Navigation

Use the link below for the mediacast that introduces Soccerphiles:

https://youtu.be/5dGoGw3c4mU

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/af1b585a-9609-432e-bfbc-1901376b1bff/

Our Youtube channel has organized each of the series into its own playlist. Find it here:

https://www.youtube.com/@soccerphiles/playlists

Our podcast host has all the episodes in reverse chronological order. Find it here:

https://soccerphiles.captivate.fm/

Description

This is Series 32: A preview of each group and each team in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This episode looks at group A: Mexico, South Korea, South Africa and Czech Rep.

This mediacast is divided into 3 parts:

Part 1 – An introduction of each country giving the location, population, soccer age and nickname of each.

Part 2 – An overview of each team’s history and a deep dive into their recent performances.

Part 3 - A comparison of the teams in ranking, head-to-head records, and a discussion of their prospects and our predictions.

Shortly after the full versions come out, we will publish short version which will also be considered part of series 32. This will just be part 3 of the full version.

We are also publishing a deep dive into the players of each team. This is done in two parts. Part 1 is a look at the candidates: their likelihood of selection and the reasons why.We also give a career biography of the main candidates. Part 2 is published when the final rosters are released and covers who made the final squad and our predictions as to starts.

Time Stamps

Part 1 – Introducing the teams

Intro - 0:30

Demographics – 2:52

Part 2 – History

- Overview of World and Regional Cups histories

- Deep dive into recent performances

Mexico - 5:50

South Korea - 19:55

South Africa - 32:24

Czech Rep - 44:32

Part 3 – Comparison and Discussion

Pots and rankings – 54:58

Head-to-head records, Odds and Team Values – 1:01:15

Discussion of prospects – 1:06:02

Outro – 1:22:08