On The Continent - A European Football Podcast

By now we're well used to World Cups build-ups being overshadowed by controversies in the host country, or in this case countries. Usually, those issues begin to fade from the headlines once the football starts, but is that really going to be the case this year?

Nicky Bandini joins Dotun and Andy to discuss the plethora of issues affecting this year's World Cup. Meanwhile, of course, there is still a tournament to be played. How are Europe's sides shaping up ahead of kick-off at the Azteca tonight?

Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***
On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Didier Deschamps' titans enter this year's World Cup as the team to beat. Champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, Les Bleus are the favourites in North America. But can they reclaim this most coveted crown?

Andy is joined by OTC regular Jonathan Johnson to dissect France's star-studded squad. Is Kylian Mbappé's influence helpful - or harmful? How do Michael Olise, Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué fit into a stacked front line? What will be sacrificed for glory?

Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***
On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Spain made history in 2010 when Andrés Iniesta’s extra-time winner delivered their first World Cup. Sixteen years later, a new generation of La Roja head to North America - but how do they emulate the success of those that came before them?

Andy is joined by Spanish football journalist Álvaro Romeo to chronicle how Luis de la Fuente transformed Spain and how their tactical unpredictability makes them a nightmare to face. Tune in as we take a closer look at one of Europe's most talked-about teams ahead of the 2026 World Cup!

Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***
On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the World Cup just days away, we turn our attention to one of the unlikely stories at this summer's tournament: the return of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Andy is joined by Bosnian football writer Saša Ibrulj as they chart the team's recent history of underperforming and how they've fallen at the final qualification hurdle so many times. But, thanks in part to the excellent work of coach Sergej Barbarez, they've turned from a team of nearly-men to a group of fearless youngsters who have shown they can cut it at the top level. Join us for a fascinating overview of one of European football's unsung heroes!

Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***
On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first of our series of nation previews ahead of the World Cup, we take a close look at the summer's popular dark horses: Norway. Back on the world stage for the first time since 1998 - and with some big players in their ranks - the Norwegians are certainly getting a lot of attention. But can this golden generation handle the pressure? Dotun and Andy are joined by the best person to ask, Lars Sivertsen!

Lars discusses the importance of Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard, the exciting in-form players across this Norway team, and the remarkable journey of their often under-fire manager, Ståle Solbakken. And let's hope that his predictions of 'big man big man big man' up top come true...

Ask us a question on X, Instagram and TikTok, and email us here: otc@footballramble.com.

For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble.

***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***
On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.