Tim Vickery

Tim Vickery, a seasoned South American football analyst, joins Mark Machado, a football journalist known as 'Deportivo Lankin,' and superfan Miguel Espino from California. They discuss the evolving World Cup qualification format, with 48 nations now in the mix. The trio debates the fairness of the UEFA Nations League, explores the rise of African teams, and considers how diaspora talent boosts smaller nations. Miguel highlights the challenges facing USMNT and Mexico, while they all ponder the logistics of hosting a tournament in hot weather.

Join South American football expert Tim Vickery as he dives into the inspiring journey of Igor Thiago, who transitioned from bricklayer to professional footballer. Vickery shares the intricacies of Brazilian football culture and the tough competition to earn a national team call-up. Also featured is Felix Johnston, a young scout who reveals how a Chelsea fan account propelled him into a scouting role at Como. He discusses his scouting approach, combining eye tests with data, and shares insights into identifying future football stars.