LewisGT

32. Czech Republic Group A UEFA (14/16) World Ranking: 39 Best Result: Final* (1934, 1962) *As Czechoslovakia Fixtures: South Korea (12th June, 3AM) South Africa (18th June, 5PM) Mexico (25th June, 2AM) Two penalty shootout victories (over Republic of Ireland and Denmark) after consecutive 2-2 draws saw the Czechs book their spot through the Play-Offs after a disappointing group stage saw them lose to Faroe Islands before pipping them to second. But Czech Republic are back on the big stage for the first time in 20 years and will be fancying their chances of getting out of the group. That team 20 years ago was a bit of a golden generation with Petr Cech, Tomáš Rosický, Milan Baroš and Ballon d’Or winner Pavel Nedvěd all in the squad. They don’t have the same quality this time around but do have a hard-working side that are capable of causing any team frustration. They competed as Czechoslovakia until 1994 and were runners-up twice in their old form. The Manager: Miroslav Koubek A goalkeeper during this career, retiring at Sparta Prague in 1982, Koubek has tonnes of experience and, at 74 years young, will become the eldest ever manager to take charge at a World Cup when they face South Korea on the tournament’s opening day. Aside from a short spell as assistant manager of Chinese club Tianjin Jinmen Tiger in 2008, he has been managing in the Czech Republic since 1983, leading giants Slavia Prague and three spells at Viktoria Plzeň where he won the league title in 2015. More important he managed my favourite Czech side Bohemians 1905 who I saw play live in the Europa Conference League qualifying stage against Bodø/Glimt during my holiday to Prague in 2023. Key Player: Tomáš Souček (West Ham United) Very familiar to Premier League fans, Souček gets his fair share of stick at West Ham and every time a new manager comes in, they seem to drop him for a bit. But he always finds his way back in their plans and has a knack of scoring massively important goals at decisive moments thanks to his great physicality and willingness to stick his head on the end of every cross. He has recently been stripped of his captaincy after some controversies with the team but he always works his way back in favour at West Ham so I’m sure he’ll do the same with Czech Republic. Why they're actually going to win it: Only the Netherlands have been to more World Cup finals without winning one than the Czechs and a favourable group draw could see them gain momentum and put that fact to right.

33. Tunisia Group F CAF (7/10) World Ranking: 44 Best Result: Group Stage (1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022) Fixtures: Sweden (15th June, 3AM) Japan (21st June, 5AM) Netherlands (26th June, 12AM) A really poor AFCON where they were knocked out in the Last 16 on penalties by a Mali side that played for over 90 minutes with 10-men has seriously dented any enthusiasm there was for Tunisia going into this tournament. They qualified in style with 9-wins and 1-draw with zero goals conceded, finishing 13 points ahead of second placed Namibia. However, when you consider that the pot 2 team, Equatorial Guinea, had two wins stripped off them and boycotted another match, it starts to look less impressive. They don’t have much flair going forward and will be relying on a strong defence to see them through a particularly tricky looking group. They replaced their manager after their poor AFCON and so their new manager hasn’t had much chance to work with the squad before the tournament. The Manager: Sabri Lamouchi Ex-Nottingham Forest and Cardiff manager Lamouchi was hired in January to try to turn the countries fortunes around. As a player Lamouchi made 12 appearances or France, won Ligue 1 with Monaco and also played for Inter Milan, Parma and Marseille. At Forest, he was their first manager to complete a full season at the club for over 9 years when he fell short of the Championship play-offs on the final day of the season in 2019/20. He has managed at the World Cup before, seeing Ivory Coast through qualification in 2014 before being knocked-out in the group stage after loses to Colombia and Greece. Key Player: Hannibal Mejbri (Burnley) Ex-Manchester United midfielder Hannibal will be key if Tunisia are able to show any attacking intent at this tournament. A high-energy, dynamic presence in the centre of pitch, Hannibal loves a tackle and a press but what sets him apart from Tunisia’s other midfielders is that he has the composure and technical ability to then progress with the ball and try to start quick counters. This will be their first World Cup without Wahbi Khazri who carried the team on his own during those tournaments, including scoring the iconic winner against France at last year’s tournament. Why they're actually going to win it: No matter how unlikely, they have won a game at their last two tournaments so, if they turn up, they could turn that into a few more.

