The Totally Football Show · March 27, 2026 · 52 min

Italy’s World Cup dream still alive but it’s Home Nations heartbreak

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Transfer news

Liverpool and Mo Salah announced that this season will be his last at Anfield. He is one of the most important players in Premier League history, one of the best signings that certainly Liverpool have ever made.

— James Richardson

World Cup 2026 qualification

Wales once again came up against opposition who I don't think were any better than Wales. They were two very evenly matched teams, and sadly, Bosnia held their nerve in the shootout and Wales didn't hold theirs. And so the World Cup dream has died.

— Tom Williams

The fact that Kosovo were only admitted into FIFA 10 years ago and are now one match away from a World Cup is an incredible achievement for such a young state and a young team.

— Colin Miller

Jamaica were on their third manager of this extended qualifying period. They looked nervous; the New Caledonia manager said before the game that the pressure was on Jamaica and I think you could see that.

— Jack Lang

Italy World Cup qualification

The match director decided to show a group of Italian players and executives watching the penalty shootout in Cardiff and celebrating when Bosnia won as if they wanted Bosnia. It invites another apocalypse on Italy in Zenica next Tuesday.

— James Horncastle

Premier League status

Once Salah goes, there's probably only Erling Haaland and Bruno Fernandes left as massive names in English football. It continues this trend of superstars leaving the Premier League.

— James Richardson

Liverpool management

I think it probably makes it a little bit easier for Slot to leave him out now, which is something that seems to have been a requirement for a while given his lack of output.

— Matt Davis-Adams

Player analysis

Dan James' goal was an absolute screamer and just further evidence of what a peculiar footballer he is. Exceptional at a very small handful of things, one of which is occasionally throwing complete worldies, and frustratingly inept at a lot of other things.

— Tom Williams

Manager reaction

I like the quote from Bellamy after the game where he said 'tomorrow the sun will rise and I'm going to watch that sunrise.' It's really impressive that you can say something philosophical and still have a real air of menace about you.

— Matt Davis-Adams

Northern Ireland football

The Northern Ireland squad is young, it's good, it's developing, it has flaws, but I think Euro 2028 was always the realistic game, and I think this was just one campaign too early for them.

— Colin Miller