<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0" xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:psc="http://podlove.org/simple-chapters" xmlns:podcast="https://podcastindex.org/namespace/1.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Beyond The Touchline]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Beyond the Touchline is where elite coaching insight meets world-class commentary.</p><p>Hosted by Coach Nick Cowell, one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history, and veteran international broadcaster Adrian Healey, the podcast explores the global game through two rare and complementary lenses: the bench and the booth.</p><p>The show launches with a 12-episode countdown to the 2026 World Cup, unpacking the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams, profiling contenders and dark horses, and examining the structural, tactical, and cultural forces shaping the modern game. Each episode blends narrative, sharp analysis, and informed debate in under 60 minutes.</p><p>Expect big questions:</p><p>Does expansion create chaos or genius?</p><p>Can Argentina repeat?</p><p>Does hosting actually matter?</p><p>Is depth now more important than brilliance?</p><p>After 2026, the show expands beyond the tournament into leadership, player development, media, and the evolving future of football.</p><p>Smart, structured, and globally minded, Beyond the Touchline is for fans who want more than noise.</p>]]></description><link>https://www.beyond-the-touchline.com</link><generator>Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2026 16:08:56 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://api.riverside.com/hosting/PUHthqCA.rss" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><author><![CDATA[Nick Cowell]]></author><pubDate>Fri, 27 Feb 2026 00:23:13 GMT</pubDate><copyright><![CDATA[2026 Nick Cowell]]></copyright><language><![CDATA[en]]></language><ttl>60</ttl><category><![CDATA[Sports News]]></category><category><![CDATA[Soccer]]></category><itunes:author>Nick Cowell</itunes:author><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Beyond the Touchline is where elite coaching insight meets world-class commentary.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hosted by Coach Nick Cowell, one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history, and veteran international broadcaster Adrian Healey, the podcast explores the global game through two rare and complementary lenses: the bench and the booth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The show launches with a 12-episode countdown to the 2026 World Cup, unpacking the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams, profiling contenders and dark horses, and examining the structural, tactical, and cultural forces shaping the modern game. Each episode blends narrative, sharp analysis, and informed debate in under 60 minutes.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Expect big questions:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Does expansion create chaos or genius?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Can Argentina repeat?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Does hosting actually matter?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Is depth now more important than brilliance?&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;After 2026, the show expands beyond the tournament into leadership, player development, media, and the evolving future of football.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Smart, structured, and globally minded, Beyond the Touchline is for fans who want more than noise.&lt;/p&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type><itunes:owner><itunes:name>Nick Cowell</itunes:name><itunes:email>ncowellnick@gmail.com</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:category text="News"><itunes:category text="Sports News"/></itunes:category><itunes:category text="Sports"><itunes:category text="Soccer"/></itunes:category><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/logos/b6568570-6612-408b-b954-fa47ea1cd3bb.png"/><item><title><![CDATA[BONUS: USMNT Announcement]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>Pochettino's first World Cup roster has been announced, revealing surprises and concerns. The team's spine remains intact, but there are questions about defensive midfield and goalkeeper positions. The roster suggests a shift from experimentation to player development and performance.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Roster surprises and concerns</li><li>Shift from experimentation to player development</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Pochettino's World Cup Roster</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">345db6df-ad91-44a3-9adc-fba7ddb29695</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Cowell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:41:10 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/e34bcdd230c7d55630f16f0ea33fa1f4dfba3a51b675463518f1bf70211f56fc/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzNDVkYjZkZi1hZDkxLTQ0YTMtOWFkYy1mYmE3ZGRiMjk2OTUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI2NjYwMzVkNy0zYzcwLTQ3NmMtOWMzNC05MjE4Y2EyNGFiZDYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTlmMmRlNzNhZWFhY2IzNGQ0ZTZhNmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNmExNzAzZTgzNzdiOTFjNTMzMTdhMWQ1L25pY2stY293ZWxscy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi01LTI3X18xNi00Ny0zLm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="8619302" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/episodes/345db6df-ad91-44a3-9adc-fba7ddb29695/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;Pochettino&apos;s first World Cup roster has been announced, revealing surprises and concerns. The team&apos;s spine remains intact, but there are questions about defensive midfield and goalkeeper positions. The roster suggests a shift from experimentation to player development and performance.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Roster surprises and concerns&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Shift from experimentation to player development&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Pochettino&apos;s World Cup Roster&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:04:29</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/logos/b6568570-6612-408b-b954-fa47ea1cd3bb.