The Football History Boys

The Football History Boys
  • 4.0 (2)
  • Soccer
  • Updated Twice Weekly

The Football History Boys were founded in 2013 and write about the stunning history of the beautiful game. Ben Jones and Gareth Thomas are venturing into the world of podcasts, bringing their love for football to your ears! Give us a listen and check us out on Twitter: @TFHBs. Subscribe to the podcast here! https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/thefootballhistoryboys/subscribe

  1. World Cup Weekly: Star Wars

    4 hrs ago

    World Cup Weekly: Star Wars

    🎙️ World Cup Weekly: Star Wars The second week of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered history, drama and perhaps the clearest indication yet of who might be lifting the trophy next month. In this week’s edition of World Cup Weekly, we discuss a remarkable seven days that saw Lionel Messi break yet another World Cup record, while Cristiano Ronaldo became the first player in football history to score in six different World Cups, adding another extraordinary chapter to one of the game’s greatest careers. On the pitch, Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland continue to look unstoppable. Mbappé is once again proving why he is football’s biggest tournament player, while Haaland has announced himself on the World Cup stage in spectacular fashion as Norway emerge as one of the competition’s most intriguing contenders. We also analyse England’s frustrating goalless draw with Ghana, a performance that has raised questions about whether Gareth Southgate’s side can genuinely challenge for the trophy. Was it a minor blip, or a warning sign ahead of the knockout rounds? Elsewhere, one of the stories of the tournament so far continues to be Cape Verde, who followed up their draw with Spain by producing a thrilling 2-2 draw against Uruguay. Are they becoming the surprise package of World Cup 2026? ⚽ Messi’s latest record-breaking achievement 🐐 Ronaldo scores in a sixth World Cup 🔥 Mbappé and Haaland stealing the show 🏴 England stumble against Ghana 🇨🇻 Cape Verde’s incredible World Cup story continues 😱 Biggest surprises and shocks of the week 🏆 Updated contenders and pretenders With the group stage reaching its climax and the knockout rounds fast approaching, we break down the biggest stories, best performances and most important moments from another unforgettable week at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Because while FIFA may want us all to “chill and relax,” this tournament is only getting more exciting. Keywords: World Cup 2026, FIFA World Cup 2026, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, England vs Ghana, Cape Verde vs Uruguay, World Cup records, football podcast, World Cup Weekly, World Cup analysis, TFHB Hashtags: #WorldCup2026 #FIFAWorldCup #Messi #Ronaldo #Mbappe #Haaland #England #CapeVerde #WorldCupWeekly #FootballPodcast #FootballTwitter #TFHB ⚽🏆🌍🎙️🇨🇻

    38 min
  2. The Top 10 Greatest World Cup Matches of All-Time

    2 days ago

    The Top 10 Greatest World Cup Matches of All-Time

    🎙️ Top 10 World Cup Matches of All Time What is the greatest FIFA World Cup match ever played? After reviewing every World Cup from 1930 to 2022 in our World Cup Rewind series, we’ve taken on our toughest challenge yet: ranking the 10 greatest World Cup matches of all time. From legendary finals and iconic upsets to unforgettable comebacks and individual masterclasses, we count down the games that have defined football’s biggest tournament. Expect drama, controversy, goals, heartbreak and moments that changed football history forever. Will the list be dominated by classics such as Italy vs West Germany (1970), Brazil vs Italy (1970), France vs Italy (2006) or Argentina vs France (2022)? Do Diego Maradona’s exploits against England in 1986 make the cut? Where do modern epics compare to the legendary matches of previous generations? Along the way, we revisit some of the World Cup’s most unforgettable moments, discuss what makes a truly great match, and inevitably argue over the rankings. ⚽ The greatest goals 🏆 The greatest finals 😱 The biggest shocks 👑 The most iconic individual performances 🌍 The matches that shaped World Cup history Whether you’re a lifelong football fan or simply love reliving the biggest moments the game has ever produced, join us as we attempt the impossible: deciding the greatest World Cup matches ever played. Do you agree with our rankings? Let us know your top 10. Keywords: Greatest World Cup matches, Best World Cup games, FIFA World Cup history, Argentina France 2022, Italy West Germany 1970, Brazil Italy 1970, World Cup classics, football history podcast, World Cup Rewind, top 10 football matches, FIFA World Cup podcast, football debate, TFHB Hashtags: #WorldCup #FIFAWorldCup #WorldCupHistory #FootballHistory #FootballPodcast #WorldCupRewind #Top10 #FootballTwitter #Messi #Maradona #Pele #TFHB ⚽🏆🌍🎙️

    41 min
  3. World Cup Weekly: Chill and Relax...

