The Indo World Cup

Vera Pauw could be facing into her final game as Ireland manager with a growing uncertainty about her future on the eve of Ireland's final World Cup game against Nigeria. Talks appear to have stalled between her and the FAI about a contract extension with Ireland's first-ever Women's World Cup coming to an end on Monday. Dave Kelly was at Pauw's final press conference in Brisbane before tomorrow's game and he spoke about a growing inevitability with Sinéad Kissane on Indo World Cup Daily.

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The Ireland squad are spending their last few days together in Brisbane before their World Cup group finale against Nigeria on Monday. There's uncertainty over the future of Vera Pauw and whether she will be offered a new contract by the FAI. And will any players decide to retire from international football post-World Cup? Dave Kelly discusses these topics with Sinéad Kissane on Indo World Cup Daily. Join Sinéad and Dave for the Indo World Cup Daily and you won’t miss a kick from the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

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Vera Pauw's future as Ireland manager is set to come into focus as Ireland get set to sign-off on their debut World Cup. The Ireland squad play their final group stage against Nigeria in Brisbane on Monday after which they will return home. Dave Kelly talks about how discussions over a new contract for Pauw appeared to have stalled before the World Cup and whether she can take the team to the next level. Join Sinéad and Dave for the Indo World Cup Daily and you won’t miss a kick from the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

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Former Ireland goalkeeper Marie Hourihan believes there will be an increased expectation for Ireland to qualify for future major tournaments after their debut Women's World Cup. Ireland's 2-1 defeat to Canada yesterday means their involvement in Australia will end after Monday's final group game against Nigeria. Hourihan, who was announced earlier this week as the first full-time manager of Stoke City women, also believes that Katie McCabe's historic World Cup goal was no fluke. She spoke with Sinéad Kissane on Indo World Cup Daily on the regrets Ireland may have after two defeats. Join Sinéad and Dave for the Indo World Cup Daily and you won’t miss a kick from the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

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Ireland's hopes of qualifying for the last 16 of the World Cup ended with a 2-1 defeat to Canada in Perth. Captain Katie McCabe scored a historic goal for Ireland after three minutes but a Megan Connolly own goal and a second half strike from Adriana Leon ensured the win for the reigning Olympic champions. Ireland play Nigeria in their final group game on Monday after which they will return home. Dave Kelly talks through the highs and lows of a game that started so well for Vera Pauw's side. Join Sinéad and Dave for the Indo World Cup Daily and you won’t miss a kick from the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

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Louise Quinn and Heather Payne are fitness concerns for Ireland on the eve of their World Cup game against Canada tomorrow. Quinn is recovering from an ankle problem while Payne didn't train fully today with strapping on her right leg. Dave Kelly has the latest from the Ireland and Canada camps ahead of tomorrow's showdown in Perth. Join Sinéad and Dave every day for the Indo World Cup Daily and you won’t miss a kick from the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

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Louise Quinn is set to be fit for Ireland's second game of the World Cup against Canada on Wednesday. The Ireland squad has arrived in Perth with Quinn wearing a protective boot over the weekend after a foot injury she picked up in the opening 1-0 loss to Australia. Dave Kelly has all the latest from the Ireland squad in Perth with news also of a boost for Canada with their Chelsea midfielder Jessie Fleming set to be fit. Join Sinéad and Dave every day for the Indo World Cup Daily and you won’t miss a kick from the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

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Former international Marie Hourihan says Vera Pauw needs to deploy a more aggressive and brave approach for the team if Ireland are to remain in the Women's World Cup beyond the group stage. Ireland - bottom of Group B - need to get some points out of their game with Canada next Wednesday. Hourihan spoke to Sinéad Kissane on Indo World Cup Daily and is confident that, with changes, Ireland can beat the Olympic champions. Join Sinéad and Dave every day for the Indo World Cup Daily and you won’t miss a kick from the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

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Ireland's World Cup group has been thrown open after Nigeria held Olympic champions Canada to a 0-0 draw in Melbourne today. Aussie media have also been giving their reaction to some of Ireland captain Katie McCabe's tackles during their 1-0 defeat to Australia yesterday. Our reporter in Australia Dave Kelly goes through Ireland's group ahead of next week's game with Canada in Perth. Join Sinéad and Dave every day for the Indo World Cup Daily and you won’t miss a kick from the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

