World Cup Favourites, England’s Forward Problem & No Room For Bellingham?

The Rest Is Football

Goalhanger

Sports, Football, Soccer

4.4 • 3.2K Ratings

🗓️ 30 March 2026

⏱️ 49 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Could there really be a world where Jude Bellingham doesn’t start for England at the World Cup this summer? With Thomas Tuchel favouring Morgan Rogers in the number 10 role so far, is Bellingham facing a place on the bench? There are also big questions up front. Who steps in as backup to Harry Kane? Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Dominic Solanke were both given opportunities against Uruguay but failed to impress, while Ollie Watkins hasn’t quite hit top form this season. Does this point to a wider decline in traditional number nines in the English game? Plus, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards pick their World Cup favourites and assess where England really stand among the contenders. The Rest Is Football is powered by Fuse Energy. To sign up and for terms and conditions, visit https://www.fuseenergy.com/football. This episode is brought to you by Disney+, where you can watch every match of the UEFA Women’s Champions League live. Visit Disney+ at https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/home Is your door in the draw? Sign up at www.postcodelottery.co.uk People’s Postcode Lottery manage lotteries on behalf of good causes, 18 plus, conditions apply, play responsibly, not available in Northern Ireland. Join The Players Lounge: The official fantasy football club of The Rest Is Football. It’s time to take on Gary, Alan and Micah for the chance to win monthly prizes and shoutouts on the pod. It’s FREE to join and as a member, you’ll get access to exclusive tips from Fantasy Football Hub including AI-powered team ratings, transfer tips, and expert team reveals to help you climb the table - plus access to our private Slack community. Sign up today at therestisfootball.com. https://therestisfootball.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=episode_description&utm_content=link_cta For more Goalhanger Podcasts, head to www.goalhanger.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	This episode is brought to you by Walker's Crisp's official snack sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 26.
0:08.3	You always notice the player who makes the difference.
0:11.6	But at a World Cup, it's not just the players.
0:14.2	The fans live every moment of it.
0:16.4	So for the first time in FIFA World Cup history,
0:19.8	walkers are introducing fan of the match.
0:22.6	Two winners will receive premium tickets to the FIFA World Cup 26.
0:27.6	You'll get your moment on the big screen at half-time,
0:30.6	exclusive pitch side access and your own fan of the match trophy to take home.
0:35.6	You could be at England versus Croatia on 17th of June in Dallas or Scotland versus Brazil
0:41.5	on the 24th of June in Miami.
0:44.0	And when it comes to the World Cup, there's only one way to do it.
0:47.3	No Walkers, no game.
0:49.1	Enter now for your chance to be Walker's fan of the match at the FIFA World Cup 26.
0:54.9	Head to no walkers, no game.com forward slash fan of the match.
1:00.6	G.B. 18 plus, no purchase necessary.
1:03.3	Closes 5th of April, 2026. Teas and Cs apply.
1:07.6	This episode is brought to you by People's Postcode Lottery.
1:12.2	In football, it's the comebacks that stay with you.
1:15.3	Liverpool in Istanbul, Barcelona overturning, PSG's four-goal lead.
1:20.3	And who can forget, Chectiote's screamer at the Gallagher end to make it 4-4 against Arsenal?
1:26.3	I thought you'd get Newcastle in there somehow.
	...

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