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:title>BONUS: USMNT Announcement</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[E010 - WC2026 - West Asia - Bassil Mikdadi]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation delves into the rich football culture of West Asia, Basil's journey into football journalism, the intersection of politics, culture, and identity in football, defining West Asia in football terms, the impact of Morocco's success on the region, Jordan's compelling World Cup story, Iraq's qualification and home advantage, Saudi Arabia's World Cup preparation, and Qatar's uncertain World Cup prospects. The conversation delves into the World Cup journeys of Qatar, Iran, and Palestine, highlighting the challenges and prospects for each team. It also explores the political and social context surrounding Iran's national team, shedding light on the impact of external factors on the team's participation. The lightning round provides quick insights and reactions on various football-related topics.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>West Asia's rich football culture is often overlooked and deserves recognition.</li><li>The intersection of politics, culture, and identity plays a significant role in football in the region. Qatar's resilience and adaptability led to a successful World Cup journey.</li><li>The political and social context significantly influences Iran's national team and its participation in the World Cup.</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Exploring West Asian Football Culture</li><li>07:23 Impact of Morocco's Success on the Region</li><li>13:14 Jordan's Compelling World Cup Story</li><li>20:13 Iraq's Qualification and Home Advantage</li><li>25:43 Saudi Arabia's World Cup Preparation</li><li>31:23 Qatar's Uncertain World Cup Prospects</li><li>37:05 Iran's Political and Social Context</li><li>43:45 Iran's World Cup Prospects</li><li>59:25 Lightning Round: Insights and Reactions</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">b68b4316-8528-445c-a203-849de3b37765</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Cowell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 09 Jun 2026 14:00:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/a45024f63aa74b8eeb1b730665aa08f94ea09702b3879fff375fb8a0bbaf9bc4/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJiNjhiNDMxNi04NTI4LTQ0NWMtYTIwMy04NDlkZTNiMzc3NjUiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI2NjYwMzVkNy0zYzcwLTQ3NmMtOWMzNC05MjE4Y2EyNGFiZDYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTlmMmRlNzNhZWFhY2IzNGQ0ZTZhNmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNmExOGQ0MDAxMjA1NjlkM2Q3N2Y5NjA5L25pY2stY293ZWxscy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi01LTI5X18xLTQ3LTExLm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="110728402" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation delves into the rich football culture of West Asia, Basil&apos;s journey into football journalism, the intersection of politics, culture, and identity in football, defining West Asia in football terms, the impact of Morocco&apos;s success on the region, Jordan&apos;s compelling World Cup story, Iraq&apos;s qualification and home advantage, Saudi Arabia&apos;s World Cup preparation, and Qatar&apos;s uncertain World Cup prospects. The conversation delves into the World Cup journeys of Qatar, Iran, and Palestine, highlighting the challenges and prospects for each team. It also explores the political and social context surrounding Iran&apos;s national team, shedding light on the impact of external factors on the team&apos;s participation. The lightning round provides quick insights and reactions on various football-related topics.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;West Asia&apos;s rich football culture is often overlooked and deserves recognition.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The intersection of politics, culture, and identity plays a significant role in football in the region. Qatar&apos;s resilience and adaptability led to a successful World Cup journey.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The political and social context significantly influences Iran&apos;s national team and its participation in the World Cup.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Exploring West Asian Football Culture&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;07:23 Impact of Morocco&apos;s Success on the Region&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;13:14 Jordan&apos;s Compelling World Cup Story&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;20:13 Iraq&apos;s Qualification and Home Advantage&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;25:43 Saudi Arabia&apos;s World Cup Preparation&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;31:23 Qatar&apos;s Uncertain World Cup Prospects&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;37:05 Iran&apos;s Political and Social Context&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;43:45 Iran&apos;s World Cup Prospects&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;59:25 Lightning Round: Insights and Reactions&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:57:40</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/logos/b6568570-6612-408b-b954-fa47ea1cd3bb.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>10</itunes:episode><itunes:title>E010 - WC2026 - West Asia - Bassil Mikdadi</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[E009 - WC2026 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland - Derek Rae]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation begins with a nostalgic look back at World Cup memories and the pivotal role of German football in the personal journey of the speakers. It then transitions into a detailed analysis of the German national team's prospects and mentality heading into the 2026 World Cup. The discussion further delves into language learning and the cultural insight gained through language proficiency. The conversation covers Rangnick's influence on modern football, an analysis of the Austrian and Swiss national teams, and Scotland's long-awaited return to the World Cup. It provides insights into the tactical and strategic aspects of these teams and their potential performance in the upcoming tournament.