Sorry for the delay on this one, team - had to wait for the tournament to play out so that I could write it! It's been epic. Thanks so much for joining me for the journey. Please let me know if you have any ideas for the next set of files - player, club or a different tournament... the world is our footballing oyster!

In our twenty-third file, we travel across the United States, Canada and Mexico, 2026 — where the World Cup became bigger than ever before and delivered one final chapter filled with drama.

For the first time, 48 teams competed across three enormous host nations. Scotland returned after 28 years away, Cabo Verde stunned the world on their tournament debut, Norway eliminated Brazil, and fans travelled thousands of miles to follow their teams.

Argentina kept falling behind and somehow finding a way back, while Spain moved through the tournament with calm, control and almost unbreakable defence.

In Episode 23: USA, Canada and Mexico 2026, we uncover how the expanded World Cup created unforgettable new stories, how Argentina survived one impossible escape after another, and how Spain finally brought their remarkable run to an end.

Strap in. History never played it safe.

In our twenty-second file, we travel to Qatar, 2022 — where the World Cup entered unfamiliar territory and delivered one of its greatest endings.

Played in the middle of the club season and surrounded by debate before a ball was kicked, this was a tournament unlike any before it. Famous teams fell, underdogs rose, and Morocco made history by becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. Kylian Mbappé produced a final performance for the ages, but Lionel Messi and Argentina were chasing something that had waited a lifetime.

In Episode 22: Qatar 2022, we uncover how Argentina recovered from an opening shock, how Morocco inspired the world, and how one extraordinary final gave Messi the ending every football story seemed to be waiting for.

Strap in. History never played it safe.

In our twenty-first file, we travel to Russia, 2018 — where a new generation announced itself on the World Cup stage.

This was a tournament of dramatic late goals, penalty shootouts, shocking exits, and underdogs refusing to go quietly. Germany, the defending champions, crashed out early. Croatia fought through extra time again and again, led by the brilliant Luka Modrić. And France arrived with speed, strength, and a teenage Kylian Mbappé ready to light up the tournament.

In Episode 21: Russia 2018, we uncover how VAR changed the World Cup, how Croatia battled all the way to the final, and how France’s fearless young team powered its way to a second world title.

Strap in. History never played it safe.

In our twentieth file, we travel to Brazil, 2014 — where football’s most famous nation welcomed the World Cup home.

The tournament arrived with huge expectations, packed stadiums, unforgettable goals, and some of the biggest names in the game. Costa Rica shocked everyone, James Rodríguez became a global star, and Lionel Messi carried Argentina all the way to the final. But the defining moment came in Belo Horizonte, where Germany produced one of the most astonishing results in World Cup history.

In File 20: Brazil 2014, we uncover how the hosts’ dream ended in unimaginable heartbreak, how Germany built a team capable of conquering the world, and how Mario Götze’s extra-time goal decided a tense final at the Maracanã.

Strap in. History never played it safe.

In our nineteenth file, we travel to South Africa, 2010 — where the World Cup came to Africa for the very first time.

From the roar of the vuvuzelas to the colour and energy filling the stadiums, this was a tournament unlike any before it. Famous teams stumbled, new heroes emerged, and Ghana came within one dramatic penalty of becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. Meanwhile, Spain arrived with a brilliant generation of players still searching for the one trophy their country had never won.

In File 19: South Africa 2010, we uncover how Africa welcomed the world, how one of the tournament’s most dramatic moments broke Ghanaian hearts, and how Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time goal carried Spain to its first World Cup title.

Strap in. History never played it safe.

In our eighteenth file, we travel to Germany, 2006, where the World Cup became a month-long celebration of all things football.

Fans from around the world filled Germany’s streets and stadiums, creating one of the most colourful and joyful tournaments the competition had ever seen. The host nation surprised everyone with an exciting run, young stars announced themselves to the world, and Zinedine Zidane returned to his brilliant best to lead France into the final. But Italy arrived with a powerful defence, fierce determination, and a team growing stronger with every match.

In File 18: Germany 2006, we uncover how Germany rediscovered its love for its national team, how Italy survived drama both on and off the pitch, and how one shocking moment brought Zidane’s extraordinary career — and an unforgettable World Cup final — to a dramatic end.

Strap in. History never played it safe.

In our seventeenth file, we travel to South Korea and Japan, 2002 — where the World Cup broke new ground and delivered surprises at every turn.

For the first time, the tournament came to Asia — and for the first time, two countries shared the role of host. Defending champions France suffered a stunning early exit, Senegal announced themselves with one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history, and South Korea produced an extraordinary run that carried them all the way to the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Brazil arrived with a fearsome attacking trio and Ronaldo searching for redemption after the heartbreak of 1998.

In File 17: South Korea and Japan 2002, we uncover how a World Cup of shocks sent some of football’s biggest nations home early, how the co-hosts created history, and how Ronaldo completed his remarkable comeback by leading Brazil to a fifth world title.

Strap in. History never played it safe.

In our sixteenth file, we travel to France, 1998 — where new nations emerged, old powers collided, and the host country dared to dream.

For the first time, 32 teams arrived to compete for football’s greatest prize. New nations made their mark, underdogs produced unforgettable shocks, and Croatia announced themselves to the world with a remarkable run. Brazil returned as defending champions, led by the brilliant Ronaldo — but the hosts had a gifted team of their own and a nation beginning to believe.

In Episode 16: France 1998, we uncover how the World Cup expanded into a truly global tournament, how controversy and mystery surrounded Brazil before the final, and how Zinedine Zidane inspired France to its first world title on home soil.

Strap in. History never played it safe.

In our fifteenth file, we travel to the United States, 1994 — where the World Cup arrived in a country still learning to love the game.

Many doubted whether football could capture America’s attention, but the tournament delivered packed stadiums, record-breaking crowds, unforgettable goals, and drama at every turn. Maradona’s World Cup ended in controversy, Romania and Bulgaria became surprise heroes, and Brazil returned to the final after 24 years away.

In Episode 15: USA 1994, we uncover how America staged the biggest World Cup yet, how the underdogs shook up the tournament, and how one heartbreaking penalty decided the world champion for the very first time.

Strap in. History never played it safe.

In our fourteenth file, we travel to Italy, 1990 — where the World Cup became tense, tactical, and unforgettable.

After the magic and chaos of Mexico 1986, football returned to one of the game’s great nations for a tournament full of pressure, passion, and heartbreak. There were penalty shootouts, surprise heroes, defensive battles, and emotional farewells. Cameroon shocked the world, England dared to dream, and Diego Maradona’s Argentina fought their way back to the final — but this time, West Germany were waiting.

In Episode 14: Italy 1990, we uncover how Cameroon shocked the football world, why England’s run captured a nation, and how West Germany turned heartbreak into triumph.

Strap in. History never played it safe.