What Now? with Trevor Noah - WORLD CUP Bonus Episode: The Finals

Episode Date: July 21, 2026

The FIFA World Cup 2026 has come to an end. In this final bonus episode, Trevor and Joe break down Spain's dramatic extra-time victory over Argentina to become world champions. They also look back at the tournament's biggest moments and standout players, pull no punches in their critique of England's football culture and France's tactical shortcomings, and look ahead to the sport's next generation. Closing out their six-week run, Joe gets emotional reflecting on his broadcasting debut, and he and Trevor express their gratitude for an unforgettable summer of football. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode is brought to you by Fabriz, and we're coming to you from the official Fabriz-sponsored bootroom, which, if you know anything about soccer, is usually the last place you want to hang out. This is What Now with Trevor Noah. 104 matches, 48 teams, 30-something, 32 maybe knockout games. Six weeks, a feast of football.

How do you feel right now? Are you, are you full? Or do you wish this was your new life? Man, I could always go for seconds when it comes to football. I could always go for seconds. This was insane, man. But my God, are you not entertained? Yeah, are you not entertained?

For sure. First and foremost, Spain are the world champions again. Spain are the world champions? What are the champions? Disabid champions. And I don't want to say, I don't want to say it's because of me. But I will say, I will say, every time I have, been at a final, Spain has won it.

Also, they did win their first big major championship. South Africa. No, no, their first major championship, 2008, that jersey, the man you're wearing right now. Oh, this one. Oh, yeah, yeah, not talking about the World Cup only. He scored the goal that set them on a path, on a path. Let's talk about it. I mean, first and foremost, the World Cup, the final.

Like, everybody who was watching the game in the stadium on TV said the same thing. Spain was stifling Argentina. Watching it in real time was even more impressive, because we were lucky enough to be at the game. Yes. Seeing how the Spanish team completely pressed every single player on the opposing team, seeing how they attacked together,

seeing how Rodry, can I tell you, Rodry, I don't think he has won a single man of the match at this tournament. No. And I think it's because the man of the match was voted for by fans. and I think the fans, not that they didn't know the game,

I think because when you're watching the game on TV, you miss out on so much of what's not happening on screen. When you're watching the game live, it's easy to say Roder's men of the match. He was a colossus. He was a colossus today. He was everywhere. If you just kept your eye on him,

you could see the whole game. You didn't have to watch the whole game to see him. He gave us Sergio Biscuits vibes. He was everywhere. But it was like a stronger buskets. A stronger, bigger, taller, he's quite a unit but I was like just watching him how

casual he was. We talked about this during the few. You said it's like a grandpain his slippers. He was like a grandpah playing in his slippers in his backyard. It wasn't a World Cup final for him. He was immense. The interceptions he made fully deserved, fully deserved, play of the tournament, fully deserved in my... Who are you happy for baby goat or the goat?

I'm happy for baby goat because winning it at 19. The World Cup sometimes, not winning the World Cup, can become like some kind of albatross around your name. You're not wrong. We saw it with Ronaldo. Yeah, you're not wrong.

If you win it now, you get it out of the way. Yeah, yeah. Now you can play your international career. You're already a hero. Yeah. So I was really happy for him. Of course, all Laminas to do is win a Champions League now,

which is way easier, I would argue. Yeah, for the club. Then winning, because you have a chance every year. He already won the European Championship and it was instrumental in that. Yeah. Part of me wanted, because there were so many Barcelona boys in that team in that Spanish team. I wanted Pedro to win.

I wanted the La Minia Malo of defenders, Pao Kubasi also 19 to win. But you think Perry had a good World Cup? He didn't have the World Cup. He expected. Pedri expects always be a starter, but he was unseated by Fabian Luis. I thought Fabian Louise, and I can get why he took over. Fabian Louise is a lot taller. He's a lot bigger. And I think Luis Dela Fuente. He's also a lot more progressive in this tournament at least.

But he was very imprecise. That's the thing. He was progressive, but it was very, very imprecise. And I think when Pedro came on, you saw House Pay now, took an even bigger stronghold. because it's all about control. But Fabian Lewis gives you something that Pedro doesn't give you, which is physicality in the middle. So I get why he wanted him there. But Baku Basi winning young player of the tournament,

he was a colossus in defense. He was incredible in defense. Man, it was so wild as well, like being there in the stadium because, like, the Argentine fans... They don't know when they're beaten. Yo, they don't know when they're beaten. The whole stadium was Argentina. Like, I'm talking from the first...

minutes. It felt like you were watching the game at La Bonoella. Yo, until the handing of the trophy, they were still singing, they were still chanting. Even during the hanging, yeah. It's like, you couldn't tell if they'd won or lost. I'll say this. And watching them with Messi stand in front of them. Did it feel like a farewell to you? Do you think

Messi's gone? No, I don't think he is. I think they steal a last dance in him. I watched him. So the funny thing about that image is I never thought. In a hundred years, I never thought Messi would reach that kind of status with these Argentine fans. They were banning his jazes and burning his effigies just 10 years

ago when they forced him into retirement. When they were calling the Catalan. When they went like you don't feel the way Maradona used to feel. Because remember, the reason Maradona is so adored in Argentina is he tagged on the emotional chords of the fans. Maradona was literally a fan playing the game.

That's what he was. He wasn't a soccer player. He was a fan who just happened to be gifted enough that he could play the game. Do you remember actually, do you remember, have you seen that video where Pelle is talking to Maradona, they're at some event and they're outdoors, and they don't realize that their microphones are on, or they're hot, and there's like a ceremony happening around them, and then

they start talking, and then Pelle says to Maradona, he says, he's like, hey, have you met this guy, Messi, have you met him? And then Maradona's like, yeah, I've met him before. Pele's like, he's really good, but I've never met him. Then Maradon's like, yeah, he's phenomenal. Then he goes, yeah, what's he like? Then Maradona goes, look, he's, he's, he's, he's, really, really talented.

