We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup chat. 
 
After year of anticipation, excitement, and planning, with more than a few speedbumps and frustrations along the way, the 2026 World Cup is underway and the summer feast of football is in full flow. Five days in and we've had some fantastic matches, some great goals, a couple of surprises, and some great storylines. We delve into some of the main talking points so far with particular emphasis on Canada's 1-1 draw with Bosnia, their first ever World Cup point, and Scotland's 1-0 win over Haiti, their first World Cup win in 36 years. AFTN had the pleasure of being at both matches and we share some of our thoughts on the games and our experiences at the stadiums in Toronto and Boston. 
 
We also bring you some postgame audio from the Canada game as I catch up with former Whitecap Ali Ahmed to chat about getting his World Cup moment and coming back to play in Vancouver, plus we hear from Ismael Kone, Luc de Fougerolles, Max Crepeau, Joel Waterman, and Alistair Johnston about the game and what's next. 
 
All of this plus we give you some World Cup predictions, we wrap up our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, and music-wise, legendary Scottish band Deacon Blue continue their residency as our Artists of the Month and we've got another Scotland World Cup song in Wavelength. 
 
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 
 
01.20: Intro - a special couple of days 
12.25: Canada's draw with Bosnia unpacked 
42.00: Ismael Kone and Luc de Fougerolles postgame audio 
48.50: Max Crepeau reflects on his first World Cup game 
53.27: Ali Ahmed talks getting his World Cup moment and coming back to Vancouver 
59.00: Joel Waterman's postgame thoughts 
61.50: Qatar Preview 
64.17: Alistair Johnston on Canada becoming a soccer nation 
71.55: Scotland beat Haiti in Boston, as their fans take over the city 
101.20: Canadian Soccer A to Z - Z 
107.25: Some World Cup predictions 
125.00: Wavelength - Nick Morgan - No Scotland, No Party (2026 version)

<description>&lt;p&gt;We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup chat.

After year of anticipation, excitement, and planning, with more than a few speedbumps and frustrations along the way, the 2026 World Cup is underway and the summer feast of football is in full flow. Five days in and we've had some fantastic matches, some great goals, a couple of surprises, and some great storylines. We delve into some of the main talking points so far with particular emphasis on Canada's 1-1 draw with Bosnia, their first ever World Cup point, and Scotland's 1-0 win over Haiti, their first World Cup win in 36 years. AFTN had the pleasure of being at both matches and we share some of our thoughts on the games and our experiences at the stadiums in Toronto and Boston.

We also bring you some postgame audio from the Canada game as I catch up with former Whitecap Ali Ahmed to chat about getting his World Cup moment and coming back to play in Vancouver, plus we hear from Ismael Kone, Luc de Fougerolles, Max Crepeau, Joel Waterman, and Alistair Johnston about the game and what's next.

All of this plus we give you some World Cup predictions, we wrap up our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, and music-wise, legendary Scottish band Deacon Blue continue their residency as our Artists of the Month and we've got another Scotland World Cup song in Wavelength.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.20: Intro - a special couple of days
12.25: Canada's draw with Bosnia unpacked
42.00: Ismael Kone and Luc de Fougerolles postgame audio
48.50: Max Crepeau reflects on his first World Cup game
53.27: Ali Ahmed talks getting his World Cup moment and coming back to Vancouver
59.00: Joel Waterman's postgame thoughts
61.50: Qatar Preview
64.17: Alistair Johnston on Canada becoming a soccer nation
71.55: Scotland beat Haiti in Boston, as their fans take over the city
101.20: Canadian Soccer A to Z - Z
107.25: Some World Cup predictions
125.00: Wavelength - Nick Morgan - No Scotland, No Party (2026 version)

&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

World Cup Fever Grips North America; Canada get first point; Scotland beat Haiti; Ali Ahmed; Max Crepeau

AFTN Soccer Show

Episode 735 – The AFTN Soccer Show (World Cup Fever Grips North America - Canada get first point, Scotland beat Haiti)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup chat and interviews, in the third and final of our preview shows for the tournament. 
 
With the World Cup kick off just around the corner, we're joined by Global TV's Asa Rehman to look at how ready the Canadian team feels for the tournament, how they looked in their two recent friendlies, who we expect to get the start on Friday, and hopes and expectations against Bosnia and for the tournament as a whole. 
 
