Ranking the First Round of the World Cup

Hello Rank Squad!  A slightly delayed main episode this week because we wanted to see all 48 nations play at least once in the World Cup before making any sweeping assertions, so here's our take on the first round of games now that every team has seen the pitch!  In Part One, we start with a look at the pre-tournament favourites who impressed us most in their opening encounters, who lived up to the hype and have got their fanbases very excited.  In Part Two, we dive into the team performances that got the juices flowing - from the underdogs and middleweights who either exceeded expectations or straight up flipped the script on what they put together, as well as a quick peek at three standout individual performances who lit up the biggest stage.  And in Part Three, we examine three heavy hitters who now have serious questions to answer after underperforming in their openers, as well as putting in some predictions for the group stage and beyond.  There are daily drops happening on the Ranks FC Patreon, which is linked below, if you want more from us over the course of this World Cup - reacting to the games as they happen and taking the lead from our listeners on what they want discussed, and we'd love to have you as part of it!  It's Ranks!  And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello Rank Squad! Here's the final editions of our four World Cup preview shows, where we look through the final three groups and give our thoughts on each of the four teams in each. Jack and Dean are back together to wrap things up from the preview side.  Starting in Group J we take a look at reigning champions Argentina, discussing whether a very similar squad to 2022 could retain this trophy; before turning our attention to what looks like an intriguing battle between a talented but mostly untested Algeria and an incredibly well-drilled Austria for second place; and newcomers Jordan who might just fancy their chances of landing a counterpunch or two.  In Group K, we talk through whether this is finally the moment that Portugal step up to the World Cup plate in what seems to be Cristiano Ronaldo's final attempt at the big one; if Luis Diaz's Colombia can spring a surprise or two in the latter stages; and which of Uzbekistan and DR Congo might get the better of each other, or either or the two big boys in the group.  And then rounding things off in Group L, there's a discussion about England under Thomas Tuchel and what Dean's expecting from his Three Lions; as well as a Croatia team who are in a slight transition period but should never be underestimated on this World Cup stage; and a quick look at a Ghana side in a really strange state of disarray, and a well-drilled but somewhat underpowered Panama.  Keep an eye on this plenty more over the course of the World Cup and if you missed them, check out our Groups A-C preview with Dougie Critchley, our Groups D-F preview with Austin Miller, and Groups G-I preview with the boys.  It's Ranks!  And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello Rank Squad! Here's the third of our four World Cup preview shows, where we look through the next three groups and give our thoughts on each of the four teams in each. Jack Collins is joined once more by the returning Dean Jones as we return to regular programming.  Starting in Group G with a look through Belgium and where the Red Devils are with the golden generation mostly in the rear-view mirror, we then take a look at what looks like a straight duel between Iran and Egypt for a second place spot, as well as looking in on New Zealand, who have a lot of work to do to spring a surprise.  In Group H, we talk through one of the two big favourites in Spain, trying to find any weaknesses in what looks like a watertight squad; checking in on Marcelo Bielsa's Uruguay, who look a bit chaotic right now; and then taking a peek at Saudi Arabia and newcomers Cape Verde, where the boys disagree on which looks the stronger of the two.  And then in Group I, we reach 2022's runners-up in France, who look primed again for another deep run and might be the most stacked squad of the lot; as well as two very interesting contenders in Norway and Senegal, who both might to be very tricky opponents for Deschamps' last dance; and finally to Iraq, who might just find this incredibly difficult group a step too far despite their brave qualification to this stage.  Keep an eye on this feed for the final preview, check out our Groups A-C preview with Dougie Critchley, our Groups D-F preview with Austin Miller, and there will be plenty more to come too, over the course of the World Cup.  It's Ranks!  And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello Rank Squad! Here's the second of our four World Cup preview shows, where we look through the next three groups and give our thoughts on each of the four teams in each. Jack Collins is joined by Austin Miller of the extraordinary World Cup After Dark Podcast to keep things ticking over.  Starting in Group D with a look through the expectations and reality associated with the USMNT ahead of the tournament as well as their strengths and weaknesses, we also take a look at an exceedingly solid Paraguay unit, a fun Türkiye who might just become a neutral's favourite, and a hard-nosed Australia side who absolutely will not.  In Group E, we talk through whether Julian Nagelsmann's Germany are being overlooked or overrated, before discussing Ecuador - who come in as many people's dark horses, a returning Cote d'Ivoire side who had an outrageous qualification record, and newcomers Curaçao, who might be the best story of this tournament but could also end up as this group's whipping boys.  And then in Group F, we reach the Netherlands, who are incredibly difficult to predict given the level of talent and the lack of goals, as well as a slightly underpowered but very cohesive Japan, Graham Potter's Sweden, who have two absolutely incredible strikers and...not much else; and Tunisia, who feel like they might have come to spoil everybody else's fun and try to draw 0-0 a lot.  Keep an eye on this feed for the next two previews, check out our Groups A-C preview with Dougie Critchley, and there's plenty more to come too, over the course of the World Cup.  It's Ranks!  And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello Rank Squad! With the domestic season in Europe all wrapped up, it's time to completely lock in to World Cup mode - and so here's the first of our four World Cup preview shows, where we look through the first three groups and give our thoughts on each of the four teams in each. Jack Collins is joined by the brilliant Dougie Critchley to get things started.  Starting in Group A with one of the host nations Mexico, we also take a look at a stuttering South Korea, hard-nosed Czechia, and an underdog South African side looking to bloody some noses again.  