Game's Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast

Steve's World Cup Road Trip Continues - this week he's beaming in from a diner in Atlanta, Georgia. Shades on, and with dreams of a Royal Oak American Franchise, has he crossed the Atlantic permanently and gone full Brand Beckham? And does referring to the Beautiful Game as "soccer" mean the game truly has gone?
Steve, Paul and Bob chat about Bracknall-mania in the US and Steve's appearances on Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James. Will maverick player Wynney keep pursuing unauthorised brand deals? Plus, the Oak Boys send in videos celebrating the three lions.
With post-match reaction from England's win over DR Congo, we also look ahead to the Round of 16 clash against Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium.
We cover Germany's penalty woes, spoilers over the Netherlands and karaoke during hydration breaks. Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, David Beckham and Bon Jovi all feature in another packed edition.
We’re releasing special World Cup-themed episodes every Thursday across the tournament, and you can also tune into a BONUS live stream reacting to the group stages via the Game’s Gone YouTube channel on Sunday 12th July.
Send your questions and voice notes to steve@bbc.co.uk or via whatsapp 0800 7831997.
Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast is written and performed by Chris McClure and is a Persephonica production for BBC Sounds.
Credits
Series Producer: Ad Ahmed
Video Editor: Janathan Portelli
Artwork: Joe Whittaker
Technical Producer: Jasper Fell-Clark
Assistant Producer: Harriet Webster
Photography: Rob Nicholson
Executive Producer: Dino Sofos
Commissioning Executive for the BBC: Stevie Middleton
Assistant Commissioner for the BBC: Steve Trenchard

Steve Bracknall, Paul Sampson and Bob the Bucket host a live stream reacting to the 2026 FIFA World Cup group stages.
They reacted to all the action from the final round of the groups, as England confirmed their Round of 32 tie vs DR Congo, but will Thomas Tuchel's right-back problems continue to haunt them?
Scotland's run comes to an end with Steve Clarke resigning as manager. And as Cape Verde continue to surprise (much to the delight of our Nikki who has them in the Royal Oak sweepstake) just how far can they go?
Plus the lads stick their neck out on who will win the Golden Boot - Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland or Ousmane Dembélé?
We'll be live streaming another bonus podcast reacting to the group stages via the Game’s Gone YouTube channel on Sunday 12th July.
Send your questions and voice notes to steve@bbc.co.uk or via whatsapp 0800 7831997
Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast is written and performed by Chris McClure and is a Persephonica production for BBC Sounds
Credits
Series Producer: Ad Ahmed
Technical Producer: Jasper Fell-Clark
Assistant Producer: Harriet Webster
Photography: Rob Nicholson
Executive Producer: Dino Sofos
Commissioning Executive for the BBC: Stevie Middleton
Assistant Commissioner for the BBC: Steve Trenchard

Steve's American Road Trip rolls on - this week he's in Boston, necking the local beer and watching England take on Ghana. He swings by Graceland, gets stuck into some properly oversized American food, and brings us up to speed on all the World Cup news...
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Back home, Bob takes Steve's lawnmower for an unauthorised spin, and Paul's got some shocking news from Sampson Electrics.
The lads run the rule over the Golden Boot race, weigh up Scotland's chances, show some love to underdogs Cape Verde, and size up football's managerial heavyweights from Ancelotti to Advocaat - but could any of them do it on a Tuesday night in the Imperial League?
Marcelo Bielsa, Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi all get a mention in another packed edition of Games Gone.
We’re releasing special World Cup-themed episodes every Thursday across the tournament, and you can also tune into a BONUS live stream reacting to the group stages via the Game’s Gone YouTube channel this Sunday 28th June at 2PM.
Send your questions and voice notes to steve@bbc.co.uk or via whatsapp 0800 7831997
Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast is written and performed by Chris McClure and is a Persephonica production for BBC Sounds
Credits
Series Producer: Ad Ahmed
Video Editor: Janathan Portelli
Artwork: Joe Whittaker
Technical Producer: Jasper Fell-Clark
Assistant Producer: Harriet Webster
Photography: Rob Nicholson
Executive Producer: Dino Sofos
Commissioning Executive for the BBC: Stevie Middleton
Assistant Commissioner for the BBC: Steve Trenchard