He's like, but he has zero personality. Yes. He's like he'll never be great because he has no personality. He doesn't make the fans feel anything. He doesn't make the team feel anything. Argentines are very passionate people. They are very fiercely emotional people. And so Maradona, even with the things he used to do,

the way he used to talk to the opponents, the way he used to talk to the referees, you could go like, oh, that's what I would do as a fan. Just that most fans are not gifted enough to be on the pitch. And so, messy for the longest time, part of the reason why they accused him of being Catalan is they said, you don't feel. Remember, he never played

in the Argentine League before he came to Barcelona. Which is rare. Yeah, so he never had that bond with the fans. And so to see him cry as they were singing and they were chanting at him

and they were serenading him. He just stood there? Yes. Crying. Crying in front of them? As they sang, it was beautiful. It was beautiful Trevor. You know because normally in the world,

normally in any story, drama or otherwise, you want to see that redemption arc. And to see them serenading him for 15 minutes straight. Yeah, it was 15 minutes. As he stood in front of them crying. I went like, oh, that's the stuff that legends are made of.

You know who's also a legend? Yes. Enzo Fernandez. Let me tell you why Enzo Fernandez is a legend, bro. He's a legend because he celebrates his goal. Like, remember, he's got that famous celebration. Cups his ears. And he does the thing.

Cups his ears. He does the thing. Does the thing standing there. So now it's a great meme. Like everyone's got that meme. Right? Then did you also see that press conference that he gave? Okay.

So, because he put out, he had like a post on his social media where he played Wonder War. Oh, okay. And like laughing faces, little laughing emojis and everything. So then they asked him in one interview, they're like, yo, bro, why are you insulting England? You live there and you play football there. You get paid there. Aren't you worried about it? And then he was like, no, no, no.

And he says this in Spanish. He's like, no, you know, I think people might be a little confused. I didn't want to insult anybody in England. He's like, I have a lot of respect for. the English. He's like, you know, my housekeepers are all English. And I respect them. I respect them. I was like, yo, bro. My friends are all black. What a crazy. What a crazy statement that you think will get you out of us to be like, no, I have a lot of love for these people. A lot of them like are my housekeepers. I pay them minimum wage. You know what I mean?

Yes. No, I'll say this. And then, and then he goes and he gets a red card in the World Cup. I think, I think both red card, both yellow cards were silly. I think the first one, you can't get a yellow card for dissent in a World Cup final, especially against the team as good as Yeah, but this, can I tell you why? Yes. Because Argentina was used to not getting cards. No, no, no, no. I'm telling you.

He generally thought he was fouled. He genuinely thought he was foul. Yeah, but it doesn't matter, Joe. What I'm saying is this. This is what happens to teams. Players talk back every time. Nah, man, let me tell you something. Players talk back.

If they felt like they couldn't do it, they wouldn't do it. But he felt, no, no. He felt emboldened and then he met a ref who was like, oh, here's a card. I disagree with the whole premise of Argentina being favored. I disagree. I disagree. I disagree. I've watched all the games.

There's no decision where you could go like all there. They favored them. What? No, there were so many. Are you crazy? Yes. People were. I'm glad that you said yes when I said, are you crazy.

No, no, no. People were cherry picking. I'll say this. I'll say this. The second yellow was even easier than the first one. Why? When you're on a yellow, you can't go diving in. Yeah, you can't go diving in.

But you know why? It's because he forgot that he was on the yellow. No, no, no. Because remember, I didn't have to take off Lysandro Martinez. Yeah. Because he was in a yellow. Because, you know, against a team like Spain, at some point you're going to have to tactically foul. You can't do that when you're in a yellow.

So they took off Lecher, who was one of their best defenders, and now he goes and does that. Now he's left them with 10 men. Meso doesn't press, message doesn't track back. Now you've left us essentially with 9 men. Guys, you can't. But even if you have 10 men, 10 men against Spain. You're going to work. Guys, forget work.

It's finished, man. No, no, but I'll say they gave a better. Can you think of a team that can play Spain with 10 men on the fields? Yes, Argentina. It's the only team. Because I'll tell you one thing. They gave a better count of themselves than France with 11 men. Against Spain.

Yes. Yeah, that's true. They gave a better count. And the thing is, when I started out, and if you watch the live stream, I end up being a very pro-Agentna at the end because I love a good defensive performance. I haven't seen the teams defend like that since Italy. They were immense. In 2004, when they defended like that, Alessandro Nesta, Fabio Canavero.

Maldini. Francesco Toldo against the Netherlands at home. Netherlands missed two penalties. Italians were reduced to 10 men. They defended like their lives depended on it. Took it to penalties. Francesco Toledo stood up tall. They advanced to the finals.

Now, I'll say this. I love a good defensive performance. I love a good attacking performance, but I love when the defense goes like, today we are throwing everything. We're putting our bodies on the line. And I felt Ajena did that. I feel like Alberto Pasarra,

the famous defender from 78. If he was watching, he must have been impressed. they gave it everything. It was a good way to lose. You give a battling performance, agentines have that. Yeah, except when they started punching people

after the game. Yeah, I don't know why they did that. Because for me, I felt like they were gallant losers. They were gallant and then like at the end it just turned into a brawl. Yeah, because it was a full on brawl. Because Argentines are also sometimes saw losers.

But the thing is, they give a better, if you see what Spain did to France. I mean, if you go out like that, that's disappointing. Today they gave a battling performance. They were waiting for that one moment and they almost got it at the end twice. They almost got it at the end, yeah.

Yeah, so that's the only way you can beat this Spain team. You can't try to fight them man for man. No one can play soccer like them. You can't try to fight territory by territory. No one can't control territory like them. You can't try to fight them position by position. They are filled with Barcelona players. And then they add in people like laundry.

You said something about their wing backs. Yeah. The wing backs play like wingers. Yeah, they do. Everyone is comfortable on the ball. You can't go toe-to-to-to-to-with them, which is what France tried to do. And they learned very painful. I don't even think France went toe-to-to-to-to-to with them.

I think France made the mistake of thinking that they didn't know that they didn't need to play as a team right? Because with Spain the left back and the right back are as important in the attack as the left wing and the right wing

are in defense but with France the attackers do the attack the defenders do the defend you know an example of you know this is something it's going to be interesting to see how Zinidin Zidan takes over the French team

because you even saw it in the England game I know it was a third place game and I know people are saying the game doesn't count But I think it started counting towards the end. Yeah, yeah, it did. And if you look at that game, look at the moments where England was coming forward. What is one of the main things they had?

They had one of their defenders leading the attack, Jed Spence. Yes. Right? But what is the thing that France never had a defender leading their attack? You're right, yes. That extra man overlapping or giving you like the little undercut the undercuts, it makes such a world of difference in a world where everyone's man on man, one-on-one. Because then you just don't have an extra person.

