AFTN Extra Podcast – Episode 104 [The battle for World Cup places]

We’ve got another new AFTN Extra podcast for you and it’s a 51-minute episode as the countdown to the 2026 World Cup here in North America gets into full swing.

With the three host countries not having any more competitive matches until next year’s World Cup begins, the next few months are crucial for coaches and players alike in terms of finalizing places on the final tournament squads. Canada take on two European sides in this international window, Romania and Wales, as part of their preparation. Michael and Zach look at the roster for the matches, the battles ahead in the pecking order, and hear some thoughts from Canadian head coach Jesse Marsch.

We also look at Vancouver Whitecaps’ Tristan Blackmon’s first call-up to the US national team and hear some thoughts from their head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, on it, chat about Scotland and Denmark kicking off their World Cup qualifying campaigns against each other with Whitecaps head coach Jesper Sorensen, and look at the already crazy high hotel prices in Vancouver for the days of the World Cup matches.

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