The BBC’s Simon Stone reviews England’s epic encounter with Mexico at the Azteca, which breathlessly rattled from one incident to the next and ultimately saw the Three Lions escape the scene of their greatest torment with a famous victory.

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Spain are FIFA Men’s World Cup champions for the second time, defeating Argentina 1-0 in a fragmented and frustrated final frequently interspersed with the pomp and glamour expected of an American World Cup final. ESPN’s Joey Lynch spent the bulk of the tourmanent on the ground in North America; he joins us to reflect, and cast an eye towards the next Socceroos mission.

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The A-Leagues seasons look set for commencement without a playing labour agreement in place, a fortnight on from the PFA announcing CBA discussions with the APL had reached exhaustion. PFA chief-executive Beau Busch returns. Beau also discusses the week’s saddening news, with much-loved Captain Socceroo Paul Wade going public with his probable CTE diagnosis.

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The Socceroos and Japan this week fell at the Round of 32, which was disappointingly as far as any of the AFC’s nine representatives made it at the World Cup. The Asian Game’s Paul Williams returns to diagnose just why the ambitions of those in the confederation collectively fell so flat.

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We then look forward. The Sports Ambassador's Tracey Holmes joins us with the 2027 Women’s World Cup less than a year away, the Matildas having booked their tickets. What can we expect as FIFA head back into a nation where they hosted a tournament as recently as 2014, and left much to be desired?

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Meanwhile on the pitch, the Australia Cup has been electric. Three Cupsets within 24 hours saw Preston Lions, Sydney United and Lions FC progress at the expense of A-League opposition; 10/Paramount’s Erik Paartalu discusses the big picture topics at play in Australia’s best sporting competition.

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The Socceroos realigned their World Cup campaign with a 0-0 draw over Paraguay, sealing passage to the knockout stages for the third time. Tony Popovic’s side now face Egypt; Network 10’s Teo Pellizzeri returns to assess the state of play as both nations look to make history with a first win beyond the group stages.

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The end of the 2026 Men's World Cup brings the need for reflection on the never-ending political and ethical machinations of FIFA and its tournaments. What impact has the White House’s intervention had on Gianni Infantino’s presidency stronghold? What of FIFA's increasingly fawning adulation of football's superstars? The Times' Chief Sports Reporter Martyn Ziegler returns to run the moral compass over a madcap administration in full flow.

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