World Cup 2026: Is Canada a soccer nation now?

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.

Ellie Bouttell: The British boxer who found herself in China

When Ellie Bouttell was 15, she moved from England to live with her dad in Beijing. The decision shaped her life in ways she could never have imagined. Back in January, Ellie spoke to More than the Score's Ade Adedoyin about how she went from a "difficult" adolescence in the English Midlands to graduating from the University of Cambridge, before taking her most unexpected step: becoming a professional boxer in China. Along the way, we hear how the Chinese language opened her mind in ways she'd never expected, and the moment that made her realise her future lay in fighting. 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. And if you've got your own take on the stories we cover, we'd love to hear from you. Email morethanthescore@bbc.co.uk, or WhatsApp us on 0044 800 032 0470. You can find more information, along with our privacy notice, on our website: www.bbcworldservice.com/morethanthescore

World Cup 2026: Why Haiti v Brazil is more than just another game

Haiti's second game at World Cup 2026 sees them face the tournament's most famous team: Brazil. After losing their opening match to Scotland, Haiti need a result - but, as More than the Score's Mani Djazmi hears, plenty of Haitians might be rooting for Brazil instead. Journalist Pierre Richard Midy explains how the history of football in Haiti is intertwined with the Brazilian team – to the extent that many Haitians support them more than their own national side - and why Pele became a revered figure in the country. He also reveals the lengths to which people in Haiti are having to go to just to watch the tournament, with electricity in short supply, and argues that "Haiti needs much more than the World Cup" to end the gang violence that plagues the country. We also hear from Haiti's record scorer, Duckens Nazon, about how he hopes his team can win round the country's Brazil fans. Plus, singer Nathalie Cerin tells the BBC's John Bennett what the experience of watching Haiti at the World Cup is like for expats in Philadelphia. More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars, trends and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show. With 48 teams competing across Mexico, the US and Canada, BBC World Service promises to take you deeper - from the group stages to the final. Search for More than the Score wherever you get your BBC podcasts.