The new one is not even a D-Block Europe track. It’s a solo Young Adz track and they’ve credited it as D-Block Europe presumedly for extra exposure.

34. Iran Group G AFC (4/9) World Ranking: 21 Best Result: Group Stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014, 2018, 2022) Fixtures: New Zealand (16th June, 2AM) Belgium (21st June, 8PM) Egypt (27th June, 4AM) What can we say about Iran? With just over a month until the World Cup starts and we’re still not even sure if they’re going to play. If you thought that the circumstances surround their last appearance were difficult, with players protesting against their own government, that’s nothing compared to the country being bombed by the country that’s supposedly meant to welcome them. On a purely footballing level, they’ve been the nearly-men for many years now, never being able to escape the group stage. 2022 would have hurt with their dramatic win against Wales leaving them only needing a draw in a tense grudge match against the USA in their final game but Pulisic left they in tears. A really favourable group draw was meant to their big chance this year but who knows how they’re going to react to these circumstances? They have a solid, dependable side which sees them constantly in and around the top 20 in the World Rankings but I think non-footballing reasons makes this seem like too much for them. The Manager: Amir Ghalenoei They’ve had four World Cup’s in a row with Carlos Queiroz in their coaching staff (as Assistant Manager in 2006 and Manager in the three most recent) but this time they’ve looked much closer to home, hiring their league’s most successful manager, Amir Ghalenoei to lead the side. He has had another spell as Iran manager before, where he saw them to a disappointing Quarter-Final exit in the 2007 Asia Cup. Don’t expect a different approach to Quieroz, Ghalenoei still relies on largely the same players and sets the team up to soak up pressure and strike when they have a chance. Key Player: Mehdi Taremi (Olympiacos) Lethal at Porto between 2020-2024, not so lethal in a one-year spell with Inter Milan, Taremi is now back banging them in for Olympiacos. With 59-goals for the National Team too, there’s no doubt who is Iran’s biggest goal threat. At 33, this is probably his last chance to impressive on the biggest stage. Why they're actually going to win it: Can you imagine the story if they were to win it? A good start and it might feel written in the stars.

Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea Brighton 3-1 Wolves Fulham 2-2 Bournemouth Sunderland 1-1 Man Utd Man City 2-1 Brentford Burnley 0-1 Aston Villa Crystal Palace 0-2 Everton Nottingham Forest 1-2 Newcastle West Ham 2-2 Arsenal Tottenham 2-1 Leeds

The Second Voice - LET ME BE Noah Kahan - Doors Ella Langley & Morgan Wallen - I Can't Love You Anymore Olivia Dean - Baby Steps Jonas Blue & Malive - Edge of Desire Alyssa Grace - picking petals Unfortunately, I don't really like any of the songs this week and the AI one actually sounds the best of a meh bunch to me. At least it doesn't seem to be all AI and had some human artistry. It looks like a real musician called Elvin Cena wrote and recorded it originally but then used AI to make it 'better'.

My prediction for the weekend is The Devil Wears Prada 2 Michael The Sheep Detectives Mortal Kombat II I think the previews will be enough for 'The Sheep Detectives' to be the biggest new entry but 'Mortal Kombat II' taking premium screens away from 'Michael' will mean that it will drop harder this weekend compared to the last.

