The Inside Channel with Alex Crook and Sam Matterface

Fabian Hürzeler Interview | England v Ghana Preview | Can Scotland make the knockouts? | Episode 7

Brighton head coach Fabian Hürzeler joins Sam Matterface and Alex Crook in an exclusive interview - we get his take on the 2026 World Cup, the tactical trends he's seeing and whether we could be seeing them in the Premier League next season.
Scotland suffered a second group stage defeat to Morocco, but their World Cup is far from over. Sam and Alex assess where Steve Clarke's side stand, what they might need from their game with Brazil, and whether qualification is still a realistic prospect.
Plus Netherlands' demolition of Sweden announced them as serious contenders, and both Germany and USA book their place in the knockouts.
England face Ghana next, and Sam and Alex deliver a full preview - team selection, the Ghana threat, key tactical battles and score predictions.
The tipping competition: Sam's Ep 6 selection was voided, Alex's result is in - find out where the standings sit and what both hosts are backing next.
⚽ In this episode:
Fabian Hürzeler exclusive - Brighton boss gives his World Cup verdict
Scotland lose to Morocco - but can they still qualify? Full assessment Netherlands hammer Sweden - serious contenders assessed
Germany & USA into the knockouts - what we've learned
England v Ghana full preview - team, tactics & score prediction
Tipping competition update - Sam's void, Alex's result & new picks
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook
📍 Recorded from Brooklyn, New York
🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026
▶️ Subscribe so you don't miss an episode
📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet - Star Sports are best price England in every match. #WorldCup2026
Star Sports Bet | 18+ | Please gamble responsibly | GambleAware.org | starsports.bet

"England are winning the World Cup!" | England v Croatia Reaction | With Guest Rebecca Lowe | Should Ronaldo be dropped?

Fox Sports' Rebecca Lowe joins Sam Matterface and Alex Crook for an exclusive conversation - giving her unique perspective on the 2026 World Cup from the heart of the action in America. One of the most respected voices in football broadcasting on either side of the Atlantic, Lowe gives her insight on how the tournament is resonating with the American public.
Sam and Alex deliver their full England v Croatia reaction - did Jude Bellingham nail down his place as the first name on the teamsheet? Did England show enough to be considered genuine World Cup contenders? And with questions at the back, should Marc Guehi come into the starting XI?
Portugal's laboured draw raises one of the biggest questions in football right now - do they need to drop Cristiano Ronaldo? Sam and Alex give their verdict. Plus Canada's demolition of Qatar, France finding their feet in the second-half, and what it all means for the group stage.
Looking ahead: Scotland v Morocco and Brazil v Haiti previewed, plus verdicts on Netherlands v Sweden, Germany v Côte d'Ivoire and Spain v Saudi Arabia before those games kick off.
And the tipping competition -Sam is flying after his Colombia to win and over 2.5 goals selection landed, opening up a 35.3-point lead. Alex needs to respond.
⚽ In this episode:
Rebecca Lowe exclusive - World Cup 2026 from the US
England v Croatia reaction - Bellingham, favourites debate & Guehi question
Should Portugal drop Ronaldo?
Canada v Qatar, France reaction
Scotland v Morocco & Brazil v Haiti previewed
Netherlands v Sweden, Germany v Côte d'Ivoire, Spain v Saudi Arabia previewed
Tipping competition - Sam leads by 35.3pts, Alex fires back
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook
📍 Recorded from Philadelphia, USA
🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026
▶️ Subscribe so you don't miss an episode
📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet - Star Sports are best price England in every match 
 
Star Sports Bet | 18+ | Please gamble responsibly | GambleAware.org | starsports.bet

England v Croatia Preview | Slaven Bilić Exclusive | World Cup Matchday One Reaction