Do you know, to get what I'm saying? The thing I'm saying about, so for me, the thing that impress me most, and again, people might not understand it is if you're a student and a historian of the game, you know that Argentines love battling defenders. Let it be Roberto Ayala, let it be Sincini, let it be Arbato Pasarela, let it be Oscar Ruggieri. They love defenders who give their all. And so if I was on Argentine watching that, I would go like, they fought for the shot.

They did. Sweat, blood, tears, they fought for the shot. They didn't. wilt. I've seen teams. I'm a Barcelona I've seen teams. Barcelona, how many times we get a red card? Yeah, yeah, yeah. And we wilt and wither. And then we lose the game that we should have won. But it's also kids. You also got

to be fair, though. This Barcelona team has been like, it's kids versus like this felt like a team of men. Of men, yeah. Of men. And I did feel like the loss of men, because we won't see them again. What will be interesting is seeing what's going to happen now to England going forward. Before we talk about England, let me say something about Spain

super quick. As a Barcelona fan, I loved this. I loved this because it had so much like in common, so many parallels with 2010. 2010, a Barcelona midfielder and race in Neester score as the only goal to give Spain their first World Cup in South Africa

in extra time against the Dutch. It was 1-0 as well, right? It was 1-0 as well. Today, what happens? A Barcelona striker, much maligned by Barcelona fans like me and Spain in general, score as the only goal in extra time

to give Spain that extra star on the jersey This, look, when they named this team So they have two now? They have two now. Argentina has two. Argentina has three. Oh yeah, three, yes, because of MESIS's third one.

Yeah, yeah. So when Luis Derafuevente, who is another much maligned manager, he didn't come in with the best credentials. And actually, for the longest time, both out Spain was winning, despite him. Not because of him. Despite him.

So, oh, in spite of him. So today, there's nothing concerned to him. He has the Euros. He has the World Cup. But he named a Spanish team without a Real Madrid player. Now, there was only one Real Madrid player technically because of because of Cucreira who was moved from Chelsea.

But this is a Barcelona victory. For a Barcelona, a victory. For a Barcelona victory. Yeah, but also, if we're going to be fair, how many Spanish players are in the Real Madrid team? Yeah, no, no, fair enough. But to say there's no real Madrid players. No, but remember.

No, no, no, but wait, wait, wait. Let's go through the Real Madrid lineup. Dean Housen was supposed to make the team. Carreras was supposed to make the team. Some people thought that Raul Ascencia should make the team Sampo thought that Gonzalo Garcia should have made the team

Oh Carrera? Yes, Carriers the left back Oh, I'm thinking of yeah, okay, okay, go. So there were a number of players who they thought who Madrid fans thought should make the team, they didn't. Above the players they had, though?

Yes. Yes, Madrid fans, actually, okay, Madrid fans, I feel many Madrid fans were waiting for this. When they drew against Kepvard, many Madrid fans were like, that's what you get.

That's what you get for bringing Barcelona players, yes. You know, so this is for me, as a Barcelona fan, this is a victory that for me. Spain always has to build around Barcelona. People say it over and over and over again.

And every single tournament you think it's not going to be true. I mean, I know I fall victim to this, man. I fall in love with the attacking flash. I fall in love with like the prowess up top. I fall in love. Man, defense wins championships. It's a cliche. It's a cliche, but it's true.

Spain barely scored goals in this World Cup. I know they had one big game. Was it like 5-1? Yeah, that was Saudi Arabia. Doesn't count. You know what I mean? But like they barely scored games goals. That's how they won in 2010.

But the amount of clean sheets they got in this World Cup? Yes. They considered one goal. Just the Kateria of Belgium. They had against Scobas. That's pretty crazy when you think about it. That's what they did in South Africa as well. And for me, that's why I'm so, that's why I'm crediting the Argentine defense so much.

Because there's that thing called Garra. The Argentine's called it Garra. Crow. Yeah. Where you claw your way. You know where you're beaten, but you clore your way back. And they show this. Spain, normally teams like Spain

who are very pretty and they wear pretty patterns are always very, they have a soft underbelly. Barcelona has a soft underbelly because they know how to play pretty football but when the pressure is on, they collapse. No, but I think you know what it is though? There are some countries where they're lucky,

we basically get to glimpse into an alternate universe. So for me, what I love about the World Cup for certain countries like Spain, Argentina, etc. With Spain, we get to see what would Atletico Madrid be like with Messi? Yes. With Argentina.

Sorry, what would be like? No, no, what would Atlago Madrid be like? With Messi. With Messi. Yes. When we watch Argentina. Yes. Okay.

And then with, oh yeah. That was a typical Diego Simioni performance. Right. And then with Spain, we get to go, what would Barcelona be like if they had Rodry? Yes. Like, it feels like that's the one thing Barcelona is missing now is a Bousquet type. Yes, yes, yes. And you get to see it here like, oh, yeah, this would make a big difference for them.

We have a kid coming. Mark Banner. Oh, yeah, you've talked about him for a long time. Like, England joke. Let's talk about England, bro. We're going to continue this conversation right after this short break. We're coming to you from a bootroom sponsored by Fabriz, which if you know anything about soccer is usually the last place you'd want to hang out.

Because this is where all the gear lives. The cleats, the jerseys, the socks, the bags, everything that probably never sees a washing machine until it's too late. But right now, it actually smells... fresh in here. That's because Fabri's fabric is built for exactly this kind of odor. The stuff trapped in fabrics that you can't just throw in the wash. It doesn't just cover it up.

It actually fights the odor. And I have to say, this is one of the more confidence sponsorships I've ever seen. Usually brands want to put their names on the nicest room in the building. The VIP lounge. The luxury suite. The hospitality area. Fabriz looked at the bootroom and said, no, no, no, put us in there.

And honestly, I respect that. Because this room contains decades of bad decisions. Wet cleats, forgotten gym bags, socks that should have retired years ago. The kind of smells that don't just enter a room, they sign a long-term lease. And yet somehow it smells fresh. Yeah. Can you smell that, Joe? Smell what?

Exactly. That's what is so impressive about this. Because a lot of the things in here are exactly the things that you can't throw in the wash. None of it, the cleats, the bag, the car seat, off the practice. That's the whole point. Fabrice fabric is for the things the game touches that the washing machine can't. And it's made with no dyes, no formaldehydes, and uses a 100% natural nitrogen propellant. If your soccer gear is starting to smell like its own locker room, it's time for Fabri's fabric.