    6 days ago

    World Cup Weekly: Chill and Relax...

    🎙️ World Cup Weekly: Chill and RelaxThe first round of matches at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is complete—and what a start we've had. In the first edition of World Cup Weekly: Chill and Relax, we look back at an opening week packed with goals, shocks and talking points. We discuss England's thrilling 4-2 victory over Croatia, Germany's ruthless 7-1 demolition of Curaçao, and whether either side has already laid down a marker for the rest of the tournament. We also examine some of the biggest surprises from the opening fixtures. Brazil were held by Morocco, Spain were frustrated by Cape Verde, and Belgium could only draw with Egypt, raising questions about some of the pre-tournament favourites. Elsewhere, we discuss Scotland's winning start against Haiti, the impressive performances from host nations Mexico, Canada and the United States, and whether the expanded 48-team format is already delivering more competitive football than many expected. ⚽ Best match of the opening round 🌟 Standout players and breakthrough stars 😱 Biggest shock result 📉 Early disappointments 🏆 Who looks like genuine contenders after one game? We also ask whether we're seeing the first signs of a changing football landscape, with emerging nations proving they belong on the biggest stage and several traditional powers already facing difficult questions. From goals and upsets to atmosphere and controversy, we break down everything that mattered from the opening round of the 2026 World Cup. And, of course, we'll be keeping an eye on whether everyone can simply "chill and relax"... Keywords: World Cup 2026, FIFA World Cup 2026, England Croatia, Germany Curaçao, Brazil Morocco, Spain Cape Verde, Scotland Haiti, USA Paraguay, Mexico South Africa, World Cup Weekly, football podcast, World Cup analysis, World Cup review, TFHB Hashtags: #WorldCup2026 #FIFAWorldCup #WorldCupWeekly #England #Scotland #Germany #Brazil #Spain #FootballPodcast #FootballTwitter #SoccerPodcast #TFHB #ChillAndRelax 🌍⚽🏆

    36 min
  4. The 2026 World Cup Preview: The Future of Football?

    9 June

    The 2026 World Cup Preview: The Future of Football?

    The FIFA World Cup is about to enter a new era. In this special episode of World Cup Rewind, we look ahead to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the biggest tournament in football history. Hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and featuring an expanded 48-team format, the 2026 World Cup promises to be unlike anything we’ve seen before. But will bigger mean better? We examine the key storylines heading into the tournament, from the opportunities and challenges of the expanded format to the nations most likely to challenge for football’s biggest prize. Can Argentina defend their crown? Will England finally end decades of hurt? Could France, Spain, Brazil or Germany dominate the new era? And which emerging nations might become the surprise package of the competition? We also discuss the host nations, the stadiums, the travel demands facing players and supporters, and how North America’s growing influence on the global game could shape the future of football. From the next generation of superstars to tactical trends, dark horses and potential controversies, we break down everything you need to know before the road to 2026 reaches its climax. After revisiting every World Cup from 1930 to 2022, we’re turning our attention to the future. What lessons from football history can help us predict what comes next? And could 2026 become one of the most memorable World Cups of all time? Join us as we preview the tournament that could redefine the FIFA World Cup for a new generation. Join my Guess a Game mini-league: TFHB Prediction League. Invite code: D816629F https://guessagame.com/mini-leagues/join/D816629F Keywords: 2026 World Cup, FIFA World Cup 2026, USA Canada Mexico World Cup, World Cup preview, England 2026, Wales 2026, Scotland 2026, Northern Ireland 2026, football podcast, World Cup predictions, World Cup favourites, football history podcast, World Cup Rewind, FIFA World Cup analysis Hashtags: #WorldCup2026 #FIFAWorldCup #United2026 #FootballPodcast #WorldCupPreview #England #Scotland #Wales #trump #NorthernIreland #FootballHistory #WorldCupRewind #TFHB

