The 2026 World Cup Round of 16 Review

The 2026 World Cup Round of 16 Review

This week on Finding a Football Club, Luke and Roberto chat through the 2026 World Cup Round of 16 games. They break down England’s historic victory over Mexico, France surviving a 40-degree bloodbath, and Brazil’s hilarious tradition of getting knocked out by European teams. But let’s be honest, this episode is mostly about schadenfreude. The lads also bask in the glory of the USA getting dismantled by Belgium, mock Neymar’s crying, launch an unprovoked attack on Martin Ødegaard, and then a provoked one on Cristiano Ronaldo. Finally, it’s time for a World Cup Draft update. Luke and Roberto have officially turned the competition into a two-horse race, gloating over the mathematical impossibility of Jay or Will’s chances.

England vs DR Congo

This week on Finding a Football Club, nepotism reigns supreme as Luke is joined by the man to blame for his existence, his dad, Paul. The pair join forces for a post-match reaction to England’s narrow 2-1 victory over DR Congo in the Last 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite advancing to the Last 16, the mood is predictably cynical. The duo dissect Thomas Tuchel’s stubborn tactics (and lack of a waistcoat), Jordan Pickford’s shakiness, and Noni Madueke’s entire being. Miraculously, Paul admits he has finally converted into a Harry Kane believer, a tactical revelation brought on entirely by playing eFootball on the PlayStation. Naturally, the elite football analysis falls off over claims Nico O’Reilly has only played four Premier League games this season, Sol Campbell is a type of soup, and Morgan Gibbs-White is something you’d buy at B&Q. To wrap things up, Paul rattles through his World Cup bracket. He confidently backs Mexico to dump England out at the Azteca, plots a France vs Brazil final, and concludes with a questionable ‘Brazilian connection’ involving a rash.

The 2026 World Cup Group Stage Review

The 2026 World Cup group stages are grinding on, and Finding a Football Club is here to complain about it. This week, Luke, Will and Jay sift through England’s snooze-fest against Ghana, the Golden Boot race ever, and try to figure out who is making it to the knockouts. To do so, Luke unleashes a meticulously researched, mathematical group-by-group breakdown designed solely to crush Jay’s hopes and logically prove that Scotland are crashing out of the tournament. Elsewhere, the lads review their World Cup Draft teams before putting Jay in the hot seat. Not only does he have to defend his World Cup bracket (where he delusionally backs Scotland to make the quarters), but he also takes on the 38-0 challenge. To wrap up, Luke unveils his masterstroke. Tired of fighting the football podcast algorithm, he reveals he changed the show’s category, officially crowning FAFC as the UK’s No.1 Volleyball podcast. Plus, there’s a thin slice of Danny Guthrie. Get. Him. On. The. Pod.

France vs Senegal Watchalong

This time on Finding a Football Club, alternative commentary is back on the menu. Luke (battling severe hayfever) and Will (battling severe delusion) sit down to watch France vs Senegal. Naturally, the live football takes a backseat as the boys dissect every other World Cup result so far; leaving Luke sweating over his rapidly crumbling 48-team Big Board. Meanwhile, following a shock Socceroos win, Will is suddenly feeling more Australian than Jason Donavan throwing shrimp on the barbie. His newfound patriotism could explain the frankly bonkers tournament bracket, where he sends Australia and Saudi Arabia through to the Last 16 and geriatric Croatia to the final four. Elsewhere, the duo slander hydration breaks, play a 2020 Champions League final edition of Goalless, and create a 38-0 team that relies on the talents of Rory Delap. Sacre bleu.

Mexico vs South Africa Watchalong

The 2026 World Cup has officially kicked off, and Finding a Football Club is here to provide the ultimate alternative commentary. Luke and Roberto suffer through the opening game, so you don’t have to. While Mexico comfortably secure a 2-0 win to cash Luke's (some say genius) bet, the lads are more interested in Salma Hayek’s billionaire husband, question why Paul Bettany used 9/11 to propose to Jennifer Connelly, and disagree on the talent of Mark Lawrenson. Roberto steals the show with an anecdote from his local cricket club involving an oblivious 19-year-old, a girlfriend currently in labour, and a biological father who has conveniently fled to Tunisia. Plus, the boys test their obscure football knowledge with a few rounds of Goalless, simulate their 38-0 teams, and rattle through their definitive World Cup brackets.