Steve Bracknall's landed in Dallas - brisket in one hand, cowboy hat in the other - and seen winning starts from both England and Scotland. He brings us post match reaction to England vs Croatia, and his fans eye view of all of the World Cup action.
Back home and joining remotely, Bob refuses to stay up for the late kick-offs and Paul's plotting his move from Sampson Electrics into sports broadcasting. Our Nikki gives her verdict on Steve's new Cowboy look and plans are made for bin day...
On the footballing agenda this week: water breaks in air-conditioned stadiums, England's kit drama, James Corden and Steve's unfiltered verdict on American sports coverage.
Pelé, Lionel Messi, Harry Kane, Diego Maradona and Michael Portillo all turn up in another packed edition of Game's Gone.
Join us every Thursday throughout the summer for World Cup-themed episodes and keep an eye out for bonus livestreams taking you right to the heart of the tournament.
VAR. XG. Inverted wing backs. The game has well and truly gone. Via his very own podcast, Steve Bracknall, Sunday league assistant manager and viral sensation will bring it back.
Send your questions and voice notes to steve@bbc.co.uk or via whatsapp 0800 7831997 Marching on, together as one. Steve. Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast is written and performed by Chris McClure and is a Persephonica production for BBC Sounds
Credits
Series Producer: Ad Ahmed
Video Producer/Editor: Janathan Portelli
Additional Editing and Artwork: Joe Whittaker and Lottie Steele
Assistant Producer: Harriet Webster
Photography: Rob Nicholson
Executive Producer: Dino Sofos
Commissioning Executive for the BBC: Stevie Middleton
Assistant Commissioner for the BBC: Steve Trenchard

We're dropping this one early - a special full length preview episode looking ahead to the 2026 World Cup...
The lads have entered the Royal Oak sweepstake - but Steve's hopes of glory takes an immediate hit when he draws the mighty Uzbekistan. Bob and Paul go in on the eternal debate: what do we actually think about casual fans down the pub? And Steve has discovered a new passion in life - brisket barbecues.
We take a closer look at England's possible route to the final. Can Harry Kane's Three Lions battle through the heat in the United States, Canada and Mexico to go all the way? Steve, as ever, has absolutely no doubts. And will Scotland suprise a few people with their first appearance at the finals since 1998.
The boys also weigh in on who'll claim the Golden Boot, pick their dark horses for the tournament, and settle - once and for all - the greatest rivalry in football: Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo. Plus, Bob the Bucket is back with another quiz to sort the true fans from the also rans.
Join us every Thursday throughout the summer for World Cup-themed episodes and keep an eye out for bonus livestreams taking you right to the heart of the tournament.
Pelé, Erling Haaland, Diego Maradona, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Shakira and Peter Reid all feature in another packed edition of Games Gone.
VAR. XG. Inverted wing backs. The game has well and truly gone. Via his very own podcast, Steve Bracknall, Sunday league assistant manager and viral sensation will bring it back.
Send your questions and voice notes to steve@bbc.co.uk or via whatsapp at 0800 7831997
Marching on, together as one. Steve.
Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknall Podcast is written and performed by Chris McClure and is a Persephonica production for BBC Sounds
Credits
Series Producer: Ad Ahmed
Video Producer/Editor: Janathan Portelli
Additional Editing and Artwork: Joe Whittaker and Lottie Steele
Photography: Rob Nicholson
Executive Producer: Dino Sofos
Commissioning Executive for the BBC: Stevie Middleton
Assistant Commissioner for the BBC: Steve Trenchard