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Ireland began the Women's World Cup with a 1-0 loss to Australia in Sydney today. Stand-in captain Steph Catley scored a second half penalty for the co-hosts. Our reporter in Australia Dave Kelly gave his thoughts to Sinéad Kissane on Ireland's opening performance as they now face into a likely must-win group game against Canada next week. Join Sinéad and Dave every day for the Indo World Cup Daily and you won’t miss a kick from the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

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"What the hell was that?!" Dan McDonnell and Aidan O'Hara thought they had the best-suited kick-off time for deadlines and podcasts. As it turned out, Dan had to go straight to the airport from the World Cup final. So much happened in this game that ended with Argentina being crowned world champions. The Enzo Fernandez tackle on Mbappe got lost somehow in the madness. The Upamecano block, whilst amazing, deemed almost irrelevelant in this game to end all games. The plot twists as France came back from what looked like their grave with 10 minutes remaining. As Kingsley Coman looked to have showed the passing of the guard as he shoved a tired Lionel Messi and ran away with the ball. And yet Messi wasn't done, was he? In a World Cup decider packed with incident, drama, entertainment, emotion and pure skill, Lionel Messi was indeed the story but the story could be hand-picked from this one - magic is in the eye of the beholder and there was enough magic to go around, you could afford to be selective. From a tournament that started in a cloud of questions, it ended with Gianni Infantino and Qatar inserting themselves into the winner's presentation in a distasteful and uncomfortable manner. Thankfully, those weren't the prevailing memories. The final Indo World Cup podcast of the tournament is here.

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Brian Kerr joins Aidan and Dan for The Indo World Cup's World Cup final preview. Argentina against France, Mbappe against Messi, Loris against Martinez for the Golden Glove, and the very real prospect of penalty kicks. Brian Kerr doesn't think penalties are a satisfactory way to end a tournament like this... unless of course it's his Ireland underage team winning a major international competition!

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Gary Breen joins Dan and Aidan to relive France's 2-0 semi-final win over Morocco. The former Republic of Ireland defender discusses the best way to try and live with Kylian Mbappe on a football pitch, Girezmann's brilliance and the Argentina and French World Cup final ahead. Dan dials in from Qatar where they're celebrating their two biggest stars on their books at PSG making it to Sunday's showcase.

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More Messi magic means that Julian Alvarez's two goals and winning of a penalty for the only other goal in a World Cup semi-final still consign him to the part of supporting actor. Lionel Messi will contest the World Cup final in what could be his final World Cup tournament after Argentina ran through Croatia but Dan McDonnell begs the question: why does everyone here want them to win so bad when the feeling is very much not mutual in South America? We get the French and Moroccan angle on today's podcast as Walid Regragui hits back at mumbles of their possession stat. And Maxi Rodriguez's red suit makes an unexpected appearance.

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This is a victory for Croatia's football culture. They're not some plucky underdog, like the numbers would suggest. They've been doing this consistently over a sustained period of time and it's a habit they've formed produces brilliant, effective football players. But the Argentina culture stands in their way of a World Cup final spot. The frenzy, the chaos, the passion of Argentinian players, the Argentine support and the push for Lionel Messi to join the greats with a World Cup medal. The first semi-final kicks off at 7pm and Dan joins Aidan from Qatar to preview.

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Revel in it while you can is the warning from The Indo World Cup today. England will win a major championship. Dan McDonnell was at the England-France game in Qatar on Saturday night and he's seen enough to suggest it's coming. Harry Kane's penalty blazed over the bar was enough for Didier Deschamps to cling on to their 2-1 victory over Gareth Southgate's team and dump them out at the World Cup quarter final stage for a record seventh time in the country's history. The postmortems have begun, the substitute decisions are being dissected and Southgate's overall effect on the camp is being scrutinised but with the talent and age profile available to them, it's hard to see England being held back for too long. Meanwhile, Portugal went out with a whimper as Morocco sailed into the semi-finals.

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Dion Fanning of The Currency joins Dan and Aidan today to preview England v France, the notion of rooting for the English and everpresent debate of Gareth Southgate's chops for the job. Pre-tournament favourites Brazil are gone whilst Argentina came out at the other side of their own penalty shootout but Dan McDonnell was in the stadium for that late game where the match quickly became insignificant due to the tragic and unexpected passing of US sportswriter Grant Wahl.

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Brian Kerr is back today to preview the first batch of World Cup quarter-finals as Croatia prepare for favourites Brazil and Netherlands face off with Lionel Messi and Argentina. Kerr recalls watching Pele play for Santos in Ireland and, on the topic of Cristiano Ronaldo's influence around the Portugal squad, he opens up on bringing Roy Keane back to the Republic of Ireland setup following the infamous Saipan episode of 2002.

