The Failed Footballer

Spain had 20 shots. Argentina didn't have a shot until the 117th minute. Just what exactly happened? 

Guest host and football tragic Nick Stav and iHeart sports reporter John Bric unpack all the stats and baffling tactical decisions from the 2026 World Cup Final. Why did Argentina coach Scaloni play so negatively? Why did Trump refuse to get off the stage? And is Rodri really the most deserving Player of the Tournament?

Plus, ...

England were minutes away from a World Cup final, then Tuchel pressed the self-destruct button. Messi did Messi things and Argentina turned it around. How did it happen?

Olan is in the UK trying to get over the loss, so Kat Haddad jumps into the host chair to unpack England's heartbreaking semi-final loss to Argentina, and the fallout from one of the biggest games of the tournament. The dust has settled and we've heard more opinion...

What really happened before Patrick Beach was subbed off for Maty Ryan in the World Cup Round of 32 against Egypt? What does it take to spend more than a decade as Australia's No.1 goalkeeper? And how do you go from Blacktown City to the Premier League?

This week, Socceroos captain and player in FOUR World Cups Maty Ryan joins OlanTekkers for an honest conversation about the moments that shaped his career.

We go right back to Maty'...

How do you get yourself sent off for diving in the 70th minute at 1-1 with the current WC champions? Why was a stadium camera involved in a controversial goal? And are Spain good enough to stop France?

These questions answered and more, as A-League sideline reporter and Channel 10 presenter Kat Haddad join OlanTekkers to break down all the biggest talking points from the World Cup quarter-finals. We discuss England's controversial ...

Argentina's path to the semi-final: Algeria, Austria, Jordan, Cabo Verde, Egypt, Switzerland. We're not one for conspiracies but there's too many coincidences to ignore. OlanTekkers unpacks the calls that weren't given, but should have been, and the the ones that were - but shouldn't. Penalties not given, goals disallowed, red cards not given - it's been a shocking display of refereeing all tournament.

Plus, can Australian football...

FIFA corruption, the game of the tournament so far and Ronaldo finally bows out of the World Cup without his much-desired win.

OlanTekkers is joined by Sydney FC goalkeeper Harrison Devenish-Meares to talk all the big World Cup stories, the shocking round of 16 results and how you go from NPL to the A-League.

This week Donald Trump called Gianni Infantino asking to have USA forward Folarin Balogun's red card overturned. In a blatan...

The boys fought hard. Souttar and Herrington, despite missing pens, can hold their heads high.

So the Aussies crash out on penalties and Egypt go through. At least it's new territory for us - out in the round of 32 instead of the round of 16. Their stock is rising and a big summer move looks likely. 

We're not done with the World Cup though at the Failed Footballer! New episodes will still be dropping twice a week as we bring ...

OlanTekkers and Nick Stav look ahead to the round of 16 with Australia, Egypt, Argentina and Cabo Verde still to play. Will the Socceroos make history and beat Egypt? Will Mo Salah play? If he does, who's going to stop him? Who starts for the Socceroos and who plays where?

Plus, our Aussie stars like Bos, Irunkunda and Herrington are attracting serious interest from top clubs like Barcelona and Premier League-bound Hull City. Who's...

Shades of the disgrace of Gijón (yeah we had to Google it too) when Austria played Algeria on the weekend. Both teams knew a draw would send them through, but Riyad Mahrez obviously forgot. It looked like he'd scored the winner in the 93rd minute and Austria were going out - but then they equalised.

Scenes, but was it all too convenient? With Ned Hall, ABC sports football commentator, we break down the big conspiracy and predict ho...

A 0-0 against Paraguay, and The Socceroos are through. 

Australia are officially into the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup, which on paper, is huge. But after watching that game...I’ve got questions. 

Yes, we got the job done. Yes, Popovic made tactical adjustments after the USA game. And defensively, you can’t argue - the Socceroos looked a lot more solid, a lot more controlled and a lot harder to break ...

Win or draw, and the Socceroos finish 2nd in the group. They'll then face Belgium, who'll likely finish 2nd in Group G. Lose, and Australia will come up against Germany in the first knockout round. Who would you rather play?

To preview the game, analyse who should start for the Socceroos and plot out their most likely route to the final, OlanTekkers is joined by Nick Stav, football presenter, NPL player and tragic Arsenal fan. ...

What does the route to the final look like for the Socceroos, and why does it feel like some teams have it so much easier than others? 

With Liam Stapleton, breakfast radio host as half of Ben and Liam and content creator, we break down the state of Groups D and G, where it’s still all to play for heading into the final game, with Belgium continuing to underperform and New Zealand still in contention to progress despite ...

In what world do you change a winning formula? Tony Popovich…you’ve got some explaining to do (as does the ref).

But it’s not over yet... OlanTekkers breaks down what went wrong – from Popovich benching in-form players like Irankunda and Metcalfe, to a defensive setup that had us stuck in our own 18 yard box for 45 minutes.

We get into how the US exposed us out wide, why we looked scared to play early and h...

The Socceroos are pulling massive TV audience numbers…the World Cup’s already claimed its first manager…and somehow, our Socceroos young guns might be the fastest players on the planet. 

This episode, I catch up with Socceroos 2022 World Cup Qualifying hero, Andrew Redmayne - the goalkeeper who famously used his “jelly legs” technique in a penalty shootout that saw Australia through to this Worl...

The Socceroos World Cup win over Türkiye in their opening round match is one of the biggest wins in Australian soccer history. This new generation of young players is looking like the real deal. 

Türkiye dominated the game with 72% possession, twice as many shots on target and endless pressure. They rattled the post and Patrick Beach had a blinder to keep the Socceroos in it. But at the end of the day Australia took their chan...

The World Cup has officially kicked off, and I’m doing what I do best: pretending I’m qualified to talk about it.

First up, I'm saying it how I see it...Ronaldo is finished. I know that may upset a few people, but look - someone had to say it. Portugal are better off if he doesn't play, let alone start.

In the opening game there were three red cards - were they all soft? Did VAR get it right or wrong?

Then, i'm joined b...

This episode of The Failed Footballer is what happens when World Cup fever, actual fever and a touch of delusion all collide at once.

I chat to Adam Peacock, the voice of Stan Sport’s football coverage and one of the most trusted voices in Aussie football, and he immediately starts dropping wild World Cup predictions. England to win, a surprise pick for player of the tournament and how much the heat will affect the best ...

I failed as a footballer - my words, not yours. But that doesn't stop me from having an opinion...or a podcast.

In this first episode of The Failed Footballer, I OlanTekkers kick off the World Cup with a mix of chaos, confidence and conviction. Before a ball is kicked in Canada, Mexico and the US, I lay out my predictions - who's going to win it, who's going to bag the most goals and which young star is going to be this year's...

He failed as a footballer, but luckily you don't need to have made it to have an opinion. OlanTekkers knows football, and with some expert guests he takes you through the biggest stories, the best goals and all the results from this year's World Cup.

This is your front‑row seat to all the action from Canada, Mexico and the US, as we follow Australia (and England) through the group stage and beyond. 

This show is not aff...