We head into the USA for the next edition of our ventures into the histories of the three 2026 World Cup hosts.

Aidan is joined by Ivan McDouall to discuss their surprisingly rich World Cup history, with incredible exploits in the very first World Cup, the stunning victory over England in 1950 and the rise from the ashes of decades of despair to hosting in 1994 and becoming tournament regulars, mostly.

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“You have to say that’s magnificent” is heading to the World Cup as we delve into the World Cup histories of the three host nations for the upcoming party across the pond.

First up, Canada, whose World Cup history may be limited but is no less interesting for it.

Aidan and Steven are your guides to the Canadian adventures in World Cup land for stories of much frustration and the occasional moments of glory.

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A bitterly cold Upton Park sees Graham Taylor raiding Elton’s wardrobe and combining sunglasses and sleeping bag as we head for the glories of the Second Division once again. A linesman takes a projectile to the back of the head and crumples to the turf before continuing. Police protection arrives for him before the referee shows solidarity with his colleague by refusing to mention it in his match report, unless the FA ask him to according to Brian Moore.

At Stamford Bridge, while the car boot sale is in full swing in the one corner, visitors Newcastle have most of the play while Chelsea have most of the goals, which tells you all you need to know about possession statistics. Colin Lee scores three for Chelsea on the third anniversary of the day he scored four for Spurs. John Motson is, as you would expect, like a canine with an additional appendage at this half-coincidence.

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This time, more than any other time, this time, we’re talking all things England 1982, as the Three Lions make their return to the World Cup after a twelve year absence.

As Ron Greenwood and his gang of Admiral-clad heroes headed off to Spain to conquer the world, they did so with the Falklands war rumbling along, with a backdrop of hooliganism and with a generation of hugely successful players at club level. What could possibly go wrong?

Steven Scragg and Joe Byatt join Aidan Williams to talk chaotic knife-edge qualification, early Bryan Robson goals, injured heroes, goalless draws when it came to the crunch, and an unbeaten exit.

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An unchanged Liverpool side for the 13th game in a row – there’s an idea Arne – host fourth placed Southampton at Anfield.

Phil Boyer chooses the occasion to score his 20th goal of the campaign, but his first away goal in 13 months – and they said Terry Paine was a homer.

If you had Alan Ball getting booked for dissent on your bingo card – and let’s face it, we all must have – you’ve won.

Meanwhile at the City Ground, West Brom go into Mission Impossible mode – this defence will self-destruct in five seconds…

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In a new series dedicated to the game in South America, we look at the way football from the continent has encountered and interacted with the European game.

We start by looking at the pioneering tours to Argentina and Uruguay by Southampton, Nottingham Forest et al in the early 20th century as they looked to spread the association football gospel.

Stuart Horsfield attempts to keep order alongside Dr Pete Watson, Gary Thacker and Steven Scragg.

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In textbook fashion, Manchester United have brought Spurs back to Old Trafford for a replay and so will fancy themselves to finish the job there, even if Gary Bailey is full of Night Nurse.

At the other end, in a glorious throwback to a better time, Glenn Hoddle goes in goal for Tottenham. It’s not a better time for Milija Aleksic, admittedly, given that he gets Joe Jordaned and has to go off on a stretcher.

A second replay looms, but Ossie’s dream of Wembley burns bright.

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We’re journeying way back into World Cup history to discuss the only manager to have won the twice, at least for now: the Italian Vittorio Pozzo. The World Cups he led Italy to in 1934 and 1938 were not without their controversies, however, and neither was Pozzo himself.

Aidan Williams is joined by Matthew Gibbs and Chris Evans, the author of the excellent ‘How To Win The World Cup’, to delve a little deeper into the man who took Italy to glory, in a tale of fascist salutes, black shirts, win or die motivational messages, and two World Cup wins.

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With assistance from the covers from Lord’s to keep the frost off, this game gets underway at White Hart Lane despite the elements, though sadly Dickie Bird is not our match referee – it is Pat Partridge thought, to maintain the avian theme.

A youthful Terry Gibson, the boy who never grew up, buzzes around the pitch, irritating his elders and getting a clip round the ear from Jimmy Nicholl for his trouble. Gibson responds by leaving his foot in on Gary Bailey. In the post-match interview we discover that the mild mannered Bailey really would say boo to a goose. Or at least a Perryman.

And as a way to settle drawn cup ties, YBTAHOAB dispense with the penalty shootout and get the substitutes to play each other at Ludo to decide who goes through. Pratt or Grimes, choose your winer.

Meanwhile at St. Andrew’s, Birmingham City’s glorious monolithic clock has gone digital. Surely this is the fifth horseman of the apocalypse?

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Back to Wembley on a sun-kissed May afternoon in 1971, two teams in vivid kits that ping off the screen ready to contest a cup final for the colour TV age.

With Arsenal crowned league champions on the Monday before the game, they are on the brink of the 20th century’s second double as they look to match the feats of Tottenham Hotspur ten years earlier.

Against them, a brand new Liverpool, reassembled after the horror of defeat to Watford in the sixth round in 1970, and ready to emerge as Shankly’s third great Anfield outfit. Who will prevail? Steven Scragg and Dave Bowler take up the story as Charlie George submits to an uncontrollable urge to have a lie down.

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