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The world's media has been in Qatar a number of weeks now and, more and more, the reviews are coming in that this place isn't so bad after all. As broadcasters move from waterfront apartments to VIP access at football games, too many are mistaking their personal experience for the reality of the country. Dan McDonnell has been speaking with residents who have laughed at the idea that the Qatar World Cup reflects everyday life there and certainly, not withstanding all the issues leading to this tournament, the wavering atmosphere, empty seats and quiet streets aren't even that big of a distraction anyway. McDonnell offers his extended thoughts on The Indo World Cup where the Moroccan supporters seemed to be one of only four sets of fans who weren't able to acquire tickets for their last 16 clash on Tuesday. The manufacturing of a good time hasn't generated the buzz FIFA would've liked but, still, positive sentiments from the press are being stacking up. Meanwhile, Portugal ripped through Switzerland with Ronaldo sat on the bench for most of it and Spain continue their run of terrible penalty shootouts - unless they're playing Ireland of course.

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Aidan O'Hara and Dan McDonnell get into it: The Roy Keane Factor and The Roy Keane Vortex. What starts as a specific reaction to Roy Keane's reaction to Brazil players' celebrations during their 4-1 win over South Korea, this podcast broadens out and delves into a wider media discussion about Keane and the appetite amongst the audience for Keane content. Roy Keane, mind you, was a lot more forgiven of Cristiano Ronaldo refusing to play for his team than he was Brazilians celebrating goals. Pico Lopes is back again today too to look at Morocco's chance of hurting Spain and Portugal gear up for a tight second round battle with Switzerland.

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Maybe it's not fair on any modern footballer to use Damien Duff as an unattainable yard stick but Gary Breen goes there when assessing the finished product of this Brazil squad and Neymar Jr. England stormed through into the quarter-finals last night by swatting Senegal aside and Roy Keane was all over Jude Bellingham. Dan McDonnell was at France's win over Poland as Deschamps set up a first-time major tournament face-off with Gareth Southgate. And Arsene Wenger's comments on teams being too focused on politics at this World Cup were especially disappointing.

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Shamrock Rovers and Cape Verde defender Pico Lopes joins the show today to talk about playing Senegal, their strengths and weaknesses and their realistic chances of knocking England out of the World Cup without Sadio Mane and Idrissa Gueye. Dan McDonnell reports on Argentina's victory over Australia but wonders about the amount of emotional energy they're expending. Aidan O'Hara hosts from Dublin with a concern about Harry Maguire and to preview France's game with Poland.

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Brian Kerr joins The Indo World Cup today to preview Argentina v Australia and Netherlands v USA and, as expected, it's detailed and insightful. On Friday, the tears of Luis Suarez quickly turned to the anger of a lot of Uruguay players who chased the referee off the pitch following their 2-0 win over Ghana. The victory wasn't enough to see Uruguay through their World Cup group after South Korea beat Portugal and secured their path into the last 16 by virtue of one goal. Both Darwin Nunez and Edinson Cavani had shouts for penalties during the game - VAR checked Nunez's but both were turned down and Dan McDonnell and Aidan O'Hara wonder how outrageous it really was that they didn't get a penalty.

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Mark Ogden of ESPN joins the podcast to discuss Ronaldo and Portugal as dark horses. The romanticism of Messi, England and the USA hype in America. Dan McDonnell is in Qatar for the Irish Independent and few would’ve had a day as eventful. From Luis Suarez’s blockbuster press conference, unapologetically fronting up to the Ghana media baying for blood, to “Romelu Lukaku having the worst half hour of his life” as Belgium bowed out of the tournament, and on to Japan beating Spain to qualify for the last 16, McDonnell was at it all and he spoke with Aidan O’Hara for The Indo World Cup. Roberto Martinez dropped Eden Hazard but had to turn to Lukaku in the end despite the striker’s obvious lack of match fitness. Meanwhile, the theory goes that Spain have opened things up for themselves with an easier draw by finishing second – but that’s now a draw and a loss in their last two games. Where are they really at? And we finish with a look ahead to today's final group games.

