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

Episode Date: June 9, 2026

The World Cup is finally here! And as if Trevor’s World Cup Watch Party on YouTube wasn’t enough, every Monday throughout the tournament Trevor and his football frenemy Joe Opio will drop a special World Cup bonus episode of What Now? to break down the drama, brilliance, heartbreak, controversy, and occasional chaos that make the Beautiful Game the Beautiful Game.   In this World Cup preview episode, Trevor and Joe get into who did (and didn’t 😬) make the cut to represent their country, whether England is once again being dramatically overrated (Joe said it, @ him), and the surprisingly controversial new halftime show planned for the final.   Whether you can name every member of Brazil’s squad or you only tune in once every four years, Trevor and Joe will be with you for every twist and turn of football's biggest tournament.   New bonus episodes drop Mondays at 10pm ET / 7pm PT on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is What Now with Trevor Noah. I was trying to think of how we can frame this. If you're listening or watching this, you're about to embark on what I like to think of as the most adversarial friendship you've ever experienced. I think they call it frenemy. Friend amy in America, yes. So are we frenemies in football?

Kind of. We're friends in life. Yeah, bromance in life. Yes. But football. Oh, no, no, we never see eye to eye. We never see eye to eye. I wonder if it'll change with the World Cup.

It should, because the World Cup for me, oh, man, I'm so excited. You know me? The World Cup is like the pinnacle. It's like, how do I explain it? It's funny. Because Americans don't get it. It's like, for me as a football fan, it's like, it's like going to prom, but also like an Avengers movie premiere, but also like the Super Bowl.

It's like everything, man. I'm so excited. I'm very excited, man. Thank you for joining me. I should thank you for letting me join you on this football journey. Thank you to everyone who's joining us. This is the first of many episodes where we're going to be delving into

the FIFA World Cup 2026. That's its full name. I like that some people want to call it by its government name. The FIFA World Cup, because we just say the World Cup and then other people are like, which World Cup? You know what I found funny? In South America, they don't even call it the World Cup. They just say World Cup.

The world. They don't even say copper. They just... That's how familiar it is. They just say mondia. Yeah, you see, that's what we need. Cup. Just...

Cup or world. And everyone understands what you're talking about. But boy, am I excited. Let's delve into this roller coaster ride. It's also the biggest World Cup, basically, that's ever happen, right? First World Cup to be in three countries. Yes. Right?

So, Canada, the U.S., Mexico. It's the first World Cup that is going to have, how many teams? 48 teams. 48 teams. I think of it as a typically American World Cup. It's supersized. They took it to McDonald's. Or they took it to one of their GMO farms and just pumped it with those.

You've seen those like American chickens where you go like, wow. It's a supersized American World Cup. 48 teams. And it is. You know what? Actually, it makes it the perfect American World Cup because what is America without Canada and Mexico? If you think about it, if you think about it honestly, I know a lot of people listening to this or watching this will be like, wait, wait, wait, what did you say?

First of all, for the world, Canada is America. Yes. I know that's not correct, but for the world, it is. We don't have time to. And what is America without Mexico? Think of all the food people are going to be eating while watching the games. Most of it will be Mexican food. Mexican food, yes.

You know what I mean? You take it out of what is the Super Bowl without Mexican food? What is, like, you know? It's very interesting because especially the thing you said about Canada. and America because Canadians, like, no, we're not Americans, but where we come from, we're like, no, we're like, no, we don't have time to dice you and splice you, you're all Americans. It's the same way Africa's a continent for them.

Yes. It's like, it's the same vibe. It's pretty much the same vibe. And they've got a half, this will be the first World Cup with a half-time show. I think that's the thing that's pissing off most soccer fans. I know that's the thing that's exciting most American fans, but most soccer or football fans, they're pissed off. They are mad about their halftime shows.

I don't want to think about it, but they are mad. Is Drake doing it or not? No, no, no, it's going to be Shakira. It's going to be Madonna and it's going to be BTS. I thought they said Drake was doing it. What happened? No, Drake is not doing it. I think it's going to be curated.

No, no, no. But when did that change? Because I remember an announcement where they said Drake will be doing the halftime show. Yeah, but then Kendrick happened. You're telling me that Kendrick lost to Drake so badly. I think, no. That FIFA came and said, Drake, you were in. But after we saw what happened.

Yes. Because Siffa doesn't like losers. But I think what happened was. No, no, no, no, because you are right. Drek was very involved. He was like an ambassador for Canada. Yeah, you're right. I thought Drake was doing it.

No, it's going to be curated by Coldplay, which means, well, if there are any... Any what? CEOs in the audience, they need to hide themselves. I'm just going to stay away from the screens. But it's going to be curious. You make it sound like Coldplay, set that up as part of their show.

Well, it's worked, didn't it? It would be an amazing, it would be amazing PR if they just did that at every show. Can I can imagine if you did it at the World Cup. because then she would blow up even larger than... That is probably my favorite thing at the World Cup is them cutting to the fans. Oh, the producers.

Not the producers, the cameraman. Let me tell you something. If anyone who works as a cameraman, their ability to find two things in a crowd of 50,000 people, they will find the most beautiful woman and they will find the strangest looking fan. I don't know how they do it. I don't know how they find them.

I don't know. Like, there's not a single match I've watched where I've gone, oh, everyone here's just normal. No, it's funny. Because when you watch European games, they don't cut to the beautiful women as much as when you watch African Cup of Nations games. Oh, or Copa Libertadores? Yes, because I think it's also like a very cultural thing. Because I think in American in the West, if you keep cutting to beautiful women, then it's seen as maybe sexist or maybe,

while in African South America, I've seen as just appreciation of the beautiful game. Yes, the beautiful game. And in America, I think they're also like cutting to kids crying. But to go back to the halftime show. Yeah. The reason I think fans are very pissed is you imagine you're watching the World Cup. Let's say the last World Cup.

You're a France fan. You're two-neal down at halftime. And then you have to watch Madonna and Shakira dancing. When all you need is just like the players to come back. So that's why most fans are like we don't need. Because American fans don't care. They're watching a halftime show when their team is losing. But football fans, I think there's too much investment.

When it comes to the Super Bowl, the halftime show is oftentimes more popular than the super like you'll see the ratings spike during the half time show but for the World Cup it's going to be interesting to see

because a World Cup like a normal half time is 15 minutes and now this one they say it's going to be 30 minutes I think it's going to be 11 but the whole half time is going to be 30 minutes because normally it's 15 minutes yeah the half time

wait so they're going to make it 11 from 15 no they're going to make 11 then they're going to add 11. So you're going to add 11 minutes. The half time is going to be 30 minutes. Normally it's 15 minutes. Right. But then they're going to add 11 minutes of short time and dancing,

which will make it like 26, 30 minutes. So the teams are going to be out there in the dressing rooms for 30 minutes. But what I'm saying is. Do you think that's going to help the teams or do you think that'll hurt the teams? Like what would you rather have if you're a winning team or a losing team? Would you rather have more time or less time? No, that's why I think like both sets of fun. If you're winning, you just want the game to be over

so that you can get to the... So you want a short half time? Yes. And if you're losing, you just want... You don't want to linger in that state of losing. You want your team to come back out, maybe mount a comeback. So no one is going to be happy about the halftime.

Well, it depends on how the halftime is. Maybe it's a boring game and then the half-time saves it. The beef game is never boring. You've spoken like a true American. You never know. It's a final, no, but final... But finals can be, look, finals can be cagey. That's the problem.

Finals, you can find everyone's a little tense, everyone's a little nervous. Right now we're not even thinking about that though, because right now it's all just about like who's going to be in the World Cup. Who's making it to the plane? Yeah, like the selections of the teams. Yorra, have you seen, have you been watching the Brazil reaction videos to the players being called up to the World Cup? I was watching them with my American friends and they thought they were over the top.

And I told them, no, they're par for the course. if you get colder. What do you mean they thought it was over the top? No, because, you know, again, when you watch American sports, when they call up the dream team, you know, LeBron is like, okay, we're going to go mess up some Angkorans, but he's not like losing his mind. And then, like, we watched Neymar.

