The Totally Football Show with James Richardson Tuchel’s World Cup decisions + La Liga & Serie A fixtures overseas
Oct 9, 2025
Maher Mezahi, an African football expert, shares insights on CAF World Cup qualifying and key nation storylines. He highlights Cape Verde's remarkable rise, putting them on the brink of qualification. The podcast dives into the drama surrounding South Africa's point deductions and the impact on their chances. Additionally, the discussion touches on Egypt's struggles despite Mohamed Salah's presence and Ghana's resurgence in qualifying. The conversation also reacts to UEFA's approval for La Liga and Serie A matches abroad, sparking debates on the implications for European football.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Calendar Change Cuts Travel And Disruption
- FIFA merged September and October international windows into one three-week block to reduce travel and disruption.
- Colin Millar argues this benefits clubs, managers, and the environment by consolidating fixtures.
Tuchel Picking For A Single Tournament
- Thomas Tuchel has focused on building a tournament-ready squad rather than picking all in-form stars from clubs.
- Hosts note Tuchel values continuity and players who fit his specific plan over headline names.
Inexperience Deliberately Used As Building Block
- Tuchel's squad is unusually inexperienced with many players on single-digit caps, signalling long-term team-building.
- Colin Millar warns adding experienced stars later could alter squad dynamics significantly.