World Cup Podcast of Ideas: episode 1

The World Cup is back – and so is the World Cup Podcast of Ideas. With the biggest-ever tournament kicking off on Thursday 11 June across the US, Mexico and Canada, we’ve got the team together to discuss some of the burning issues. Are we actually looking forward to it? Is 48 teams too many – or is it giving a chance to smaller nations to take their bow on the biggest stage in sport for the first time? Has FIFA gone overboard with the commercialisation? What will it be like for the fans – from high ticket prices to long journeys between matches? With relatively few fans travelling, what will that mean for the atmosphere at games? Do we really need a half-time show in the final or will that spoil the game itself? Who do we think will actually win – and who are the potential ‘dark horses’, the teams that don’t usually do well but have the players to go far? Can England finally win it after ’60 years of hurt’? Can Scotland break out of the group stage for the first time? Who will be sporting the best kit – and the worst?