Oh, yeah, let me show you. And people are running around. This was like one of my favorite videos here. Hold on, hold on, hold on. Let me see if I can get this thing going. Yeah, this was the Namo one. Look at this. Look at the tension.

And they're calling them up in alphabetical order, yes. So now they know the woman next to Namor she's like feeling it, look. So they thought that was over the top. You know what's wild is?

It's like he won the World Cup. Look at this, look at this. And this is Neymar. He's not like some scrub player. He's not like some. This is Neymar. probably the greatest stunt in Brazil has produced in the last 20 years. And that's how much it means to him.

He's crying. He got emotional. And so when Americans watch that, they went like, he's just getting colder. And I tried to explain to them that it's like, you know, you know what? Wait, but the thing, the thing for me is like, he's hugging everyone, his family, his physio. No, no, you know what it is for me is, I like that people were filming their own potential pain. because this is essentially like He doesn't know, yes

No, but I'm saying it's First of all I don't know why they have to do it like this You could just put it out on the internet immediately They make it like the Oscars Because you have to sit there And then like wait for your name

He could also phone the players ahead of time and be like You're in the squad No, but in Brazil It's like the Oscars Yeah, but I'm saying like why do they have to do it like that I'm just feeling for the fans I'm just feeling for the fans is what I'm saying

So this is what happens. In Brazil, the whole country, or like in football-loving countries, the whole country comes to a stance. It's an event. Everyone waits for the, yeah, they wait for the announcements. It's almost like, think of it as the night of the presidential election in the U.S. That's how it is. Everyone is waiting on tenter walks. It's like, they have to be a surprise.

It has to be surprised. So the players are watching. And my American, my American friends went like, oh, but this is over the top. Then I told them, no, this is how it feels when you guys get your college admission data. I like how you're throwing in that you have American friends. I have. You're really making sure that we know, eh? You're making sure that we know.

You're like, let me tell you about my American friends. I'm like a white guy in the South. Let me tell you about my black friends. I've collected a bank of it. You make it seem like we don't have the. So my American friends, to those of you, what are you trying to like shine on your your vendons back home? No, no, because if I was watching this with your guidelines.

Joe sort of be like, my American friends. Why are your American friends more special than your other friends, Joe? If I'm watching this with my Ugandan friends, they get it. Totally get it. They go like, oh, we understand the reaction. Do your American friends know who is or isn't your American friend? You should do these announcement videos for them. You should announce, like, who's in your American.

Welcome to Joe's American friends list. And then people are surprised. These are the people who have made it. These are the top five. John B. John B. Congratulations, sir. You are my friend.

You are my American friend. Look at this. Yeah, this was crazy. this was one of my favorites, but like this is where you go. Yeah, this is the one where this is the Brazil goalkeeper. Look at this. Third case goalkeeper. Third.

Yes. Look at this. He gets called up. He's not even going to play. Yes. He's the guy. So he's the guy on the ground. And he totally passes out.

He blacked out out of excitement. And no one in his family noticed because I'm busy doing laps around the couch. If you pass out from an announcement, I'm going to take you out of the team if I'm the coach. No, but that's a passion unit. No, no, no. That's someone who's willing to put their left on the life. Hey man, let me tell you something. If you lose consciousness because of an exciting moment,

I'm not taking you to the World Cup, my brother. You don't need players fainting before he has to save a penalty. Imagine, bruh. The guy's so excited. Oh, he saves a penalty and then he faints because of his excitement. This for me. No, you need a player. Yo.

Yo. Yo. Trevor, you're going to whoa. Yes. Let me say something. You are out. If I'm the coach and you faint because I've selected you. You're out.

You know why? If you're a dating app, do you want a girl who passes out in excitement when you swipe right? No. Or do you want a girl who passes out in excitement when I swipe right? My man, first of all, I don't know what app you're on. If somebody faints because you've selected them on a dating app, you need to chosen.

They feel chosen. My friend, you need to run in the opposite direction because this person is, this is a psychopathic behavior. Exactly. Trevor spoken like a man who has options. I'm speaking like a normal man. You know what this got me thinking about with the selection, now the big news is like who has left out.

I mean, this happens to every team. The funny thing about the keeper, before you get out, we get to the person who was left out. Funny thing about the keeper, he got called up for Qatar 2020, and he played only 10 minutes. So he knows he's not going to get like a full game.

Yeah, but it's being chosen as, you know what I mean? It's the Brazil national team. And you're 38. I get it. The surprising thing to me is, like, who coaches choose to leave out sometimes. Because when they caught up someone, they have sacrificed another. Yeah. I was surprised that Zhao Pedro didn't get selected for the Brazil national team.

I was surprised as well. I know Chelsea hasn't done well. He was their play of the season. If you watch every single minute that Zuo Pedro has been on a pitch this season and in previous seasons. There's been a difference, Mike. There are a few players who make more of an impact and also few players who are as dynamic and versatile as he is. J'Rao Pedro can hold up the game.

And if you look at his size and stature, you don't think he can hold up the game the way he does, but he does. J'Ral Pedro can spur an attack on the wing. Zsao Pedro can play like an advanced forward position where he's just waiting for a through ball and he's going to finish it. He can cut back. He can dribble. He can trap the ball.

Like, literally like he's got blue. No, you're right. I was surprised that they left him behind. The irony is. They took Ryan. Yes. By the way, and can I just say, Ryan is, yo, shout out to Ryan. Ryan is one of my favorite, like, you know in our football group.

I talked about him long ago. Yes, yeah. I love Ryan from Bournemouth in the English Premier League. And he's one of my. They had a better season than yours. But the thing is, the thing with Yao Pedro, the irony. He's one of my favorite, favorite, favorite players. I think the irony was, Yao Pedro actually was interviewed.

short, I think three or four weeks before the call up and he went to call, I want Neymar to come. He was pro-Namer coming because he didn't think that Neymar coming to the World Cup would affect his place on the team. No, man, you're lying. No, he did. Shaw-Pedro in an interview said, I hope Nymour comes.

Yeah, of course. But you see that they didn't listen to him. He said, I hope he comes. Yes. As in, he was assuming he's already on the trip. Yeah, no, no. He didn't say, I hope he goes. Yes.

He said, I hope Nymar comes to the World Cup. Yeah, and then also the crazy thing is, Yao Pedro also had a caller party, watch party with this family. And unlike Namers, his was... Did we see the video? Yeah, I saw, yeah, you can't, yeah. Can we try and find that video?

I want to see. It's right there. You know, yeah, yeah. Oh, let's see, okay, we got this. Hold on. Yeah, and it turned into a wake. Oh, man. It was...

Oh, man. Let's see here. It's crazy to see a party. Hold on. Hold on. Let's see. Let's see. Let's see.

Okay. Yeah, so this is a family waiting. This is his whole family. Yeah. So the moment they call up for a party in. because they're calling them in alphabetical order. Yeah. So you can see them realising that it's not making the plane.

So this... Okay, can I just say a few... Wait, Joe, can I just say a few things? Number one, why do you put the video out? They were live streaming. They were live streaming. Yeah, all the videos were being live streamed. Oh, my goodness, man.

So they didn't even have the option of recording and not... What has happened... Because you're so sure you're going to get called out. Yeah, but what has happened in the world? You know, I'll see videos. on the internet all the time where people broadcast their shame and pain

and I'm like, what do you? Have you ever seen these videos of people who were like this was the moment I found out that I got fired and it's just them like in a meeting and it's like, I'm like, what, what? You know why you got fired? Because you film yourself in meetings, bro?

The whole time. That's why you got fired? No, but I think he was so sure I was going to. No, but Joe, why not record it? and then put it out afterwards. You can also do that. Also, also I love how can I just say, because I'm a Zhao Pedro fan.

But I do think it's funny how. His video is, you bring your whole family. You bring everyone. And then like, your family is basically shitting on other players now. Yes, no. Because you heard like when some of the names are called. This is like, nah, that loser. Nah, that idiots.