35. DR Congo Group K CAF (8/10) World Ranking: 46 Best Result: Group Stage (1974) Fixtures: Portugal (17th June, 6PM) Colombia (24th June, 3AM) Uzbekistan (28th June, 12:30AM) Their first qualification since 1974, when they were still called Zaire, and one of their defenders infamously received a yellow card for running out of the wall and booting the ball away before Brazil could take a free-kick. DR Congo is the fourth-most populace country in Africa but political instability, frequent wars and economic crises have meant that they never lived up to their full footballing potential, despite two AFCON wins in 1968 and 1974. However, they are a footballing-mad country and are starting to show signs of improvement. They almost qualified automatically but threw-away a 2-0 lead against Senegal and ended up in the play-offs where they overcame a fancied Nigeria on penalties to earn the right to take on Jamaica in the inter-continental play-off. Due to the instability in their country, a lot of people have had to emigrate from the country and they have started to use this large diaspora with Wan-Bissaka hailing from England, Lionel Mpasi, Arthur Masuaku, Cédric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa from France and Noah Sadiki from Belgium. The Manager: Sébastien Desabre Also from France is their manager Sébastien Desabre who is a rare coach who never played professionally. Despite still being in his 40s, he’s got a lot of experience with this already being his 15th job. His biggest success so far was also on the African-stage where he helped Uganda qualify for the 2019 AFCON and reached the Last-16 before a 1-0 defeat to eventual finalists Senegal. He’s been at DR Congo since 2022. Nicknamed ‘the florist’, he prefers an adaptable approach where he sets his team up in what he feels is the best way to beat their opponent rather than sticking to a rigid approach. Key Player: Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United) Most people would say that veteran striker Cédric Bakambu is the key-man as he does it all up-top for DR Congo usually, I’m going to say Wissa has the potential to be the difference-maker. Everyone knows how good he is from his time at Brentford but his Newcastle move this season has been a disaster. He spent the first half of the season injured, missing out on DR Congo’s AFCON squad and has really struggled to find his footing in a struggling Newcastle side since regaining fitness. However, I think this will spur him on and he will be determined to prove his worth at this tournament. If he can re-find the form that got him a place in the Best XI at AFCON 2023, DR Congo might just have a chance. Why they're actually going to win it: Their last World Cup appearances left some enduring scars and they will be desperate to leave some better memories this time and ensure that free-kick is never mentioned again.

. Ariana has been rehearsing ‘Dangerous Woman’ for tour. I’m so excited. I love this era so much and can’t believe it’s been 10 years.

36. South Africa Group A CAF (9/10) World Ranking: 60 Best Result: Group Stage (1998, 2002, 2010) Fixtures: Mexico (11th June, 8PM) Czech Republic (18th June, 5PM) South Korea (25th June, 2AM) If you listen to their fans, they’re the best team in the world but in reality, South Africa are still a fairly limited side, as evidenced in their disappointing AFCON campaign this year where they were knocked out by a Cameroon side that couldn’t even qualify for this tournament in the last 16. One thing they will be is pleasing on the eye. They are a team that love to attack and they will try to be on the front foot in this tournament. Unlike most African sides, not many of their top players have decided to go abroad with most of Bafana Bafana’s starting XI playing for Mamelodi Sundowns who have won 10 out of the last 12 Premiership titles, including 8-conseuctive which is looking to become 9 very soon. They have some of the most passionate fans and we have a rematch of the iconic opening match from 2010. It’s good to have them back! The Manager: Hugo Broos Now in his 70s, Broos will retire after this World Cup after a decorated career saw him represent Anderlecht and Club Brugge as a player while managing both of them and many more in a 38-year coaching career. His biggest achievement was probably leading Cameroon to the AFCON title in 2017. He has been South Africa manager since 2021 and led them to third-place in 2023’s AFCON as well as beating Nigeria to qualification for this World Cup, despite a 3-point deduction. Key Player: Ronwen Williams (Mamelodi Sundowns) Despite being a team that loves to attack, South Africa’s best player is their veteran goalkeeper Ronwen Williams. Having some experience with Tottenham in his youth development, it wasn’t until the 2023 AFCON where he really made his name worldwide with an epic-performance in the Quarter-Finals against Cape Verde where he saved four-penalties in the shoot-out. He looked unbeatable and it led to him winning the Best Goalkeeper award at the tournament and appear on the long-list for the 2014 Ballon d’Or. Why they're actually going to win it: With some many of their players coming from Mamelodi Sundowns, they already have so much experience playing together and will feel more like a club-side. There's no need to try and get everyone to gel in the short preparation window.