It doesn't just mask the odors. It fights them. Find Fabrice Fabrice Fabric at Walmart. England, I don't think... English fans, please look away. This is going to be very brutal. Please look away. Don't just, yeah, you know, trigger warning, look away.

I'll say this about England. Six goals against France, Joe. I'll say this about England. England has one problem. And there's only one way they're going to fix it. England is a small footballing country. England is a football midget. And the sooner they accept that.

Remember what they say in Alcoholics Anonymous? acceptance is the first step. England has won one World Cup, 1966. Ever since then, they haven't made a single World Cup final. Agena has been to six. Germany has been, I think, to six. England thinks they are the same level as German and Argentina.

They are not. They are at the same level as D.Ara Congo, Malawi. Senegal is a bit higher. England has to look in the mirror, Trevor. England has to take it. Yo, what an outlandish claim. I'll tell you this. No, no.

Okay. Okay. You think it's outlandish. England has one World Cup more than Uganda. And England has as many World Cup final appearances as Uganda since 1960s. That's a crazy way to win an argument. I would rather say this. Okay.

How would you put it? If you're not a troll. Okay. I'm not trolling. I'm not stating facts. I'm not saying you're trolling. I'm just saying you're a troll. Yes.

So if you're not a troll, if I was to give an honest assessment of England, this is what I would say. I think sometimes the English. the fans of the team, they are confused by the quality of the Premier League and they think that that quality will immediately translate to the national team, forgetting that a lot of the highest quality in the Premier League doesn't come from the English players.

Now, I'm not saying the English players are not great in the Premier League, but I'm saying if we look at the standouts, every single season, Mohammed Sala, I said this, Roder. Mohammed Sal Rodry. Like, if we look at the champions, Kevin de Broina,

just go through like the champions over the pastures, Bruno Fernandez. You know what I mean? I'm not even a champion, but like if we look at like top goals scorers, top is this, Erling Harland. But I said this.

I said this in our preview podcast. I remember when I said England has never produced the greatest player. Do you realize? They produce good players, but they always better players from other countries. But you realize until this third place game, no Premier League player had scored. England had never reached.

England. This was England's highest. performance. Yeah, but I'm saying, do you also understand that? No Premier League player had scored. Yes. But now the drama, I don't know if you've seen the drama, it's getting spicy. So if you've seen on Instagram and if you saw after the match, so Bukaiosaka gets a hat trick, right?

Shows like Bukaiosakaness. Yes. Start padding. Team wasn't a meaningless game. The team were. Start padding. Do you think it's a meaningless game? It was played at walking pace.

I've seen games on our Tuesday night pick up that have far more intensity than that. It was a meaningless. The last 20 minutes weren't meaningless. Yeah, but you know. The last 20 minutes were real. Look, I feel like the fans should have been refunded their money. I think the fans got more value at that game than all the other games they've watched.

Not if you're a real soccer fan. You see today's game. Today's today. Trevor, I'll say this. Let me first say this about you. No, no, no. Let me first say this is what I'm saying. You're not wrong.

If we're going to talk of it as an academic Is England a great footballing? As an academic footballing exercise, it was not great football. Okay. No one was committing. I don't want to talk about a third place playoff. No one was pressing. We don't have time.

It's like, this is like discussing Rob Kardashian. No, I'd rather talk about Kim Kardashian and the rest. I'm not going to talk about a third place playoff. I don't have time. Trevor, let's talk about England. I want to diagnose England's point because I want to help England become a better footballing nation. England has to admit they are not on the same level as Argentina, Germany, France, Spain,

they are not. But I think they know that. No, they don't. No, they don't blame the fans. I blame the fans. I'm not saying the fans. I'm saying the media. So the English media is very good at bigging up English players.

And then the English fans and the English players drink the Kool-Aid. And they come in thinking, if England came into the World Cup with the same expectations as Malawi, as Kurasal, they would always overperform. But when you come in thinking you're Argentina, you always feel you've underperformed. So here's the problem with England. And I'm not hating guys. I know some people say you're hating on England. I love England guys. They gave me Shakespeare.

They gave me the Beatles. They gave me Harry Potter. They gave me the office. They gave us Mr. Bean. I love England. Our best friend, Lawrence, is English. One of the best stand-up dudes you'll ever see. Trevor, I went to perform in England.

Best comedy audiences by a country mile. I love England. He's the problem with England. England, first of all, my beef with England is simple. England deprioritizes players who make other countries win. a player like Pedri would never ever shine in England a player like Vitina would never shine a player like Messi, he's too small

I mean no but I mean people are saying that about Kobe Meenu they're saying how on earth did Kobe Meni not play even even in this in this World Cup they're saying why didn't Saka play more? So forget Saka, forget Kobe Mayno England for the longest time if you've watched international football you can go back as far back as the days of Glenn Hodo you can go as far back as the days of Chris Wado

you can go back as recently as post calls. England doesn't like gifted technicians. You can look at Mesut Ozzie the way the media treated him. They think they are lazy. What England wants is passion and lungs. Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson. Those players will never win a championship.

Because when it comes, when they meet great technicians, they always disappear. So England has never treated. The last time England actually built around a great technician was Pogast. coin. And when Pogascon was playing

for England, that's when England dared to dream. If you watch Euro 96, when he scored that goal against Scotland, beautiful football by England, Gaza, that's majestic. I still remember the commentary. It's almost like C. P.O. Sabala's commentary. Yeah. He got the ball. Long hoof

forward, as always by England. Teddy Scheringham brought it down. Passed it to Darren Anderton. Darren Anderson saw Gascoigne, charging towards the Scottish box. Passed it to him. Gascoigne looped it over the defender and hit it before he did the ground. That's technique. England should build around players like that. Instead, what does England do? England treats them with suspicion or treats them as lepers. They throw them out of

the team. Look at Post calls. Post calls, you sent me something that was very interesting, where postcoast said, even when we used to win, I never felt like we're in control. And remember, my response to you was post calls is so close to the answer. He's actually the closest to the answer, but his Englishness can't make him see it. If England had built around post calls, instead of Gerard and Stephen Gerard and Trump. And Lampard, yeah. Postco's was idolized by Barcelona players. Chavez had his posters.