We also bring you our final three group previews, as Zach breaks down Germany and Group E, Asa looks at the Netherlands and Group F, Doug Pirie and Gordon Henderson join us from the Scottish podcast Glory Days of Gold to look at Scotland and Group C, and we chat with FC Dallas' Haitian winger Deedson about his country reaching their first finals since 1974. 
 
Plus we chat with Thomas Müller about being a pundit and not a player at this year's tournament, his advice to the Vancouver Whitecaps players heading off to their first World Cup, and bring back some South Africa 2010 memories for him with the help of that year's Panini sticker album. We also sit down for a chat with Whitecaps 18-year-old striker Rayan Elloumi about the breakneck year he's had, getting the call to Tunisia's World Cup squad, and his own World Cup memories from tournaments past. 
 
All of this plus we look at some of the IFAB rule changes for this year's tournament, we move onto the letter Y in our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, music-wise, legendary Scottish band Deacon Blue continue their residency as our Artists of the Month, and we've got another new Scotland World Cup song in Wavelength. 
 
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 
 
01.20: Intro - thanks to our Gold Tier members 
05.00: Canadian Soccer A to Z - Y 
10.45: It's game time - is Canada ready? 
37.40: Group E Preview - Curacao, Ecuador, Germany, and the Ivory Coast 
60.00: Thomas Müller talks World Cup memories and his new role as a pundit 
67.45: Group F Preview - Japan, Sweden, The Netherlands, and Tunisia 
89.00: Rayan Elloumi interview on his first World Cup with Tunisia 
108.00: Group C Preview part one - Brazil, Haiti, Morocco, and Scotland 
130.25: Chat with Haiti winger Deedson 
135.35: Group C Preview part two 
160.55: Rule changes and new laws of the game at this year's World Cup 
177.10: Wavelength - Belle and Sebastian - It Only Takes One Lion

<description>&lt;p&gt;We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup chat and interviews, in the third and final of our preview shows for the tournament.

With the World Cup kick off just around the corner, we're joined by Global TV's Asa Rehman to look at how ready the Canadian team feels for the tournament, how they looked in their two recent friendlies, who we expect to get the start on Friday, and hopes and expectations against Bosnia and for the tournament as a whole.

We also bring you our final three group previews, as Zach breaks down Germany and Group E, Asa looks at the Netherlands and Group F, Doug Pirie and Gordon Henderson join us from the Scottish podcast Glory Days of Gold to look at Scotland and Group C, and we chat with FC Dallas' Haitian winger Deedson about his country reaching their first finals since 1974.

Plus we chat with Thomas Müller about being a pundit and not a player at this year's tournament, his advice to the Vancouver Whitecaps players heading off to their first World Cup, and bring back some South Africa 2010 memories for him with the help of that year's Panini sticker album. We also sit down for a chat with Whitecaps 18-year-old striker Rayan Elloumi about the breakneck year he's had, getting the call to Tunisia's World Cup squad, and his own World Cup memories from tournaments past.

All of this plus we look at some of the IFAB rule changes for this year's tournament, we move onto the letter Y in our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, music-wise, legendary Scottish band Deacon Blue continue their residency as our Artists of the Month, and we've got another new Scotland World Cup song in Wavelength.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.20: Intro - thanks to our Gold Tier members
05.00: Canadian Soccer A to Z - Y
10.45: It's game time - is Canada ready?
37.40: Group E Preview - Curacao, Ecuador, Germany, and the Ivory Coast
60.00: Thomas Müller talks World Cup memories and his new role as a pundit
67.45: Group F Preview - Japan, Sweden, The Netherlands, and Tunisia
89.00: Rayan Elloumi interview on his first World Cup with Tunisia
108.00: Group C Preview part one - Brazil, Haiti, Morocco, and Scotland
130.25: Chat with Haiti winger Deedson
135.35: Group C Preview part two
160.55: Rule changes and new laws of the game at this year's World Cup
177.10: Wavelength - Belle and Sebastian - It Only Takes One Lion

&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Canada get set to kick off; World Cup groups C, E, and F previews; Thomas Muller’s World Cup memories; Rayan Elloumi interview; World Cup rule changes

Episode 734 – The AFTN Soccer Show (World Cup Preview Part Three with Thomas Müller, Rayan Elloumi, Deedson, and Asa Rehman)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup chat and interviews, in the second of our preview shows for the tournament. 
 
