World Cup is here, Atlanta’s Not Ready, Ronaldo’s Not Done, and Nigeria’s Not There
The Five A Side Podcast is BACK — and we're coming in hot with the World Cup already underway right here in Atlanta 🔥 We reunite the full crew — Dalu, AK, Temi, Haruna, and special guest Tobi — to break down everything World Cup 2026. From the vibe (or lack of it) in Atlanta, to who's actually winning this thing, to the African teams we're riding with all tournament long. We get into France's squad depth, Spain's scary balance, Portugal's Ronaldo problem, and why England under Tuchel might actually be different this time. Plus — Nigeria didn't make it. We had to talk about it. Then things get real when we debate the Thomas Partey handshake situation, the Somali referee denied a US visa, and what it means to host a World Cup in this political climate. Oh, and we close it out with the most memorable World Cup moments of all time — '82 Brazil, '06 Zidane vs Brazil, Uruguay vs Ghana 2010 — the nostalgia hit DIFFERENT. ⚽ Topics Covered: World Cup vibe in Atlanta — is the city ready? Full tournament predictions: France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina Portugal's midfield depth vs the Ronaldo problem African teams built for the heat — Morocco, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire England squad selection debate: Palmer, Maguire, Bellingham, Henderson Group of Death breakdown MVP predictions for the tournament Thomas Partey controversy Most memorable World Cup moments ever 🎙️ Subscribe, like, and share with your people. Five Aside will be at the games in Atlanta all tournament — stay locked in. #WorldCup2026 #FiveAsidePodcast #Atlanta #WorldCup #Football #Soccer #PremierLeague #Nigeria #Arsenal #France #Spain #Portugal #England #africanfootball Timestamps 0:00 – Intro / Banter & Setup 1:45 – Welcome Back / Temi Returns to the Pod 3:00 – World Cup in Atlanta: Vibe Check & Is the City Ready? 7:00 – Atlanta World Cup Energy vs. European Host Cities 8:45 – Who's Winning the World Cup? Predictions Begin 9:00 – AK's Pick: France — Why They're the Most Balanced Squad 14:00 – Dalu's Pick: Spain — The Most Complete Team 17:30 – Haruna's Heart: Portugal & Bruno Fernandes Hype 20:30 – Portugal's Midfield Debate: Are They Actually the Best? 22:00 – Ronaldo Problem: Does He Hurt Portugal? 24:00 – Tobi Joins the Pod / His Pick: Spain, Dark Horse: Netherlands 26:00 – 48 Teams, 12 Groups — Nigeria Didn't Make It. How We Feeling? 28:30 – What Does Expanding to 48 Teams Mean for Quality? 29:30 – Will the Heat Be a Factor? African Teams Built Different 31:30 – African Teams to Watch: Morocco, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Congo 33:30 – Japan as a Dark Horse? France Won't Make the Semis? 37:00 – Norway & Ødegaard: Underrated Group Stage Threat 38:30 – Group of Death: France, Norway, Senegal, Iraq 40:30 – England Under Tuchel: How Far Can They Go? 45:00 – MVP Predictions: Bruno / Yamal / Olise / Messi / Ødegaard 49:00 – Top Contenders Breakdown: Can Anyone Upset France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina? 51:00 – England Squad Selection Debate: Palmer, Maguire, Bellingham, Henderson 58:00 – Favorite World Cup Songs (Wavy Flag, Waka Waka) 1:08:00 – Most Memorable World Cup Games (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014) 1:15:00 – Brazil '82: The Best Team to Never Win 1:20:00 – Nigeria's Missed Opportunity: What It Means for the Golden Generation 1:25:00 – African Teams: South Africa, Cape Verde, Egypt, Congo Deep Dive 1:31:00 – Somali Referee Denied Visa / FIFA & Immigration at the World Cup 1:32:00 – Thomas Partey Handshake Controversy: Debate Gets Heated 1:44:00 – Outro / Five Aside in Atlanta for the World Cup