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>German Football Culture</li><li>World Cup Memories</li><li>German National Team Prospects Rangnick's Influence</li><li>Austrian and Swiss National Teams</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction and World Cup Memories</li><li>22:59 Language Learning and Cultural Insight</li><li>30:36 Rangnick's Influence on Modern Football</li><li>36:05 Austrian National Team Analysis</li><li>41:28 Swiss National Team Analysis</li><li>52:03 Scotland's Return to the World Cup</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">ac262bc5-2f0d-441a-b14b-d6d4add9cbc9</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Cowell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:24:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/8c2a638ae93afe6e1ab248261dab56cb1449fbd4950f618b9e3c3456365df983/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhYzI2MmJjNS0yZjBkLTQ0MWEtYjE0Yi1kNmQ0YWRkOWNiYzkiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI2NjYwMzVkNy0zYzcwLTQ3NmMtOWMzNC05MjE4Y2EyNGFiZDYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTlmMmRlNzNhZWFhY2IzNGQ0ZTZhNmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlmY2NlNzMwYjc2NmIwNWE1YzBhNWM5L25pY2stY293ZWxscy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi01LTdfXzE5LTQwLTIubXAzIn0=.mp3" length="117938198" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/episodes/ac262bc5-2f0d-441a-b14b-d6d4add9cbc9/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation begins with a nostalgic look back at World Cup memories and the pivotal role of German football in the personal journey of the speakers. It then transitions into a detailed analysis of the German national team&apos;s prospects and mentality heading into the 2026 World Cup. The discussion further delves into language learning and the cultural insight gained through language proficiency. The conversation covers Rangnick&apos;s influence on modern football, an analysis of the Austrian and Swiss national teams, and Scotland&apos;s long-awaited return to the World Cup. It provides insights into the tactical and strategic aspects of these teams and their potential performance in the upcoming tournament.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;German Football Culture&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;World Cup Memories&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;German National Team Prospects Rangnick&apos;s Influence&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Austrian and Swiss National Teams&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Introduction and World Cup Memories&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;22:59 Language Learning and Cultural Insight&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;30:36 Rangnick&apos;s Influence on Modern Football&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;36:05 Austrian National Team Analysis&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;41:28 Swiss National Team Analysis&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;52:03 Scotland&apos;s Return to the World Cup&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>01:01:25</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/logos/b6568570-6612-408b-b954-fa47ea1cd3bb.png"/><itunes:title>E009 - WC2026 - Germany, Austria, Switzerland - Derek Rae</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[E008 - WC2026 - Asia Gulf States - David Platt]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation covers David Platt's diverse career in football, including his coaching roles at Liverpool Academy, work with the Great Britain Olympic teams, scouting role at Manchester United, insights from working with Sir Alex Ferguson, experience with the British Olympic team and elite performance, involvement with Qatar's football development, and Qatar's performance in the World Cup and future prospects for 2026. The conversation covers Qatar's World Cup prospects, Asian teams in the World Cup, Saudi football development, Saudi World Cup preparation, and the passion and excitement for football. The discussion delves into strategic development, the participation of Gulf nations in the World Cup, and the guests' enduring passion for the sport.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Diverse Career in Football</li><li>Elite Performance in Sports</li><li>Talent Identification and Development</li><li>Success and Challenges in Qatar's Football Journey Strategic Development</li><li>Gulf Nations in World Cup</li><li>Passion for Football</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Qatar's Performance in World Cup and Future Prospects for 2026</li><li>47:26 Football Passion and Excitement</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">99888a8c-3091-4bea-8472-b23308e1e1fb</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Cowell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 26 May 2026 19:13:12 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/b0fe0e50d747c31b54855f23982e3c63a0b2079a944e05cb79ed43d83be28544/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI5OTg4OGE4Yy0zMDkxLTRiZWEtODQ3Mi1iMjMzMDhlMWUxZmIiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI2NjYwMzVkNy0zYzcwLTQ3NmMtOWMzNC05MjE4Y2EyNGFiZDYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTlmMmRlNzNhZWFhY2IzNGQ0ZTZhNmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlmMGJlZWRhOWIzNjBiNzNjYWU1ODUyL25pY2stY293ZWxscy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi00LTI4X18xNi02LTM3Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="96051348" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/episodes/99888a8c-3091-4bea-8472-b23308e1e1fb/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation covers David Platt&apos;s diverse career in football, including his coaching roles at Liverpool Academy, work with the Great Britain Olympic teams, scouting role at Manchester United, insights from working with Sir Alex Ferguson, experience with the British Olympic team and elite performance, involvement with Qatar&apos;s football development, and Qatar&apos;s performance in the World Cup and future prospects for 2026. The conversation covers Qatar&apos;s World Cup prospects, Asian teams in the World Cup, Saudi football development, Saudi World Cup preparation, and the passion and excitement for football. The discussion delves into strategic development, the participation of Gulf nations in the World Cup, and the guests&apos; enduring passion for the sport.