Malcolm Brodie famously phoned in his report from Northern Ireland 1-0 Spain in 1982 to a copy taker down a scratchy line in a Belfast office.
“Magnifico, Magnifico, Magnifico!” he dictated.
“Alright Malcolm,” said the voice down the phone drily, “I heard you the first time.”
A lot of conflicting feelings as we head into World Cup 26.
The players who work their whole lives for these moments deserve it to be about them.
Loved this atmospheric piece from @aallensport.arseblog.com. Of course this whole thing is about football. But it's about feelings and people just as much.
Canada bound. Thinking of the great journalist Malcolm Brodie who went to a record 14 World Cups. What he must have seen…
PS Anyone in Toronto let us know some good places to watch games.
It is hard to generate the excitement and enthusiasm that is part of the World Cup cycle ideally. We all wait four years for this.
Usually the football takes over once it all starts, and the politicking (and worse) moves backstage.
Let's see.
Adding to the shame from football authorities— not a single word about this from the Confederation of African Football, the governing body whose top referee has lost out on his World Cup dream. Who with any semblance of power is making representations on behalf of this man, standing up for him?
World Cup. The first one I went to was Italia 90. It blew my mind being part of that global party - accessible to all including a teenager with £200 and a sleeping bag (plenty for two matches and a million laughs).
Over time that ideal has been corrupted.
www.theguardian.com/football/blo...
"I think they have a problem with my country."
Words from Omar Abdulkadir Artan, the FIFA appointed Somali referee. He was interviewed for 11 hours on arrival in USA for the World Cup and then sent home.
Scandalous.
www.nytimes.com/2026/06/09/w...
This by @mjslater.bsky.social is excellent and depressing.
A lot about this World Cup is awful. Outrageous pricing, refusal of visas for officials and fans from countries that are unwelcome.
The best of a melting-pot-party World Cup culture feels ruined.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...
That's all folks! Bringing the curtain down on an emotional juggernaut of a season on Handbrake Off. With @ianstonecomedy.bsky.social and @adrianjclarke.bsky.social on the Champions, CL final and the parade of Arsenal love as far as the eye could see. Cheers for listening. X
pod.fo/e/424769