In Group B, we talk through a deeply efficient Switzerland side who will fancy themselves as group favourites ahead of Jesse Marsch's intense Canada, also playing on home turf, a Bosnia & Herzegovina team with an interesting mix of experience and young talent, and previous hosts Qatar.  And then in Group C, we get to Haiti - returning to this competition for the first time since 1974, as well as 2022 semi-finalists Morocco - who look even stronger this time out, a Brazil side who might just be let off the leash under the watchful eyebrow of Carlo Ancelotti, and the Tartan Army of Scotland, back at the World Cup for the first time this century, but who look a little light up top.  Keep an eye on this feed for the next three previews, and plenty more to come over the course of the World Cup.  It's Ranks!  And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello Rank Squad!  We thought with the Champions League done and dusted, after PSG beat Arsenal on penalties to retain their crown and become just the second club in the modern era to go back-to-back, it was a good time to give you a little taster of what we get up to on the Patreon feed - where every Monday we answer questions on the action from the weekend just gone, and sometimes far beyond.  This is a segment from the part of the show where the Champions League final was the main topic, that we thought was a good indication of what we do, so if you want to help steer the conversation and the talking points during the upcoming World Cup and beyond, it's a great time to come and join us.  You get a minimum of three extra podcasts every week with no ads, you can ask questions about anything in World Football and get them answered week in and week out on the Postbox and the Patter, you get Dean's live and fresh reaction from the headlines on The Guru Speaks, extra drops regarding transfers during the summer window, and a wonderful footballing community to get involved with for good measure. We'd love to have you along. If that sounds good, the link is below - we'd love to have you on board! And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's time for The Truth! Sam and Dougie are back together for one final time to take a look at the first names off the rumour mill this summer which have seriously taken the world of football by storm in the opening week since the domestic season finished.  We take a look through a number of players to get things going, starting with the deal bringing Newcastle's Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, which looks very much like it'll go through imminently, their reported interest as well in Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez as the Robert Lewandowski replacement, wondering where that leaves Marcus Rashford ahead of the summer, looking at Manchester United's interest in Ederson of Atalanta, and wondering whether Aston Villa might need to sell Morgan Rogers for financial reasons, and if Arsenal might be the great beneficiaries of that deal. So are these early ones deals or steals? Is there legs in the rumours or are they damned as 'what-if's?' As ever, The Truth is somewhere in the middle... And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello Rank Squad!  With the Champions League Final now just around the corner, we take a deep dive into the European football's showpiece event in Budapest, where Mikel Arteta's newly crowned Premier League Champions will take on the reigning European Kings, Luis Enrique's PSG. Starting with the challengers, we examine both teams and where they find themselves ahead of the big game in Istanbul.  After that, we take a little look back at recent Champions League final history, and what that might mean ahead of this game, to round things off.  It's Ranks!  And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hello Rank Squad!  Dougie's in for Dean today and with all the managerial news over the last few days it felt like a very good time to maybe take some stock of some of the biggest stories surrounding some of the biggest jobs in world football changing hands.  We start with the reports that Pep Guardiola is on his way out at Manchester City after one of the most successful eras we have ever seen in the Premier League, with Enzo Maresca lined up to replace him. It's been an incredible decade where Pep has won 20 trophies, including four-in-a-row Premier League titles for the first time ever and just the second treble ever achieved by an English club. Can anyone genuinely hope to succeed with the bar so high, and why have City gone for their former assistant at this moment?  Then in Part Two, we turn to Xabi Alonso's appointment at Chelsea. Perhaps the opposite question is being asked here from the football world - not why would Chelsea want him, but why would he say yes to a project that looks like it's currently on fire? We examine the rationale and what the assurances that he's been given are, as well as what he could do with a number of these Chelsea players, and whether an emotional detachment might just be something he's looking for after being burned by a 'home court' at Real Madrid.  Finally, we turn to Alonso's former employers, Real Madrid, who look set to reappoint Jose Mourinho as their man in the dugout, in what seemed an impossibility just months ago. There's plenty of discussion here too - which players benefit most, what Florentino's motive is in the appointment, whether this is a hard reset on the current project, and if anyone could succeed with this level of chaos against what seems like a very smooth Barcelona machine under Hansi Flick right now. Will bringing Jose back work? No idea. Will it provide drama? You bet.  It's Ranks!  And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

It's time for The Truth! Sam and Dougie are back together in the studio to take a look at those players who have had a bounceback in a big way this season, with their careers rejuvenated in one way or another.  We wander through six names from across some different leagues, although with a weird Aston Villa thread linking many of them, including two former Carrington graduates, one of whom remains at United and the other who has flown the nest, a Roma striker on absolute fire, an Argentine No 10 having a merry old time in the Europa League, Manchester City's right back situation seemingly having been resolved, and Inter's star of the show on the left.  Which of these have had the most improvement, and the biggest return to grace? As ever, The Truth is somewhere in the middle... And remember, if you’d like more from the Rank Squad, including extra podcasts every Monday and Friday (including our weekly Postbox taking a look at the whole weekend of football) and access to our brilliant Discord community, then why not join us here on Patreon? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.