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Diverse Career in Football&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Elite Performance in Sports&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Talent Identification and Development&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Success and Challenges in Qatar&apos;s Football Journey Strategic Development&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Gulf Nations in World Cup&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Passion for Football&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Qatar&apos;s Performance in World Cup and Future Prospects for 2026&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;47:26 Football Passion and Excitement&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:50:02</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/logos/b6568570-6612-408b-b954-fa47ea1cd3bb.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>8</itunes:episode><itunes:title>E008 - WC2026 - Asia Gulf States - David Platt</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[E007 - WC2026 - Africa - Michael Lahoud]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation delves into the unique culture of African football, its impact on the World Cup, and its historical evolution. It explores the influence of African football on the global stage and its rise in the World Cup, highlighting key moments and the changing landscape of African football in international competitions. The conversation delves into the impact of African coaches in the World Cup, the future of African football, recruitment and dual nationals, the cultural challenges of dual nationals, the passion of football banter, and Michael Lahoud's broadcasting career.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>African Football's Unique Culture</li><li>Impact of African Football on World Cup</li><li>Evolution of African Football in World Cup African football's rising stars</li><li>The impact of African coaches in the World Cup</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to African Football</li><li>11:43 Historical Evolution of African Football</li><li>24:53 African Football's Rise in World Cup</li><li>32:07 The Impact of African Coaches</li><li>38:18 Recruitment and Dual Nationals</li><li>59:46 The Passion of Football Banter</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">48702b47-92f2-404a-ac8b-61ab55ca7c30</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Cowell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 19 May 2026 21:04:46 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/7c9153b95bb605649e05bbf73e71dbf24aba01817cee959d36376d5671f4413c/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI0ODcwMmI0Ny05MmYyLTQwNGEtYWM4Yi02MWFiNTVjYTdjMzAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI2NjYwMzVkNy0zYzcwLTQ3NmMtOWMzNC05MjE4Y2EyNGFiZDYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTlmMmRlNzNhZWFhY2IzNGQ0ZTZhNmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjllN2Y5NzZkMzFkODRlZWExNDAxN2U3L25pY2stY293ZWxscy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi00LTIyX18wLTI1LTU4Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="110791096" type="audio/mpeg"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation delves into the unique culture of African football, its impact on the World Cup, and its historical evolution. It explores the influence of African football on the global stage and its rise in the World Cup, highlighting key moments and the changing landscape of African football in international competitions. The conversation delves into the impact of African coaches in the World Cup, the future of African football, recruitment and dual nationals, the cultural challenges of dual nationals, the passion of football banter, and Michael Lahoud&apos;s broadcasting career.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;African Football&apos;s Unique Culture&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Impact of African Football on World Cup&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Evolution of African Football in World Cup African football&apos;s rising stars&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The impact of African coaches in the World Cup&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Introduction to African Football&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;11:43 Historical Evolution of African Football&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;24:53 African Football&apos;s Rise in World Cup&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;32:07 The Impact of African Coaches&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;38:18 Recruitment and Dual Nationals&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;59:46 The Passion of Football Banter&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:57:42</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/logos/b6568570-6612-408b-b954-fa47ea1cd3bb.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>7</itunes:episode><itunes:title>E007 - WC2026 - Africa - Michael Lahoud</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[E006 - WC2026 - Why This Will Be the Hardest World Cup Ever - Paul Balsom]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation covers the science behind football, the role of sports scientists, the challenges of international football, and the preparation for tournaments. It delves into the science of the game, Leicester City's title season, the association with the Swedish national team, and the challenges of the 2026 World Cup. The conversation delves into the challenges of player fatigue and workload management, the routine and recovery process for players between games, the impact of pressure on player performance, the relationship between sports science and medical staff, the role of technology in football performance, player longevity and performance expectations, and the support for grassroots football through U-Turns Academy.