Okay, I'll say this. You know, I feel like that's what would happen. if we had like live streams of families of Oscar contenders actually watching the Oscar ceremony. Yes. No, that's a great idea. We need to pitch that. What happens is the Oscar losers normally, you know, react.

In fact, we should trademark that. We'll do it. We'll do it when I host the Oscars. We'll do that. You should have the family. We're going to have the families live streamed at home. They are like, no. Just so that they can scream out things.

Michael B. Jordan was trash. That'll be so dope, bro. No, but that'll be so much. fun. No, but you are laughing at me. It's just a vampire movie. Nobody deserves anything. You are laughing at me for saying swipe right now.

You see what happens when you swipe right on a girl and she ghosts you? That's what happened with your O Pedro. Yeah, but this, but again, why? You know what's nice about a dating app? It's between you and the app. Yeah, but if you're so sure. It's between you. If you're so sure the girl is going to say yes.

Yes. Why are you live streaming you swiping you swiping on a dating app? Because I'm so sure the guy is going to swipe right up. Well, then you know what? This is a lesson in humility, my friend. Don't press anything. We've got more. What now?

After this. The Spanish team was the same. I mean, these are your boys. Who are you sporting for the World Cup? I'm supporting Messi. Because I would want Messi to do. I'm a huge Messi fan. I mean, you don't have to tell us that.

I think he has given so much football. It's crazy that you don't even say I'm supporting Argentina. No, I'm supporting Messi. I don't care about Argentina. I want Messi to do a repeat. but while my heart says Argentina I think my brain says France or Spain My mind's telling me messy

But my body My body wants France or Spain That song didn't do as well on the charts But now there's a gap I think you can get the remix rights To that song very cheap Joe I know you've always been wanting to make it And it's been very expensive for you to get the rights

I think you can get them now I think Spain is too stark And I think even the fact that Gavi why was gavi so surprised though because he just came off an injury oh okay okay okay he was injured for a year and a half no good for him

again it shows that this is not just a Brazilian phenomenon it's like wait is is is Laminiamal is gavi the same as gavi no is gabi is another player

Gabi's another player Gabi used to play for atletical okay I thought Gabi and gavi were the same but depending on how you speak Spanish Gabi is a new young yeah he's I wouldn't call him new he's 19 now he's a player for

Barcelona got injured No, no, no, I know. I always, I called him Gabi, though. No, he's Garvi. So he's Gavi? Yes, Gavi. Oh, okay. All right, I got it. Gavia.

That's your boy. Like Pablo Gavilla Escobar. Look at you getting excited, my man. Is there enough space in those pants? You know, I love this. You know, I love this. You know, I love this. You know, I love this.

You know, I love these young boys of Barcelona. You know, I love this young boys of Barcelona. Yeah, lay, relax yourself here. Relax yourself, Jeffrey. Hey, busy out here talking about young boys. Oh, hey, people will clip that, my man. You want to relax you. Hey, yo, as the streets would say,

there are many of us, though. Hey, yo, when comes football, there are many Jeffrey Sins, many Barcelona fans. Joe does not care about being clips. Oh, we love them young. La Minia Mall, Garvey, Padry. Oh, the younger, the better.

You know, I don't know what's worse. The fact that you're saying it like that, or the fact that you're so good at rubbing your hands like a villain, because, like, your technique is flawless. You have flawless rubbing hand villain. Oh, man. Yo, you know what we have to talk about? England.

Oh, that's, yeah, no, that's, I don't even know what to talk. No, okay, let's break it down. Let's set the stage. Okay. So, for those who don't know, England is probably the, how can I phrase this? I would argue England is probably the most talented team to not do as well as they should at World Cups.

Or maybe they're the most. hyped to him. No, look, no, no, look, they're definitely hyped. But if we're honest, if we're honest, let's be fair to them. I know it's easy to hate on the English. Yes. And we should because of our histories. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

We have scars of colonization. Yeah, we always to our ancestors. Of course, of course, of course. I mean, the language we're speaking right now is a gift from them. How can we not use it to slander them back? Do you know what a mean? What a waste of language that they've brought it on themselves. No, they gave it to us.

Before they wouldn't have heard these things were saying. another be like, why are you talking shit about us? Why are you talking? Because you gave it to us. So you could hear before it would just, it would just be sounds. So what I'm... God don't save the queen. But wow, this guy shots fired.

No, me I'll always say, I'll always say it. Well, now it's God save the king, I guess. Yes. It's amazing how they just switched that up, eh? I always thought that was weird. Like literally overnight, they're like, all right, all right, God, save the king now. We've changed our pronouns now. Yeah, we've changed.

We've changed now. We'll go by king now. No, let's be fair. talent, just talent wise, England has always had extremely talented players. I beg to defy but okay? Wow. I think they've always had a pretty good league

that's made up of players for other countries. Joe, Joe, let's pause for a moment and let's... How many English players are one? I think it's fair to explain to people. How many English players? If anyone is going to, if anyone is watching this or listening to this, I think it is good for them to know that you are biased. I think it's good for them to know that you are a hater.

I think it's good for them to know that you don't rate English football at all. I think it's hoof and hope. There we go. I think. And in case you don't know what that is, a hoof is something you find on an animal, not on a human being. And so hoof and hope is Joe basically saying that English football is a bunch of cows. Oh, as we call it these days, hoof and inshallah. Yes.

basically no no Joe let me set the stage don't defend yourself at all I first need to explain this you're a hater which is good for the game haters are good in in certain aspects you keep people honest you're a hater of of English players you don't rate them at all and so for you for you you're not shocked when England ever quote unquote under don't say anything I'll I'll let you know when it's time for you to respond. You don't think it's ever England underperforming. You think that they're lucky to be there.

Like make a wish kids or something. Now, I'm saying, England has always had some of the most talented players in the world. We can go back decades. You know, we can go back to like the generations of schools. And then you can jump forward to like the lampards and the gerards and the beckhams. And you can like you can keep skipping. This current crop as well is one. one of the most talented group of English players we've seen.

Beating, vehemently. I'll let you know when. Silence. Behemently. Cone of silence. All right. We're not a call of silence. Vow of silence.

I don't want to be in a cone with you. The current English squad, though, has created a bunch of waves because the coach, is it, it's not the first time, but it's like, it's one of the few times that England hasn't had an English coach. Yes. The last one they had was Fabio Capello. The last time they had a non-English man as a coach. Didn't they have like the, the, the guy from Scandinavia, I feel like for a moment.

Sven, you're on Erickson. Thank you. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He was after Capello. I know, it was before Capello. Before Capello. Before Capello. All right, yeah, yeah, okay.

Right. So they, but generally they have English coaches. Now they went with Thomas Tucho because things were not going right for them. They went with the German. That's how badly things were going. I mean, if you want to get things done, you go with the Germans. Yes, but English tabloids didn't receive that very well. Yeah.

My man. My man. Hey, you go with what works. No, because especially when it comes to. Made in Germany. So they could, they could allow with Sweden. They could allow an Italian. But England and Germany have such a rival in soccer.

It's almost like if Americans named, wow, should I say, an Iranian now as the coach of the American team. That's how badly they hit. each other. Damn, that's another great pitch. We should do that. So, yes. So England and Germany. You're just coming up with some great ideas here. Everything that you think is wrong and crazy. I want to live in that world. They hate each other so much. And by the to go back to the vehement argument, I think England has

modestly talented players who normally get way more hype than they deserve. There's a reason why no English player has won the ballando since Michael Owen. Can we throw internet sounds on some of these things you're saying? No, it's... England has always had modestly talented players but they've never had like the most talented player

of their generation You talked about Becker Man's Coles that was a generation of Zidan and Alessandro Deo Piero and Raoul and here all these other countries had way better players, Ronaldino Ronaldo Guy said way better

England has never had a generation where you go like oh Yo are the cameras rolling on this trash Oh we just is this just me Is this just me talking to a madman in a corner No these are facts So every time England has had a player who's good, other countries have had way more players who are way, way, way better.

When you talk about the current generation, who's the most talented player? Hurricane. Still not the best striker in the world. Who's a better striker? Who's a better striker than Harry Kane right now? I would say. Elevator music.