In Yester had posters. Zedan said the one player he wanted to play with was Postcoals. But here's my issue, though. Yes. Here's my issue. Aren't you basically just saying that every team should try and be Spain? No, no, no. No, no.

Because when France won the World Cup, they didn't play that way. They debuted around Zedan. A technician. A great technician. No, no. In Mbapé's. World Cup? In my place, they had,

Grisman was a great technician. He wouldn't play in England. He would be considered too small. You'd be considered like all people will bully him. So the thing is, post-calls, if you grew up in France, if he grew up in Jokol. I'll give you Jokol. He's not the best player.

If Jokol grew up in Spain or grew up in France or Italy or Germany, look at Musiela. They would build around such a player. But England likes bullies. England likes power, peace and power. And so the last player they built around was Gaza. Before that, Greenhudo thrown to the side. Okay, wait, so who would you build around now then?

Let's look at the alien team now. Outbuild around Col Palmer. Great technician. Consistent? He had an injury play decision. No, no, I'm just asking. I'm just asking questions. I'm just asking questions.

I'll build the team around him. Outbuild the team. I'd rather build the team. Few Forden hasn't delivered for England. But if they built the team around him, he's a great. Phil Forden would play in Spain. He's a great technician, great in tight spaces. But England likes Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice.

Now, it's not Declan Rice's fault that he's. has a horrible fast touch. He can't turn. It's not Elliot Anderson's fault that he treats any ball as an un-pinned grenade. He just kicks it away. This is not their fault. If Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson grew up in Spain, they'll be stacking shows. They wouldn't be on the football pitch. Football is about technique. Football is about how you talk. Do you see all more today? Yeah, yeah. He was special. The way he would receive the ball on the half-time and half-spaces. Indian doesn't have that player. Today's whole game was tight. It was incredible. Like it was tight in terms of Like where the player received the ball and where they moved from there.

Space is at a premium. So, so precise. Yeah. How can you turn? Jude Bellingham for me is the one player in England who, as I said last week, takes out his balls, slaps them on the table. Is there a technician? No, he's not. He's not Padre.

He's no, he's even no Gavi. Spain is overflowing with technicians. You saw today, they take off Roder, they bring on Zubim. Yeah, no, the whole team, man. They take off Fabian Lewis. They bring on Padry. people can't when when when england was under pressure against argentina remember what i kept telling you they kept hoofing the ball away

yeah they did when they needed someone did you see the difference today yes difference today spain is up ball goes to argentina what did the spanish do they went to them they didn't man that was that's all i'm saying i was looking for from the english team don't retreat into your box when the ball is in the other team's half and now you go wait for them because here's a few things that you you do without realizing it i know

seem safer. But first of all, you allow them to think because they get to look up, they get to scan the field, they get to like assess the situation. When a man is on you, and that's why I'm not good at football, I know when you're on me, I have to just think about the ball. You've seen when I play, it doesn't matter if three guys on me. Just, I tell you, know these are shots. Pass me the ball. Yeah. These are nonexistent church because I know I can control the ball. It makes a big difference. They can't go through. Yeah. So the thing, it makes a huge difference. No, so what I'm so what I'm saying though, the English team is. I go, when you looked at this team that played France, I know you don't

counted, but did you see anything in this team from any of the players where you'd go, actually there's something there? It was a meaningless game, so which means English players would turn up. Declan Rice was incredible in that game because it was meaningless. English players always disappear, be it Hurricane, be it Declan Rice, they disappear in high pressure games. Because they simply don't have the technique to take them through. I'll tell you this. And again, Pogne was going to go like, Joe, you're being harsh. How much money did Declan Rice cost? $30 million, right? How much money did

Elliot Anderson cost $150 million? For me. And now they're saying... For me, listen. And now they're saying Morgan Rogers is a... He's a winger, he's like a 10 sometimes. I don't mind him.

I'm saying, for me, when I look at Elliot Anderson and the Klan Rice, they are two bad chicks of the same ass. Two bad chicks of the same ass. Yes. I can control the ball better than them under pressure. My goodness. Two bad chicks of the same ass.

I don't know what's worse. And they cost so much money. I don't know what's worse. They cost so much money, Trevor. Now, I'll tell you this. Two butt cheeks of the same ass. Trevor, I'm going to take you back to the 50s. Why did England win the World Cup in 1966?

England won the World Cup in 1966 because in 1950, England thought they were the best team in the 1950s. Then they met that Hungarian team, the Magical Majors, led by Frank Pushkas. And they taught them a footballing lesson. England was still playing 4-4-2. These guys were playing 35-2. They taught them with four. footballing lesson, a footballing lesson so painful, England went back to the drawing board

and went like we need to modernize our game. Now, the problem with England these days is they come to World Cup or they come to a European championship and they perform or perform to their talents. And instead of having a long, hard look in the mirror, instead of asking themselves questions, you know what happens? Because the media has been bigging up the players. The media can't go like, you know, the players are mediocre. What do they do? They look for scapegoats and the blame game starts and then it's like a vicious cycle every time. England thinks they're better than they are, underperform, blame game starts.

They never take a hard look in the mirror and go like, what do we need to change? We need to change our football in culture. We can't build around players who are strong. Football is not about hard work. Look, if I wanted to, Trevor, can I tell you? Trevor, if I wanted hard workers in my midfield,

I'll go get Amazon warehouse workers. I'll go get Kenya marathon runners. I'll go get a cardiologist. Football is not cardio. football, the ball should always move faster than you. That's what Pedro does. Pedri is not that fast. Rodry is not that fast.

Oh, but good luck getting the ball from him. And England lacks that kind of player. What does France lack right now? Because I don't know if you saw the post-game interview that Adrian Rabio gave. Okay. I don't know if you saw... He shouldn't be playing for France for starters. He's not gifted enough.

He's not gifted enough. Can I tell you it has sparked a lot of controversy because, like, From what I've been seeing online, French fans are torn. Some are saying, like, Rabio should be the last one to speak. Yes. Other people are saying, yes, he's calling out something that was terrible because they're saying even though... So he said that he had never seen something so disgusting. And people are saying, because he didn't, you know, he didn't call people out specifically.

But he was, people are saying he was commenting on what Cherokee did during the match. Okay. So during the first hydration break... Incredible technician, shucky. But during the first hydration break, I love him so much. D-Day Deschamp comes to him and says basically something to the effect of, move the ball along faster. That's all.