Former West Ham and Croatia manager Slaven Bilic gives his expert verdict on England v Croatia in an exclusive interview ahead of one of the most anticipated group stage fixtures of the  FIFA World Cup. Bilic gives us the inside track on Croatia's squad, his expectations for the match and reflects on his own tournament exploits.
Sam Matterface and Alex Crook also deliver their full England v Croatia preview - team selection, the danger men and score predictions. They also react to the news that Tino Livramento will be replaced in the squad by Trevoh Chalobah following injury - should Trent Alexander-Arnold have got the call instead?
Plus: Reaction to Spain's shock 0-0 draw with Cape Verde - how do we reassess one of the pre-tournament favourites? Belgium v Egypt and the rest of the recent results are also covered before the show looks ahead to Portugal's tournament opener (and the impending departure of Roberto Martinez) and the second round of group stage fixtures.
The tipping competition continues, with Sam and Alex locking in their best bets for the next round.
⚽ In this episode:
Slaven Bilic exclusive - England v Croatia verdict from a man who knows both sides
Full England v Croatia preview - team, tactics & score predictions 
Spain 0-0 Cape Verde — how do we reassess Spain?
Belgium v Egypt reaction
Portugal's World Cup opener previewed
Second round of group fixtures - what to watch
Tipping competition picks with odds from starsports.bet
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook📍 Recorded from Dallas, USA - day before England v Croatia at Arlington🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026
▶️ Subscribe so you don't miss an episode📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet - Star Sports are best price England in every match
Star Sports Bet | 18+ | Please gamble responsibly | GambleAware.org | starsports.bet

Scotland's Historic win | Steve Bruce Exclusive | Brazil v Morocco Reaction | Opening Match Previews

Scotland have their first World Cup win in 36 years. Sam Matterface and Alex Crook react immediately after full-time as Steve Clarke's side edge past Haiti 1-0 in their World Cup 2026 opener. Where does the win leave Scotland? Are they a step closer to qualification or was 1-0 not enough? Sam and Alex give their verdict.
Also in the episode: Brazil and Morocco play out a fascinating draw in one of the most talked-about results of the opening round. What does a point each mean for both sides - and what did we learn about both sides?
Former Premier League manager Steve Bruce joins the show in an exclusive interview, giving his thoughts on the tournament and what to expect from England.
Plus, Sam and Alex assess Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Spain and Belgium ahead of their opening fixtures and the co-hosts, USA, finally get a shoutout following their 4-1 win against Paraguay, and an angry message from Matt from North Carolina.
The tipping competition continues with both hosts locking in their best bets for the next round, with odds live from starsports.bet.
⚽ In this episode:
Scotland 1-0 Haiti - immediate post-match reaction
Where does this leave Scotland? Group stage verdict
Brazil v Morocco draw - what it means for both sides
USA impress in opening match win
Steve Bruce exclusive interview
Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Spain & Belgium assessed
Alex's Japan dark horse - is he sticking with it?
Tipping competition NAPs - best bets with odds
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook
📍 Recorded live from San Francisco, USA - immediately after full-time
🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026
▶️ Subscribe so you don't miss an episode
📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet - Star Sports are best price England in every match
0:00 - Scotland Reaction
04:20 - Scotland Fans
07:30 - Brazil v Morocco
10:30 - USA's Big Win
15:30 - Steve Bruce Interview
33:52 - Matchweek 1 Previews
39:20 - Tipping Competition Selections Star Sports Bet | 18+ | Please gamble responsibly | GambleAware.org | starsports.bet

Asmir Begović Joins | England's XI for Croatia | World Cup Opening Match Review | Scotland Preview