Look, blum, plumb, plume, plume. Look. Look. Blum, no, no. No, no. No, no. No, no. No, no.

No, no. No, no. No, no. No, boom, boom. Look. Plum, plumb, plumb, there's a die. What floor would you like, sir? , plumb, boom,

No, there's a death. There's a death of proper number nine. My friend, my friend, my friend. Your fancy English is not going to save you here talking about a death. A death of, no, I'm saying, hey. I'm saying still not the, maybe I shouldn't. Just use a lot. And let's keep it moving.

I shouldn't have said the best striker. Tell me a better striker than Harry Kane right now. I shouldn't have said better striker. I should have said they are still not the best player. Tell me a better striker. Tell me a better striker than Harry Kane right now. good goals quarter Ah

Ah Ah Ah Tell me Great goals Scoreer But still not the best Not the best player

In his own team Great goal scorer Is he from Peru Who's that? No no no I'm saying I'm not familiar with that name Hurricane Who's great goal scorer

Hurricane Maybe the way you're pronouncing it is throwing me off Great goalscores Is it Greek? Who's not the best player In his own team He's got a heartful of goals But when it came to choosing

You see what you've just done here What you've just done here Is something that I'm glad We do not see in football You have just moved The goalposts That's what you've done, Joe. That is what you have done, Joe.

No, all I'm saying is. Harry Kane, yes. I asked you the question. Yes. Respond to me. Yes. Who is a better striker than Harry Kane right now? He's right now. I struggle to think of a better striker, but he's still not the best player in the world.

Not even top three. No, not even top three. He's not the best player at Bayern Munich in his own club. And that's what I keep talking about. So Michael Lisei voted Bundesiga player over there. Yo, my man, my man, my man. My man. Joe.

Joe. Joe. a player than Harry. Joe, wait, Joe. I see that you're spiraling and I understand why. Okay, I understand it. As a hater, as I hate her. Let's talk about.

Let's talk about the age. Okay. I understand haters. I'm saying this team in every position, okay. Has somebody who can hurt you. Do not sleep on Bukhaya soccer. Still not anywhere near the best winger in the game.

Hey, my friend, my friend, do not sleep on that boy. Okay. He will hurt you. Okay. Do not sleep on that boy. struggles to beat his man every time. He's not like Miniamar. He's not...

He's not... By the way, how do we say that guy's name? Kitsa Krasheria. Try again? That is right, Joe. Kacharajka. Try it again? Kichia Kvarskkeria.

I think you said it three different ways. Hey, the guy is... Let him try saying my name. He's from Georgia, in fairness. Let him try saying my name. No, what I'm saying is like... No, I'm saying every single commentator says his name differently. I've heard some commentators.

say Kvaritskkeria. And then I've heard some commentators say Kavatskaria. And then I've heard some commentators say like Kavatskalia. So I don't know how anyone says his name. I've never heard. But he's not in the World Cup, so it doesn't matter. The point is England. Let's go back to England.

So England has put forward their team. One of the biggest things that's come out is people saying, especially the English press, saying that this was a terrible selection because some of the most prominent English players were omitted. So off the top of my head, players that they feel were omitted. Phil Foden from Manchester City.

Yes. Cole Palmer. Cole Palmer from Chelsea. McGuire from Manchester United. Harry Maguire. Luke Shaw from Manchester United. Wait, wait. Who else?

Who has left out? Trent Alexander Arnold. Trent Alexander Arnold from Real Madrid. Can I just say if as a nation, you're lamenting Maguire not making the team. You're already not in a good starting place. Let me just say that. If as a nation,

you're be mourning and making noise because Maguire isn't on the plane. You're already starting from a losing position. And I'll say this. This guy. I'll say this. The selection, very controversial. Actually, so many in the English press, especially the tabloids,

think Thomas Tuko is a German double agent sent to sabotaging them from... Is that what they're saying? Yes, because I think, you left out the best players we have. I think the selection made sense. Okay. Here's the thing I don't understand. I think so here's, let's go through this. Let's go through this ourselves, right?

Because, I mean, if we're honest, we are probably the foremost experts in football in the world, right? We don't like to toot our own horn. We love the beautiful game. We are. So let's talk about the players who are left out and agree or disagree about why they should have been left out. So Phil Foden.

I love Phil Foden. I think he's one of the most talented players in the world, but we cannot deny that Phil Foden has had a wishy-washy season far from his best and I'm going to go on the record and say I blame the Manchester City system my opinion is

because Manchester City has so many players and so many options when you experience a dip you're just on the bench immediately right Pep Guadiolla can just put you on it because he can afford to put you on a bench other teams can't afford that right so if you're playing

for you know Liverpool Manchester United Arsenal any of them if you're having a bad game, you're having a bad game. And then if you have another bad game, you have another bad game because they don't have a whole first team sitting on the bench like Manchester City does.

So Pep benches you as Foden. I think it does two things to you. One, mentally, it messes with you because you go, my mistakes are punishable in a really big way. Number two, it also means you don't get to rectify the mistake.

So in the next game you're not there. And then if they win, you don't play again. It's like if you swipe right, on a girl. You're really swiping right. What's happened to your dating? What's going on?

I've discovered the thing called apps. And then you go on a first date. You know, this guy's like, it's like, it's like we found some guy. Like, it's like some guy just came to America and the first thing they introduced him to was dating apps. Oh, I'm loving that. Everything is swiping right here.

In Africa, I had to walk five miles to find a girl. And now I just swipe five miles and then you swipe right. Yes, physically. Oh, I'm loving that. So, so what I'm saying is this? I think, I think even beyond Pope God, Yoda, for me, even if Phil Foden had not had a wishy-washy, he said. his own.

Yeah. He has never delivered in an English shirt. He has never. But that's not the point. But that's not the point. I think the point is should he, I think we're both agreeing that it, when you look at other players, it doesn't make, it does make sense that Fulfolding got left behind, unfortunately.

Cole Palmer. Yeah, but he's one of the most, I mean, he's, he's just, he's a game changer. Yes. You know? He can turn it on any time. Cole Palmer is one of those players who can. create everything out of nothing. Every time he touches a ball, you don't know what will happen.

He's unpredictable. But ever since the injury, he hasn't been the same and he's been struggling. I think it's just a case of like injury at the wrong time. Yes, yes. That's all it is. So it makes sense that he's out. Okay, let's talk about Harry Maguire. Who did they pick instead of Harry Maguire?

I think they're going to go with Mark Geh. They're going to go with Dan Byrne from Newcastle. when you look at the at the point they have in defense. I think Maguire was harshly done. Bye. He was harshly done.

I think he should have made. If you're using form as the metric, yeah. Maguire should have been on the defense. Yeah, because, okay, look, I can see why Mark Gehie and Dan Byrne will get in ahead of him.

But I don't get why he's not in the squad. That's the argument. Because who else is there in the squad? Surely you can take more than two centerbacks with you. No, no. They have. They are way more centerbacks. But the thing is...

You're Ryan. Who else is in the squad? Gerald Kwanza? Yeah, Gerald Kwanza. Yeah, the Liverpool player. Who went on law? Who went on low to buy a... Yeah, but Jed Spence is a fullback.

Yeah, it's a fullback. But I'm saying Gerald Kwanza, the fact that Gerald Kwanza made it on the team and I went to why I didn't. That's why I think... Now, but now... But Gerald Kwanza's name was used also to keep Trent out of the equation by Thomas Tuchel. He said, we don't need Trent because we're people like Jarrell Kwanza

can play both... Yeah, who have a very... I can't play both. But also now this takes me to the point I wanted to make about this England team. The players who bet on themselves, the players who stepped out of the comfort zone that's England in a way, ended up benefiting. So I'll start with Marcus Rushford.

He went to Barcelona, ended up getting on the plane. I knew you were going to bring him up because of Barcelona. I'll give you another one. Gerald Kwanza left England, went to buy a Leva Cousin. Ended up playing. End up getting on the plane. Who is the other player? Non-imadweke.

left Chelsea, went to Arsenal, ended up going on the plane while Copaomade. Another player, Ivan Tony, left the continent, went to Saudi Arabia, gambled big on himself. Did you include... Noni Madiok, he went from London to London. Yeah, but he went from a team where, you know, this is his boyhood. Okay, wait, wait, okay, so let's amend your statement then. Yes. So you're saying all the players, okay, the players who moved and bets on themselves to try something different.

