The World Cup knockout stage is set, so Sam Matterface and Alex Crook map out every contender's route to the final. Who has the most favourable draw? Does the bracket change who they think wins it? And which side nobody was talking about before the tournament could go deep from their half?

Former Scotland international Charlie Adam joins the show for an exclusive conversation in the wake of Scotland's elimination - with Steve Clarke since resigning as manager. Charlie gives his honest verdict on what went wrong for Scotland at this World Cup, whether Clarke deserved another shot at a major tournament, and what comes next for Scottish football.

England laboured to a 2-0 win against Panama - job done, but not convincing. Sam and Alex react to a performance that raised as many questions as it answered. Did the changes work? And who played themselves into or out of the XI for the knockout stages?

The Round of 32 gets its full preview - Brazil v Japan is the standout game of Monday's action, Netherlands v Morocco and France v Sweden the best of Tuesday's fixtures. Both hosts give their verdicts.

The tipping competition enters the knockout stage with a new twist - with both hosts given a chance to double-down or change their mind on their launch episode outright picks, plus their match bet for the next round.

⚽ In this episode:

Knockout draw breakdown - who has the best route to the final?

Charlie Adam exclusive - Scotland eliminated, Clarke resigns, what went wrong?

England 2-0 Panama - laboured win assessed, knockout XI debated

Round of 32 preview - Brazil v Japan, Netherlands v Morocco, France v Sweden

Tipping competition - outright picks + match bets for the knockout stage

🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook

📍 Recorded from Brooklyn, New York

🏆 New episodes throughout World Cup 2026 - knockout stage underway

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Iraq national team assistant manager and former Manchester United coach René Meulensteen joins Sam Matterface and Alex Crook for an exclusive conversation - he shares his pride at helping bring Iraq to the biggest stage in International football and discusses their showing so far.

Scotland's World Cup hopes hang by a thread after a 3-0 defeat to Brazil. Sam and Alex give their honest verdict on Scotland's tournament as a whole - have Steve Clarke's side been good enough, unlucky, or simply at the wrong level? And is there any chance they still make the round of 32?

The final group stage round has delivered some remarkable stories - South Africa's historic qualification for the knockout stages, Mexico and Germany through, Switzerland and Canada joining them, and Bosnia keeping their hopes alive. Sam and Alex chew over the stories.

Then the big England question ahead of Panama - should Gordon be dropped after the Ghana draw? Rashford or Rogers on the left? Does Saka need to start? And does O'Reilly come back into the XI?

Plus a look ahead to France v Norway, Uruguay v Spain and Colombia v Portugal before the tipping competition's final group stage picks - last chance to score points before the knockouts begin.

⚽ In this episode:

René Meulensteen exclusive - coaching expertise from Old Trafford to Baghdad

Scotland 3-0 Brazil - honest tournament assessment, can they still qualify? Final group stage round-up

England v Panama preview - full selection debate & score predictions

France v Norway, Uruguay v Spain, Colombia v Portugal previewed

Tipping competition - final group stage picks & standings update

🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook

📍 Recorded from Brooklyn, New York

🏆 New episodes throughout World Cup 2026 - knockout stage begins next episode

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Sam and Alex give their full reaction to England's frustrating 0-0 draw with Ghana. Is it a case of second match syndrome once again? Or did Ghana's low block expose some of England's frailties? Arsenal and England legend Lee Dixon also joins to give his thoughts on the match and the World Cup so far.

With Cristiano Ronaldo's brace against Uzbekistan announcing his arrival to the party, they discuss his record breaking performance and whether he can fire Portugal to glory.

The stars have all shown up so far, with Messi, Mbappé, Haaland, Ronaldo and Kane all fighting for the Golden Boot - is this the most competitive World Cup Golden Boot race of all time? How many goals will it take to win it, and who does each host back? With live odds from starsports.bet.

The tipping competition continues - Alex picked up a winner last episode and the standings are tightening. Both hosts lock in their next selections.

⚽ In this episode:

Lee Dixon exclusive - his verdict on England's disappointing draw with Ghana England 0-0 Ghana - what went wrong and what needs to change?

Portugal v Uzbekistan - Ronaldo's record-breaking performance

Golden Boot - Messi, Mbappé, Haaland or Kane?

Tipping competition - standings update & new picks with odds

🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook

📍 Recorded from Houston, USA

🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026

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Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler joins Sam Matterface and Alex Crook in an exclusive interview - we get his take on the 2026 World Cup, the tactical trends he's seeing and whether we could be seeing them in the Premier League next season.

