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Essential Football

Sky Sports

Essential Football is where you'll find Sky Sports' coverage of the biggest stories and talking points in football.
From in-depth interviews to documentaries, from the Premier League to the WSL - it's all covered.

•For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football

•For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk

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24 episodes
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Thursday · 30 min
Next step to success or same problems? England assessed after World Cup with Spain next
Sky Sports' Peter Smith is joined by Sky Sports News football correspondent Rob Dorsett at St George's Park to assess Thomas Tuchel's England ahead of their Nations League opener with Spain at Wembley on Saturday. Was England's World Cup showing at the World Cup a foundation for future success or a reflection of deeper problems within the set-up which will make that trophy wait go on? Three months on from the semi-final loss to Argentina, they reflect on Anthony Gordon's insightful comments on the situation, weigh up where players such as Kobbie Mainoo and Trent Alexander-Arnold stand in Tuchel's thinking, and pick out some exciting young players who could refresh and rejuvenate the group for the challenges ahead. - •For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football •For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk
September 22 · 11 min
A new era for Scotland begins under Pocognoli!
Luke Shanley sits down with Scotland’s new head coach, Sebastien Pocognoli, as he prepares to take charge of the team for the first time against Slovenia. •For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football •For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk
September 3 · 45 min
WSL season preview: Title contenders, battle to stay up and biggest transfers!
Anton Toloui is joined by Charlotte Marsh and Laure Hunter to preview the WSL 2026/27 season. They take a look at the title race as Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal battle it out for the WSL crown. They also assess which of the newly promoted sides could survive in the top flight, before taking a closer look at some of the biggest transfers of the WSL window. •For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football •For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk
August 31 · 35 min
London City Lionesses special: Putellas, Kang and a WSL title challenge?
Anton Toloui is joined by Charlotte Marsh and Rachel Corsie to discuss how the London City Lionesses will fare in the upcoming WSL season. They reflect on a big summer of signings, including Alexia Putellas, and debate if London City could challenge for the WSL title. - •For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football •For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk
July 20 · 24 min
Spain beat Argentina to win the World Cup!
For the final time, Hayley McQueen and Dharmesh Sheth round up everything you need to know this Monday, after Spain beat ten-man Argentina 1-0 in extra time to lift the World Cup. We hear from our correspondents, Kaveh Solhekol and Gary Cotterill, who were in New York. Plus, what next for England after their third place finish? Rob Dorsett looks ahead and we hear from Harry Kane on his World Cup future.
July 19 · 13 min
England bring home bronze in 10 goal thriller against France!
Hayley McQueen has Sunday's 'Cheat Sheet At The World Cup,' the morning after one of the most remarkable England games in recent memory! The Three Lions beat France 6-4 in Miami to end their 2026 tournament with a third place finish and a bronze medal. Rob Dorsett and James Savundra try and make sense of it all for us! Plus, Kaveh Solhekol looks ahead to tonight's World Cup Final between Argentina and Spain in New York and we hear from a former winner.
July 18 · 21 min
Tuchel takes the blame, but says no regrets in Argentina defeat as England prepare to face France. Even President Trump has his say on Tuchel's tactics!
Matt Kabir Floyd has today's 'Cheat Sheet At the World Cup', as England prepare for their bronze medal match against France. Thomas Tuchel has faced the media overnight and insisted that he has 'no regrets' about his tactics during the Three Lions' defeat to Argentina, but even President Trump has had his say on that semi-final loss! Rob Dorsett brings us the latest from the England camp and we hear from Rio Ferdinand too. Plus, we are with Argentina and Spain as they get ready for the final on Sunday and we discuss how this World Cup will be remembered.
July 17 · 16 min
Tuchel defends his tactics as 'smoky' New York gears up for the World Cup final
Matt Kabir Floyd is with Dave Reed to bring you the latest news from the 2026 World Cup. Thomas Tuchel's defended his tactics after England's 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina and instead says there's a problem with the country's footballing DNA. We've got reaction to that from Rob Dorsett at England's training base and from Gary Neville. Plus, we explain why conditions could be an issue in New York/New Jersey for Sunday's World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. - •For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football •For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk
July 16 · 14 min
Argentina end England's World Cup dream | Did Tuchel get his tactics wrong?
Matt Kabir Floyd is with Michael Bridge to bring you all the reaction to England's 2-1 semi-final defeat to Argentina. We hear from our reporters in Atlanta and get the fans' view from both sides. It all means England will play France next on Saturday in the third place playoff, while it'll be Argentina vs Spain in the final on Sunday evening. - •For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football •For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk
July 15 · 14 min
England one match away from a World Cup Final against Spain!
Hayley McQueen has today's 'Cheat Sheet' on semi final day at the 2026 World Cup! We look ahead to England against Argentina and hear what Thomas Tuchel had to say ahead of this huge match for the Three Lions. Spain await the winners in Sunday's final after they beat France 2-nil and we round up the big talking points from that one.
July 14 · 13 min
