• 59 minutes 52 seconds
    Hugo Lloris: After losing to Messi - It’s Mbappe’s DESTINY to win this World Cup

    World Cup-winning captain Hugo Lloris joins Rio Ferdinand for an exclusive conversation that only a handful of people in football history could ever have. As one of the few men to captain his country to World Cup glory, Hugo takes Rio inside the pressure, leadership and emotion behind lifting the biggest trophy in football.



    Lloris explains why Kylian Mbappé looked different from his very first France training session, the work that transformed him into one of the world's deadliest forwards and why he believes greatness is still written in his destiny.



    He also relives the unforgettable 2022 World Cup Final, offering a unique perspective from inside one of the greatest matches ever played. Hugo reveals the specific instructions Didier Deschamps gave France to try and stop Lionel Messi, explains why even the best-laid plans weren't enough and reflects on watching Messi and Mbappé produce an all-time classic on football's biggest stage.



    The former Tottenham captain also opens up on Harry Kane's incredible development under Mauricio Pochettino and states why he thinks the England captain can win the Ballon d’Or. You’ll also hear why Spurs never quite turned their golden generation into trophy winners and what really changed under José Mourinho and Antonio Conte.



    Rio and Hugo also discuss Didier Deschamps' leadership, the lessons France learned from the heartbreak of Euro 2016 before becoming world champions, facing Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suárez and Sergio Agüero [and Jamie Vardy], why N'Golo Kanté is unlike anyone he's ever played with, Paul Pogba's misunderstood reputation and Hugo's ultimate five-a-side team.


    This is Hugo Lloris in the way you’ve never heard him before.


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    14 July 2026, 7:00 am
  • 19 minutes 23 seconds
    Tuchel Keeps Proving Doubters Wrong - Rio Picks World Cup Dream Team

    It’s time for Joel and Ste to head back after a month in LA with Airbnb so the trio settle down in the outdoor pool to review the tournament so far including how resolute and impressive Thomas Tuchel has been considering the questions and doubts about his squad selection.

    Joel turns the tables on Rio and gets him to pick his tournament 5 a side team… wait for the caveats!

    Ste and Rio discuss the tactical trends that may make their way back to the Premier League after the World Cup and then pick three players to splurge £300m on as if they were in charge of their clubs.

    The trio also reminisce about the favourite moments of the trip away from the football including the ability of Ste and Rio to embrace the horse-riding experience in comparison to Joel.


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    13 July 2026, 5:00 am
  • 15 minutes 28 seconds
    Jude is England’s best Tournament Player since 1966


    Continuing his trip around Los Angeles with Airbnb, Rio watches the England v Norway match on Venice Bach with Fox Sports commentator Darren Fletcher.


    After scoring another brace, Rio declares that Jude Bellingham is England’s finest tournament player since the Three Lions won the World Cup in 1966.


    There’s praise for Elliot Anderson - who Rio thought should have been awarded man of the match and serious love for the way Thomas Tuchel has approached this tournament.


    Rio reveals how much confidence the players will take from the ability of their manager to impact and change the course of a match with his substitutions and tactical changes.


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    12 July 2026, 5:06 am
  • 30 minutes 53 seconds
    Why Andrey Santos is NOT over-priced at £50m | How to defend Haaland

    Rio continues his trip round LA thanks to Airbnb and invites Fara Williams to join him, Ste Howson and Joel Beya to round up the latest transfer news from the Premier League and looks ahead to England’s World Cup quarter final with Norway.

    After Thomas Tuchel gave his players 36 hours off after a gruelling tie against Mexico, Rio and Fara discuss the trust the manager has in his players and how that becomes so important for those individuals who are at risk of being suspended if they pick up another booking.

    There’s a crazy stat about Erling Haaland’s goalscoring record against Jordan Pickford, Rio’s advice for defending against the Norwegian striker before the four look at the latest moves being discussed and confirmed by clubs in the Premier League.