Scotland suffered a second group stage defeat to Morocco, but their World Cup is far from over. Sam and Alex assess where Steve Clarke's side stand, what they might need from their game with Brazil, and whether qualification is still a realistic prospect.

Plus Netherlands' demolition of Sweden announced them as serious contenders, and both Germany and USA book their place in the knockouts.

England face Ghana next, and Sam and Alex deliver a full preview - team selection, the Ghana threat, key tactical battles and score predictions.

The tipping competition: Sam's Ep 6 selection was voided, Alex's result is in - find out where the standings sit and what both hosts are backing next.

⚽ In this episode:

Fabian Hürzeler exclusive - Brighton boss gives his World Cup verdict

Scotland lose to Morocco - but can they still qualify? Full assessment Netherlands hammer Sweden - serious contenders assessed

Germany & USA into the knockouts - what we've learned

England v Ghana full preview - team, tactics & score prediction

Tipping competition update - Sam's void, Alex's result & new picks

🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook

📍 Recorded from Brooklyn, New York

🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026

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📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet - Star Sports are best price England in every match. #WorldCup2026

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Fox Sports' Rebecca Lowe joins Sam Matterface and Alex Crook for an exclusive conversation - giving her unique perspective on the 2026 World Cup from the heart of the action in America. One of the most respected voices in football broadcasting on either side of the Atlantic, Lowe gives her insight on how the tournament is resonating with the American public.

Sam and Alex deliver their full England v Croatia reaction - did Jude Bellingham nail down his place as the first name on the teamsheet? Did England show enough to be considered genuine World Cup contenders? And with questions at the back, should Marc Guehi come into the starting XI?

Portugal's laboured draw raises one of the biggest questions in football right now - do they need to drop Cristiano Ronaldo? Sam and Alex give their verdict. Plus Canada's demolition of Qatar, France finding their feet in the second-half, and what it all means for the group stage.

Looking ahead: Scotland v Morocco and Brazil v Haiti previewed, plus verdicts on Netherlands v Sweden, Germany v Côte d'Ivoire and Spain v Saudi Arabia before those games kick off.

And the tipping competition -Sam is flying after his Colombia to win and over 2.5 goals selection landed, opening up a 35.3-point lead. Alex needs to respond.

⚽ In this episode:

Rebecca Lowe exclusive - World Cup 2026 from the US

England v Croatia reaction - Bellingham, favourites debate & Guehi question

Should Portugal drop Ronaldo?

Canada v Qatar, France reaction

Scotland v Morocco & Brazil v Haiti previewed

Netherlands v Sweden, Germany v Côte d'Ivoire, Spain v Saudi Arabia previewed

Tipping competition - Sam leads by 35.3pts, Alex fires back

🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook

📍 Recorded from Philadelphia, USA

🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026

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📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet - Star Sports are best price England in every match 

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Former West Ham and Croatia manager Slaven Bilic gives his expert verdict on England v Croatia in an exclusive interview ahead of one of the most anticipated group stage fixtures of the  FIFA World Cup. Bilic gives us the inside track on Croatia's squad, his expectations for the match and reflects on his own tournament exploits.

Sam Matterface and Alex Crook also deliver their full England v Croatia preview - team selection, the danger men and score predictions. They also react to the news that Tino Livramento will be replaced in the squad by Trevoh Chalobah following injury - should Trent Alexander-Arnold have got the call instead?

Plus: Reaction to Spain's shock 0-0 draw with Cape Verde - how do we reassess one of the pre-tournament favourites? Belgium v Egypt and the rest of the recent results are also covered before the show looks ahead to Portugal's tournament opener (and the impending departure of Roberto Martinez) and the second round of group stage fixtures.

The tipping competition continues, with Sam and Alex locking in their best bets for the next round.

⚽ In this episode:

🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook

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Scotland have their first World Cup win in 36 years. Sam Matterface and Alex Crook react immediately after full-time as Steve Clarke's side edge past Haiti 1-0 in their World Cup 2026 opener. Where does the win leave Scotland? Are they a step closer to qualification or was 1-0 not enough? Sam and Alex give their verdict.

Also in the episode: Brazil and Morocco play out a fascinating draw in one of the most talked-about results of the opening round. What does a point each mean for both sides - and what did we learn about both sides?

Former Premier League manager Steve Bruce joins the show in an exclusive interview, giving his thoughts on the tournament and what to expect from England.

