The Socceroos have shocked Türkiye with a consummate performance in their World Cup opener but while the nation rejoices, in-house the squad will have quickly shifted their focus to the USA. Jonathan Tannenwald (The Philadelphia Inquirer) is travelling with Team USA, and there is no better time to catch up once more.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We then welcome back another old friend; Croatia have performed admirably in recent tournaments, but can they go again? The Guardian’s Aleksandar Holiga returns, with Zlatko Dalic’s side to open their tournament against England on Thursday.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Then to the USA, where Joey Lynch (ESPN) is travelling with the Socceroos team, Joey looks at the tournament vibe in North America and looks into the crystal ball to how the tournament will play out for Australia.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Socceroos are just days away from their World Cup opener against Türkiye in Vancouver! Melbourne-born Ersan Gülüm played for Australia’s U23s and seven times for Turkiye’s senior side; also formerly of Beshiktas and the current Hume City president, Ersan faces the classic Aussie conundrum of split allegiance this World Cup.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tony Popovic has locked in his World Cup 26, with Lucas Herrington and Cristian Volpato among the seventeen first-time names that make up a largely young Socceroos squad. Daniel Garb (10/Paramount+) returns with Volpato’s availability and Martin Boyle’s exclusion among the key headlines.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The World Cup inevitably means attention turns to Argentina, who head north in the hope of defending the tournament for the first time since Brazil in 1962. The Guardian’s Marcela Mora y Auraujo returns; will the weight lifted in 2022 see Lionel Messi & co. excel, or lack the drive that the desperate weight of expectation provided?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arsenal last week secured their drought-breaking Premier League title, spent the weekend celebrating, and now head into a Champions League final. Arseblog’s Andrew Mangan has covered the club for 25 years, and returns to toast the feat of the club and particularly manager Mikel Arteta, who has been in pursuit of this trophy for six-and-a-half season.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC have won their maiden A-League Championship, the first time a New Zealand side has won an Australian national league title. Sky Sports NZ’s Jason Pine returns to reflect on the success of Steve Corica’s side; simultaneously All Whites’ preparations are underway, with Darren Bazeley's squad locked in for their World Cup return.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.