Built By a Cartoon: How Japan Made a Soccer Nation

How do you build a footballer? Today we start with the wildest answer of all... a cartoon. We break down how Captain Tsubasa helped turn baseball-obsessed Japan into a World Cup machine, why over 90 million people grew up on it, and the global stars who say it made them pick soccer.Then we go straight to the World Cup. Curaçao, the smallest nation in tournament history, walked out against Germany and scored... and that 1-1 moment meant more than the final 7-1. We get into their fairytale (25 of 26 players born in the Netherlands), the emotional story of their 78-year-old coach, Diego Luna's brutal snub, Cucurella's shock move to Real Madrid, and Barça taking Florentino to court.One recording, a full World Cup briefing. Join the newsletter and be part of the show at thefootball.show.Chapters:00:00 — Welcome (in the Japan jersey) and Germany destroying Curaçao00:26 — Yesterday's games: Australia stun Turkey00:48 — Qatar's match-winner reportedly gets $3M and a Rolls-Royce01:21 — Haiti push Scotland (Scotland's first World Cup goal since 1998)02:30 — Turkey vs USA preview and the Arda Güler talk03:22 — Built by a cartoon: the Captain Tsubasa story04:51 — Tsubasa goes global and the players who credit it07:43 — Japan's plan to win a World Cup... and what the USA is doing08:08 — Germany 7-1 Curaçao and the 1-1 that stole the show09:36 — Curaçao's fairytale: smallest nation ever, 25 of 26 born in the Netherlands10:46 — Dick Advocaat, 78, the emotional story behind the oldest World Cup manager11:50 — How nations are really built (descent, development, and Luis's kids)12:56 — Diego Luna's World Cup snub15:22 — Cucurella's shock move to Real Madrid16:29 — Barcelona sues Florentino plus the Julián Álvarez 500M saga17:28 — America's World Cup culture shock (cheerleaders and the Dutch Orange Bus)The Football Show is part of Break FC - Global Club & Community Come join the Global Club Break FC (@offricialbreakfc). This is a project from a place of love to the sport, would love your feedback!Watch the show - Check out our Youtube ChannelInstagramFacebookTikTok