To get more minutes to... Yeah, yeah, they have all succeeded. Yeah, they all benefited. Ivan Tony, people thought his career was over. Wait, Ivan Tony's in the squad. He was on the squad, yes. Oh, I didn't know that, actually. People thought his career was over.

He made a big bet. He's made, definitely made big bets. And some person can't even bet on his games. Yeah, in Southern Arabia, yes. By the way, I want to go on the record and say, as you know, I'm not a fan of sports betting. However, I think players should be allowed to bet on themselves. I see no reason that a player shouldn't be allowed to bet on themselves winning. I see no reason.

I see a conflict though. No, bro, what's the conflict? What's the conflict? I'm going into a match. Okay. I go to the bookies and I say, I bet you I'm going to win this match. What's the conflict?

You shouldn't be allowed to bet against yourself? I guess. And you shouldn't be allowed to bet on other teams? No, but I think it's a slippery slope argument. People always talk about slippery slopes like we're in Diddy's parties here. Hey, guys, guys, guys, guys, guys. You make it seem like Didi actually had a lot. a litre slope with like baby oil.

He probably did, my friend. I'm saying this. The thing is if you allow players to bet on games, whether for or against themselves, then it's just going to spiral. Because betting by its very nature, no, betting by its very nature means you get my addicted to winning. So how are we going to control?

You might start out betting on yourself and maybe you don't score the goals you wanted to score and then you end up better. No, guys, we make the goal. Guys, we make a simple system where players can bet publicly on themselves. And then privately? You're not allowed to bet privately. The same way it is now.

But then why not just? Because in my world, I think a player who goes, my salary is not that high. Maybe I'm not one of the top-earning players in the world. No, no, no, no, no. They go like, I want to bet on myself. I bet that I'm going to do it this game. why aren't they allowed to do that? Because what if they don't score?

If he says I'm going to score a heart trick and doesn't score a heart trick, then he's lost his money. No, but come on. Then the repercussions, mental health and then he's going to recoup that. He's going to try to recoup that money somehow. Yo, why? Why can they not bet on themselves? I like how you make it seem like.

Why can the team take sports bets and they can't? I like how Trevor makes it seem like sports bettas actually have control. Most of them have no control. That's why they're betting in the first place. So they'll start out good faith betting on themselves. and then if they lose enough times, you know what they're going to do? Okay, so what you're saying is you're saying

we're doing this to protect them? Yes. I can accept that argument. Because I'm against sports betting, so I can accept this argument. You didn't sound like you against sports betting. No, no, no, no. You sounded like a mouthpiece for fun duo and draft king at the same time.

No, what I'm saying is this. I don't understand how you can have a system that then excludes one part because I'm accept, the reason you've beaten me in this, and the reason I'm accepting defeat in this argument is because, you used the elements of sports betting that I am against. It's addictive.

It's a spiral. It takes you down a rabbit hole. That's why you've won. Do you get what I'm saying? But I'm saying if we are going to allow sports betting to exist, why don't we let the players bet on them? That's all I was saying. If human beings who are robots without emotions.

Yeah, but I'm saying it's so I'm saying if it's not good for the players, why is it good for the people? Because then that's one way for the people to be invested. They can't play. They can't get the rush from playing. So they must get it. by being broke and losing their houses. By trying to win something.

See you. It sounds like you are lobbyers for draft kings and and Fanjul and all of them. Before we even move on, you know the funny thing about England? The funny thing, the thing I love about England as it is now, as you said, I'm a hater. The thing I love about England is the English media who are notorious by the always picking a scapegoat

who is always black every time they don't perform are caught in a very interesting sport because they don't want, they want to cook or truco, succeed because he's coaching the English team. But. But then if he succeeds, he'll get a nighthood. And there's nothing worse for an Englishman than to feel like they owe something to a German. So I just want to see how that will play out.

Because if Tukal doesn't succeed, then they're going to frog match him out of. Of course. Yes. They're going to Brexit him. They would love that. But then they would also love him to win. But then that comes with such a huge payoff and such a huge debt. What do you think their chances are?

How far do you see them getting in this tournament? I think England are going to struggle in their opening games. They always do struggle. Okay, so who are the games? We have. They always know. I always know whether they're playing Uganda, whether they're playing the New Ways, whether they're playing.

They'll always struggle in the opening games, but then they'll make it deep. They'll make it deep run. And I think then they'll Ryan, who's the, who's England playing against in their opening games? What's the group stages? I'll have a look for you. Because I, depending on who it is, Because one thing England does really well is they thrash small teams.

No, they don't actually. What are you talking about? In the World Cup, they struggle. The Orestrable. England, Croatia? The Ores struggle. Oh, that's tough. England, Ghana.

Didn't wait, wait, wait. England, Croatia, didn't Croatia beat England in Qatar? No, in Qatar they were beaten by France. Hurricane missed the penalty last minute. No, no. What do you mean? In Qatar, yeah. Hurricane missed the penalty last minute.

And France dumped them out. What? Croatia was beaten by Argentina. Three nil. Oh. Yes. The thing is England. Croatia did beat a big team though.

I can't remember right now. England always struggles. Wait, wait. Wait, wait. We were at a game where England was up 1-0. Was a knockout game. Who were they playing? They were playing France.

Olivier Jiro equalized. And then they tried to. Yes. Was that a France game? Yeah. France took a 2-1 lead. Hurricane missed a penalty. Oh, damn.

English mentality, falling and folding when the pressure is on. Okay, so who else? England, who? I feel like England. And then Ghana? Yes. The second match.

Okay, so England, Ghana, that's the second match. That can also be a, anything can happen game with Ghana. Two games in. That would be a dream scenario for me. But no, but England always struggle, but they always make it through. Okay, wait, wait, but those are two games they could easily lose. Yes. They could lose or draw them.

The final games against Panama. That they should win. They will struggle. England always struggle when they are the favorites. But they're always the favorites. They don't. But they're not favorites this year. They don't know how to, no, no, when they're playing against a team, which is another dog, because they don't know how to break down low blocks.

When a team sits back and defends, England always struggles because they don't have the tools to break down a low block team. Damn. So I think they'll make it to the knockout rounds. But there's always going to be, with England, there's always drama because they lose their opening game to Croatia. Then the tablores are going to fire up. You know what it's on. It's on. It's on.

It's on. It's on. The English media takes for granted how detrimental. until they are to the English game. Incredibly different. Like, I don't understand how they think the team will win when they are constantly

bombarded with some of the most negative rhetoric ever. They do what tabloids do. They build you up. So pre-tronomin. They go like, we're going to win. It's coming home. Yeah.

And then they try to give you. We have the best team, the most talented team. Then they try to bring you down. Then the moment there's a setback, they jump onto the team. And I think that's going to happen. It happens every World Cup.

But I think this time, England are going to make it. They always make it deep. into the knockouts, but then they always, always struggle. They always struggle when the pressure is on.

Okay. It's been the English cast since 1966. I mean, you know, there's players that I love in the team, so I hope they at least do well.

But I mean, I want Ghana to go through that group. I like it when they win enough games that have just enough hope and then it all comes crashing down and then you watch the medium earth down. Shame, man. I love it.

It's a big one. I almost love it more than the World Cup. You know what you probably love? Is how the Spanish team snubbed all the Real Madrid players. They had a terrible season. None of them deserve to make it. Which Madrid player? Also, also I like how they make it seem.

I love how. Let's just pause for a second then, Joe. And look at how your face changed. You tried to fake it and you were like, you're like, hmm. You're like, oh, they had a terrible season. And they, yeah, you don't think a single. Real Madrid player.

None of them. Deserved to be called after the Spanish team. The thing people forget is that Real Madrid doesn't have those many Spanish players. Okay. Actually, no, that's a good argument. Yeah, because you've got Nbapapap. You've got Vincius. Who plays on the right these days?