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Of all the drama you would’ve predicted for Wednesday night’s final group games, Argentina avoiding any kind of fuss, drama or hysterics wouldn’t have been bandied about in too many quarters. But they got the job done so professionally (having missed a first half Messi penalty of course) that their role in Group C’s crescendo was very much making up the numbers as Poland and Mexico played out a battle of Fair Play in separate games, only for Saudi Arabia to ruin it and send Poland through on “boring old goal difference.” Dan McDonnell was at the game and he joined Aidan O’Hara to pick the bones off it and an unbelievable success for Australia who have made it into the last 16 of the World Cup. Aidan is also joined by Bart Lagae of Mediahuis’ De Standaard to give us the Belgian view ahead of a do-or-die clash for them.

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It was always expected that England would make the World Cup quarter-finals – and it’s always been risky that they’d overlook a team like Senegal – and now they’ve cruised into the last 16 with a comfortable 3-0 dismissal of Wales. Dan McDonnell was in the stadium in Qatar was impressed with how efficient Gareth Southgate’s side were, without having to show too much quality. “I’m not saying England are like Brazil but, in saying that, they just killed this game with a burst.” Meanwhile, did Wales underperform or is it just the level they’re at now? It very much seems like the end of the line for this team that made it the whole way to a semi-final at Euro 2016 but the sight of Gareth Bale being consigned to the bench for the second half was a sign of where they were at physically in the winter of 2022, and the winter of their cycle. “They don’t have a Champions League winner coming through,” Aidan O’Hara said about Wales’ impending transition. “And Aaron Ramsey is only 31 and he just looks like one of those players like Wayne Rooney or Cesc Fabregas where the accelerator was just pressed and there’s not much there.” Today, Argentina are in a lot more danger than maybe people have thought and face a battle to cling onto their World Cup hopes.

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The trick to finishing with composure, with class, with conviction like Vincent Aboubakar? Finish like you think you’re already offside. Pico Lopes explained to The Indo World Cup podcast just how lethal the Cameroon forward was and he showed it to the world during a thrilling comeback against Serbia. Dan McDonnell was at the game but, having squeezed in Brazil’s win over Switzerland too, he joined Aidan O’Hara from the metro station floor. On the menu: the fanfare around Brazil games versus the actual Brazil games. Ronaldo tries to nab a goal and would you be surprised if Qatar make another impressive bid to host the FIFA World Cup? And a preview of all of Tuesday’s matches as the group deciders kick into action today with Wales taking on England at 7pm Irish time.

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Belgium and their (don't say it, don't say it, don't say it...) Golden Generation are in danger of being eliminated from their World Cup group after a humbling defeat to Morocco. Aidan O'Hara and Dan McDonnell discuss the latest installment of disappointment this team now predictably offers and, whilst Kevin De Bruyne has the admiration of every football lover, his comments and his antics around his Belgian team mates aren't helping. Dan, meanwhile, was at Croatia v Canada as revenge was very much on the menu for some big talk in the press building up to this game. Germany and Spain both showed their potential and suddenly, after a goal from the old novice Fullkrug, the Germans have a route to the semi-finals if they kick into gear.

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Kylian Mbappe is 24 years of age and he's already adapting his game like an experienced, ageing player who had lost all his pace. Except, Kylian Mbappe hasn't lost any pace - not even a little bit. On The Indo World Cup, Aidan O'Hara is joined by Dan McDonnell in Qatar who witnessed France pick Denmark apart in a 2-1 win that puts them into the last 16, and the pair marveled at how Mbappe is adding to his game. Argentina and Mexico played out a typically physical, typically lacking in quality encounter but Messi's moment at least set it apart. Today, Germany have it all to do against Spain in the big kick-off at 7pm.

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Aidan O'Hara sits down with the Irish Independent's Kevin Beirne for a feature piece on how football is turning people away from the sport. Beirne speaks of his lived experience as a bisexual, the hyper awareness, the self-policing, the everyday difficulties simply not faced by many. And now, FIFA hosting a World Cup in Qatar is the latest edition of football's grappling with morality, so we discuss Germany's team photo and not watching the World Cup. "I worry about what's going to happen to the queer community of Qatar when the World Cup leaves," Beirne says. "Because I don't think they're going to be as stupid to do a big crack down while the world is watching. But what are they going to do six months from now?" Dan continues to report from Qatar and he was in attendance at both Wales' and England's games as Gareth Southgate's men were hit with boos.

