The Second Captains Podcast

England are into the knock-out stages of the World Cup where they will face DR Congo. It took them just over an hour to score the first of two goals against Panama and previous Tuchel-Boosters are beginning to have doubts. Ciarán chats to James Horncastle.It's 2030 and Ken is in a stadium shouting into a microphone about the preposterous situation of the 45 year old Ronaldo lining out in a World Cup Group Stage game for Portugal - that, it seems, is the future we have to look forward to.For now Ken and Branno were in Miami/Bogotá to see Portugal and Colombia both advance to the latter stages.

Ken is having a ball at this World Cup having watched Messi's record breaking feats, Mo's moment in little Egypt, Haaland go berserker and of course the highlight so far, being proved right about insipid England.Ken and Branno were also in Miami to see Scotland’s dreams crushed by a Vini Jr-inspired Brazil and tonight we set them loose in the city of vice!To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’ ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife.

Armagh and Donegal are out before the quarter-final stages of the All-Ireland senior football championship, just as everyone predicted. We have Dara Ó Cinnéide and Paul Flynn, past players from the two big winners this weekend, and there’s plenty to sink their teeth into - what’s gone wrong with Donegal, what’s driving Dublin, Kerry’s trampling of Armagh, Monaghan’s scoring rate, Mayo madness and why teams need to have more than one style of play.  Plus there’s Geaney's "easy" finish, Oisin McConville’s Wicklow on the march, Cape Verde live on the BBC, and Ken and Branno on the streets of New York.

Kevin Brannigan has arrived in New York City, and his first job is to release battery hen Ken from his content cage.We talk to Pablo Montano from AS about Spain’s thumping win today, and if Yamal can regain full fitness during this tournament.Branno and Ken go to Little Egypt and witness the North African's first ever win at the World Cup and get caught up in the crazy aftermath. Plus there’s Eoin’s Metallica shame, the Turks get angry and the player Brazilian fans love to hate.

Ken is having a great time at this World Cup and has chosen wisely so far, catching Messi's hat trick, The Azteca on opening night and England putting in one of their best ever World Cup performances... at least that's what MOST people thought.Next up its Brazil for Ken, and with loads of surprise results and some of the big stars shining, its shaping up to be a great tournament.To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series’  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’ and Stakeknife.

The All-Ireland football championship knew it had to produce something to grab some eye-balls on this World Cup weekend, and boy did it deliver.  Donegal and Armagh were both beaten, and they now face trips to Dublin and Kerry respectively.Paul Flynn and Dara Ó Cinnéide line up at the start line with us before a whirlwind tour of 8 incredible games this weekend.  Have Kerry’s injuries cleared up just in time; are Monaghan under-rated; how did Cork break down Donegal; is there a kick in Meath this year… and just how valuable will 2 weeks’ break be for Galway?And as the 'Dubs to Parnell Park' debate rages, there's a Brannecdote of note.  

This weekend gave us our first glimpses of Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti, Switzerland, Qatar, Germany and Curacao, and we manage to call in on quite a few teams on our Sunday night whistle-stop tour. We speak to comedian, podcaster and Scotsman Ray Bradshaw about Scotland's first win at a World Cup in 36 years and the influence of McTominay and McGinn.And Ken was in beautiful* Houston for Germany 7-1 Curacao this evening, where he may have seen Jurgen Klopp, but he definitely saw Bastian Schweinsteiger, and he also caught up with Curacao journalist Lilo Sulvaran. 

We’re less than an hour away from the big kick-off at World Cup 2026, Ken is at the Azteca and we are having a blast on the World Service this week. You’ll hear from Ken all tournament long and Branno’s gonna join him in a few days time.Click the player at the top of the page to play the show. To listen to all our World Cup programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. It costs 5 euro a month, there’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, and helping us send Ken and Branno to America.