Why World Cup water break ads are a disaster

Why World Cup water break ads are a disaster

Author: The Independent June 12, 2026 Duration: 31:48

The World Cup finally started, with a comfortable win for Mexico, a wretched display from South Africa, a flurry of red cards and even more adverts featuring Christian Pulisic, many of them during the actual game.


Chief football writer Miguel Delaney and senior football correspondent Richard Jolly discuss the ever greater commercialisation of the World Cup and the commercials in the new hydration breaks in the World Cup, Fox Sports’ dumbing down of their coverage and lack of insight, as well as a goal for Raul Jimenez to cherish and a victory to keep Miguel’s hopes of visiting the Azteca alive.


Copa Independent will be recording several podcasts throughout the tournament, hearing from our reporters dotted across the United States and from the heart of the England camp.


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Every Wednesday, the conversation starts fresh. The Indy Football Podcast gathers The Independent's football journalists, led by host Luke Brown, to break down the latest from the Premier League, Champions League, and all the stories shaping the game. This isn't just a recap; it's a forward-looking discussion designed to equip you for the weekend's fixtures and the biggest European nights. What sets this podcast apart is its access. Alongside the regular panel, you'll hear from a rotating cast of insiders-former players, agents, and coaches-who bring a unique perspective from within the sport's inner circles. The analysis is sharp, the previews are detailed, and the tone is like listening in on a knowledgeable debate among friends who live and breathe football. Tune in each week for a thoughtful, comprehensive take on everything that matters, delivered with the authority and clarity you'd expect from The Independent.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Copa Independent
Podcast Episodes
The United permacrisis - should it be this difficult? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:34
Permacrisis: a long period of great difficulty, confusion or suffering that seems to have no end.Lawrence Ostlere, Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly assess Manchester United’s bleak start to the season after a 1-1 draw at…
Has the VAR debate become bigger than football itself? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:46
After Erling Haaland’s controversial winner in the Manchester derby and the inevitable fallout, Kieran Jackson is joined by Miguel Delaney and Jack Rathborn to dissect, eight years on from its rollout at the top level, w…
The hard truth behind a CHAOTIC transfer deadline day [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:46
So, be honest: could you keep up to speed with all the ins and outs in the end? Kieran Jackson is joined by Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly this week to unpick the frenetic final few hours of the transfer window, as Pre…
The Premier League’s new era [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:02
In the first episode of the new series, Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly to preview the new Premier League season asking if the league is entering a post-Guardiola, post-Salah era defined by…
Doing it their way: lessons from the final curtain in New York [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:36
In the final episode of Copa Independent, Miguel Delaney and Richard Jolly reflect on Spain winning a second World Cup and argue the best team won both the final and the tournament, with Ferran Torres’ extra-time winner…
Spain or Argentina? Yamal or Messi? BIG World Cup final preview [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:24
And so to the 104th and final match. It’s the top two in the world rankings, the European and South American champions and the first World Cup match between Spain and Argentina for 60 years. Not bad, right? Kieran Jackso…
England are out - the same story but at a greater expense? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:54
Lawrence Ostlere is joined by Richard Jolly in New Jersey and Miguel Delaney in Atlanta to react to England’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final loss to Argentina.They argue England retreated too early after going 1-0 up, with Tho…