Like, move it along. And Cherokee basically, like, dismisses him and just walks away. It carries on doing what he wants to do. It was his last day on the job. I wouldn't listen to my boss if he's heading out of the door. Yeah, but still. And then Deschamp was like, it might be my last day, but you forget, I've still got one more half. So he took Turkey off.

And then Cherokee goes and, like, lounges like it's a picnic. Very churkey. I'm not going to lie. Loungeers like it's a picnic on the bench. and then France turned it around. You saw D'Egeson puts in like the real French team. They start getting goals back. They start playing.

It becomes something different. But now people are asking, it's like, it's interesting. The question people are asking is, does France also need to think about what it is trying to build towards versus just having the right talent to do something? No, I think France has a good team. They're just unlucky that they have a bogey team as well. What do you mean?

They have Spain. They're a bogey team. France can beat teams. Every team in the world, I feel. Except Spain. Apart from Spain. Because Spain's style is totally at all. So you wouldn't change anything for France.

Here's what I would have done. And France can't do this because it's on their style. If I was facing Spain, I wouldn't have played all for attackers because then you have passengers. So Orissa is a passenger. Do a baccola passengers. Dember is a passenger. Mbap is a passenger.

What you need against Spain is you need hard working players like we saw today. Like we saw with Kep Vad. You need poor going to work hard to chase the ball. Mbapé, Duet, Bacola, sorry, Demberle, they can't chase the ball. So what he should have done? He should have played the midfield of Kone, Kante, and maybe Rabio and Chomene. And then just had Dembert and Mbpe forward. As outlets.

Yeah, so that every time you get the ball, you hit those pacemen. That's what he should have done, because then you'd have two passengers instead of having four. You can't play against Spain when you're four men down. Why did Argentina succeed? They had one passenger. Messi. Yesy. Yeah.

Even when they went down to 10 men, they still held onto that. Yeah, yeah. Because they were working hard as a team. Yeah, yeah. You saw Messi on the field. Yes. Would just stand by himself waiting for the game to develop and come to him? Yes.

And then the team would play for him. That's the only way to beat Spain. So Argentina, rather, so France can beat every country. I also think the mistake they made, though, is. Okay. What would you change? It's not what I would change, but I think it's something that I think France maybe took for granted. And it's only, it's only evident when you play against a team like Spain.

Okay. Or when you play against opposition that is closer matched to you. Or that are technically. And I think in a way they got a warning shot from Paraguay, but they didn't see it. Right? When they played against Paraguay, what did Paraguay do particularly well? They just put two men in every position to defend. So Olisei was up against two.

D'embele up against two. Mbapapé up against two. Everyone is up against two. Bacola up against two. It's always up against two. So yes, you might beat one, but can you beat two? You beat one, but can you beat two? You beat one, but can you beat two?

Who changed that game? The difference is, though, Paraguay didn't have an outlet. Didn't have an outlet. Didn't have an outlet. Who changed the game? Do we, a great technician in tight spaces. Yeah, he got the penalty. Yeah, fantastic.

And he beat, like, so many guys to get that penalty. Right. But what I'm saying is... If Duwe was English, he wouldn't be anywhere near the English team. But what I'm saying is, though, if you look at the team, though, it's not about, like, good or bad. I think from when I watch it, this is how it seems, the French team, you might take for granted that every player in that team is used to playing in a team where they don't necessarily have to work as hard.

So, that the tip of the speed. When Olisei is playing for Bayern Munich, he doesn't have to work that hard in getting the ball. Because they always have the ball. As Kimmich Pavrovich working for him. They have the ball. Yeah, the dominated ball. They have the ball.

And Harry Kane, oftentimes you'll be watching Bayern Munich and Harry Kane will be further back than Olise. Yes, yes, yes. You look at Dembele. Tembele has Vitina, Jorn Neves, Farnélez. Rabia Ruiz. He has all of these guys working for him. Hakimi Numanes.

Everyone working for him on the ball, which is great. You look at... And also PSD again dominates the ball. You look at Mbapé. Everyone's working and he gets to weight up front. Tip of the spear, yes. Tip of the spear, right? Now you had three or four players who are used to not working,

all not working at the same time. And then you notice it. I think the comparison I drew from France in that game was, it's like if you took a kid from the suburb to the hood. And now he's like, wait, what's happening? I thought you get milk from the fridge and no, you need to go and forage for it in the streets.

That's why they didn't know how to handle that. But for me, I think France just has to be lucky and one team knocks out Spain, then they walk to the championship. Can I tell you? Any time they don't meet Spain, France will win, yes. I'm so excited, man.

For this next generation, if it happens the way they're saying, so it'll be Zedan for France, it'll be Juergen Klopp for Germany. It's going to be Andrea Perlow. Apparently, this is allegedly, I'm not saying it is, but it could be Perlow for Italy. But it's not a good coach. He hasn't yet.

Yeah, but I'm just saying it's exciting. I'm just saying it's exciting. She was an amazing technician, yes. Do you know what I'm saying? There's one more, I feel like I'm forgetting. One more of the teams. There's just one, well, one more name I might be forgetting. But like to see that next generation, that's going to be like properly exciting.

It's going to be very competitive. But that's it, Joe. And then for England, it's still Thomas Tuko. Look, man, I, a player like Kobe Lano. And Ronaldo is going to be at the next World Cup. Let's bet on that now. No, he won't be. I don't think...

You don't think Christian Ronald will be at the next World Cup. Jorge Jesus loves him. He coached him at Al Nasser. But I think O'Husus is also very ruthless. I think he's going to build around the new crop. You think so? Yes, he loves Ronaldo. They had a good relationship at Al Nasa in South Arabia.

But I don't think he's... I think he's too smart. I think he's too smart. And I think because now Gonzalo Ramos, remember, has left PSD. He's going to be getting playing time. So he's going to be able to claim. Part of the reason why Ronaldo kept playing was Gonzáo Ramos was always on the bench at PSD. I mean, I hope because if we're honest, there's only one player who really lost at this World Cup from the crop of names and it's Ronaldo.

Yeah, it is, it is. You know, because he did score a knockout goal though. That's something to take away. A knockout goal from a penalty that really wasn't a penalty. Yes. Come on, guys. Let's be honest. Yes.

