# The return of old friends | 2026 FIFA World Cup

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/on-the-continent-a-european-football-podcast-6504430/the-return-of-old-friends-2026-fifa-world-cup
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/on-the-continent-a-european-football-podcast-6504430/the-return-of-old-friends-2026-fifa-world-cup.md
Podcast: [On The Continent - A European Football Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/on-the-continent-a-european-football-podcast-6504430)
Published: 2026-07-09T12:04:39+00:00
Episode link: https://shows.acast.com/on-the-continent/episodes/the-return-of-old-friends-2026-fifa-world-cup
Audio file: https://sphinx.acast.com/p/open/s/64be9eec0ea5360011fa0255/e/6a4f8e57f8a80edf85350c4a/media.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/on-the-continent-a-european-football-podcast-6504430/episodes/the-return-of-old-friends-2026-fifa-world-cup
Duration seconds: 2416

## Resource

It's a week of reunions over these World Cup quarter-finals. First up, a repeat of the 2022 World Cup semi-final between France and Morocco. It's funny how much (and also how little) can change in four years. Plus, Borussia Dortmund's two great exports of recent times face up as Erling Haaland's Norway prepares for battle with Jude Bellingham's England. Nicky Bandini joins Dotun and Andy to dive into those two fixtures. Elsewhere, Belgium face their toughest test against Spain, while their former coach Roberto Martínez leaves Portugal. Has he really wasted two golden generations? Ask us a question on X , Instagram and TikTok , and email us here: otc@footballramble.com . For ad-free shows, head over to our Patreon and subscribe: patreon.com/footballramble . ***Please take the time to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your pods. It means a great deal to the show and will make it easier for other potential listeners to find us. Thanks!***  On The Continent is your definitive podcast for European football. Subscribe for new podcasts every single week and throughout the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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## Transcript

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