<description>&lt;p&gt;In this week's football-language podcast we look at the word, 'qualify' and how it has been used this week after some of the World Cup qualifiers.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://languagecaster.com/learn-english-through-football-podcast-qualify-2026-world-cup/"&gt;Learn English Through Football Podcast: Qualify [2026 World Cup]&lt;/a&gt; appeared first on &lt;a href="https://languagecaster.com"&gt;Learn English Through Football&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

In this week's football-language podcast we look at the word, 'qualify' and how it has been used this week after some of the World Cup qualifiers.

Learn English Through Football Podcast: Qualify [2026 World Cup] 
In this week's football-language podcast we look at the word, 'qualify' and how it has been used this week after some of the (2026) World Cup qualifiers. We will also hear from a guest about one of their favourite footballers: Wayne Rooney and of course we will have some predictions.  You can read the transcript for this podcast below, while you can also check out our glossary of footballing phrases <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-glossary/">here</a> and visit our site to access all our previous posts and <a href="https://languagecaster.com/category/podcast/">podcasts</a>. If you have any suggestions or questions then you can contact us at <a href="mailto:admin@languagecaster.com">admin@languagecaster.com</a> 
 
https://media.blubrry.com/footballlanguage/content.blubrry.com/footballlanguage/LearnEnglishThroughFootballPodcast_Qualify_2026WorldCup-esv2-89p-bg-50p.mp3 
 
Hello 
DF: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast. 
 
Hello everyone and welcome to the show for all those who love the <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-glossary-the-beautiful-game/">beautiful game</a> of football and who want to improve their English language skills. My name is Damian and I hope you are all  well and enjoying good weather like we are here in London. I wonder what the weather is like in Tokyo where the other member of the Languagecaster team, Damon, is based? 
 
Now, apologies to our listeners as we did not have a podcast last weekend. Unfortunately, I was not feeling so well so we didn't manage to post a podcast; though Damon did add our regular weekly expression earlier on in the week: he looked at the phrase, '<a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-phrase-of-the-week-turn-the-game-on-its-head/">to turn the game on its head</a>' and this came from the WSL - that's the Women's Super League here in England - and he also explained the phrase, 'to <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-to-snatch/">snatch an equaliser</a>'. Check out both of those in our weekly football expression. 
 
Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (in Italian) 
 
DF: Yes, you are listening to Languagecaster and that message was in Italian. A nd we are going to have more stingers or messages throughout the show - which languages can you hear? Don't worry, we'll let you know what the languages are at the end of the show. 
 
Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (Arsenal fan David) 
 
Now, I wonder how Damon in Tokyo is doing? Damon? 
 
DB: Hi there Damian and hello everyone, I'm doing very well thank you, although the weekend has seen some rain, which might spoil the cherry blossom viewing for many people here in Japan. It won't spoil the 'feel good factor', however, for fans of Japan's national team, who became the first non-host country to qualify for the World Cup after beating Bahrain 2-0 nine days ago. And followed that with a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia, meaning they also sit top of their qualifying table by seven points. Well done to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_national_football_team">Samurai Blue.</a> 
Qualify 
DF: Yes, congratulations to Japan for being the first team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. They weren't the only side to do this over the recent <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-the-international-break/">international break</a>: New Zealand qualified from Oceania, Argentina qualified from the South American Confederation (that's <a href="https://languagecaster.com/weekly-football-phrase-conmebol/">CONMEBOL</a>), while Iran also qualified from the Asian <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-confederation/">Confederation</a>. That means that there are now seven countries who are assured of playing in the ...

Learn English Through Football Podcast: Qualify [2026 World Cup]

<description>&lt;p&gt;For this football phrase of the week we look at a Women's Super League game in England and at the phrase to turn the game on its head.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-phrase-of-the-week-turn-the-game-on-its-head/"&gt;Football Phrase of the Week: Turn the Game on Its Head&lt;/a&gt; appeared first on &lt;a href="https://languagecaster.com"&gt;Learn English Through Football&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

For this football phrase of the week we look at a Women's Super League game in England and at the phrase to turn the game on its head.

Football Phrase of the Week: Turn the Game on Its Head 
For this football phrase of the week we look at a Women's Super League game in England and at the phrase to turn the game on its head. You can read the transcript for this post below, while you can also check out our glossary of footballing phrases <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-glossary/">here</a> and visit our site to access all our previous posts and <a href="https://languagecaster.com/category/podcast/">podcasts</a>. If you have any suggestions or questions then you can contact us at <a href="mailto:admin@languagecaster.com">admin@languagecaster.com</a>. 
 