I'm saying if you look at the names coming into this World Cup, Jude Beard. Ellingham, Yes. Dembele. Erling Harland. Leonel Messi. Hurricane. Harry Kane.

Kilien Mbapé. Even Laminia Mal. They showed up when they were on the ball. Yes, Laminia Mal only got one goal. He was struggling with any other. Yeah, but no, no, no. Forget that.

Go and watch every moment where he's on the ball. Creating moments of danger every time. Two players have to mark him. He's creating chaos. He's getting corner kicks. He's doing things. And then go and watch Ronaldo's highlights. And you're just like...

But I told you this about Ronaldo. And for me, sometimes, again, people go like you're being harsh. If you're the greatest goals scorer the game has ever seen, which he is right now when you look at the records, you can't go six World Cups without scoring a knockout game. Bellingham can't outscore you four times in one World Cup. Yeah, that was crazy. That's insane. So for me, when I looked at Ronaldo's record, again, great goals quarter, Ronaldo performs in the

Champions League. He's Mr. Champions League. I want that, Ronaldo, when he puts on the Portugal Shack. I don't want excuses, because great players don't need... excuses. Yeah, but it's age, bro. Even in his prime, even in his prime. Even in his prime, even in his prime, Ronald never delivered for Portugal. So people go like a week's 40, but

even when he was 26, he was. Oh, yeah, okay, okay, I see what you're saying. So you're saying regardless of the age. Yes. So it's for me, it's the same thing with Hurricane. Hurricane, you can't score three goals from open play, and the two are against Dara Congo, and the other one is against Senegal. No, Hurricane, I need you to show up. When I look at Hurricane and Ronaldo, for me, they have

to use a meme, we use a lot in football, a copy paste. They have mastered the art. of start batting against footballing midgets. You know, the casuals love it, their fans love it, even the analytics guys fall for it. But I see through them. I see through them. For me, they're just tapping merchants.

So let's wrap it up. Let's wrap it up. Team of the tournament for you. Team of the tournament, without a doubt for me, Spain. Cape Verde for me. No, the one of Spain. Now for me Cape Verde, team of the tournament. Cape Verde. Now you see, okay, can I just,

you see, if England came in with the hopes of Cape Verde, they would always overperform. Because Cape Verde came in going, like, if you just make the knockout rounds, England is at the same level as Cape Vat. They should first admit that, then they'll be on a path. England is in multiple semifinals. You can't say that. Yeah, they've never made the finals.

So for me, team of the tournament, Cape Verde, play of the tournament. Play of the tournament, I'll go with, man, you know, people will sound biased. I'll go with Messi. No, I agree with 39. Now, Linnell Messi, come on, guys. Guys, Messi is competing with kids. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Who was supposed to replace him?

Clearly, clearly, clearly, clear. player of the tournament, goalkeeper of the tournament? Uniourne, without it doubt. Unice Simone, you know, the way he was playing. You saw him today, you were shocked by how high. He was like a vintage sweeper keeper. And also remember, there were doubts about him coming to the tournament.

Because people were going like, yeah, but David Raya has won the golden glove in England. No, he was fantastic. He was great for Barcelona. And the coach, Louis Dara Fuente went like, I stand by my man. No, it was fantastic. I'm going to go with Vosinia, though, just because he had to face so many

more shots. You love these underdogs. No, no, no, no. I'm being serious. Like, for me, like you said, if Cape Verde didn't meet Argentina, I think we're telling a very different story about them. And I think Vosignia,

his positioning, his decision making, his ball playing ability and his composure. And also his age. If you're talking about 39-year-olds. Oh, yeah, you're not wrong as well. On top of that. He's a 40-year-old.

Vizena did say he was single. That was funny. When they asked him in the Good Morning America interview, I went like, 40, Vosignia, you've dropped, you've just dumped someone. I know how you move.

I know how players move. for in the next World Cup? I think the team to look out for again, it will be Spain, man. They are such a young call. Pao Kubas is 19 years. I think Morocco can do something. Morocco is also a young team.

They'll be hosting. You know, sometimes, actually you're right. You know, I'll give it to you. I'll give it to you. But the thing is they'll have to go past Spain. And they'll have to go past France. France has their number. Yeah, man.

France really has their number. Look, Morocco, I haven't been this excited about a Moroccan team since the days of, I don't know whether I remember. You say of Chippo, Mustafa, Hajee. Oh, Jani. Yeah, no red in Naibet. That team was the golden generation, and I never thought Morocco produced such a team. Morocco came in 2022 with a great team.

Most of them, Romanceiis, Roman Seis, their captain, most of their players, all of them got triples by younger players. And now the coach who is coaching them, Mohameda Oward, who for me actually, with the Cape Verde coach, the two coaches of the tournament. He used to manage last year. He coached their under 21 team to the World Championship. under 20 team so he trusts the youth and remember he got paracuted into this World Cup three months before

so now he's going to have enough years, four years to work with them Morocco you're right, you're right, I consider I consider that Morocco is going to be the team to look out for I consider on Vosignia I consider on Morroco yes Infantino yes do you think he's going to make it to the next World Cup when's the next election for FIFA

Infantino is never leaving forget about elections Infantino is more secure than 18 port dictator because what Infantino does is this Remember, FIFA doesn't allow... Forget the World Cup. FIFA doesn't allow political interference into the running over the National Federation.

And they don't do that because they want to stop the corruption of the game. They do that to actually safeguard corruption. Because they know, no, FIFA knows. People who vote for Infantino, who vote for president are the National Federation presidents. So Infantino is like the godfather

and it goes like, you're my car pose, right? You're my street couples. I'll protect you so long as you also rob my back when it comes to it. Infantino is never living. I can't, I want him to live so badly. Guys, let's stop living in a la la la. If it wasn't him, we don't get more teams. Yeah, but it's not also a benevolent thing. Remember,

he expands the World Cup, but he also makes ticket prices go up. That's the one thing that's going to change. No, but tickets are going to go down in the next one. You know why? Because it's in Europe, no, but scalping laws are different. In Europe and trust laws as well. Yeah, yeah. So in America, you could resell your own tickles. You could have dynamic prices. I think it's going to change. No, I think if you dream of Infantino living,

yeah, you're in Lala land. That man, we're stuck with him. Infantino's the Spain of FIFA president. He's never, but you know, not even, he's, yeah, man, he has us in a chokehold. It's as simple as that. He has us in a chokehold and we just have to make the deal with the devil. He has the game.

