The World Cup is now only a matter of days away and the players have jetted off to Qatar to prepare for the tournament. Luckily, there’s a few days left for you to fill your time with all the football content you need to prepare for the biggest footballing event on the planet. We’ve picked out six programmes you should watch to get you into the mood.
How To Win The World Cup - BBC Iplayer
This is an absolute corker. The likes of Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Bastien Schweinsteiger and Per Mertesacker talk us through their World Cup successes in 2010 and 2014 with some great stories from inside the dressing room. They explore what it takes to go all the way, and how it changed their lives forever.
There’s also a focus on Didier Deschamps and France, with their journey to 2018 success. The manager of course won the trophy as a player in 1998 on home soil and will now be attempting to lead his nation to a second successive title. No side has defended the World Cup since Brazil in 1962. Will France end that wait 60 years later?
READ MORE:
- Betfred World Cup odds*
- The man who helped make Jude Bellingham
- Cristiano Ronaldo's controversial quotes
FIFA Uncovered - Netflix
Clearly, off the field issues and criticism of Qatar has dominated the build up to this World Cup. With former FIFA President Sepp Blatter now admitting that it was a mistake to award them the competition, this in-depth documentary looks at the wrongdoings of FIFA in that time period.
It culminates with Blatter’s removal and reveals some startling facts about those at the top of the sport. This World Cup should never ever be taking place in November, in Qatar, but this documentary goes some way to explaining why it is.
FIFA Uncovered is streaming now on Netflix.
Italia 90: When Football Changed Forever - Channel 4
The World Cup that is always harked back to as the greatest. England headed to Italia 90 under pressure from all angles. It was just a few years after the Heysel disaster, their clubs were banned from European football and the hooligans had tarnished their reputation.
This three-part series explores the trouble going on at the time, how Margaret Thatcher’s government dealt with the trouble and how Sir Bobby Robson and the England team turned it all around. Football hasn’t looked back since this game changing tournament.
Messi - BBC Iplayer
Ahead of what is sure to be his final tournament, it’s well worth watching something on arguably the greatest player of all time. Lionel Messi now has a Copa America title to his name but would love to round things off with that World Cup that eluded him in 2014.
This documentary on Iplayer covers all of that, as well as stories from his childhood and tales from teammates. Messi could do something special in 2022, so get yourself ready by watching this.
From the streets of Rosario to winning seven Ballon d'Or titles 🏆
It's the story of Lionel Messi - watch now on the BBC iPlayer 📺💻📱
#BBCFootball
Diego Maradona - Amazon Prime
For those that prefer Maradona to Messi, Amazon Prime are now showing one of the finest football documentaries of recent years. The late, great Maradona captivated the footballing world with his skill, but this documentary gives an insight into the challenges he faced on and off the field.
A gripping watch, this also shows his desperation to win something with Argentina and how he led them to the World Cup in 1986 - which made Maradona immortal in his homeland.
The Phenomenon: Ronaldo - BBC Four
Another legend from another generation. Another doc on a player that fascinated the world. Ronaldo faced several troubles growing up and then serious injuries when he was on top of his game. This show features his heartbreak at the 1998 World Cup and his redemption in 2002, where he got his hands on the famous trophy.
It’s on at 9.30pm tonight, if you have time to catch it.
*18+ | BeGambleAware