The team is filled, it was Rodrigo. Because Rodrigo got injured. Then they tried, I think, Adagura there. They don't. And Carreras, Carreras had a terrible season. And who's, who's the Argentinian boy, Mascas. Yeah, Mastantuanano. Yes.

Yes. Okay, he's Argentinian. They never have. The Real Madrid team, when you look at it, it's always like it feels lucky when they have 12 Spanish players in there. Yeah, you're not wrong. Because they had Dean Housen, yeah. Who then had a deep in form, which

means now he was replaced by Militou and Rudiger. So they don't even have any Spanish. Danny Kappahal is too old. Yeah. And he was replaced by Trent Alexander Arnold in the team. So I don't know why Madrid fans are saying. Yeah, those don't sound. I don't know where they're surprised.

Those don't. Those don't seem like snubs for me, actually. So I think I think Madrid fans don't like is the fact that way too many Barcelona players ended up making it. But then Barcelona had the best season. And Barcelona plays way more Spanish players. No, it makes sense. It makes complete sense.

But it's the first time in decades that Madrid hasn't had a representative to the Spanish team. And that I think is a damning indictment. Don't go anywhere because we got more what now after this. But I think that's the funny thing about this World Cup is almost every call-up, every selection has had so much drama. You know, you have England, you have Spain,

you have Germany. You know what's happening in Germany? Well, I mean, German drama. With the goalkeeping situation, yes. With Noya, I don't get why that's a drama. I'll be honest. He retired. Start out the qualifiers.

Yeah. Another goalkeeper had to actually go through the qualifiers. So what? Did a good job. And now Neuer comes back and he's going to play in the World Cup. And then the keeper who helped them qualify. But Noir was fantastic with By and me. Munich.

Yes, but I'm saying... Let me ask you the keeper who helped them qualify. Is he in the squad? Yes. Then that's fine. But he was supposed to be guaranteed. Joe?

Joe. It's fine. Trevor. Joe. Joe. Joe. If you bring another Tinder analogy here, my man. I'm going to swipe right.

I'm going to swipe right. I'm going to swipe right on you. If I swipe right on this girl and then I take her on a date and I treat her very, very well. And she says, I have an amazing time. And then she goes like, your place or mine. And I go like on my place. And then you go back to my place. And then my friend,

who was discouraging me from actually swiping right when this girl goes like now it's my time to shine as you sit in the car chair it just feels unfair so let's let's let's let's gokeeper let's improve on this analogy let's make it better your friend said that he's out of the dating pool yes okay you went on a date your friend said i'm out of the date i'm not dating anymore but outside the restaurant window your friend was breakdancing yes Your friend was doing things. Your friend was cooking. Yes.

Your friend was singing. Your friend was juggling. Man, your friend was putting on a show. Yes. And outside the window, your date sees your friend. Yes. I was also putting on a semi show. Fine.

Yes. But as we know, semis are not exactly the best. They don't count, okay? And then your date saw your friend and went, you know what? I would like to date that guy. Would that guy like to date me? And then your friend goes, you know what? in the mix. That's exact. That's more what happened.

Yes, but I'm saying so so so I mean, so I guess I guess the motto of the reason is if I ever take a garter on a date I don't want Trevor brick dancing outside the window. Hey my friend choose your restaurants. Why is I just don't think there's this no no but you know what I'll tell you what's more dramatic yes I'll tell you what's more exciting. This is the final world cup where we get to see it's it's the changing of a guard in one of the big ways possible. I think before you move on to that, the fact that Germany is having mini-drama,

for me tells me a lot about this World Cup. And I think I told you this. I think this World Cup has so much drama. It should be airing on Bravo. Because Germans normally are very, like, matter of fact. Teams are chosen. You think it's that dramatic. This is huge.

It's like causing waves in Germany because they think it's very unfair to the keeper who led them. They said, noia is amazing. Everyone wants him on the team. I mean, now you just sold me another brilliant idea. we should go to Bravo and sell them the real housewives of the World Cup. Yes.

And it's just the players. And then because now they'd be in a confessional and then the other goalkeeper would be like, so, you know, I don't even understand what happened here. Because, you know, the whole time I was playing for the national team. And I was the main player. Ten games. And I took the team to the World Cup. We qualified with these hands in these gloves.

And then all of a sudden that bitch, no way comes out of nowhere. and takes the spot. I mean, what are we doing here, guys? And then they cut to Noir, then Noir is like, I like, I like the fact that your dramatic German is still not dramatic at all. I mean, that was very dramatic German. He's being sassy, but he's not like dramatic, dramatic real housewise. Yeah, but this is like, this is like for German, this is.

It's like pig suss. Germans who watch what I just did now are going to be like, damn, that was intense. That's, oh, they'll be like that German needs to control their emotions. You know what I mean? Like the scale for Germans. No, the thing I'm most excited for, it's the changing of an era, my friend. Lost World Cup where we get to see Messi, Ronaldo and Namor.

Yeah, the last year. These were. And Neuer. As I said, last World Cup where we get to see Messi, Ronald and Neymour. This guy just threw in a goalkeeper. Yes. He is one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time. Top three, yes.

But it's not, yes. Come on. Come on. He shouldn't be in the same. Come on. We're talking about players who made you sit on the edge of your seat. Who made you want to play like them. Namor, arguably the greatest talent that again didn't achieve the heights that he was supposed to,

arguably because he didn't like want to. Namor never seemed to enjoy the pressure nor the lifestyle. He was Brazilian. But no, but other Brazilians, they reached their peak. Ronaldino did it? No, he didn't. What do you mean? Ronaldino could have had.

Does Ronaldino have a ball andor? Yeah, but he could have, he should have five. Yeah, but he could, but he should have had two, if we're honest. Yes, at least two, yes. I think he was a little bit robbed of one. He should have had two. Yes. He did his Champions League.

He did his leagues. He did his World Cups. He did amazing things. No, no, no. You want Brazilians always shine brightly. Yeah, but you want Brazilians to not be Brazilian. That's your problem. No, that's why I said Neymar is Brazilian.

No. He did a Brazilian thing. Nymor underpah. performed four Brazilian even. How many World Cups does name I have? None. Okay.

How many champions league? Wait. He was also cast with the worst team in Brazilian history. Joe? Answer my questions. How many World Cups does name I have?

He has none. How many Champions Leagues does he have? He has one. How many leagues does he have? He has like three, four. In a career of how long? A career that's been cut short because of injury. How many ball and those does he have?

None. Okay. Yes. when you look It's a travesty When you look at what Namar is capable of Yes There is no person in this world

Who can dispute Even Messi has said Let's use your lord and savior Messi Okay Even Messi has said Okay When they've asked Messi

Who are some of your favorite player He says When I watch Namar play the game I'm mesmerized Beautiful Yoga Bonito As you say Yes

Namor. So I'm excited that we get to see it's like one lost chance for Namor to come out and just like just even if it's like for two games just remind everybody why he was supposed to be that thing. In fact, I would even

hope that Namor wins a World Cup just because man, it would be amazing. It would be good for him to win. It would be great for Brazil. But as I'm saying again, his cast, his generation because Ronaldino for all his talents, he still played alongside Ronaldo.

He played against. Neymar has been carrying this team on his back. That's true. And when you look at players like Raffinia and players like Vinicius, they're great at their clubs, still don't perform when they put on the golden shirt. So I don't hold the ball and against him because he was competing in the same era as Ronaldo and Messi.

It was a bit tough for him to break through. But I also think, Yeah, but I don't think he didn't have the discipline. Yeah, but he talks about it. You seem he likes playing video games. Yes. He likes living a different kind of life. And I think his dad puts too much pressure on him.

But that's just from what I've seen. I mean, that's, you know. His dad is like any sports dad. He's like, Michael Jackson's dad. He's like any sports, it's like, you know, Serena Williams dad. He's like any sports dad who is invested in that kids becoming the next big thing, who always put them under immense amounts of pressure. Yeah, that's true.

