World Cup preview: The hosts and the dark horses… like Scotland!

World Cup excitement has reached fever pitch with the Totally Team, who this time round sit down to discuss the hosts and those all-important dark horses.

Jimbo is alongside JJ Bull, Colin Millar and Felipe Cardenas for our second preview show ahead of the tournament.

Only two host nations have ever failed to make it out of the group stages, so how far will the triumvirate of Mexico, USA and Canada go this year? Team USA are hoping to reach a Quarter Final for the first time in 22 years; Mexico haven’t gone that far since 1986. Meanwhile Canada are still looking for their first ever win at the Finals.

Morocco were the shock story of 2022, becoming the first African side to reach the semi-finals. Maher Mezahi drops in to tell us if there’s likely to be a repeat of that feat this time round.

Japan also caused a stir four years ago, beating Spain and Germany in Qatar. Dan Orlowitz joins us to discuss whether they can upset more odds this year.

And what about the hipster choices? Will Erling Haaland and Norway continue to score freely after notching up more goals than anyone else in European qualifying? Or will the hotter climate mean a South American country has a better chance of going deep? Ecuador don’t concede goals; Colombia score lots.

And of course there’s the other home nation to look out for: Scotland playing in their first World Cup for 28 years. Might the Tartan Army make it out of a tournament group stage for the first time ever?

Produced by Charlie Jones and Xavi Bird.

RUNNING ORDER: 

• PART 1: It’s nearly here… (03:00)

• PART 2: The hosts – USA, Canada & Mexico (8:00)

• PART 3: Scotland (22:00)

• PART 4: Who’s going furthest from Africa with Maher Mezahi (34:00)

• PART 5a: Dark Horses – Ecuador, Colombia & Norway (48:00)

• PART 5b: Japan with Dan Orlowitz (58:00)

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