We're looking at six of the groups in this episode (Groups G to L), with special focus on Group G where two of the six matches will be at BC Place and a further two down in Seattle. There's a special focus on New Zealand, who will play two of their matches here in Vancouver, and we sit down with Portland Timbers centre back Finn Surman to chat about his footballing journey so far, the game in Aotearoa, the excitement of playing at his first World Cup, and his World Cup memories from tournaments past. 
 
We also look ahead to Uruguay's chances in Group H with Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathias Laborda, find out how he still gets excited about the tournament, and chat about some of his World Cup memories through the years. And FC Dallas' Petar Musa talks about his selection to the Croatian World Cup team and their chances in Group L and beyond. 
 
All of this plus we hear from Jesse Marsch and Maxime Crepeau after the latter was named the Canadian starting goalkeeper for the World Cup, get Zach's experience at the Uzbekistan friendly in Edmonton, chat with Italian legend Marco Materazzi about the World Cup and what Italy need to do to qualify again, move onto the letter X in our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, music-wise, legendary Scottish band Deacon Blue wrap up their residency as our Artists of the Month, and we've got another World Cup song in Wavelength, and this time it's a throwback to Espana '82 for New Zealand. 
 
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 
 
01.24: Intro - Zach's CanMNT travels 
10.55: Max Crepeau named Canada's starting goalkeeper 
20.45: Canadian Soccer A to Z - X 
26.20: Group G Preview - Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand 
50.00: Finn Surman interview on New Zealand and the World Cup 
72.30: Group H Preview - Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Uruguay 
83.00: Mathias Laborda's Uruguayan World Cup memories 
90.00: Group I Preview - France, Iraq, Norway, Senegal 
99.40: Group J Preview - Algeria, Argentina, Austria, and Jordan 
113.00: Group K Preview - Colombia, DR Congo, Portugal, and Uzbekistan 
120.40: Group L Preview - Croatia, England 
123.55: Petar Musa on his World Cup call-up with Croatia 
129.50: Group L Preview - Ghana, Panama 
132.42: Marco Materazzi on his World Cup memories and Italy not qualifying again 
138.35: Wavelength - Ray Woolf and the New Zealand 1982 World Cup Squad - Heading To The Top

<description>&lt;p&gt;We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup chat and interviews, in the second of our preview shows for the tournament.

We're looking at six of the groups in this episode (Groups G to L), with special focus on Group G where two of the six matches will be at BC Place and a further two down in Seattle. There's a special focus on New Zealand, who will play two of their matches here in Vancouver, and we sit down with Portland Timbers centre back Finn Surman to chat about his footballing journey so far, the game in Aotearoa, the excitement of playing at his first World Cup, and his World Cup memories from tournaments past.

We also look ahead to Uruguay's chances in Group H with Vancouver Whitecaps defender Mathias Laborda, find out how he still gets excited about the tournament, and chat about some of his World Cup memories through the years. And FC Dallas' Petar Musa talks about his selection to the Croatian World Cup team and their chances in Group L and beyond.

All of this plus we hear from Jesse Marsch and Maxime Crepeau after the latter was named the Canadian starting goalkeeper for the World Cup, get Zach's experience at the Uzbekistan friendly in Edmonton, chat with Italian legend Marco Materazzi about the World Cup and what Italy need to do to qualify again, move onto the letter X in our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, music-wise, legendary Scottish band Deacon Blue wrap up their residency as our Artists of the Month, and we've got another World Cup song in Wavelength, and this time it's a throwback to Espana '82 for New Zealand.

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.24: Intro - Zach's CanMNT travels
10.55: Max Crepeau named Canada's starting goalkeeper
20.45: Canadian Soccer A to Z - X
26.20: Group G Preview - Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand
50.00: Finn Surman interview on New Zealand and the World Cup
72.30: Group H Preview - Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Uruguay
83.00: Mathias Laborda's Uruguayan World Cup memories
90.00: Group I Preview - France, Iraq, Norway, Senegal
99.40: Group J Preview - Algeria, Argentina, Austria, and Jordan
113.00: Group K Preview - Colombia, DR Congo, Portugal, and Uzbekistan
120.40: Group L Preview - Croatia, England
123.55: Petar Musa on his World Cup call-up with Croatia
129.50: Group L Preview - Ghana, Panama
132.42: Marco Materazzi on his World Cup memories and Italy not qualifying again
138.35: Wavelength - Ray Woolf and the New Zealand 1982 World Cup Squad - Heading To The Top

&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

World Cup Preview Part Two with guests Mathias Laborda, Finn Surman, Marco Materazzi, and Petar Musa

Episode 733 – The AFTN Soccer Show (World Cup Preview Part Two with Mathias Laborda, Finn Surman, Marco Materazzi, and Petar Musa)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup, Canadian national team chat and interviews, along with the latest AFTN Book Club. 
 