Messy is just messy. Yes. can do anything. What do you think of the, what do you think of the Argentina squad for this one? I think it's better than the squad in 2020. I agree. I think it's more balanced. I think the fact that Messi is four years older might count against them, but he's messy. All he needs is a moment of brilliant. He's messy. I think Ronaldo, the political team, fun enough, the most stable team. It's a good team. No drama. It's a good team. No selection drama. Yo, I think Ronald. I think Ronald

might hold them. It is a good team. I think accommodating Ronaldo in that team might hold them back. It will. He's Ronaldo. Again, you can't like count him out.

You shouldn't count him out, but I think... He'll do more harm than good. So here's my opinion. It might be controversial if you're a Ronaldo fan. But I think the greatest thing Ronaldo can do

is use... We're going to get burnt at the stake. That's fine. Yes. The greatest thing Ronaldo can do at this World Cup is be a cheer leader.

yes, is allow his team to do things without him. If you look at what Portugal did at the Euros without him, I'm not saying that he's not good and I'm not saying he shouldn't be in the team, but I'm saying like if Ronaldo is able to lessen his gravitational pull, both in terms of being on the pitch

and in terms of like wanting the ball and man, that Portugal team, guys, we're talking about, like you've got Vitina, Yaw Neves, Jean-Neves, You've got Nuno Mendes You've got Bruno Fernandez The whole team, yes

Who just cannot kick a ball wrong Benado Silver You've got like decent defenders at the back as well Yes It's frankly Between them France

The weakest players Probably the goalkeeper Who saves penalties for fun True But beyond penalties though He's not the greatest The weakest player Is by Far Ronaldo

And again Did they bring Raffa Liao as well Raffaliyao is in there Yeah man Big difference maker I think for me The thing you saw about

And that's what makes this team a Greek tragedy is the thing you're saying is the exact thing Ronaldo can't do naturally. That's what I'm saying, Ronaldo. He can't step away. Cristiano Ronaldo, if you are out there, this could be the moment where you shock the world. No, he can't. Joe? It goes against everything in his DNA. Yes, but this is the moment.

We love movies. Yes. What do we love about great movies? The unexpected happens. If Cristiano Ronaldo, if Christiano Ronaldo. if Christian Ronaldo comes out with that team and at a moment where we don't expect it takes a backseat

Portugal can win the world. But what also makes great movies is the fact that normally the character or the protagonist or even the antagonist, they have a character flow that they can't quite overcome. And Ronaldo has that as a character flow. He has to be the main character.

He can't step away. Man, but he does it at the right moment. He won't step away. I watched his team play in the Saudi league. He can't step away. He can't help himself. Yeah, but that's the Saudi league. You can't tell Ronaldo to step away at the Saudi league.

He was costing them more than he was helping them. Yeah, I hear you. That's what I worry about. So for me, that's the funny thing. They have to accommodate him. That's what I worry about. And as I've said, Ronaldo can put the chances away. But then when he's not putting the chances away, he can't press, he can't hold

that play. So you're basically playing with 10. It's going to be interesting. I mean, not as interesting as Iran. playing in the World Cup. A lot of people have been shocked by this because I guess they don't understand how special is the wrong word.

Come on, you're a dictionary. What's a better word to describe Iran? Rather like how the World Cup creates this bubble of... It's a world... I don't know you're going to use bubble. I also have bubble in my vocabulary. I thought you were going to give us something magical,

but a bubble I could have said as well. I also want to show that I have the common touch, you know, of the common man. We'll go with bubble then. Damn. I'm glad I, I'm glad I deferred to you, Joe.

No, the World Cup, I was, I was trying to explain to my American friends. Oh, you have some as well. I didn't want to mention it, but I was trying to explain to my American friends why Iran is playing in the World Cup.

They were like, but America's at war with Iran. How can you, then I was like, guys, the World Cup is something that goes beyond your petty grievances. Yes, yes, yes, yes. And these ideas you have of world leaders

and political affiliations and, yo, everything stops. Yes. During the World Cup in South Africa in 2010, do you know how much crime we had? None. Plam it in, yes. None, Joe. It was just, shh.

When FIFA comes to your country, FIFA takes over the country. It is like being invaded by a very polite invading force. It's a benevolent occupying force. Yes. They come in, they bring festivity and joy

and immense financial pressure if we're honest to your country. What people forget, FIFA actually enacts its own laws. Yes, they come and take over the legal system because when someone violates any copyright they want to try them immediately. It's FIFA who does it. Yes.

your legal system it just pauses so Iran playing in the World Cup is not as crazy as people think because Iran made it into the World Cup but I do want to see what it'll be like when Iran is on the pitch it would be interesting

because there's a huge Iranian diaspora in America yeah but like so I'm with you there I'm with you there but they won't be wanting for fans like they'll have enough fans like people

That's true. Yeah, that's true actually. But it's going to be very interesting because they were initially based in America. And then their delegation demanded that they be moved out of America. So they're going to be flying into America, playing the games, and then going back to Mexico. Why would they do that? They moved their base to Mexico. Why would they do that? They didn't want to be in America.

Man, now you're cutting off your nose to spite. No, they went like, would rather train in Mexico, come, because they're playing all their games in America. Yeah, but that's, you see, you've heard your, that too. me like you've now your team is tired you don't want to you don't want to do that I mean we'll see what I predict that that won't go no no but you're right

I remember in South Africa again I was I was explaining to my South African friends during 2010 is that me? Yes no I have some I have some besides when were you explaining to me you meant South Africa when North Korea played in South Korea and we didn't know North Korea is even allowed to play in the World Cup

but that's the thing that's a special thing about the World Cup England played Argentina in 86. Just, I think two, three years after that fought over the Falcons, that's the special thing about the World Cup. Once the World Cup starts, forget your wars, forget

your Easter game. They should include a new rule. If two countries are fighting and play against each other in the World Cup, whoever wins that game wins the dispute. You know, that's funny because in 1998, Iran played, because Iran and the US

have been. Motor enemies, whatever. They played in 98, Iran 1 to 1. They played in Qatar, which was supposed to be like the revenge game and it turned out to be because the US 1 to 1. So fingers crossed. Yeah, fingers crossed. Yeah, they meet in the knockouts. And then whoever wins, that should be the rule. Whoever wins, we open up the straight of Homoos. Whoever wins the straight of Hormuz. Yes, yes. It should be the truth. Now, this is this is sports betting now. That's high stage now. This is ultimate sports betting now. Put your money where your mouth is.

Who do you think would win Iran or USA? Because Team USA, if we're honest, is not looking that great. I think Iran... Like the tools that they have... I think Iran would win simply because of the stakes. Like, when... I feel like the US, when they are playing... The few times I've seen them plug in Syria.

It's just two times. It feels like the Iranians know that it's more at stake than just the result. Oh, they're playing for their family. Yeah, they're playing for everything. They're playing for national pride. And also, like, they're a smaller country. geopolitically. So this means everything to them. The Americans are playing, yeah, you know, but they're not playing the way.

They don't play with the same passion they play against Mexico. If you've worked America play against Mexico. American players are really locked in. Their fights happening when they play against Iran, they, it's not their right. They don't see them. Yes, yes. That's the problem. They don't see them. Okay, so what are your predictions?

Who do you think is going to win the World Cup? Let's start with the easy ones. My prediction is France. I say France is going to win the World Cup. I would love to say France, but I think history forces me in two. Because no team has gone. Because no team has made three World Cup finals and won two out of them. So France made the final.

You're going to let history clock. Yes, because France made the final in 2018, won it. My friend. My friend. My friend. History has shown that no one has responded to you swiping rights. But that doesn't stop you. We can change that right now.

That doesn't stop you, Joe. We can change that right now. That doesn't stop you, Joe. Because now you forget one thing. I'm on a podcast. Exactly, Joe. Anything can happen now. And honey's love guys on a podcast. Anything can happen. Women love guys on podcasts.