<a href="https://languagecaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/football.language.OnItsHead.310325.mp3">https://languagecaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/football.language.OnItsHead.310325.mp3</a> 
 
http://gty.im/2207660276 
 
DB: Hi there everyone. This is Damon from the Languagecaster team and you are listening to our football phrase of the week. Each week we take a phrase from a recent game and show how it is used in football. And for this episode we're looking at a Women's Super League match between Chelsea and West Ham United, and the phrase is 'to turn the game on its head'. 
Turn the Game on Its Head 
Stinger: You are listening to Languagecaster (in Polish) 
 
DB: OK, so first let's talk about the match between Chelsea and West Ham, which ended in a 2-2 draw. This was a good result for West Ham, as Chelsea were a massive 29 points ahead. The west London side quickly went two goals up, and looked like they would <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-cruise-to-victory/">cruise to victory</a>. However, a goal by Shekiera Martinez turned the game on its head (The Guardian). 
 
So this phrase means to reverse the course of the match. Chelsea were dominating but West Ham's goal meant suddenly West Ham were on top. 
 
To turn a game, or match, on its head, means to suddenly make another team the stronger team. 
Snatch an equaliser 
West Ham went on <a href="http://languagecaster.com/football-language-to-snatch/?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Languagecastercom-EnglishThroughFootball+%28languagecaster.com+-+english+through+football%29">to snatch an equaliser</a>, score an equalising goal, so what looked like a comfortable win for Chelsea ended up being a draw, with the teams <a href="http://languagecaster.com/football-cliche-share-the-spoils/">sharing the spoils</a> - getting one point each. 
 
Here is another example (<a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/psg-roar-back-beat-man-city-4-2-champions-league-2025-01-22/">Reuters</a>), this time about PSG's comeback win over Manchester City in the 2024-2025 Champions League group stage. "Goals from PSG's Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos turned the match on its head after City had taken a 2-0 lead early in the six-goal second half." 
 
Stinger: You are listening to Languagecaster (in Italian) 
 
DB: Thank you for that message, which was in Italian, and our earlier message was in Polish. What games have you seen turned on their heads? For me, as a Liverpool fan, it must be<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_UEFA_Champions_League_final"> the Champions League final in Istanbul in 2005</a>, with Liverpool 3-0 down at half time. Three goals by Liverpool in six second-half minutes turned the game on its head! 
 
How would you say this phrase in your language? Let us know by dropping us a line at <a href="mailto:admin@languagecaster.com">admin@languagecaster.com</a>, or just leave a comment on this post or a post on our <a href="https://languagecaster.com/community/">forum</a> at langaugecaster.com 
 
Enjoy all the football this week, and we have more football language later in the week.

Football Phrase of the Week: Turn the Game on Its Head

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this football phrase of the week we look back at the Nations League quarter-final matches and explain the phrase, 'to force extra time' after some thrilling ties. &lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-phrase-of-the-week-force-extra-time/"&gt;Football Phrase of the Week: Force Extra Time&lt;/a&gt; appeared first on &lt;a href="https://languagecaster.com"&gt;Learn English Through Football&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

In this football phrase of the week we look back at the Nations League quarter-final matches and explain the phrase, 'to force extra time' after some thrilling ties. 

Football Phrase of the Week: Force Extra Time 
In this football phrase of the week we look back at the Nations League quarter-final matches and explain the phrase, 'to force extra time' after some thrilling <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-tie/">ties</a>. You can read the transcript for this post below, while you can also check out our glossary of footballing phrases <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-glossary/">here</a> and visit our site to access all our previous posts and <a href="https://languagecaster.com/category/podcast/">podcasts</a>. If you have any suggestions or questions then you can contact us at <a href="mailto:admin@languagecaster.com">admin@languagecaster.com</a>. 
 
https://media.blubrry.com/footballlanguage/content.blubrry.com/footballlanguage/FootballPhraseoftheWeek_ForceExtraTime-esv2-93p-bg-79p.mp3 
 
 
DF: Hello everyone. This is Damian from the Languagecaster team and I hope you are all doing well. Welcome to this week's football phrase, which is when we look back at an expression from the weekend's football. And today we explain the phrase, 'to force extra time' and this comes after some thrilling UEFA Nations League <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-tie/">ties</a> over the weekend. 
 
http://gty.im/79053048 
Extra time; Stoppage time; Injury time; Additional time 
 
 
Stinger: You are listening to Languagecaster (in Dutch) 
 
DF: Now, before we explain this week's expression let's do a quick review and check what is the difference between the following football terms: additional time; <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-glossary-extra-time/">extra time</a>; <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-glossary-injury-time/">injury time</a> and <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-glossary-stoppage-time/">stoppage time</a>. What are the differences? Which one is slightly different from the others? 
 