    Rio and Ste debate the profile, price and optics of the £50m signing of Chelsea’s Andrey Santos before discussing potential moves to Arsenal for both Bruno Guimaraes and Marcus Rashford.


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    10 July 2026, 5:13 am
  • 17 minutes 50 seconds
    Responds to Jude Bellingham’s “Crumble” Comments

    Rio gathers everyone around the fire pit at his Airbnb after England were victorious in a World Cup Classic in Mexico City.


    Jude Bellingham was England’s talisman again and spoke about how his teammates are different to previous generations because they didn’t “crumble” when put under severe pressure by their hosts.


    There’s analysis of Bellingham’s maturity and how he has developed his attitude since his last major tournament with England.


    Joleon Lescott praises Thomas Tuchel’s “unique ability” to change the game from the bench and the gang discuss how effective the German is at utilising the hydration breaks to improve his team’s performance.


    There’s a warning about the way England have defended when they come up against Erling Haaland’s Norway side and analysis of whether Florian Balgoun’s rescinded suspension was “wrong” and how it compares to the treatment of Cristiano Ronaldo pre-tournament.


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    6 July 2026, 8:59 am
  • 58 minutes 34 seconds
    Playing with Messi and Training with Yamal | Thiago Alcántara takes us BTS at Barca


    Thiago Alcântara joins Rio Ferdinand at his Airbnb in Los Angeles for one of the most detailed football conversations you'll hear anywhere.

    From turning down Manchester United before eventually facing Rio in the Premier League, to playing under both Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp, Thiago explains how two of football's greatest managers see the game completely differently. He reveals the conversation with Pep that convinced him to leave Bayern Munich, why Klopp believed Liverpool were missing control in midfield and the tactical details that shaped one of the most successful teams of the modern era.

    The discussion is packed with extraordinary insight into some of the biggest names in world football. Thiago opens up on Mohamed Salah's personality behind the scenes, why Roberto Firmino was the perfect teammate, how Harry Kane adapted so quickly to German football and his incredible goalscoring record, Lionel Messi's unmatched aura, Paul Scholes' brilliance, and why he believes Pedri is currently the best midfielder in the world.

    There's also fascinating analysis of the next generation. After taking on the role as Barcelona’s assistant coach, Thiago explains what makes Lamine Yamal so special after sharing the training pitch with him, why Kobbie Mainoo's best position is as a number eight, what Declan Rice can still become and the advice every young player needs if they want to reach the very top.

    Plus, Thiago discusses his ambitions as a coach, names his ultimate five-a-side team and answers the question every football fan wants to know: if Pep Guardiola managed an African nation at the World Cup, would they win it?

    If you enjoy in-depth football conversations that go beyond the headlines, this is one you won't want to miss.


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    4 July 2026, 7:01 am
  • 34 minutes 47 seconds
    Messi, Olise or Kane for the Ballon d’Or

    Rio is joined at his Airbnb by Joleon Lescott, Joel Beya and Ste Howson to speak about Harry Kane’s exploits, the contenders for the Ballon d’Or and Joleon’s journey into coaching.

    Lescott hits out at John Terry’s “entitlement” after he suggested there was nobody better than himself to take on the interim role at Chelsea and revealed his frustrations at being overlooked for the job.

    After spending three international camps and six matches with the senior mens England squad alongside Lee Carsley, Joleon reveals what impresses him the most about captain Harry Kane before a debate about the player of the tournament so far.

    The importance of winning the World Cup in relation to the candidates for winning the Ballon d’Or is also discussed - could England win the tournament to ensure Harry Kane is lined up for football’s biggest individual prize?


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    3 July 2026, 5:09 am
  • 12 minutes 40 seconds
    England fans need to have faith in Thomas Tuchel | Harry King Kane

    After Thomas Tuchel’s passionate tactical intervention helped England turn the game round against DR Congo, Rio is adamant that England fans need to have faith in the manager’s plans.


