Copa Independent

Fourteen men have managed the England men’s team since Sir Alf Ramsey won the World Cup in 1966, and none have come close to repeating the feat. Under high expectation, intense scrutiny and crippling pressure, a series of England managers have been hounded, humiliated, abused and, in Sam Allardyce’s case, stung by a ruthless media. No wonder Graham Taylor called it “the impossible job”.In this week’s episode of “Copa Independent” – The Independent’s new World Cup podcast – chief sports writer Lawrence Ostlere is joined by chief football writer Miguel Delaney and senior sports writer Kieran Jackson to discuss what it takes to be the England manager, why it’s so “impossible” and whether a foreign coach like Thomas Tuchel is the answer.The episode also features a debate on our all-time World Cup XI, as they attempt to select a central midfielder to play alongside German great Lothar Matthaus, with plenty of disagreement before eventually settling on a player who has never won the World Cup.

With 2026 set to be by far the most expensive World Cup ever to attend, we investigate how it's got to this - and what it means for the future. This isn't just from being in an expensive United States right now. Fifa have been significant drivers, mostly through ticket prices but also some of the deals struck for the tournament, raising further questions about their leadership of the sport. We also speak to Thomas Concannon of the Football Supporters Association, who spells out exactly how difficult this is for fans.

As the World Cup returns to America, it would not have been possible without the spectacular success of USA 94. That was actually a huge gamble at the time, but more than paid off - in multiple ways. A colourfully open tournament was the consequence of unique factors coming together at once, but also changed the World Cup for the future. A tournament full of soul had an immense commercial legacy - right up to the Glazers taking over Manchester United. We discuss that and so much more from a tournament packed with storylines and moments, like whether Brazil were actually good winners, whether Baggio’s legacy has been enhanced by that miss and if a World Cup is better without England.

In the last 15 months alone, the build-up to this World Cup has brought more unprecedented developments than any previous tournament in history, above all a host nation bombing a participant through the Iran war. That raises many questions, right up to what influence Donald Trump is going to have on how this World Cup develops. But there's also another: if any other country was responsible, would there be calls for a boycott?

Since England won the World Cup in 1966, they have not been back to another men’s final, appearing in only two semi-finals in 1990 and 2018 in their closest attempts at repeating the feat. So, as the 2026 World Cup approaches, on the 60th anniversary of that famous Wembley win, should England have won more tournaments with the talent and resources at their disposal? And can Thomas Tuchel finally end the wait this summer? In the second episode of The Independent’s World Cup podcast, sports writers Lawrence Ostlere, Miguel Delaney and Kieran Jackson discuss which past tournaments England could have won, why they’ve underdelivered and whether the neurosis of 60 years of hurt can ever be overcome.

For the first edition of our weekly Copa Independent podcast, we are looking at the very meaning of the World Cup itself, and the two sides of the biggest cultural event in human history. But why has it got to that level? Why does it feel like nothing else in sport? Has it fulfilled the ideals of its creators? What would Jules Rimet, who envisioned a competition to bring mankind together, think of how it is now politically used?

Join Miguel Delaney and Adam Clery in the 2nd episode of a new podcast; State of Play.Also, while you're here, follow Adam's brand new YouTube channel right here: www.youtube.com/@TheAdamCleryFootballChannel

*Cough cough* Is this thing on?The Independent is resurrecting this channel with a new show; State of Play.Join Adam Clery and Miguel Delaney for a brand new podcast about the politics of the Premier League, the controversies of the modern game and, well, the state of play.This is a pilot episode, so please do get in touch to tell us what you thought!Also, while you're here, follow Adam's brand new YouTube channel right here: www.youtube.com/@TheAdamCleryFootballChannel