Plus, Sam and Alex assess Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Spain and Belgium ahead of their opening fixtures and the co-hosts, USA, finally get a shoutout following their 4-1 win against Paraguay, and an angry message from Matt from North Carolina.

The tipping competition continues with both hosts locking in their best bets for the next round, with odds live from starsports.bet.

⚽ In this episode:

Scotland 1-0 Haiti - immediate post-match reaction

Where does this leave Scotland? Group stage verdict

Brazil v Morocco draw - what it means for both sides

USA impress in opening match win

Steve Bruce exclusive interview

Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Spain & Belgium assessed

Alex's Japan dark horse - is he sticking with it?

Tipping competition NAPs - best bets with odds

🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook

📍 Recorded live from San Francisco, USA - immediately after full-time

🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026

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📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet - Star Sports are best price England in every match

0:00 - Scotland Reaction

04:20 - Scotland Fans

07:30 - Brazil v Morocco

10:30 - USA's Big Win

15:30 - Steve Bruce Interview

33:52 - Matchweek 1 Previews

39:20 - Tipping Competition Selections

Former Premier League goalkeeper Asmir Begovic joins Sam Matterface and Alex Crook for an exclusive conversation ahead of Canada v Bosnia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Begovic gives his verdict on both nations' chances, the key players to watch, and what the game means for Group D.

Sam and Alex also react to England's final pre-tournament friendly against Costa Rica and - for the first time - both name their starting XI for England's opening World Cup match against Croatia. Do they agree? Spoiler: they don't.

The tournament is officially underway. Sam and Alex react to Mexico v South Africa, the opening game of the tournament, before turning their attention to the biggest upcoming fixtures - a preview of Brazil v Morocco and Scotland v Haiti, with both hosts giving their takes on what to expect.

Plus the tipping competition continues. Sam and Alex lock in their best bets for the next round of fixtures, with odds from starsports.bet.

⚽ In this episode:

Asmir Begovic exclusive - Canada v Bosnia preview

England's final friendly reaction - Costa Rica assessed

Both hosts name their England starting XI for Croatia

Mexico v South Africa - World Cup opening match reaction

Brazil v Morocco preview

Scotland v Haiti - can Scotland cause an upset?

Tipping competition NAPs - best bets with odds

🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook

📍 Recorded from USA

🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026

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📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet - Star Sports are best price England in every match 

Chelsea and England legend Frank Lampard gives his verdict on England's 2026 World Cup chances in an exclusive conversation with Sam Matterface.

Lampard assesses the squad and identifies the players he's watching most closely, shares his memories of major tournament penalty shootouts and discusses THAT goal that never was against Germany — all in Episode 2 of The Inside Channel.

Sam and Alex also react to England's pre-tournament friendly against New Zealand — who impressed, who has a case to make the starting XI, and whether there are still selection debates to be had.

Scotland's friendly result gets the full treatment too, alongside the rest of the pre-tournament round.

The tipping competition officially gets underway as Sam and Alex both lock in their NAP for the next round of matches, with odds from starsports.bet. One of them is already looking nervous.

⚽ In this episode:

Frank Lampard exclusive — key players, ghost goals and penalties

England v New Zealand reaction — what did we learn?

Scotland pre-tournament — realistic ceiling ahead of the group stage

Other friendly reaction 

Sam & Alex NAPs — best bets for the upcoming fixtures

🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook

📍 Recorded from Miami, USA

🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026

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📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet — Star Sports are best price England in every match

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Sam Matterface and Alex Crook are heading to America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and this is where it all starts.

In the launch episode of The Inside Channel, ITV's Sam Matterface and talkSPORT's Alex Crook sit down for a full tournament preview, alongside Scott Minto: England's chances, the big nations, dark horses, Golden Boot picks, and the best betting markets ahead of the World Cup.

Plus, Sam and Alex kick off their head-to-head tipping competition - both locking in their outright winner and Golden Boot selections from the off. One of them will be facing a nasty forfeit come July...

The Inside Channel is the brand-new football World Cup podcast, brought to you in conjunction with Star Sports - with new episodes dropping three times a week throughout the tournament, all the way to the final.

⚽ In this episode:

Can England win the World Cup? 

Scotland's chances and realistic ceiling

France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina - who lifts the trophy?

Dark horse picks Golden Boot contenders

The Alex vs Sam tipping competition begins

🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook, with guest Scott Minto

📍 Recorded live at Star Sports, Curzon Street

🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026

▶️ Subscribe so you don't miss an episode

📲 Follow along and back their picks at starsports.bet

18+ | Please gamble responsibly | GambleAware.org | starsports.bet