The last time the World Cup was on North American soil in 1994, many football fans were sceptical. But it planted the seed of America’s soccer culture today, and it has lived long in the memory of two nations in particular.

Rick Edwards is joined by Brazil fan Edson and two Ireland fans - Rodney and Phelim - who all travelled to the United States. They describe a sometimes underwhelming atmosphere gripped by the stifling heat, but punctuated with unforgettable moments for their teams.

02:20 - Expectations of the US 1994 World Cup 05:00 - The lack of a ‘soccer culture’ 8:10 - Edson growing up watching Brazil 10:07 - Ireland coming up against Roberto Baggio’s Italy 16:35 - The excruciating heat 18:40 - John Aldridge’s famous outburst 20:40 - Why things ended in disappointment for the Irish 22:50 - An unconventional Brazil team 25:20 - Brazil vs Netherlands 27:10 - Phelim and Rodney causing chaos in Fort Lauderdale 29:15 - Brazil and Ireland welcomed home 32:30 - The significance of the 1994 World Cup for both nations

England and Scotland acclimatise to conditions in the US ahead of the World Cup. Gordon Smart is joined by Ian Dennis and Stephen Warnock in Tampa and Kenny Crawford and Kris Boyd, who watched Scotland beat Bolivia.     TIME CODES:  0:24 England win, but it was more like a training session 3:20 How long will it take to adapt to the heat? 6:51 Scotland's 4 goal first half 8:27 Former Scotland striker Kris Boyd praises the individual performances for Scotland 11:19 Harry Kane reacts after his 79th England goal 15:44 Thomas Tuchel tells us what he liked about England's win 20:49 Che Adams speaks after scoring twice for Scotland 21:59 Lawrence Shankland talks about his performance for Scotland 23:22 Has Steve Clarke found his striker partnership for the World Cup? 26:40 Have we learned much about England?

Russia 2018 was the World Cup that changed everything for England. In one summer alone, the mood changed, the pressure lifted, and arguably for the first time since Euro 1996, the fans fell in love with the England men’s national team once more. To look back on that time, Rick Edwards is joined by Ceylon, Seb and Dan, who were swept along by it – so much so, that two of them ended up in Moscow for that fateful semi-final. They share their stories and emotions from a truly special summer.

01:46 - Pre-tournament expectations for the 2018 World Cup 06:30 - A new relationship with the England team 12:08 - England hitting Panama for six 15:20 - The Colombia game and England’s first shootout victory at a World Cup 17:55 - What Gareth Southgate got so right in those early years 22:36 - Seb and Dan’s journey to the semi-final 27:30 - How the semi-final vs Croatia unfolded 30:40 - The feeling after England’s defeat 33:53 - A new relationship with Englishness 39:40 - The legacy of this World Cup

Katie Smith is joined by former England midfielder Fran Kirby and, Vicki Sparks as they react to England’s Lionesses' 4-0 World Cup Qualifying defeat to Spain in Mallorca. Sarina Wiegman’s side did have the chance to qualify for next summer’s World Cup in Brazil this evening, but a poor performance means they have a mountain to climb against Ukraine on Tuesday.

TIME CODES

00:00 Intro 00:25 How England can now qualify. 02:00 A dismal performance 06:00 Spain shine 08:30 What next for England? 10:00 Sarina Wiegman 12:45 Keira Walsh

John Murray, Ian Dennis & Ali Bruce-Ball answer listener questions ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026. From preparing for foreign player pronunciations, to the matches they’re most looking forward to. And from logistical travel arrangements to their favourite national anthems. Messages, questions and voicenotes welcome throughout the tournament on WhatsApp to 08000 289 369 & emails to [email protected]

00:30 John prepares for Mexico, 03:00 International commentary styles, 07:25 Preparing for player pronunciations, 16:40 First World Cup memories, 21:30 Is World Cup prep different? 30:45 Which matches are they most excited for? 34:00 Which cities are they most excited to visit? 36:55 Favourite national anthems & fanbases, 40:50 Thoughts on sharing commentaries, 42:40 Will the commentators be working in teams? 48:00 What does a rare summer off look like? 50:20 Will there be a World Cup TCV?

5 Live / BBC Sounds commentaries: Fri 2000 Spain v England in Women’s World Cup qualifying, Sat 2100 England v New Zealand in friendly, Tue 2000 England v Ukraine in Women’s World Cup qualifying, Thu 2000 Mexico v South Africa, Fri 0300 South Korea v Czech Republic, Fri 2000 Canada v Bosnia & Herzegovina.

We’ve got together with Americast and Newscast for three special episodes on what could be the most political World Cup ever. How much will Donald Trump make it about him? Will the US-Iran war affect the tournament? And why are tickets so expensive? Our own John Murray, Newscast's Adam Fleming, and Americast's Marianna Spring and Anthony Zurcher tell you everything you need to know about what’s going on off the pitch. In this episode we look at why the US, Canada, and Mexico were picked as hosts, and who’s benefiting from the Trump-Infantino bromance. Parts 2 and 3 are in the Newscast and Americast feeds on BBC Sounds. Listen to Newscast here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/series/p05299nl Listen to Americast here: www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p07h19zz

Kelly Cates, Pat Nevin and Roddy Forsyth take a trip down memory lane to reflect on Scotland’s World Cup tournaments of the past and look at what it means to be a Scottish football fan, and the cultural significance of the tournament.