He puts on that. His hip, his hips do lie. People who've got the World Cup in a chokehold. Before we go on. Can I say something? Yeah, say it. Yeah. Guys, this guy here, I want to talk to you.

Whatever you do, if you're watching, if you've watched our podcasts, if you've watched our live streams, guys, get yourself a friend. And I know he's going to hate me for saying this. He probably will never forgive me for saying this. But I'm going to give you too many time out. Don't interrupt me. You've been handing out timeouts like a dictator. I'm handing you out one now. Guys, get yourself a friend like Trebanoa.

Because this guy brought me from Africa. took me to the daily show and he told me normally when they bring Africans to America to work it doesn't end well. He brought me to the daily show. I dream come true. Trevor helped me win my first Emmy. And he spent the last six weeks

paying me to watch the World Cup and talk about football guys. If you look, look, this is if you're ever choosing court tails to ride, choose very carefully. Because if you choose the right ones, you'll go for. Trevor didn't just bring me here, talk about. the World Cup every after a live stream

he used to take me aside and give me tips, give me advice, because this was the first time I was ever being in front of the camera. First time I was ever broadcasting and he gave me tips to become a better broadcaster, gave me tips to become a better streamer. If you saw me in their first live stream, you could see I was rough around the ages.

I'm still rough around the ages. Yeah, I was about to say nothing has changed, Joe. But he made me a better streamer. So I guess what I'm trying to say is if I open an only fans after this, this man is to blame. But the thing I appreciate most about Trevor and I have to say this is despite all the advice he gave me. Do I have to sit here for this?

You have to sit here for this. I'm going to lengthen it to five. The thing I appreciate about Trevor is... Do I have to sit here for this? He tried to make me a better broadcaster, but one thing he didn't try... This is why I wish I could just give myself a red card. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

One thing he didn't try to do was scented me. He didn't try to make me a better listener. He knew that was a lost cause. So that's what good friends are all for. But no, seriously, guys... We accept you the way you are. No, seriously, Trevor. This has been a pleasure.

It's been dope, my friend. This has been a dream, man. It's been... And you're paying me minimum wage, but I'm not complaining. I could have paid you to do this. No, guys, seriously. And I know he hates me. He's probably going to never forgive me for saying.

He's laughing now. But he's going to give me... What did they used to call it? The hair dryer treatment once we get out. But no, guys, seriously, get yourself. It was too much fun, man. This is great, Joe. He'll open doors for you.

I couldn't... But I told you this. We were in Russia together. Yes. We were in Qatar together. Now we're in America together. Now you've reminded me. You know, he has taken me to Barcelona.

Got me. Think about it, man. Trevor has, you've seen me. I'm not like used to polite. I'm not someone you bring around polite company. Polite company, sorry. I'm not someone you trust around polite company. He's taken me to meet Shakira.

He's taken me to meet Beyonce, risking everything. By the way, after that, we've never met those people ever again. I'm just going to tell you that now. That was it. And then he put me, you made me host a live stream, not once, not twice. My circle has shrunk over the years. This man risked demonetizing his channel. And that's what I think good friends are for Trevor.

this. You've done so many things. This was a dream. Thank you, this was fun and thank you. Everyone for joining us. World Cup is done. The chat, please.

Stay together. The beauty community. I think we have to thank them. Yeah, it'll be big. We have a discord and all that. Yeah, stick together guys. All right. I'm going to go rest.

This is great, Joe. You deserve it, brother. This segment is brought to you by Fabriz. You know, everyone is talking about this being the biggest soccer summer in American history. There's more fans. There's more games. There's more kids playing.

More adults. Suddenly deciding. that they're soccer experts because they watched one match and learned what off-sides is. But nobody talks about the hidden cost of soccer's growth. The smell. That's right, people.

More soccer means more cleats. More bags, more jerseys, more car rides home after practice, more gear getting thrown into corners and left there for way longer than anyone wants to admit. Which brings us to today's confession booth.

Joe, it's time to be honest. What is your worst odor crime? Wow, let me see. So I went to an old boy school. Oh, it's bad already. And I was part of the soccer team and we're all teenagers. So you talk about other crimes.

I've witnessed other crimes against humanity. Some people lost their sense of smell during the pandemic. I lost mine long before. Okay, I'm ready for my confession. What's your confession, Trevor? I did not know that clothing is meant to be removed from a washing machine after it has been washed. So, at the tender age of 27, I placed clothes into a washing machine and I pressed wash, and then I left it and I left the house for three days.

when I returned home I thought that somebody had been murdered in my living room there was no person no murder had taken place Joe I followed the smell to my washing machine and then I was like wait

did my washing machine kill somebody I opened the door Joe and the only murder was what happened to my nose have you ever smelled clothes that have not been removed from a washing machine after being washed never had the pleasure I had to move out of that apartment Joe

I didn't get my security deposit back and those clothes will never be spoken of again until this moment right here. And that's why, my friends, this room is so confusing to me. Because despite my experience, we are sitting in a professional bootroom. You see it. This should smell like every overtime game,

every rainy practice and every pair of cleats that got left in a trunk over a long weekend. But instead, it actually seems. smells fresh. That's because Fabri's fabric is designed for all the things you can't just throw in the wash. The cleats, the gear bags, the car seats, all the places where sports tend to leave a lasting impression. If your soccer gear is starting to smell like its own locker room,

it's time for Fabri's fabric. It doesn't just mask odors. It helps fight them. Fine Fabriz Favri's Fabric at Dollar General. You nailed that. It got even fresher in here. Ah. Now I don't even know if we were in here. Did you get it? What Now World Cup bonus episodes are produced by Day Zero productions

in partnership with Sirius XM. Executive produced by Trevor Noah, Sanaz Yamin, Ryan Harduth and Rebecca Shane. Music, mixing and mastering by Hannes Brown. Thank you so much for listening. Join us every Monday during the World Cup for bonus episodes of What Now with Trevor Noah. Thanks again to Fabriz for sponsoring this episode.

Fabriz is the official odor fighter of Major League Soccer. That's the point. Fabrice fabric is for everything the game touches that the washing machine can't. You're not changing anything. It was really fresh after the first spray. I feel like you're just having fun with the bottle now. I just have too much.

No one man should have all that power.