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The Game

WORLD CUP 2026: Scotland special - Craig Levein

This is a one off special from our colleagues in Scotland who join former player and national team manager Craig Levein. 

They look at what reaching a World Cup means to Scotland, and how the team might fare.

Scotland correspondent Michael Grant is joined by Mark Palmer and former Scotland international Craig Levein


In the run up to World Cup 2026 we will be releasing a series of specials.

Join us next week for our regular shows plus a special England preview with Jonny Northcroft, Martin Samuel and Hamzah Khalique-Loonat

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  • WORLD CUP DAY 3: Scotland win, just, and water breaks dictate

    25:53|
    Blimey, that was tense! But Scotland have a World Cup win and sit top of Group C thanks to John McGinn's winner against Haiti. Which players stepped up and which need to offer more? Steve Clarke's side top the group after Brazil draw with Morocco in an entertaining game. Brazil turned the game after the drinks break - is football now a game of four quarters? And we pick the best games to come on Day 4. Tom Clarke chats to Gregor Robertson and James Gheerbrant
  • WORLD CUP DAY 2: C'mon Scotland!! USA look good

    26:16|
    The USA started their campaign in style, scoring four against Paraguay. The stadium was full, celebs were out in force and the team looked full of energy. Suddenly USA in the next round or the round of sixteen looks a tough draw - how far can they go?Not so euphoric for Canada but a decent result against a tough Bosnian side.In the second half - Scotland's big day is finally here. At 0200 GMT they take on Haiti, McTominay is fit after a minor shock, can they do it? Oh and it's Brazil and Morocco too!Tom Clarke chats to Gregor Robertson
  • WORLD CUP DAY 1: The Azteca, Team USA and a cave

    33:26|
    The World Cup is up and running. The mighty Azteca stadium became the only stadium to host games in three different world cups. Its turf has seen Pele, Maradona and now the 2026 Mexico side. Our reporter Tom Allnutt was in the stadium. Did the match live up to the hype, does it matter? Pete Rutzler is our reporter following team USA, he gives us a quick run down of the American team...how far will they go in the tournament, are the public following it and how much pressure is on Mauricio Pochettino?Tom and Pete join Tom Clarke on day one of his World Cup marathon, watching every game without waking a three month old baby.See you tomorrow.
  • WORLD CUP DAY 2026 - Are you ready!?

    44:34|
    It is finally here. Tonight Mexico will play South Africa in the opening game. Will it be a tournament for the ages or a step too far for over heated and over worked players?So, a quick look at England - Bellingham or Rogers, Rashford or Gordon?Your favourite World Cup opening games; teams we'd love to see do well and Tom Clarke's mad challenge to watch every match - what are his chances?Gregor details his recent trip to Croatia to meet Luka Modric; what to eat if you're staying up all night and is 4-4-2 about to make a massive come back!?Tom is joined by Gregor Robertson and Alyson Rudd.From tomorrow we'll be here every morning with your essential World Cup Daily Briefing - listen every morning and don't miss a thing.
  • WORLD CUP 2026: SCOTLAND PREVIEW

    39:41|
    Scotland could not be happier going in t the World Cup. When was the last time you heard that - 1928!?Eight goals in two games and believe it or not even some talk of their talisman John McGinn not making it into Steve Clarkes first eleven. The Tartan army suddenly have a cutting edge, confidence to burn and mounting expectation. Bring on Haiti!What could possible go wrong?Who better to ask than three of the finest Scots in sports journalism...Jonathan Northcroft, Michael Grant and Gregor Robertson join Tom Clarke 
  • WORLD CUP 2026 - LIVE PREVIEW SHOW

    48:12|
    As part of our build up to World Cup 2026 we hosted a live event at The Times building in London.Tom Clarke hosts the event with Martin Samuel, Jonathan Northcroft, Hamzah Khalique-Loonat and World Cup veteran and former Republic of Ireland forward Tony Cascarino.The team discuss England and Scotland's chances and what to expect from the other tournament contenders.
  • How far will England and Scotland go?

    45:24|
    It is World Cup week! England treated their friendly against New Zealand as a training session...can we learn anything? Does Thomas Tuchel already know his line up to face Croatia or is it still in doubt? How worried should England fans be that three of England's team are already in the red zone, prone to injury or burn out? Scotland are looking confident with eight goals in their last two games. If they can beat Haiti in their opening game could that be enough for them to qualify for the knockout stages for the first time?Tom clarke is joined by Gregor Robertson and 
  • WORLD CUP 2026: THE CONTENDERS

    57:36|
    If England don't win it who will?France, Spain, Portugal are all among the favourites, but only one European team has ever won in the Americas...can they change that?Lionel Messi will be at his sixth World Cup, can he lead Argentina to defend their crown?  Brazil have gone twenty four years without a World Cup, can ageing talisman Neymar and the experience of manager Carlo Ancelotti guide them to the final?Who are the dark horses - Senegal, Japan, Norway, Ecuador...And lastly what of the rest, the first timers, the romantics choice and the rank outsiders. Tom Allnutt, James Gheerbrant and Paul Hirst join Tom Clarke to asses the best of the rest.We're here with our daily update show from Friday 12th June and we'll have a USA and the hosts special next week.
  • Managers, Transfers and England update

    37:23|
    All the latest from a busy domestic scene. Silva leaves Fulham...is he Benfica bound? Crystal Palace look set to appoint the former Lens coach Iraola to Liverpool, Ederson to Man Utd and Nottingham Forest are asking for £120m for Elliot Anderson...is that value for money?After the break an update from the England camp in Miami - who is training, who looks good, who looks knackered and has Anthony Gordon nicked Marcus Rashford's girlfriend?