The World Cup is less than two weeks away and the excitement is building here at AFTN Towers as we bring you the first of three preview podcasts for the tournament. This episode looks at the groups of the three hosts - Canada, Mexico, and the US - as we preview Groups A, B, and D. We also delve into the Canadian and American 26-man rosters and talk to Jesse Marsch about pressures of the tournament, especially as a host nation. 
 
We've also got two feature interviews to bring you, with two Whitecaps friends and teammates that will be going against each other on June 12th as the US take on Paraguay. Sebastian Berhalter and Andres Cubas talk about their World Cup hopes, dreams, and memories and how much it would mean to them to face off against each other at the tournament. 
 
The AFTN Book Club returns and we chat with Minneapolis author Todd Smith about his new book, Relegation - One American's pies and pints Journey from the top to the bottom of English football, and beyond. 
 
All of this plus we move onto the letter W in our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, music-wise, Mansun wrap up their residency as our Artists of the Month, and we've got yet another new Scotland World Cup song in Wavelength. They keep coming, we keep playing them! 
 
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 
 
01.23: Intro 
04.05: Canadian Soccer A to Z - W 
19.40: Canada's World Cup roster revealed - who made the cut, who didn't, and what could still change? 
44.45: Group B Preview - a breakdown of Canada's opponents 
57.35: Jesse Marsch talks World Cup pressures 
64.05: Sebastian Berhalter makes US World Cup squad 
70.50: Sebastian Berhalter interview on being around World Cup past and present 
81.15: The impact of this World Cup on the game in North America 
91.30: Marcelo Balboa on the impact of World Cup '94 and the growth of Sebastian Berhalter 
98.40: Group D Preview - Paraguay 
103.42: Andres Cubas interview on World Cup dreams and memories 
114.05: Group D Preview - Australia and Turkey 
123.00: Group A Preview - Czechia, Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea 
133.30: AFTN Book Club interview - Todd Smith on his book "Relegation" 
169.05: Wavelength - Nathan Evans x Saint Phnx - Home

<description>&lt;p&gt;We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of World Cup, Canadian national team chat and interviews, along with the latest AFTN Book Club.

The World Cup is less than two weeks away and the excitement is building here at AFTN Towers as we bring you the first of three preview podcasts for the tournament. This episode looks at the groups of the three hosts - Canada, Mexico, and the US - as we preview Groups A, B, and D. We also delve into the Canadian and American 26-man rosters and talk to Jesse Marsch about pressures of the tournament, especially as a host nation.

We've also got two feature interviews to bring you, with two Whitecaps friends and teammates that will be going against each other on June 12th as the US take on Paraguay. Sebastian Berhalter and Andres Cubas talk about their World Cup hopes, dreams, and memories and how much it would mean to them to face off against each other at the tournament.

The AFTN Book Club returns and we chat with Minneapolis author Todd Smith about his new book, Relegation - One American's pies and pints Journey from the top to the bottom of English football, and beyond.

All of this plus we move onto the letter W in our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, music-wise, Mansun wrap up their residency as our Artists of the Month, and we've got yet another new Scotland World Cup song in Wavelength. They keep coming, we keep playing them!

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.23: Intro
04.05: Canadian Soccer A to Z - W
19.40: Canada's World Cup roster revealed - who made the cut, who didn't, and what could still change?
44.45: Group B Preview - a breakdown of Canada's opponents
57.35: Jesse Marsch talks World Cup pressures
64.05: Sebastian Berhalter makes US World Cup squad
70.50: Sebastian Berhalter interview on being around World Cup past and present
81.15: The impact of this World Cup on the game in North America
91.30: Marcelo Balboa on the impact of World Cup '94 and the growth of Sebastian Berhalter
98.40: Group D Preview - Paraguay
103.42: Andres Cubas interview on World Cup dreams and memories
114.05: Group D Preview - Australia and Turkey
123.00: Group A Preview - Czechia, Mexico, South Africa, and South Korea
133.30: AFTN Book Club interview - Todd Smith on his book "Relegation"
169.05: Wavelength - Nathan Evans x Saint Phnx - Home

&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Sebastian Berhalter and Andres Cubas interviews; Canada’s World Cup squad revealed; World Cup Group A, B, and D previews; Author Todd Smith interview

Episode 732 – The AFTN Soccer Show (World Cup Preview Part One with guests Sebastian Berhalter, Andres Cubas, and author Todd Smith)

We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and Canadian national team chat. 
 
