Socceroos game live. John gives us his predictions, his on‑the‑ground expectations and the wild story of how one footballer went from 4,000 followers to 3.5 million in a week (currently sitting at 4.9m). Insanity.

The Failed Footballer is your front‑row seat to all the action from Canada, Mexico and the US, as we follow Australia (and England) through the group stage (fingers crossed) and beyond. 

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He failed as a footballer, but luckily you don't need to have made it to have an opinion. OlanTekkers knows football, and with some expert guests he takes you through the biggest stories, the best goals and all the results from this year's World Cup.

This is your front‑row seat to all the action from Canada, Mexico and the US, as we follow Australia (and England) through the group stage and beyond. 

This show is not affiliated with FIFA or Football Australia

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