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Science in Football</li><li>The Role of Sports Scientists</li><li>Challenges of International Football</li><li>Preparation for Tournaments Player fatigue and workload management</li><li>The impact of pressure on player performance</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The 2026 World Cup Challenge</li><li>33:39 Player Fatigue and Workload Management</li><li>40:15 Readiness for the FIFA World Cup 2026</li><li>46:42 Sports Science and Medical Staff Relationship</li><li>53:34 Player Longevity and Performance Expectations</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">a95eb875-c8fc-401d-9f52-27911496ce50</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Cowell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 12 May 2026 15:26:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/6539b9793e2ce767a9f17aa3eeafe88859547f05fa91eaeeb478366e0a97dc1e/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJhOTVlYjg3NS1jOGZjLTQwMWQtOWY1Mi0yNzkxMTQ5NmNlNTAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI2NjYwMzVkNy0zYzcwLTQ3NmMtOWMzNC05MjE4Y2EyNGFiZDYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTlmMmRlNzNhZWFhY2IzNGQ0ZTZhNmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlmZGZjNTIzZDNlOGViZjg2ODliM2RmL25pY2stY293ZWxscy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi01LThfXzE3LTgtMi5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="103822881" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/episodes/a95eb875-c8fc-401d-9f52-27911496ce50/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation covers the science behind football, the role of sports scientists, the challenges of international football, and the preparation for tournaments. It delves into the science of the game, Leicester City&apos;s title season, the association with the Swedish national team, and the challenges of the 2026 World Cup. The conversation delves into the challenges of player fatigue and workload management, the routine and recovery process for players between games, the impact of pressure on player performance, the relationship between sports science and medical staff, the role of technology in football performance, player longevity and performance expectations, and the support for grassroots football through U-Turns Academy.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Science in Football&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The Role of Sports Scientists&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Challenges of International Football&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Preparation for Tournaments Player fatigue and workload management&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The impact of pressure on player performance&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 The 2026 World Cup Challenge&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;33:39 Player Fatigue and Workload Management&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;40:15 Readiness for the FIFA World Cup 2026&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;46:42 Sports Science and Medical Staff Relationship&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;53:34 Player Longevity and Performance Expectations&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:54:04</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/logos/b6568570-6612-408b-b954-fa47ea1cd3bb.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>6</itunes:episode><itunes:title>E006 - WC2026 - Why This Will Be the Hardest World Cup Ever - Paul Balsom</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[E005 - WC2026 - S. America - Ale Moreno]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation delves into the challenges and experiences of South American teams in World Cup qualifiers, highlighting the competitive nature of South American football. It also explores the prospects of Argentina and Brazil in the upcoming World Cup, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each team.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>South American World Cup Qualifiers</li><li>Challenges of South American Teams</li><li>Argentina's World Cup Prospects</li><li>Brazil's World Cup Prospects Brazil's lack of all-time great players</li><li>Colombia's reliance on James Rodriguez</li><li>Uruguay's tough and gritty playing style</li><li>Ecuador's physicality and limitations in attack</li><li>Paraguay's potential to surprise</li><li>The challenges of combining CONCACAF with CONMEBOL for World Cup qualifying</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Brazil's World Cup Prospects</li><li>35:32 Brazil's All-Time Greats</li><li>44:30 Uruguay's Tough Playing Style</li><li>49:46 Ecuador's Physicality and Limitations in Attack</li><li>01:00:49 Challenges of Combining CONCACAF with CONMEBOL</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">f1c806df-2d33-421e-9d60-5f48c7928857</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Cowell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 14:10:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/e2fbbf13592eaa144fcebf7925a194c21d71da34d0171781a36616bdd67a10db/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmMWM4MDZkZi0yZDMzLTQyMWUtOWQ2MC01ZjQ4Yzc5Mjg4NTciLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI2NjYwMzVkNy0zYzcwLTQ3NmMtOWMzNC05MjE4Y2EyNGFiZDYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTlmMmRlNzNhZWFhY2IzNGQ0ZTZhNmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlmOGNmOWZmZmMzZDI0NDlhNWE4ZTMxL25pY2stY293ZWxscy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi01LTRfXzE4LTU1LTU5Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="115734717" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/episodes/f1c806df-2d33-421e-9d60-5f48c7928857/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation delves into the challenges and experiences of South American teams in World Cup qualifiers, highlighting the competitive nature of South American football. It also explores the prospects of Argentina and Brazil in the upcoming World Cup, discussing the strengths and weaknesses of each team.