1. Kim Petras - Need For Speed (3-1) 2. Olivia Rodrigo - drop dead (1-2-2) 3. Maisie Peters & Julia Michaels - Kingmaker (1-3) 4. Maisie Peters - My Regards (1-1-1-2-1-2-2-1-1-1-2-4-4) 5. Kacey Musgraves - I Believe In Ghosts (5) 6. Kacey Musgraves - Mexico Honey (6) 7. Ella Langley - Be Her (7-7) 8. Kacey Musgraves - Abilene (8) 9. Kacey Musgraves - Back On The Wagon (9) 10. Kylie Cantrall - Carrie Bradshaw (3-3-6-10) 11. Laufey - Madwoman (4-5-5-11) 12. Kacey Musgraves - Dry Spell (1-1-2-2-2-4-8-12) 13. Zara Larsson, Madison Beer & BAMBII - The Ambition (13) 14. Anyma & LISA - Bad Angel (11-7-9-14) 15. Janet Devlin - Working For The Man (14-8-11-15) 16. Kacey Musgraves - Loneliest Girl (16) 17. Bebe Rexha - Hysteria (9-10-12-17) 18. AJ Tracey - Quaresma (18) 19. Hilary Duff - Come Clean (Mine) (6-6-10-19) 20. YUNA - Ice Cream (3-3-5-9-13-20) Falling Out This Week Are: Kacey Musgraves - Middle of Nowhere (11-14) AJ Tracey, KR$NA, ENNY & Anik Khan - Too Bait (19-15) YUNA - B-Boy (15-(x1)-13-16) Laufey - From The Start (4-5-7-9-7-12-14-17) J. Cole & Future - Run A Train (14-3-3-8-12-14-13-19-11-18-18-18) BLACKPINK - Fxxxboy (11-7-9-8-8-8-13-15-19) BLACKPINK - Champion (3-2-3-3-6-5-10-12-20) Retro Top 10 1. Hailee Steinfeld - Dangerous (3-1-1) 2. Ariana Grande - dandelion (2-1-1-2-2-2) 3. Ariana Grande - twilight zone (1-2-2-1-3-3) 4. Lorde - What Was That (5-4) 5. Dove Cameron - French Girls (5) 6. Kylie Cantrall - Denim (11-4-6) 7. Ariana Grande - warm (6-7-8-8-6-7) 8. Ariana Grande - past life (5-6-9-9-7-8) 9. Mimi Webb & Meghan Trainor - Mind Reader (9) 10. HAIM - Down to be wrong (10) Album of the Week 2026: 7th January 2026: Laufey - A Matter of Time 14th January 2026: Laufey - A Matter of Time 21st January 2026: Madison Beer - locket 28th January 2026: Madison Beer - locket 4th February 2026: Madison Beer - locket 11th February 2026: J. Cole - The Fall-Off 18th February 2026: J. Cole - The Fall-Off 25th February 2026: Megan Moroney - Cloud 9 4th March 2026: BLACKPINK - DEADLINE (EP) 11th March 2026: J. Cole - The Fall-Off 18th March 2026: Megan Moroney - Cloud 9 25th March 2026: J. Cole - The Fall-Off 1st April 2026: Megan Moroney - Cloud 9 8th April 2026: Megan Moroney - Cloud 9 15th April 2026: Laufey - A Matter of Time 22nd April 2026: Megan Moroney - Cloud 9 29th April 2026: Megan Moroney - Cloud 9 6th May 2026: Kacey Musgraves - Middle of Nowhere This Week's Number One Highest New Entry

