In this episode, World Soccer Talk hosts Christopher Harris and Kartik Krishnaiyer discuss whether anyone want to win Group B in this year’s World Cup. USA and England are unable to get much-needed wins, while Wales and Iran are too inconsistent. In addition to discussing USA-Japan, Germany-Hungary & Italy-England, we discuss what the possible merger between NBCUniversal and WarnerBros-Discovery means for soccer fans, our thoughts on foreign investors buying clubs in Europe, whether LaLiga/Bundesliga/Serie A will ever be able to catch up with the Premier League, as well as answering your questions in the Listener Mailbag segment.
Listen to the show via the player above or via this link.
Launched in 2006, the World Soccer Talk Podcast is the longest running podcast on the planet. Every week, we share the latest news about watching soccer on television and streaming, in addition to discussing what we like and dislike, and featuring your questions and feedback in our Listener Mailbag segment.
HEAR MORE: Listen to our archive featuring hundreds of soccer interviews
Send in your questions, comments and feedback via e-mail web@worldsoccertalk-wp.futbolsites.dev, via Twitter (@worldsoccertalk) or Facebook. We’ll read them out on-air in the next episode. Or call our voicemail line and leave a message at 561-247-4625.
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UnitedFan 3478
September 25, 2022 at 12:36 pm
Would this merger mean both the NHL and NBA would be on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN+, NBC, Peacock, TNT, and TBS? Would the USMNT/USWNT come to NBC? Would the EPL come to TNT and TBS?
David
September 25, 2022 at 10:08 am
Excellent trolling of Serie A & Bundesliga fans. “I tried to watch a few games this one weekend, those leagues are terrible” I admit you had me for a minute. Well done.
Christopher Harris
September 25, 2022 at 11:18 am
David, I never said that, so please don’t make stuff up.
Azer
September 25, 2022 at 1:49 pm
Christopher, Hello. – I have 2 questions if you don’t mind. As for the 5AM ET / 2AM PT kickoffs, does Fox plan on having its crew do commentary in the middle of the night from LA or will they do those games from Qatar?
When do you expect Fox to release more information about its World Cup coverage?
Thank You.
Christopher Harris
September 25, 2022 at 3:38 pm
Hi Azer, FOX will have all of their commentators calling games from Qatar.
As far as their World Cup coverage plans, maybe later this week as we get closer to the 50 days until the World Cup? We’ll see.
jason
September 25, 2022 at 1:37 pm
There are no terrible leagues. Just ones with different personalities so to speak and qualities. Maybe terrible individual teams on their day or year. But “terrible” leagues? No. I have found something endearing and neat about every league in Europe from Scotland to Portugal through Switzerland up to Norway over to Russia..
Daniel
September 27, 2022 at 12:17 pm
That’s just you then. No one knows any team in Norway or Switzerland.
dave
September 24, 2022 at 2:48 pm
Enjoyable discussion. Perhaps you buried the lede with your NBC-Warner news. I would be happy to watch USMNT, USWNT, and US Open on Peacock if it happens. A few other reactions:
.
* There is a fine line where argument from personal experience becomes ad hominem. It is sometimes grating when people complain about “American ideas”, especially when they pile on
.
* There are ways to fund the pyramid without FA Cup replays – it may be an important issue, but should not be a deal-breaker
.
* Kartik usually makes good points but the statement that USMNT should see qualifying for the World Cup as an achievement is absurd. Granted that Berhalter is not a good coach and USSF have a lot of accumulated rot to clear (nepotism, cronyism, favoritism, etc.) and the team is inexperienced. USMNT are still a top-20 squad in a weak confederation that gets three automatic bids and a fourth that was very likely once CONCACAF drew OFC. USMNT are too talented to be celebrating a finish ahead of Panama. USMNT may well not get out of Group B, but as you note it is a group with other teams that may also be hit or miss
jason
September 24, 2022 at 10:51 pm
I personally think England should revamp their pyramid. Reduce Premier League to 18 teams. Reduce EFL to 20 teams. And create a 20 team “League 3” to be the 5th division. EFL league cup could have group stages to make up for those lost games. Maybe you can invite Celtic and Rangers into English League putting them in League 3. Whether they say Yes to that is another question. Old Firm might be happy being big fish in small pond provided they do well in Europe every year. Whether that is go deep in Europa/Conference leagues or qualify for Champions League Group stages.
France Ligue 1 is reducing to 18 by the way next year.
League Cup is a way for the big clubs to put out their backup players to get minutes. So they find value in that I’m sure. It will sure help Matt Turner (GK) for Arsenal for example.
jason
September 24, 2022 at 12:12 pm
Have you tried out Eleven Sports? Great football to have on in the background. Norway and Denmark games in particular because they have no commentary.
I just cancelled Espn Plus this past week and ordered Peackock due to the $1.99 deal that I learned about here on WorldSoccerTalk.