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;South American World Cup Qualifiers&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Challenges of South American Teams&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Argentina&apos;s World Cup Prospects&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Brazil&apos;s World Cup Prospects Brazil&apos;s lack of all-time great players&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Colombia&apos;s reliance on James Rodriguez&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Uruguay&apos;s tough and gritty playing style&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Ecuador&apos;s physicality and limitations in attack&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Paraguay&apos;s potential to surprise&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The challenges of combining CONCACAF with CONMEBOL for World Cup qualifying&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Brazil&apos;s World Cup Prospects&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;35:32 Brazil&apos;s All-Time Greats&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;44:30 Uruguay&apos;s Tough Playing Style&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;49:46 Ecuador&apos;s Physicality and Limitations in Attack&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;01:00:49 Challenges of Combining CONCACAF with CONMEBOL&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>01:00:17</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/logos/b6568570-6612-408b-b954-fa47ea1cd3bb.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>5</itunes:episode><itunes:title>E005 - WC2026 - S. America - Ale Moreno</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[E004 - WC2026 - Homecooking - Herculez Gomez]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation covers Herc's journey to professional soccer, the impact of home advantage in soccer, and the expectations for the host nations of the upcoming World Cup. The conversation covers the impact of home advantage, Mexico's fan base and World Cup expectations, Canada's rise in soccer, US Men's National Team's success factors, Christian Pulisic's role and expectations, Herc's personal World Cup experience, excitement for football and stadium atmosphere, Liga MX and MLS in European perception, breakout star for host nations, and passion for the game and excitement.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Journey from amateur to professional soccer</li><li>Home advantage in soccer</li><li>Expectations for host nations of the World Cup Home advantage plays a significant role in the World Cup.</li><li>Canada's soccer program has seen a remarkable transformation.</li><li>The success of the US Men's National Team depends on defensive stability and the performance of key players.</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Journey to Professional Soccer</li><li>13:00 The Impact of Home Advantage</li><li>22:10 Expectations for Host Nations</li><li>30:17 The Impact of Home Advantage</li><li>36:47 US Men's National Team's Success Factors</li><li>45:18 Herc's Personal World Cup Experience</li><li>51:17 Liga MX and MLS in European Perception</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">34168770-4d42-4e3f-be66-7ee0e0476720</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Cowell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:24:22 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/4b674edfa55897b2c035506345dbfce9ea92fa22c78f88d47503791a5a5532ea/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiIzNDE2ODc3MC00ZDQyLTRlM2YtYmU2Ni03ZWUwZTA0NzY3MjAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI2NjYwMzVkNy0zYzcwLTQ3NmMtOWMzNC05MjE4Y2EyNGFiZDYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTlmMmRlNzNhZWFhY2IzNGQ0ZTZhNmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjljN2MzNjlkY2Q4MTY0Y2NkMmJlZTdhL25pY2stY293ZWxscy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi0zLTI4X18xMy0yLTQ5Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="98572477" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/episodes/34168770-4d42-4e3f-be66-7ee0e0476720/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation covers Herc&apos;s journey to professional soccer, the impact of home advantage in soccer, and the expectations for the host nations of the upcoming World Cup. The conversation covers the impact of home advantage, Mexico&apos;s fan base and World Cup expectations, Canada&apos;s rise in soccer, US Men&apos;s National Team&apos;s success factors, Christian Pulisic&apos;s role and expectations, Herc&apos;s personal World Cup experience, excitement for football and stadium atmosphere, Liga MX and MLS in European perception, breakout star for host nations, and passion for the game and excitement.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Journey from amateur to professional soccer&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Home advantage in soccer&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Expectations for host nations of the World Cup Home advantage plays a significant role in the World Cup.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Canada&apos;s soccer program has seen a remarkable transformation.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The success of the US Men&apos;s National Team depends on defensive stability and the performance of key players.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Journey to Professional Soccer&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;13:00 The Impact of Home Advantage&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;22:10 Expectations for Host Nations&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;30:17 The Impact of Home Advantage&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;36:47 US Men&apos;s National Team&apos;s Success Factors&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;45:18 Herc&apos;s Personal World Cup Experience&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;51:17 Liga MX and MLS in European Perception&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:51:20</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/logos/b6568570-6612-408b-b954-fa47ea1cd3bb.