    1hr 7min
  5. The Top 10 Greatest World Cups of All-Time

    7 June

    The Top 10 Greatest World Cups of All-Time

    After travelling through every FIFA World Cup from 1930 to 2022, the time has finally come to answer the biggest question of all: which World Cups were the greatest? In this special episode of World Cup Rewind, we rank our Top 10 FIFA World Cups of all time, debating the tournaments that defined generations, produced football’s greatest moments and left a lasting impact on the global game. From Pelé’s brilliance in Mexico 1970 and Maradona’s magic in 1986, to the drama of Italia ’90, the spectacle of France ’98 and the unforgettable Messi vs Mbappé showdown in Qatar 2022, we revisit the tournaments that shaped football history. But what makes a truly great World Cup? Is it the quality of football? The iconic players? The atmosphere and culture? The shocks, controversies and unforgettable moments? Or is it simply how a tournament made us feel? Expect plenty of debate, nostalgia and disagreement as we compare legends across different eras and decide which World Cup deserves the title of the greatest tournament ever staged. Whether you’re a fan of classic World Cups, football history, legendary matches, iconic goals or football nostalgia, this episode is the perfect culmination of our World Cup Rewind journey. Did your favourite tournament make the list? And more importantly, which World Cup will finish at number one? 🎧 Join us as we count down the greatest FIFA World Cups ever played. Keywords: Best World Cups ranked, greatest World Cups ever, FIFA World Cup history, football podcast, World Cup rankings, World Cup Rewind, football nostalgia, greatest football tournaments, FIFA World Cup debate, football history podcast, best World Cup finals, iconic World Cup moments Hashtags: #WorldCup #FIFAWorldCup #WorldCupRewind #FootballHistory #FootballPodcast #WorldCupRankings #FootballNostalgia #Messi #Maradona #Pele #FootballDebate #TFHB

    31 min
  6. The 2022 World Cup: Controversial or Classic?

    4 June

    The 2022 World Cup: Controversial or Classic?

    The 2022 FIFA World Cup was unlike any tournament that came before it. Held in Qatar, the first World Cup staged in the Middle East and the first to take place during the northern hemisphere winter, it arrived surrounded by controversy, debate and scrutiny. Yet once the football began, many fans were left asking the same question: was this one of the greatest World Cups ever? In this episode of World Cup Rewind, we revisit the tournament that delivered unforgettable drama from start to finish. We explore the build-up to the competition, the controversies surrounding the host nation, and how Qatar 2022 went from one of the most criticised World Cups in history to one of the most celebrated on the pitch. We relive Argentina’s shock defeat to Saudi Arabia, Japan stunning both Germany and Spain, Morocco becoming the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, and Croatia once again proving themselves tournament specialists. At the centre of it all was Lionel Messi. After years of near misses and heartbreak, the Argentine captain finally completed football’s ultimate journey, leading his nation to World Cup glory in one of the most dramatic finals ever played. Opposing him was Kylian Mbappé, whose stunning hat-trick in the final produced one of the greatest individual performances the tournament has ever seen. We also discuss Gareth Southgate’s England, Wales’ first World Cup appearance since 1958, Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup campaign, and how social media, streaming and modern football culture shaped the way fans experienced the tournament. From political controversy to footballing brilliance, Qatar 2022 was a World Cup full of contradictions. But where does it rank among the greatest tournaments in history? If you love football history, iconic World Cup moments, nostalgia, debate and deep dives into the game’s biggest stories, this episode is for you. Keywords: 2022 World Cup, Qatar 2022, Messi World Cup, Argentina World Cup, Mbappe hat-trick, Morocco World Cup, Wales 2022 World Cup, England Qatar 2022, football history podcast, World Cup Rewind Hashtags: #WorldCup2022 #Qatar2022 #Messi #Mbappe #Argentina #Morocco #Wales #England #FootballHistory #WorldCupRewind #FootballPodcast #TFHB

    1hr 33min
  7. The 2018 World Cup: A forgotten classic?

