<description>&lt;p&gt;Welcome to The Insiders, The Athletic FC’s new show digging into the off-pitch forces shaping the 2026 World Cup. Matt Slater and Adam Crafton unpack a World Cup draw that went from the surreal to the political, including surprise performances, a very prominent Gianni Infantino, and the growing influence of Donald Trump and his inner circle on football’s biggest event.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Then, why this is set to be the most expensive World Cup ever. From the eye-watering cost of tickets and who can actually afford to go, to predictions about what happens next as prices rise and fans are squeezed out.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hosts: Matt Slater &amp;amp; Adam Crafton&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead &amp;amp; Abi Paterson&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producers: Guy Clarke &amp;amp; Paul Iliffe&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Welcome to The Insiders, The Athletic FC’s new show digging into the off-pitch forces shaping the 2026 World Cup. Matt Slater and Adam Crafton unpack a World Cup draw that went from the surreal to the political, including surprise performances, a very prominent Gianni Infantino, and the growing influence of Donald Trump and his inner circle on football’s biggest event. Then, why this is set to be the most expensive World Cup ever. From the eye-watering cost of tickets and who can actually afford to go, to predictions about what happens next as prices rise and fans are squeezed out. Hosts: Matt Slater &amp; Adam CraftonExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead &amp; Abi PatersonProducers: Guy Clarke &amp; Paul Iliffe<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Are FIFA exploiting fans with World Cup ticket prices?

<description>&lt;p&gt;Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is Sunderland vs Newcastle.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;After nine years, the Tyne-Wear derby returns to the Premier League, with the two sides separated by just one point.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Mark Critchley and Andy Jones join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Sunday’s clash before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere including Chelsea vs Everton, Crystal Palace vs Manchester City, and Liverpool vs Brighton, where the Mohammed Salah situation rumbles on.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Host: Matt Davies-Adams&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With: Mark Critchley &amp;amp; Andy Jones&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Executive Producer: Abi Paterson&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producers: Jay Beale &amp;amp; Mike Stavrou&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is Sunderland vs Newcastle. After nine years, the Tyne-Wear derby returns to the Premier League, with the two sides separated by just one point. Mark Critchley and Andy Jones join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Sunday’s clash before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere including Chelsea vs Everton, Crystal Palace vs Manchester City, and Liverpool vs Brighton, where the Mohammed Salah situation rumbles on. Host: Matt Davies-AdamsWith: Mark Critchley &amp; Andy JonesExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Jay Beale &amp; Mike Stavrou<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

The Preview: Sunderland vs Newcastle

<description>&lt;p&gt;Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid reign is in the balance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;They’ve won just two of their last eight - and player power is threatening to undermine him&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;So, is he on his way out?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Host: Ayo Akinwolere&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;With: Dermot Corrigan, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero and Seb Stafford-Bloor&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Executive Producer: Abi Paterson&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid reign is in the balance. They’ve won just two of their last eight - and player power is threatening to undermine him So, is he on his way out? Host: Ayo AkinwolereWith: Dermot Corrigan, Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero and Seb Stafford-BloorExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Guy Clarke and Paul Iliffe <hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Is Alonso still facing Real Madrid sack?

<description>&lt;p&gt;December is traditionally sacking season. But things feel a little different this season.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;So have clubs become more patient? And why?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke and Mark Critchley. James Horncastle also drops in to chat Como’s Cesc Fabregas - one of football’s most exciting up and coming coaches.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Host: Ayo Akinwolere&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Guests: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Mark Critchley. James Horncastle&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Executive Producer: Abi Paterson&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

December is traditionally sacking season. But things feel a little different this season. So have clubs become more patient? And why? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Jack Pitt-Brooke and Mark Critchley. James Horncastle also drops in to chat Como’s Cesc Fabregas - one of football’s most exciting up and coming coaches. Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Mark Critchley. James HorncastleExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Is ‘sacking season’ still a thing?

<description>&lt;p&gt;Aston Villa failed to win any of their first five league games this season, but have since won nine of the next 10.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;They’re now third in the table. So can they actually compete with Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea for the title this season?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;p&gt;Host: Ayo Akinwolere&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Guests: Jacob Tanswell, Liam Tharme&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Executive Producer: Abi Paterson&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Producers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson, Liam Warburton&lt;/p&gt;&lt;hr&gt;&lt;p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'&gt; Hosted on Acast. See &lt;a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'&gt;acast.com/privacy&lt;/a&gt; for more information.&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Aston Villa failed to win any of their first five league games this season, but have since won nine of the next 10. They’re now third in the table. So can they actually compete with Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea for the title this season? Host: Ayo AkinwolereGuests: Jacob Tanswell, Liam TharmeExecutive Producer: Abi PatersonProducers: Mike Stavrou, Nick Thomson, Liam Warburton<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

Why Villa can (and can't) challenge for the title

The Athletic's flagship football podcast, hosted by Ayo Akinwolere and featuring the likes of David Ornstein, Phil Hay, Adam Crafton and Matt Slater will take you inside the biggest stories in football told by the best reporters in the business. We cut through the noise to tell you what’s really happening - and why it matters.<hr> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.

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