Women are always like, oh, more of this. Please. Oh, please. More guys. Just talk. Oh, please. We need more of this. Women are like, oh, wow, you have a microphone in your espousing opinions that are not based in fact nor in expertise. Please, give him more of this. Give him more. Oh, you're going to have a great time, Joe. So forget history. What are you saying? I think Spain is going to win it. You think, you think Spain will win the world. I think Spain is too balanced. Can you do me a favor? Yes. Remove the word. think? Yes. This is not about thinking. I firmly believe Spain is going to be. Thank you very much.

Okay, so Spain's winning the World Cup. I say France is winning the World Cup. All right. Now, who do we think as a backup, a dark horse winner of the World Cup? Discounting agenda because of Messi, I think no way. No, you can't discount Argentina. You have to choose one. No, because a team with Messi can't be a dark horse. No, they are a dark horse. No, a dark horse is one you don't expect to win. So you expect them to win. I expect Messi to reach. Okay. So no way. Yes. No way because they have, they went through their qualifiers, almost unbeaten. They have...

Erlinghaland? Erlinghaland, they have Soloth. Yeah. They have like a very good... They have a solid team. Oscar Bob, isn't he? Yeah. Odegaad? Yeah. They have like a solid team. Yeah, they have a very, very good team. If you can get the ball from the back to the middle to the front, you can win any game. They have a very, very good team. So I think that the team that might surprise us

the most. If you're talking about dark horses, that's a team that might go farther than we expect. Which African team do you? think has the best chance? Wow. I would love to be hopeful and say maybe Ghana, but I watch their friend against Mexico. They were not. Senegal?

Senegal is always in there, but I don't think they have... Discipline. No, no, I think money is a bit older. I think they played well in the African Nations Cup, which they won under, you know, the subject forces they won in. I feel like the North African teams never go far in the way. in the World Cup Morocco had the darling run

Yeah okay Yeah I think I would look at Morocco I'd look at Morocco But Morocco surprised us in Qatar because they were the surprise I think teams are going to be Ready for them now

Yes Yeah okay So I would go And then the other team like D.R. Kong I think they would just I think I'm not thinking

I'm not thinking they're making up the numbers But I'm thinking they'll just hope that they have a better outing than they did The World Cup they went in which was 1974, and they lost so badly that their president

almost threatened to not allow them back into the country. So I hope anything better than that, anything better than your present going like, oh,

you're going to become persona non-grata who will be a win for diarco. Oh, man. As someone said, they left, not with their heads

held high, but at least they still had their heads. So anything better than that, I think, I think Morocco, I think Morocco and Senegal, there are the two teams

that also made it to the final of the nation's cup. Yeah, so if you're going by the phone book here, they have the best chance. The best chance of the not best chance have us. But I think Morocco really surprised us because they were surprised. Our teams are going to be ready for them. I'm excited, bro. This is going to be a big one.

We're going to be doing the watch party. That's going to be dope. But also remember, there are also so many small teams. That's the thing I also love about this World Cup. There's so many small, small teams. Cape Vad, Kourakawa, Uzbekistan. Are you just making up names? No, no.

These are teams are going to be playing. And I think, I feel like now you're just like, making up words. I think it sounds... First of all, it's Cape Town, okay? I don't know why this guy. You're just like making up things. There are white people watching going like, is he casting spells.

Corazon. Corazon is a Spanish word. I don't, yeah, but I think it's going to... No, I'm joking, man. It is great. It's great for them. That's a great thing about expanding the World Cup. It gives every country a chance.

Uzbekistan, who knew? I'm going to be the World Cup. I think it also gives Americans a chance to learn geography without invading countries because normally... Normally the only way Americans learn about countries is the bring democracy. I'm laughing because you think Americans are going to be watching the World Cup.

It's at home. You think Americans are going to watch the Curacao game. I think they're going to be watching the Corosal game if we do it as part of our World Cup watch party. I mean, we'll see. It's going to be fun. It's the perfect way for Americans watch the game. It's going to be fun. As long as they score a lot of goals and they make it exciting.

Here's what I pitch to FIFA If you want as many Americans Watching this as possible You should engineer a few moments So you should bring the games No not the games Engineer a few moments So like at the beginning

Like have a fight break out Between two teams Before a game And then have it go viral Oh you mean the teams Not the fans, the teams Have a few like moments Because I think that's also something

that hampers soccer. The thing that hamper's soccer in America is there aren't enough personal storylines. You see, so in America they'll go, it's LeBron James and the Lakers going up against, you know, Sheikilders

Alexander and O'KC, it's like they make it a personal story. They make it a thing that gets you vested. We just go like, ah, Kourasau, Uzbekistan, that doesn't get Americans. Americans want to know. You need a dramatic stakes to be. They want the antagonist. They want Luke Skywalker.

and Darth Vader. So Americans got to create that. They should also encourage the players to make videos like Messi, Ronaldo. It would be great if they made videos to each other. Like, let me tell you something, brother. I want you to understand. This might be my last World Cup, but I'm coming for you, Messi. I'm coming for you, brother.

And a lot of people say that you've got to be me, but you ain't got what it takes. So turns into a bit of wrestling, WW. Just a little bit. And I think you're going to bring the American crowd in. I'm, I'm, here's my. And if they don't do it, I'm more than willing to do it for them. Look, I'm a huge, huge World Cup fan. But here's the thing about a World Cup held in the US.

And I was just thinking about this when you're talking about how we can court more American fans. You know when the World Cup was held in Qatar? Yeah. There was a huge backlash. It was a controversial, controversial project. And we went like, okay, next World Cup, the host should have a proud footballing history. Because Qatar had none. Yeah.

They should have a great LGBTQ record because Qatar had none. They should have no corruption, no stench of corruption, because Qatar had a lot of that. We went like there should be women's rights should be respected by the next host. Because Qatar clearly didn't respect human rights. And then we're like, you know what? They shouldn't have like an immigrant labor crisis. That's the checklist. Oh, and also went like, okay, there should be no gun violence.

There should be no, they shouldn't have a broken health care system. They shouldn't have systemic racism. And it should be, okay, the next horse at least should not be a failed democracy. And what did FIFA do? FIFA chose the USA. I hope you have a green card. They had one job. And they somehow managed to pick a team with a worst record.

Fighting words. I hope you don't have any international flights plan soon, buddy. But still super excited because, you know, when the World Cup starts, then all that flies out of the window. The moment the kickoff happens. Amen. That's, look, one of the biggest things about it. It begins.

As soon as the FIFA World Cup kicks off, the world stops, comes together. And I don't even say this in like a cheesy way. There are few moments other than wars that bring as many people together in one spectacle. There are few moments that connect as many human beings as a World Cup. There are no moments where Kurosau is going to be having a conversation. with New Zealand, having a conversation with Iran, having a conversation with South Africa, having a conversation with Brazil,

having a conversation with the United States, having a conversation with Mexico, there's no other events. Forget conversation. There is no other event where people from Uzbekistan are going to be trash talking America. And that's a good thing about the World Cup.

Like, you get a chance to trash talk. And I think our World Cup watch party is going to give fans who are not as deep into the game, a very good outlet, because it just won't be there. If you're going to be there, even if people don't like football, if they're fans of dating apps, they've come to the right place. I'll tell you that much.

Maybe that's what we should call it. The World Cup to America, that's a perfect way to describe it. It's like Coachella meets Burning Man, meets you swiping right on dating apps, and getting swipes right back. Not being left on red. That's to me how it feels. All right. Pretty excited.

You know what I'm going to do now, Joe? I'm really excited. I'm going to swipe left on this episode and say, that it's done. This was great, man. I'll see you, I'll see you next week, and we'll see where we go from here. It's going to be exciting.

And for everyone else who's joining us, welcome to the World Cup. Oh, it's going to be a roller coaster ride of emotions. Or as they say in South America, Mundian. Welcome to Mundia. Welcome. Welcome.

All right, dope. What Now with Trevor Noah is produced by Day Zero Productions in partnership with Sirius XM. The show is executive produced by Trevor Noah, Sanaziamen, and Jess Hackle. Rebecca Chain is our producer. Our development researcher is Marcia Robiu. Music, mixing and mastering by Hannes Brown. Random Other Stuff by Ryan Harguth.

Thank you so much for listening. Join me next week for another episode of What Now.