Ranks FC - A Football Podcast

Hello Rank Squad!

Here's the final editions of our four World Cup preview shows, where we look through the final three groups and give our thoughts on each of the four teams in each. Jack and Dean are back together to wrap things up from the preview side. 

Starting in Group J we take a look at reigning champions Argentina, discussing whether a very similar squad to 2022 could retain this trophy; before turning our attention to what looks like an intriguing battle between a talented but mostly untested Algeria and an incredibly well-drilled Austria for second place; and newcomers Jordan who might just fancy their chances of landing a counterpunch or two. 

In Group K, we talk through whether this is finally the moment that Portugal step up to the World Cup plate in what seems to be Cristiano Ronaldo's final attempt at the big one; if Luis Diaz's Colombia can spring a surprise or two in the latter stages; and which of Uzbekistan and DR Congo might get the better of each other, or either or the two big boys in the group. 

And then rounding things off in Group L, there's a discussion about England under Thomas Tuchel and what Dean's expecting from his Three Lions; as well as a Croatia team who are in a slight transition period but should never be underestimated on this World Cup stage; and a quick look at a Ghana side in a really strange state of disarray, and a well-drilled but somewhat underpowered Panama. 

Keep an eye on this plenty more over the course of the World Cup and if you missed them, check out our Groups A-C preview with Dougie Critchley, our Groups D-F preview with Austin Miller, and Groups G-I preview with the boys. 

It's Ranks! 

And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon?

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Hello Rank Squad!

Here's the third of our four World Cup preview shows, where we look through the next three groups and give our thoughts on each of the four teams in each. Jack Collins is joined once more by the returning Dean Jones as we return to regular programming. 

Starting in Group G with a look through Belgium and where the Red Devils are with the golden generation mostly in the rear-view mirror, we then take a look at what looks like a straight duel between Iran and Egypt for a second place spot, as well as looking in on New Zealand, who have a lot of work to do to spring a surprise. 

In Group H, we talk through one of the two big favourites in Spain, trying to find any weaknesses in what looks like a watertight squad; checking in on Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay, who look a bit chaotic right now; and then taking a peek at Saudi Arabia and newcomers Cape Verde, where the boys disagree on which looks the stronger of the two. 

And then in Group I, we reach 2022's runners-up in France, who look primed again for another deep run and might be the most stacked squad of the lot; as well as two very interesting contenders in Norway and Senegal, who both might to be very tricky opponents for Deschamps' last dance; and finally to Iraq, who might just find this incredibly difficult group a step too far despite their brave qualification to this stage. 

Keep an eye on this feed for the final preview, check out our Groups A-C preview with Dougie Critchley, our Groups D-F preview with Austin Miller, and there will be plenty more to come too, over the course of the World Cup. 

It's Ranks! 

And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello Rank Squad!

Here's the second of our four World Cup preview shows, where we look through the next three groups and give our thoughts on each of the four teams in each. Jack Collins is joined by Austin Miller of the extraordinary World Cup After Dark Podcast to keep things ticking over. 

Starting in Group D with a look through the expectations and reality associated with the USMNT ahead of the tournament as well as their strengths and weaknesses, we also take a look at an exceedingly solid Paraguay unit, a fun Türkiye who might just become a neutral's favourite, and a hard-nosed Australia side who absolutely will not. 

In Group E, we talk through whether Julian Nagelsmann's Germany are being overlooked or overrated, before discussing Ecuador - who come in as many people's dark horses, a returning Cote d'Ivoire side who had an outrageous qualification record, and newcomers Curaçao, who might be the best story of this tournament but could also end up as this group's whipping boys. 

And then in Group F, we reach the Netherlands, who are incredibly difficult to predict given the level of talent and the lack of goals, as well as a slightly underpowered but very cohesive Japan, Graham Potter's Sweden, who have two absolutely incredible strikers and...not much else; and Tunisia, who feel like they might have come to spoil everybody else's fun and try to draw 0-0 a lot. 

Keep an eye on this feed for the next two previews, check out our Groups A-C preview with Dougie Critchley, and there's plenty more to come too, over the course of the World Cup. 

It's Ranks! 

And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello Rank Squad!

With the domestic season in Europe all wrapped up, it's time to completely lock in to World Cup mode - and so here's the first of our four World Cup preview shows, where we look through the first three groups and give our thoughts on each of the four teams in each. Jack Collins is joined by the brilliant Dougie Critchley to get things started. 

Starting in Group A with one of the host nations Mexico, we also take a look at a stuttering South Korea, hard-nosed Czechia, and an underdog South African side looking to bloody some noses again. 

In Group B, we talk through a deeply efficient Switzerland side who will fancy themselves as group favourites ahead of Jesse Marsch's intense Canada, also playing on home turf, a Bosnia & Herzegovina team with an interesting mix of experience and young talent, and previous hosts Qatar. 

And then in Group C, we get to Haiti - returning to this competition for the first time since 1974, as well as 2022 semi-finalists Morocco - who look even stronger this time out, a Brazil side who might just be let off the leash under the watchful eyebrow of Carlo Ancelotti, and the Tartan Army of Scotland, back at the World Cup for the first time this century, but who look a little light up top. 

Keep an eye on this feed for the next three previews, and plenty more to come over the course of the World Cup. 

It's Ranks! 

And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello Rank Squad! 

We thought with the Champions League done and dusted, after PSG beat Arsenal on penalties to retain their crown and become just the second club in the modern era to go back-to-back, it was a good time to give you a little taster of what we get up to on the Patreon feed - where every Monday we answer questions on the action from the weekend just gone, and sometimes far beyond. 

This is a segment from the part of the show where the Champions League final was the main topic, that we thought was a good indication of what we do, so if you want to help steer the conversation and the talking points during the upcoming World Cup and beyond, it's a great time to come and join us. 

You get a minimum of three extra podcasts every week with no ads, you can ask questions about anything in World Football and get them answered week in and week out on the Postbox and the Patter, you get Dean's live and fresh reaction from the headlines on The Guru Speaks, extra drops regarding transfers during the summer window, and a wonderful footballing community to get involved with for good measure. We'd love to have you along. If that sounds good, the link is below - we'd love to have you on board!

And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon?

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.