Former players Willie Miller, Alan Rough and Kevin Gallacher join the pod to chat about their experiences at a World Cup, and we can’t talk about the finals without mentioning a World Cup song – and Scotland have had a fair few bangers over the years! So, Belle and Sebastian lead singer Stuart Murdoch pops by to tell the guys about writing this year’s World Cup song, and the inspiration behind that too – and Del Amitri frontman Justin Currie comes on to tell us about writing the song for Scotland’s 1998 tournament.

Timecodes: 06:30 – Willie Miller. 21:52 – Alan Rough. 32:18 – Kevin Gallacher. 51:00 - Stuart Murdoch. 53:30 – Justin Currie.

When England flew to Germany for the 2006 World Cup, expectations were at fever pitch for a star-studded team led by David Beckham. The so-called Golden Generation was ready to deliver. But it never happened – instead came a series of heartbreaks and disappointments that left the fanbase in despair.

Rick Edwards is joined by Sharon, Billy and Gary, three fans who probably suffered through more games than anyone else during the Golden Generation. They reflect on their incredible experiences at different tournaments, but also the growing sense of a team that felt further away from the fans than ever before.

02:24 - How optimistic were England fans going into the 2006 World Cup? 04:31 - Sharon, Billy and Gary’s experiences on the ground in Germany 11:10 - England meet Portugal in the quarter-finals again 13:12 - Owen Hargreaves & underappreciated members of the Golden Generation 17:30 - England at South Africa World Cup 2010 19:15 - Wayne Rooney hitting back at the fans & disconnection with the team 25:03 - The end of the Golden Generation 27:30 - Disaster at Brazil World Cup 2014 29:52 - Reflecting on this era 32:55 - The beauty of following England on the road

Ian Dennis is joined by former England defender Stephen Warnock, as well as BBC Sport Senior Football Correspondent Sami Mokbel, as England land in Florida ahead of the World Cup.

The team discuss the hot Florida conditions within England's camp at West Palm Beach, and how the heat might affect the squad. Then, we hear from players Ollie Watkins, Jordan Henderson and Kobbie Mainoo on everything from motivation, manifestation and how it feels to finally be in America ahead of the World Cup.

Timecodes: 00:50 - Discussion about the hot Florida conditions & acclimatising to the weather 09:16 - Jordan Henderson on his England career & what he brings to the squad 19:42 - Ollie Watkins on missing out in March, getting called up & manifestation 26:32 - Kobbie Mainoo on his qualities & what he's learned through the season

In June 1998, Scotland kicked off the World Cup in Paris against the defending champions, Brazil. For the fans that were there, it was a day that they would never forget - and one that’s become Scottish football folklore after years of heartbreak. Rick Edwards is joined by Gordon, Paul and Iain to hear about that halcyon summer following their team across France and what marked the end of an era.

02:18 - Remembering the Scotland squad that qualified for the 1998 World Cup 05:10 - Being in the Tartan Army throughout the 70s, 80s & 90s 10:00 - Tartan Armies in other countries 13:37 - Scotland face Brazil in the opening game 17:30 - Iain “borrowing” the flag at Bannockburn 20:00 - Kick-off in the Stade de France 22:20 - That Tom Boyd own goal 25:08 - Taking on Norway in Bordeaux 27:45 - Disaster in the final game against Morocco 30:05 - The end of an era for Scotland 34:03 - Fond memories of France in 1998 37:04 - Looking ahead to World Cup 2026 for Scotland

Mark Chapman is joined by Conor Coady, Chris Sutton and, Adam Crafton as they react to Arsenal’s Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint Germain. PSG won their second consecutive Champions League title after beating Arsenal on penalties. The panel dissect Arsenal’s setup throughout the game and, whether Arsenal need to change their approach. Why do people get so frustrated watching Arsenal? How will Gabriel missing the deciding penalty impact him? Does Luis Enrique’s PSG need to be in the conversation with the great teams such as Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.

Is Andoni Iraola the right replacement for Arne Slot at Liverpool? Liverpool have opened talks with the former Bournemouth manager. The panel discuss how hard the step up to manage a ‘Big 6’ club is. Slot spent two seasons at Anfield winning a Premier League title in his first season, so where did it all go wrong for the Dutchman?

And a number of rule changes have come in ahead of this summer’s World Cup. Our Football Issues Correspondent Dale Johnson joins the Monday Night Club to discuss them all.

TIME CODES

00:00 Intro 00:30 Chris Sutton and Columbo 02:34 The Champions League final 10:00 Could Arsenal have approached the game better? 12:30 Do Arsenal need more quality? 14:40 Should Arteta change his style of play? 17:30 Gabriel taking the deciding penalty 19:30 PSG retain the Champions League 23:40 Liverpool sack Arne Slot 28:00 Did Mo Salah have an impact on Slot’s departure? 30:00 Where it all went wrong for Slot 31:10 Will Andoni Iraola be the right replacement 39:40 The impact of character and personality at Liverpool 43:00 World Cup rule changes 52:00 New VAR checks