    29 May

    The 2018 World Cup: A forgotten classic?

    The 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia was football at its most unpredictable, dramatic and global. In this episode of World Cup Rewind, we revisit a tournament packed with shocks, superstars, VAR controversy and one of the greatest World Cup finals ever played. From Kylian Mbappé announcing himself to the world and Luka Modrić inspiring Croatia’s historic run, to England finally winning a penalty shootout and France becoming world champions again, Russia 2018 delivered unforgettable moments from start to finish. We relive Benjamin Pavard’s stunning strike against Argentina — one of the greatest World Cup goals ever scored — alongside Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic hat-trick against Spain, Belgium’s thrilling comeback against Japan and Croatia’s dramatic route to the final. We also explore how this became the World Cup of set pieces, tactical evolution and VAR controversy. Germany crashed out in the group stage, football memes exploded across social media and Gareth Southgate unexpectedly turned England into believers again. Beyond the football, we dive into the atmosphere of Russia 2018, the fan culture, the global feel of the tournament and why many fans now look back on it as one of the last universally enjoyed World Cups before football became even more commercialised and fragmented. If you love football history, nostalgia, tactical discussion, iconic goals and unforgettable World Cup stories, this episode is for you. 🎧 Listen now to World Cup Rewind. #WorldCup2018 #Russia2018 #FootballPodcast #WorldCupRewind #Mbappe #Pavard #Modric #England #France #VAR #FootballHistory #ThreeLions #Messi #Ronaldo #Croatia #ClassicFootball #FIFAWorldCup #TFHB

    1hr 26min
  8. The 2014 World Cup: 7-1

    20 May

    The 2014 World Cup: 7-1

    🌍 The 2014 World Cup Podcast In this episode of World Cup Rewind, we revisit the unforgettable 2014 FIFA World Cup, a tournament packed with drama, goals, emotion, and some of the greatest World Cup moments of the modern era. Hosted by Brazil, the competition featured 32 teams, 64 matches, and an incredible 171 goals — averaging 2.67 goals per game, the highest total since 1998. Brazil 2014 delivered chaos from the very beginning. From the electric atmosphere across the country to stunning upsets and unforgettable individual performances, this felt like a World Cup that constantly produced headlines. At the heart of the tournament was the shocking 7–1 semi-final victory for Germany national football team over Brazil national football team, one of the most astonishing results in football history. We explore how Brazil collapsed on home soil and why the match became known simply as Mineirazo. The tournament also saw the brilliance of Lionel Messi, who inspired Argentina national football team to the final, while James Rodríguez emerged as the breakout star and Golden Boot winner with six goals. Elsewhere, we revisit Luis Suárez biting Giorgio Chiellini, the rise of Germany’s modern powerhouse team, and **Mario Götze>’s extra-time winner in the final at the Maracanã. Brazil 2014 perfectly captured modern football: tactical evolution, global superstars, social media moments, and nonstop drama. For many fans, it remains one of the greatest World Cups ever staged. Keywords: 2014 World Cup, Brazil 2014, Germany 7-1 Brazil, Messi World Cup, James Rodriguez goals, Suarez bite, football history podcast, World Cup Rewind Hashtags: #WorldCup2014 #Brazil2014 #FootballHistory #WorldCupRewind #Messi #Germany #FootballPodcast #TFHB

    1hr 27min
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Ratings & Reviews

4
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The Football History Boys were founded in 2013 and write about the stunning history of the beautiful game. Ben Jones and Gareth Thomas are venturing into the world of podcasts, bringing their love for football to your ears! Give us a listen and check us out on Twitter: @TFHBs. Subscribe to the podcast here! https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/thefootballhistoryboys/subscribe

Information

  • Creator
    The Football History Boys
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Football History Boys
  • Show Website
    The Football History Boys

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