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>4</itunes:episode><itunes:title>E004 - WC2026 - Homecooking - Herculez Gomez</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[E003 - WC2026 - Aus & NZ - Tom Sermanni]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation with Tom Sermanni covers his experiences as a player and coach, insights into life inside a World Cup camp, and the challenges of coaching a national team. He also discusses the success of the Matildas at the World Cup and the traits of superstar players. The conversation with Tom Sermanni covers topics such as player management, World Cup experiences, and assessments of the Socceroos and New Zealand teams. Tom also shares insights on coaching decisions, toughest opponents, and the evolving nature of the game.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Life inside a World Cup camp involves constant togetherness and a relaxed, rule-free environment.</li><li>The success of the Matildas at the World Cup was attributed to a combination of players coming together, spending a significant amount of time together, and building a family-like team culture. Player Management</li><li>World Cup Experiences</li><li>Assessment of Socceroos and New Zealand Teams</li><li>Coaching Decisions and Toughest Opponents</li><li>Evolving Nature of the Game</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Tom Sermanni</li><li>06:14 Coaching the Matildas</li><li>16:28 Coaching a National Team vs. Club Team</li><li>29:05 Inside a World Cup Camp</li><li>37:23 Player Management and Media Relations</li><li>44:33 Coaching Decisions and Toughest Opponents</li><li>57:13 Evolving Nature of the Game</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">d4707357-eb01-4685-bdfe-8c960c159266</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Cowell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 14:16:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/ba6e4e8b57cd866fd5fd370f35757a9e42f4d6b5b75e4a15152481caccaf664b/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJkNDcwNzM1Ny1lYjAxLTQ2ODUtYmRmZS04Yzk2MGMxNTkyNjYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI2NjYwMzVkNy0zYzcwLTQ3NmMtOWMzNC05MjE4Y2EyNGFiZDYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTlmMmRlNzNhZWFhY2IzNGQ0ZTZhNmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlkZmRlZDkxZDMyMGRjMGM3NDBiNWNhL25pY2stY293ZWxscy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi00LTE1X18yMC01NC0xNy5tcDMifQ==.mp3" length="82972360" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/episodes/d4707357-eb01-4685-bdfe-8c960c159266/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation with Tom Sermanni covers his experiences as a player and coach, insights into life inside a World Cup camp, and the challenges of coaching a national team. He also discusses the success of the Matildas at the World Cup and the traits of superstar players. The conversation with Tom Sermanni covers topics such as player management, World Cup experiences, and assessments of the Socceroos and New Zealand teams. Tom also shares insights on coaching decisions, toughest opponents, and the evolving nature of the game.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Life inside a World Cup camp involves constant togetherness and a relaxed, rule-free environment.&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The success of the Matildas at the World Cup was attributed to a combination of players coming together, spending a significant amount of time together, and building a family-like team culture. Player Management&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;World Cup Experiences&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Assessment of Socceroos and New Zealand Teams&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Coaching Decisions and Toughest Opponents&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Evolving Nature of the Game&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Introduction to Tom Sermanni&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;06:14 Coaching the Matildas&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;16:28 Coaching a National Team vs. Club Team&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;29:05 Inside a World Cup Camp&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;37:23 Player Management and Media Relations&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;44:33 Coaching Decisions and Toughest Opponents&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;57:13 Evolving Nature of the Game&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:57:37</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/logos/b6568570-6612-408b-b954-fa47ea1cd3bb.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>3</itunes:episode><itunes:title>E003 - WC2026 - Aus &amp; NZ - Tom Sermanni</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[E002 - WC2026 - England, USA - Ian Darke]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The conversation delves into the speakers' shared love for local clubs, early commentary experiences, the significance of the World Cup, challenges of real-time commentary, pressure and judgment as a commentator, entertainment and engagement, capturing iconic moments, pre-game preparation, the impact of World Cup 1994, expansion of the World Cup, and challenges of varied opponents. The speakers reflect on their experiences, the evolution of football, and the impact of the World Cup on the sport's global reach.