Declan Rice news, England head to Atlanta and who can stop Mbappe?
As England prepare to wave goodbye to their Kansas City training base, Hayley McQueen has your Tuesday morning 'Cheat Sheet At The World Cup'. We head straight to Rob Dorsett, who has some positive news to share with you ahead of England's semi final against Argentina. Plus, we find out what awaits the Three Lions in Atlanta with Gary Cotterill. Finally, we look ahead to Tuesday night's last four encounter between France and Spain with Dave Reed - the best attack against the best defence, but who can stop Kylian Mbappé?
July 13 · 13 min
England fitness update, why Bellingham and Tuchel are bringing out the best of each other & a semi-final preview
Hayley McQueen is joined by Michael Bridge to bring you the latest news from the 2026 World Cup. As England return to training ahead of the semi-finals we get a fitness update from our reporter Rob Dorsett in Kansas City. We also get the thoughts of Gary Neville who says it's a godo thing for England that Thomas Tuchel and Jude Bellingham disagreed with each other over the side's performance against Norway. Plus, we look ahead to Tuesday's semi-final between France and Spain. - •For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football •For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk
July 12 · 10 min
England into the semi-finals! Bellingham's double, spider-cam controversy and Argentina up next...
Hayley McQueen is with James Savundra to bring you the latest news from the 2026 World Cup. We hear from our reporters in Miami who saw Jude Bellingham strike twice to send England into the semi-finals with a 2-1 extra-time win against Norway. Up next for England will be Argentina after they also needed extra-time to get past Switzerland. We run through that game, and discuss the race for the tournament's Golden Boot. - •For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football •For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk
July 11 · 13 min
Can England see off Haaland and Norway? Spain set up blockbuster clash with France
Matt Kabir Floyd is with Dave Reed to bring you all the latest news and talking points from the 2026 World Cup. On the day England will take on Norway for a place in the semi-finals we hear from our reporters in Miami who've been with both teams in the build-up. Plus we round up how Spain managed to beat Belgium 2-1 to set up a mouth-watering clash against France for a place in the final. - •For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football •For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk
July 10 · 15 min
Fresh England injury worries, confident Haaland and France march on
Matt Kabir Floyd is joined by Dave Reed to bring you up to date with the latest news from the 2026 World Cup. We've got news of some fresh injury and fitness concerns for England ahead of their quarter final against Norway, and we hear from our reporters who are in Miami ahead of the game. Plus, we review France's win over Morocco and look ahead to tonight's match between Spain and Belgium. - •For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football •For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk
July 9 · 19 min
Kansas City Takeover! We go inside England's training base ahead of Norway quarter final.
Our Sky Sports News Football Correspondent, Rob Dorsett, takes us inside England's Kansas City training base as the Three Lions prepare to face Norway in the World Cup quarter finals on Saturday. We hear from England's Morgan Rogers, Norway's Martin Odegaard as well as The Sunday Times' Chief Football Correspondent, Jonathan Northcroft, and Norwegian journalist Jens Friberg. Keep across Sky Sports News and the Sky Sports website and app for the latest news from the World Cup and we'll be back with another podcast on Friday morning.
July 8 · 13 min
Messi's tears as Argentina complete remarkable comeback, whilst Switzerland are into the quarters for the first time in 70 years.
And then there were eight! Hayley McQueen rounds up your World Cup news as the quarter final line up is confirmed. Dave Reed looks back on Argentina's amazing 3-2 comeback against Egypt and Switzerland's win over Colombia on penalties. Plus, Rob Dorsett has the latest from England's base in Kansas City, as they return to training.
July 7 · 11 min
Ronaldo's World Cup dream ends, USA dumped out & England prepare for Norway
Hayley McQueen is with Dave Reed to bring you everything you need to know from the 2026 World Cup in North America. They run through the latest results, which saw Spain beat Portugal and Belgium knock out co-hosts USA. Plus we look ahead to today's games - Argentina vs Egypt and Switzerland vs Colombia - and get an update from the England camp as they prepare to play Norway in the quarter-finals. - •For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football •For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk
July 6 · 13 min
Three Lions Roar At Alti-Jude! England To Face Norway In Quarter Finals!
Hayley McQueen looks back on one of the Three Lions' greatest performances, as the ten-men of England beat Mexico 3-2 in a thriller at the Azteca Stadium with goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. We'll join our reporters in Mexico City for reaction. Next up for England it's Norway. Erling Haaland fired his side into the last eight with two goals against Brazil. Kris Boyd was in New Jersey for Sky Sports and shares his thoughts on how far Norway can go in this competition. •For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football •For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk
July 5 · 11 min
Tuchel tells England to embrace the 'beauty' of facing Mexico, whilst Mbappe sends France through to face Morocco!.
Hayley McQueen has your daily 'Cheat Sheet at the World Cup' on the morning before England face Mexico at the Azteca Stadium for a place in the quarter finals. We hear from our reporters in Mexico City and find out how both sides are preparing for this one. Plus, we round up Saturday's results as Kylian Mbappe's penalty saw France defeat Paraguay 1-0 and set up a quarter final against Morocco, who beat Canada 3-0. •For all the latest football news, head to www.skysports.com/football •For advertising opportunities email: skysportspodcasts@sky.uk

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