World Cup 2026: Canada has caught football fever - Christine Sinclair

World Cup 2026: Canada has caught football fever - Christine Sinclair

Canada’s Christine Sinclair is the all-time record goal scorer in international football, with 190 goals. She played in a Women’s World Cup on home soil in 2015 and was part of the team, which won Olympic gold in 2021. Sinclair joins the BBC’s Lee James to discuss the impact co-hosting the men’s World Cup is having on the sport in Canada. She believes the nation has caught football fever and the long-term benefits will be felt 15 years from now as more children grow into playing the sport. Sinclair also gives us an insight into what it is like playing in a home World Cup, reflects on her storied career and chats about the new animated film about her life, which is narrated by Ryan Reynolds. Lee is also joined by John Bennett and they discuss Canada’s chances of progressing in the tournament now they have lost home advantage, and we hear from Canadian football fans. All this summer, More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. Search for More than the Score, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

World Cup 2026: Curacao's Eloy Room on his 'perfect game'

Curacao goalkeeper, Eloy Room, made 15 saves in his side's goalless draw with Ecuador - a new record for a keeper who kept a clean sheet in a 90-minute match at the World Cup. Remarkably, his performance came just days after conceding seven to Germany in their opening match of the tournament. The 37-year-old tells Mani Djazmi how he, and the team, recovered from that loss and why his display in Kansas was perfect for a goalkeeper. All this summer, More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. Search for More than the Score, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

World Cup 2026: Is Canada a soccer nation now?

Lee James is in Toronto to find out how soccer is gripping Canada, with the men’s team winning their first ever World Cup match and on the brink of reaching the knock-out stages. Soccer is now the highest participation sport in the country according to Canada Soccer and there are almost one million registered players, in 1,200 clubs across Canada. The sport has surpassed Ice hockey and all other sports in terms of youth participation, according to a recent report by Jumpstart, a Canadian charity. So is this reflected across Canadian society - are young children now kicking footballs rather than strapping on skates? Lee speaks to Canada international Jonathan Osorio, former Toronto FC goalkeeping coach Jon Conway, broadcaster Andi Petrillo and Ice Hockey fans to find out if Canada is a soccer nation now? All this summer, More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. Search for More than the Score, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

World Cup 2026: Messi makes history

Lionel Messi is now the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, after getting two goals for Argentina against Austria - two days before his 39th birthday. Messi's tally now stands at 18 goals, but what is the secret behind his longevity - and can he now be called the greatest footballer ever? The BBC’s Mani Djazmi is joined by South American football expert Tim Vickery, who analyses how Messi has adapted his game over the past two decades to remain among the world's greatest players. Tim also considers how Argentina's team functions without Messi - and explains why Argentinians see him in a different light to the country's other football icon, Diego Maradona. We also hear from former Argentina forward Hernan Crespo, who says he knew Messi was special from the moment he first saw him. He also discusses his ongoing importance to the side and assesses their chances of winning World Cup 2026. All this summer, More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. Search for More than the Score, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.

World Cup 2026: A stadium fit for a final?

The New York-New Jersey Stadium - usually known as the MetLife Stadium - will host this year's World Cup final on 19 July. It's best known as the home of the NFL's two New York teams, the Giants and the Jets, and concerns have been raised about its suitability for football's biggest game. France and Arsenal defender William Saliba is among the critics - he said the pitch "wasn't great" and "more like artificial turf" following his country's 3-1 win over Senegal. One man who knows plenty about the stadium is Super Bowl winning former New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz. He talks to More than the Score's Lee James about his experiences of playing at the MetLife, and reflects on how football's popularity is now soaring among young Americans. He also shares his admiration for France star Kylian Mbappe. Lee's also joined from Philadelphia by the BBC's John Bennett. They hear from fans from Panama, Argentina and Brazil about their experiences of World Cup 2026 - are high prices affecting their enjoyment? All this summer, More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. Search for More than the Score, wherever you get your BBC podcasts.