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Passion for Local Clubs</li><li>Commentating Challenges</li><li>Impact of World Cup Expect the unexpected</li><li>The impact of hosting on performance</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Growing Up with Local Clubs</li><li>07:10 Reading the Game as a Commentator</li><li>16:25 Pre-Game Preparation</li><li>30:57 Expansion of the World Cup</li><li>36:08 England's Prospects</li><li>47:25 Quickfire Questions</li><li>53:28 Passion for the Game</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">fb3cf1d6-efdd-4bf5-bd52-6a91e67ebbd0</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Cowell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 14:02:06 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/7e4dad246e7d5c131eacf31b1b44cb9b4e80e03c99a3dc9154e0128af69ff597/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiJmYjNjZjFkNi1lZmRkLTRiZjUtYmQ1Mi02YTkxZTY3ZWJiZDAiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI2NjYwMzVkNy0zYzcwLTQ3NmMtOWMzNC05MjE4Y2EyNGFiZDYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTlmMmRlNzNhZWFhY2IzNGQ0ZTZhNmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlkZDM2ZTYwNTljM2FhNjI3Nzc0NjEyL25pY2stY293ZWxscy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi00LTEzX18yMC0zMy05Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="68231775" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/episodes/fb3cf1d6-efdd-4bf5-bd52-6a91e67ebbd0/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The conversation delves into the speakers&apos; shared love for local clubs, early commentary experiences, the significance of the World Cup, challenges of real-time commentary, pressure and judgment as a commentator, entertainment and engagement, capturing iconic moments, pre-game preparation, the impact of World Cup 1994, expansion of the World Cup, and challenges of varied opponents. The speakers reflect on their experiences, the evolution of football, and the impact of the World Cup on the sport&apos;s global reach.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Passion for Local Clubs&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Commentating Challenges&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;Impact of World Cup Expect the unexpected&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;The impact of hosting on performance&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Growing Up with Local Clubs&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;07:10 Reading the Game as a Commentator&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;16:25 Pre-Game Preparation&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;30:57 Expansion of the World Cup&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;36:08 England&apos;s Prospects&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;47:25 Quickfire Questions&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;53:28 Passion for the Game&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:47:23</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/logos/b6568570-6612-408b-b954-fa47ea1cd3bb.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>2</itunes:episode><itunes:title>E002 - WC2026 - England, USA - Ian Darke</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item><item><title><![CDATA[E001 - Host Introductions - Cowell/Healey]]></title><description><![CDATA[<p>The inaugural episode of Beyond the Touchline introduces the hosts, Adrian and Nick, as they discuss their unique perspectives on football and the World Cup. They delve into coaching perspectives, commentating at the World Cup, player identification, fan misconceptions, emerging players, and their experiences of the 1994 World Cup. The episode sets the stage for future discussions on the upcoming World Cup in 2026.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Different Perspectives</li><li>World Cup Preparation</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Touchline</li><li>08:20 The World Cup Experience</li><li>16:25 Commentating at the World Cup</li><li>25:44 Coaches and Fan Misconceptions</li><li>34:41 Emerging Players in the World Cup</li></ul>]]></description><guid isPermaLink="false">50b55bd7-a8fe-4b9e-9899-8c36b0bd28ef</guid><dc:creator><![CDATA[Nick Cowell]]></dc:creator><pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:16:27 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://api.riverside.com/hosting-analytics/media/aaa6e38ed91860ca9033c9f20bc3804de745f512ebd412094d3d29aab131113a/eyJlcGlzb2RlSWQiOiI1MGI1NWJkNy1hOGZlLTRiOWUtOTg5OS04YzM2YjBiZDI4ZWYiLCJwb2RjYXN0SWQiOiI2NjYwMzVkNy0zYzcwLTQ3NmMtOWMzNC05MjE4Y2EyNGFiZDYiLCJhY2NvdW50SWQiOiI2OTlmMmRlNzNhZWFhY2IzNGQ0ZTZhNmQiLCJwYXRoIjoibWVkaWEvY2xpcHMvNjlhYWViMmY3OTA3N2VjZjdiYWNmYmRmL25pY2stY293ZWxscy1zdHVkaW8tY29tcG9zZXItMjAyNi0zLTZfXzE1LTU2LTQ3Lm1wMyJ9.mp3" length="63059530" type="audio/mpeg"/><podcast:transcript url="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/episodes/50b55bd7-a8fe-4b9e-9899-8c36b0bd28ef/transcripts.txt" type="text/plain"/><itunes:summary>&lt;p&gt;The inaugural episode of Beyond the Touchline introduces the hosts, Adrian and Nick, as they discuss their unique perspectives on football and the World Cup. They delve into coaching perspectives, commentating at the World Cup, player identification, fan misconceptions, emerging players, and their experiences of the 1994 World Cup. The episode sets the stage for future discussions on the upcoming World Cup in 2026.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Takeaways&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;Different Perspectives&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;World Cup Preparation&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Chapters&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;00:00 Introduction to Beyond the Touchline&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;08:20 The World Cup Experience&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;16:25 Commentating at the World Cup&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;25:44 Coaches and Fan Misconceptions&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;34:41 Emerging Players in the World Cup&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ul&gt;</itunes:summary><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:duration>00:43:47</itunes:duration><itunes:image href="https://hosting-media.riverside.com/media/podcasts/666035d7-3c70-476c-9c34-9218ca24abd6/logos/b6568570-6612-408b-b954-fa47ea1cd3bb.png"/><itunes:season>1</itunes:season><itunes:episode>1</itunes:episode><itunes:title>E001 - Host Introductions - Cowell/Healey</itunes:title><itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType></item></channel></rss>