Well, <a href="https://languagecaster.com/weekly-football-phrase-aet-after-extra-time/">extra time</a> is different from the other three as they all relate to time added on by the referee to the 'regular time' (so, the 90 minutes). This could be because of stoppages during the game such as goals, <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-video-assistant-referee-var/">VAR</a> checks and <a href="https://languagecaster.com/main-listening-report-the-language-of-injuries/">injuries</a>. Extra time is played in knock out games when the two teams are level at the end of the match (e.g. 2-2) and is used then to decide the winner. And extra time lasts for 15 minutes each half; so an extra 30 minutes of playing time. 
 
How do you say extra time in your language? Can you make a sentence with this phrase? How about added or stoppage (or injury) time? Can you think of any famous occasions when these phrases have been used? Has your team ever won in extra time? Let us know in the comments or by dropping us a message here at Languagecaster.com. 
 
Stinger: You are listening to Languagecaster (in Danish) 
 
DF: OK, let's have a look at this week's phrase. 
UEFA Nations League: Extra Time 
http://gty.im/2206061749 
It has been an eventful <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-the-international-break/">international break</a> with so many wonderful matches taking place. In addition to the World Cup qualifiers happening across the globe there have also been some Nations League play-offs. And well done to Mexico for winning the <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-concacaf/">CONCACAF</a> version - I am sure our friends at <a href="https://x.com/MultilinguaFC">Multilingua FC</a> will be very happy indeed! And the ones in Europe saw an amazing set of quarter-final matches. Three of the four ties finished level <a href="https://languagecaster.

Football Phrase of the Week: Force Extra Time

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this week's football-language podcast we look at the phrase, 'to mark a debut', which we can use to talk about England vs Albania's World Cup qualifier.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://languagecaster.com/learn-english-through-football-podcast-to-mark-a-debut/"&gt;Learn English Through Football Podcast: (to) Mark a Debut&lt;/a&gt; appeared first on &lt;a href="https://languagecaster.com"&gt;Learn English Through Football&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

In this week's football-language podcast we look at the phrase, 'to mark a debut', which we can use to talk about England vs Albania's World Cup qualifier.

Learn English Through Football Podcast: (to) Mark a Debut 
In this week's football-language podcast we look at the phrase, 'to mark a debut', and how it is used in football. We also look ahead to some of the big international matches this weekend including games from the World Cup qualifiers in Asia, Europe and South America. You can read the transcript for this podcast below, while you can also check out our glossary of footballing phrases <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-glossary/">here</a> and visit our site to access all our previous posts and <a href="https://languagecaster.com/category/podcast/">podcasts</a>. If you have any suggestions or questions then you can contact us at <a href="mailto:admin@languagecaster.com">admin@languagecaster.com</a>. 
<a href="https://languagecaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/podcast.mark_.a.debut_.220325.mp3">https://languagecaster.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/podcast.mark_.a.debut_.220325.mp3</a> 
Hello 
DB: You are listening to the Learn English Through Football Podcast. Hi there listener, my name is Damon and I'm recording this show in Japan, where spring has finally come. There was snow a few days ago in Tokyo but now everyone is looking forward to the cherry blossoms and warmer weather. What's the weather like where you are? I hope it is good. 
 
I wonder how Damian in London is doing? Damian? 
 
DF: Hello Damon and hello everyone, I hope we are all doing well and enjoying all the international football. I am in a pretty good mood as my team Ireland managed to win a game away from home this time in Bulgaria in the first leg of a <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-play-off-final/">play-off</a> in the Nations League. I know some people don't really like the <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-the-international-break/">international break</a> but I think this one is really interesting as there are 2026 World Cup <a href="https://languagecaster.com/learn-english-through-football-podcast-2026-world-cup-qualifiers-september-2024/">qualifiers</a> taking place around the world and also some big Nations League games too. I know that we will be looking at some of the big games from those tournaments in our predictions later on but Damon what else do we have on today's show? 
Today's Show 
DB: Yes, a lot of people don't like these international breaks when the domestic football season is in full swing, but you've got to play qualifiers sometime. I'm always worried that one of my team's players will get injured on international duty, so fingers crossed this time! 
 
On the show today, I'm going to start by looking at some football language from one of the international matches, England versus Albania. The phrase is 'to mark a debut'. After that, we will have Damian and his predictions for some of the other matches taking place around the world, and we'll finish with some details on how you can contact us, ask questions, or give us feedback - we also have an apology and a correction for Newcastle United fans! 
 
Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (in Italian) 
 
DB: Yes, you are listening to Languagecaster.com and that message, or stinger, was in Italian. We'll have more of these messages in different languages throughout the show - can you guess which languages they are? We'll have the answers at the end of the show. Here's one to get you started. 
 
Stinger: You are listening to languagecaster.com (in Persian) 
(To) Mark a debut 
DB: OK, let's start with today's football language phrase, which is to mark a debut. In football, a debut is someone's first appearance for a team, or their first game played for a team. We usually use the verb 'make' - make a debut - to say a player is making their first start for the team. 
 
When we talk about a player,

Learn English Through Football Podcast: (to) Mark a Debut

<description>&lt;p&gt;In this football phrase of the week we look back at the Carabao Cup final between Newcastle and Liverpool in which Newcastle ended their trophy drought when they defeated Liverpool 2-1.&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;The post &lt;a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-phrase-of-the-week-end-a-trophy-drought/"&gt;Football Phrase of the Week: End a Trophy Drought (Carabao Cup Final 2025)&lt;/a&gt; appeared first on &lt;a href="https://languagecaster.com"&gt;Learn English Through Football&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

In this football phrase of the week we look back at the Carabao Cup final between Newcastle and Liverpool in which Newcastle ended their trophy drought when they defeated Liverpool 2-1.

Football Phrase of the Week: End a Trophy Drought 
In this football phrase of the week we look back at the Carabao Cup final between Newcastle and Liverpool in which Newcastle ended their trophy drought when they defeated Liverpool 2-1. You can read the transcript for this post below, while you can also check out our glossary of footballing phrases <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-glossary/">here</a> and visit our site to access all our previous posts and <a href="https://languagecaster.com/category/podcast/">podcasts</a>. If you have any suggestions or questions then you can contact us at <a href="mailto:admin@languagecaster.com">admin@languagecaster.com</a>. 
https://media.blubrry.com/footballlanguage/content.blubrry.com/footballlanguage/FootballPhraseoftheWeek_EndaTrophyDrought_CarabaoCupFinal2025-esv2-97p-bg-50p.mp3 
 
DF: Hello everyone. This is Damian from the Languagecaster team and I hope you are all doing well. Welcome to this week's football phrase, which is when we look back at an expression from the weekend's football and today we explain, 'to end a trophy drought' after Newcastle's win over Liverpool in the 2025 Carabao Cup final. 
 
So, Newcastle United have finally won some <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-silverware/">silverware</a> after they <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-language-hand-team-defeat/">defeated</a> Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday. Newcastle fully deserved their win as they <a href="https://languagecaster.com/2022-world-cup-language-totally-outplayed-qatar-0-2-ecuador/">outplayed</a> a rather tired-looking Liverpool side. This was the first time that Newcastle have won a trophy since 1971 [actually 1969!] when they won the European Fairs Cup (now called the Europa League); while the last time they won a trophy in England was the 1955 FA Cup. This means that they had not won a domestic <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-glossary-trophy/">trophy</a> in 70 years. When a team goes a long time without winning anything we can say that they are experiencing <a href="https://languagecaster.com/learning-english-through-football-podcast-2021-copa-america-final-end-a-drought/">a drought</a>, so for Newcastle the 70-year trophy drought is now over - they have finally ended their trophy drought. 
 
We can also hear the word drought in football to describe other long periods of time without successfully doing anything. So, for example a forward or even a team who has failed to score a goal in a long time is suffering from a<a href="https://languagecaster.com/weekly-football-phrase-goal-drought/"> goal drought</a>. We <a href="https://languagecaster.com/weekly-football-phrase-goal-drought/">have explained this term before</a> when describing a striker who cannot score over a period of games. This weekend in a Premier League match Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund scored his first goal in 21 matches to finally end his goal drought. 
 
So, Newcastle <a href="https://languagecaster.com/to-secure-learn-english-through-football-podcast/">secure  (or win) their first domestic trophy</a> in 70 years which included nine defeats <a href="https://languagecaster.com/learning-english-through-football-podcast-in-a-row/">in a row</a> at <a href="https://languagecaster.com/football-glossary-wembley/">Wembley</a>. I wonder will this inspire my team Tottenham to end their trophy drought - we have not won since 2008 so only a 17 year drought. Still time! 
 
 	* Example: Eddie Howe ‘will never forget’ day Newcastle broke trophy drought (Guardian.co.uk, March 17 2025) 
 
Stinger: You are listening to Languagecaster (from a Brazilian fan) 
 
Yes, that message was in Portuguese from a Brazilian fan. Enjoy all the football this week and we'll see you again later on in the week in our regular weekly language podcast when we'll be looking ahead to the week...

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