The first part of the MLS season wound up this weekend with the last round of matches ahead of the World Cup break. The Whitecaps finished strong, dispatching San Diego 4-2 in a dominant performance that sees them go into their eight weeks off atop the Western Conference. We delve into the main talking points from that match and review the highs and lows of the season so far, both for the 'Caps and across MLS. Plus we chat with head coach Jesper Sorensen about what he's made of the season to date and whether he's looking to strengthen the side in the upcoming transfer window. 
 
One man back for the Whitecaps before the break was Ralph Priso and we bring you some audio from Ralph as we chat about his return from injury, his chances of making Canada's World Cup roster, and whether he allows himself to dream of being at the tournament this summer. Plus we select our 26-man Canadian roster ahead of Friday's official announcement. 
 
All of this plus we round-up the week's action across the CPL as Pacific FC part ways with their head coach, move onto the letter V in our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, music-wise, Mansun continue their residency as our Artists of the Month, and we've got yet another new Scotland World Cup song in Wavelength. They keep coming, we keep playing them! 
 
Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode: 
 
01.25: Intro - Auckland win A-League, Southampton spygate 
14.00: Whitecaps go into World Cup break top of the West after win in San Diego 
58.00: A review of the Whitecaps season so far - with Sorensen's thoughts 
98.00: MLS round-up at World Cup break 
123.40: Canadian Soccer A to Z - V 
136.00: Ralph Priso is back - will he make CanMNT World Cup roster? 
154.00: Merriman out at Pacific and CPL round-up 
164.00: Wavelength - Skerryvore - Never Stopped Dreaming

<description>&lt;p&gt;We’re back with another AFTN Soccer Show packed full of Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, Canadian Premier League, and Canadian national team chat.

The first part of the MLS season wound up this weekend with the last round of matches ahead of the World Cup break. The Whitecaps finished strong, dispatching San Diego 4-2 in a dominant performance that sees them go into their eight weeks off atop the Western Conference. We delve into the main talking points from that match and review the highs and lows of the season so far, both for the 'Caps and across MLS. Plus we chat with head coach Jesper Sorensen about what he's made of the season to date and whether he's looking to strengthen the side in the upcoming transfer window.

One man back for the Whitecaps before the break was Ralph Priso and we bring you some audio from Ralph as we chat about his return from injury, his chances of making Canada's World Cup roster, and whether he allows himself to dream of being at the tournament this summer. Plus we select our 26-man Canadian roster ahead of Friday's official announcement.

All of this plus we round-up the week's action across the CPL as Pacific FC part ways with their head coach, move onto the letter V in our Canadian Soccer A to Z series, music-wise, Mansun continue their residency as our Artists of the Month, and we've got yet another new Scotland World Cup song in Wavelength. They keep coming, we keep playing them!

Here’s the rundown for the main segments from the episode:

01.25: Intro - Auckland win A-League, Southampton spygate
14.00: Whitecaps go into World Cup break top of the West after win in San Diego
58.00: A review of the Whitecaps season so far - with Sorensen's thoughts
98.00: MLS round-up at World Cup break
123.40: Canadian Soccer A to Z - V
136.00: Ralph Priso is back - will he make CanMNT World Cup roster?
154.00: Merriman out at Pacific and CPL round-up
164.00: Wavelength - Skerryvore - Never Stopped Dreaming

&lt;/p&gt;
</description>

Whitecaps dominant in San Diego; Whitecaps and MLS midseason review; Ralph Priso audio; CanMNT World Cup roster predictions; MLS and CPL round-ups

Episode 731 – The AFTN Soccer Show (Looking Downwards - Whitecaps dominant in San Diego, Whitecaps and MLS midseason review, Ralph Priso, CanMNT roster predictions)

A football/soccer podcast about Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer, the Canadian Premier League and the beautiful game in general, with lots of interviews and fun segments thrown in.

”There’s Still Time” - the Away From The Numbers soccer podcast. A regular podcast all about Vancouver Whitecaps, Major League Soccer (MLS) and the world of football.

AFTN Soccer Show

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