Beyond understanding Southgate, and the challenges posed by Iran and Qatar

From The Totally Football Show with James Richardson The Athletic

Jimbo is back for another international break pod in the company of Joey D’Urso, Nick Miller and Tom Williams.

England are timid and disappointing in defeat to Italy that sees them relegated from the top tier of the Nations League. And to make matters worse, their first World Cup opponents Iran might just be resurgent. Bassil Mikdadi tells us why we shouldn’t underestimate Carlos Queiroz’s side.

Wales are relegated too while France just about survive. But is another full-scale meltdown amongst Les Bleus on the horizon?

Plus having been to Qatar and back, Joey gives us the lowdown on the infrastructure of the first World Cup to be hosted in a Muslim country but one that comes with a lot of baggage.

RUNNING ORDER:

• PART 1: Italy 1-0 England (03.00)

• PART 2a: Bassil Mikdadi on Iran’s World Cup prospects (18.00)

• PART 2b: The Qatar conundrum (25.00)

• PART 3: Wales relegated, France on the verge of meltdown (38.00)

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