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What might have been if Inaki Williams didn’t lose his footing in the dying seconds of Portugal’s victory over Ghana. Portuguese goalkeeper Diogo Costa got caught with an old classic, forgetting there’s one more player behind you, as he rolled the ball in front of him but, once again, we were denied a classic World Cup moment. On this morning’s episode of The Indo World Cup, Dan McDonnell spoke frankly about the game he was in attendance for. “If you’re not Portuguese – or fake Portuguese – you want that goal to be scored, don’t you?” And the entire event was yet another insight for McDonnell who explained that, whilst every journalist in Qatar might have the best of intentions going to cover a game with an original angle, there’s no getting away from the same talking point. “We’re all part of the Ronaldo Show, even if we want to be or not,” he said. “I complain about it and I still talk about it. The story of the stadium is all revolving around Ronaldo, whether you like it or not.” Gary Breen also joins the show to preview Wales’ morning clash with Iran and to speak about how England can win the whole thing – and the things that could also definitely stop them.

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Germany struck a blow for everyone and every thing being silenced by FIFA with their pre-match photograph when the players all covered their mouths as if they were being muzzled. But within hours, they had one foot out of the competition. Another major shock of the Qatar World Cup saw Japan come from behind to beat the Germans and now the path is clear for an unlikely group stage place for the Asians who play Costa Rica next. Germany? They probably have to beat a rampant Spain and, as the most recent World Cups have shown, it’s not easy for a team to react to an opening day loss. On the latest episode of The Indo World Cup, Dan McDonnell laid bare the statistics. “Everyone talks about, ‘oh, Spain did it in 2010 and they went on and won the competition.’ They just happened to be one of the greatest teams of all time. “The four semi-finalists in 2014 and 2018, all of them won their first match of the competition.” In fact, of the previous eight semi-finalists, only England lost any game at the group stage. Losing the first match of the tournament is extremely damaging and presenter Aidan O’Hara offered a grim fact for the 2014 champions. “I think it’s 18 per cent of the teams who lose their first game of the World Cup actually get through the group stage.” Also on the show, Shamrock Rovers and Cape Verde defender Pico Lopes gives an insight into trying to stop the Cameroon threat. Cristiano Ronaldo is looking for a job and a preview of today’s games with favourites Brazil in action tonight.

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Argentina stumbled to an opening World Cup defeat at the hands of Saudi Arabia. Lionel Messi's penalty was pegged back and beaten by a brilliant Saudi team whose high line and manic pressing beat the Argentine's into panic. Shamrock Rovers and Cape Verde defender Roberto Lopes has firsthand experience of international backlines and he heaped praise on Saudi Arabia for how they approached the game. Dan McDonnell attended his first game as France swatted Australia aside and the empty seats continue to detract from the festival FIFA would want this tournament to portray. We get some colour into the lavish media centre in Qatar, a listener-requested update on the McDonald's and a preview of today's game - with a potential shock on the cards between Japan and Germany?

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Daniel McDonnell arrives in Doha for the Qatar World Cup and joins Aidan O'Hara to run the rule over England's impressive victory against Iran, Gareth Bale's performance for Wales and, of course, more off-field controversies. Ahead of Tuesday's kick-offs which include champions France and Lionel Messi's Argentina, The Indo World Cup previews the day's action.

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Ireland beat Malta in the biggest event of the day... well, almost. Irish Independent football correspondent, Daniel McDonnell, is on his way to Qatar this morning but checked in to debrief on what he experienced in Malta last night as Stephen Kenny recorded his eighth victory as Republic of Ireland senior manager. Today, England kicks off the action with a tricky tie against Iran which splits opinion, Wales play the United States of America and Netherlands v Senegal will have a significant Sadio Mané shaped hole.

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Gianni Infantino put himself in front of the media on Saturday to defend the World Cup host nation, Qatar. But his bizarre comments gained traction for all the wrong reasons. As the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicks off today with Qatar playing Ecuador, the off-field issues continue to dominate and Aidan O'Hara and Dan McDonnell explain why. Ireland finish off their year with a game in Malta tonight and the Irish Independent is in situ for that too.

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The first episode of The Indo World Cup previews all the groups from the 2022 tournament and looks at which teams have a tougher path to glory. The Irish Independent's Aidan O'Hara and Daniel McDonnell discuss what will be a World Cup like no other, the off-pitch problems, and the on-pitch chances.

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The Irish Independent's team of football writers come together every morning for the 2022 World Cup. With Dan McDonnell on the ground in Qatar, he joins host Aidan O'Hara back at the Dublin offices to bring the latest from the host country, discuss the biggest talking points of the tournament and preview the day's games. Along the way, some distinguished ex professionals will be stopping by as well as the international football media to bring you the best World Cup podcast every gameday.

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