    Oussi questions Rio on England’s poor first half performance before switching focus to the impact of England’s substitutes who changed the course of the game and there’s also praise for Anthony Gordon who silenced his critics with two assists.


    With Kane’s brace moving him into contention for the golden boot, Rio discusses the incredible list of names that are fighting it out to become the tournament’s top scorer.


    And Rio can’t wait to return to his Airbnb to catch up with Joel who was cheering for Congo whilst Rio was away working.


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    1 July 2026, 9:13 pm
  • 29 minutes 17 seconds
    Rashford will unlock defences | Why France remind me of Brazil in ’02

    Rio is joined at his Airbnb by Joel Beya and Ste Howson after a hectic few days where the trio went on a horse riding experience, welcomed Spain, Barcelona, Liverpool an Bayern Munich legend Thiago to the villa and watched England set up a huge knockout tie with Congo.

    Rio does a deep dive on the way Thomas Tuchel is utilising the attributes of Marcus Rashford and compares his view on Rashford’s performance with those using statistics to criticise him.

    There’s been a lot of discussion about the selection of Jordan Henderson in Thomas Tuchel’s squad. After hosting Henderson’s former teammate Thiago at the villa, Rio reveals why his inclusion is so important for Tuchel and the other members of the team.

    As the tournament starts hotting up with the knockout rounds, Rio discusses why this current French side remind him of Brazil in 2002 and how the switch from group stage games to knockout matches affect players’ mentalities.

    The trio review their Airbnb experience of horse riding through the Malibu hills and laugh at Joel’s unusual tactics of settling his horse down and tease the fact that another guest is coming to stay with Rio at the villa.


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    29 June 2026, 5:01 am
  • 14 minutes 47 seconds
    Jude Bellingham Always Over-Delivers | Zero minutes for Mainoo 😑

    England got the job done against Panama, but was it the convincing World Cup performance everyone expected?

    Rio Ferdinand is back at his Airbnb in Los Angeles with Joel Beya and Ste Howson to break down England’s latest win, the standout performers and the questions that still remain as the tournament starts to heat up.

    There’s huge praise for Jude Bellingham after yet another big-tournament display, with Rio revealing what his former Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos told him about playing alongside Jude and the mentality he brought into the dressing room at the Bernabéu.

    The lads also discuss Kobbie Mainoo, who is still waiting for his first minutes of the tournament. How will the Manchester United midfielder be feeling, and does Thomas Tuchel have a bigger role planned for him later in the competition?

    There’s also a brilliant bit of football trivia from Ste after another active player joins the exclusive club of footballers with over 200 international appearances. Can you work out who the three players are before the lads reveal the answer?


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    28 June 2026, 6:07 am
  • 33 minutes 24 seconds
    Tuchel should use Mainoo more | What really happened after Ronaldo's wink vs Rooney

    As the group stage nears its conclusion, Rio looks at the players and teams that have impressed him the most whilst analysing England’s midfield and revealing who initiated the first contact between Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney following the famous “wink” incident and Rooney’s red card in the 2006 World Cup.


    Paul Scholes suggestion that Tuchel’s focus on overpowering opposition means the midfield “doesn’t look right” is discussed along with the improvements and changes Rio would make as the tournament progresses. Kobbie Mainoo is spoken about as the type of player that will help England dominate the ball, sustain more attacks and offer a different option for opening up defences.


    Following Jose Mourinho’s comments about the “privilege” of managing the egos in the Real Madrid dressing room and the need for harmony after the problems within the camp last season - Rio makes a plea for Aurélien Tchouaméni to join Manchester United if he’s in a position to leave Real Madrid.


    And when speaking about how Tchouaméni and Federico Valverde could re-integrate together into the Real Madrid squad (following their well-publicised bust up last season) he is reminded of the fallout from the incident where Cristiano Ronaldo winked after his Manchester United team mate Wayne Rooney was sent off in the 2006 World Cup match against Portugal.


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    26 June 2026, 7:01 am
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