Former Premier League goalkeeper Asmir Begovic joins Sam Matterface and Alex Crook for an exclusive conversation ahead of Canada v Bosnia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Begovic gives his verdict on both nations' chances, the key players to watch, and what the game means for Group D.
Sam and Alex also react to England's final pre-tournament friendly against Costa Rica and - for the first time - both name their starting XI for England's opening World Cup match against Croatia. Do they agree? Spoiler: they don't.
The tournament is officially underway. Sam and Alex react to Mexico v South Africa, the opening game of the tournament, before turning their attention to the biggest upcoming fixtures - a preview of Brazil v Morocco and Scotland v Haiti, with both hosts giving their takes on what to expect.
Plus the tipping competition continues. Sam and Alex lock in their best bets for the next round of fixtures, with odds from starsports.bet.
⚽ In this episode:
Asmir Begovic exclusive - Canada v Bosnia preview
England's final friendly reaction - Costa Rica assessed
Both hosts name their England starting XI for Croatia
Mexico v South Africa - World Cup opening match reaction
Brazil v Morocco preview
Scotland v Haiti - can Scotland cause an upset?
Tipping competition NAPs - best bets with odds
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook
📍 Recorded from USA
🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026
▶️ Subscribe so you don't miss an episode
📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet - Star Sports are best price England in every match 18+ | Please gamble responsibly | GambleAware.org | starsports.bet

Frank Lampard Exclusive | Who played their way into England's Team? | Scotland's friendly row | EP 2

Chelsea and England legend Frank Lampard gives his verdict on England's 2026 World Cup chances in an exclusive conversation with Sam Matterface.
Lampard assesses the squad and identifies the players he's watching most closely, shares his memories of major tournament penalty shootouts and discusses THAT goal that never was against Germany — all in Episode 2 of The Inside Channel.
Sam and Alex also react to England's pre-tournament friendly against New Zealand — who impressed, who has a case to make the starting XI, and whether there are still selection debates to be had.
Scotland's friendly result gets the full treatment too, alongside the rest of the pre-tournament round.
The tipping competition officially gets underway as Sam and Alex both lock in their NAP for the next round of matches, with odds from starsports.bet. One of them is already looking nervous.
⚽ In this episode:
Frank Lampard exclusive — key players, ghost goals and penalties
England v New Zealand reaction — what did we learn?
Scotland pre-tournament — realistic ceiling ahead of the group stage
Other friendly reaction 
Sam & Alex NAPs — best bets for the upcoming fixtures
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook
📍 Recorded from Miami, USA
🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026
▶️ Subscribe so you don't miss an episode
📲 Back our picks at starsports.bet — Star Sports are best price England in every match
Star Sports Bet | 18+ | Please gamble responsibly | GambleAware.org | starsports.bet 

Who will win the World Cup? | Golden Boot, Dark Horses & more | World Cup Preview with Scott Minto

Sam Matterface and Alex Crook are heading to America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and this is where it all starts.
 
In the launch episode of The Inside Channel, ITV's Sam Matterface and talkSPORT's Alex Crook sit down for a full tournament preview, alongside Scott Minto: England's chances, the big nations, dark horses, Golden Boot picks, and the best betting markets ahead of the World Cup.
 
Plus, Sam and Alex kick off their head-to-head tipping competition - both locking in their outright winner and Golden Boot selections from the off. One of them will be facing a nasty forfeit come July...
 
The Inside Channel is the brand-new football World Cup podcast, brought to you in conjunction with Star Sports - with new episodes dropping three times a week throughout the tournament, all the way to the final.
 
⚽ In this episode:
Can England win the World Cup? 
Scotland's chances and realistic ceiling
France, Spain, Brazil, Argentina - who lifts the trophy?
Dark horse picks Golden Boot contenders
The Alex vs Sam tipping competition begins
 
🎙️ Hosted by Sam Matterface & Alex Crook, with guest Scott Minto
📍 Recorded live at Star Sports, Curzon Street
🏆 New episodes three times a week throughout World Cup 2026
▶️ Subscribe so you don't miss an episode
📲 Follow along and back their picks at starsports.bet
 
18+ | Please gamble responsibly | GambleAware.org | starsports.bet

Introducing: The Inside Channel

Sam Matterface and Alex Crook are teaming up to bring you The Inside Channel.The duo will be on the ground, taking you behind the scenes at the 2026 World Cup. Expect inside information, great value, top analysis and most importantly, that World Cup feeling with the fans.Keep an eye on our channels for the first episode dropping Wednesday 3rd June!