1. Kim Petras - Need For Speed (3-1) 2. Olivia Rodrigo - drop dead (1-2-2) 3. Maisie Peters & Julia Michaels - Kingmaker (1-3) 4. Maisie Peters - My Regards (1-1-1-2-1-2-2-1-1-1-2-4-4) 5. Kacey Musgraves - I Believe In Ghosts (5) 6. Kacey Musgraves - Mexico Honey (6) 7. Ella Langley - Be Her (7-7) 8. Kacey Musgraves - Abilene (8) 9. Kacey Musgraves - Back On The Wagon (9) 10. Kylie Cantrall - Carrie Bradshaw (3-3-6-10) 11. Laufey - Madwoman (4-5-5-11) 12. Kacey Musgraves - Dry Spell (1-1-2-2-2-4-8-12) 13. Zara Larsson, Madison Beer & BAMBII - The Ambition (13) 14. Anyma & LISA - Bad Angel (11-7-9-14) 15. Janet Devlin - Working For The Man (14-8-11-15) 16. Kacey Musgraves - Loneliest Girl (16) 17. Bebe Rexha - Hysteria (9-10-12-17) 18. AJ Tracey - Quaresma (18) 19. Hilary Duff - Come Clean (Mine) (6-6-10-19) 20. YUNA - Ice Cream (3-3-5-9-13-20)

1. Kim Petras - Need For Speed (3-1) 2. Olivia Rodrigo - drop dead (1-2-2) 3. Maisie Peters & Julia Michaels - Kingmaker (1-3) 4. Maisie Peters - My Regards (1-1-1-2-1-2-2-1-1-1-2-4-4) 5. Kacey Musgraves - I Believe In Ghosts (5) 6. Kacey Musgraves - Mexico Honey (6) 7. Ella Langley - Be Her (7-7) 8. Kacey Musgraves - Abilene (8) 9. Kacey Musgraves - Back On The Wagon (9) 10. Kylie Cantrall - Carrie Bradshaw (3-3-6-10) 11. Laufey - Madwoman (4-5-5-11) 12. Kacey Musgraves - Dry Spell (1-1-2-2-2-4-8-12) 13. Zara Larsson, Madison Beer & BAMBII - The Ambition (13) 14. Anyma & LISA - Bad Angel (11-7-9-14) 15. Janet Devlin - Working For The Man (14-8-11-15) 16. Kacey Musgraves - Loneliest Girl (16) 17. Bebe Rexha - Hysteria (9-10-12-17) 18. AJ Tracey - Quaresma (18) 19. Hilary Duff - Come Clean (Mine) (6-6-10-19) 20. YUNA - Ice Cream (3-3-5-9-13-20)

(59-80-103-126) J.I.D. feat. 21 Savage & Baby Tate - Surround Sound (40-60-83-105-127) TWICE - The Feels (68-89-115-128) Maisie Peters - Cate’s Brother (13-27-50-74-124-129) Watsky feat. Raquel Rodriguez - Undermine (x-107-130) AJ Tracey - Wifey Riddim 4 - (NE) Maisie Peters - Say My Name In Your Sleep (110-132) LISA - Rockstar (93-108-133) Sabrina Carpenter - Feather (81-109-134) The Weeknd & Ariana Grande - Die For You (21-35-53-79-111-135) J. Cole - Lion King On Ice (23-38-58-85-114-136) Spillage Village - Shiva (28-47-70-97-118-137) Childish Gambino - 35.31 (61-91-116-138) Taylor Swift - Lavender Haze (107-135-139) Olivia Rodrigo - get him back! (87-119-140) Madison Beer - 17 - (49-71-98-130-141) Olivia Rodrigo - All I Want (105-120-142) Taylor Swift - I Can See You (167-143) ROSÉ - toxic till the end (126-144) Jade - Angel Of My Dreams (12-44-67-96-129-145) BLACKPINK & Selena Gomez - Ice Cream (NE) Addison Rae - Fame is a Gun (60-39-55-82-112-147) Abra Cadabra feat. RV, Kush, Double Lz, Bandokay, Lowkey & Dezzie - On Deck (63-84-122-148) Dove Cameron - Breakfast (136-149) Kendrick Lamar - wacced out murals (NE) Gracie Abrams - Close To You Three songs from 2025 make their debuts in this section, coming from Gracie Abrams, Addison Rae and Maisie Peters. Wacced out murals is one of my favourite productions in a long time. Its so dark and foreboding and an insane way to open an album. it gets you attention from the start and lets you know that you’re in for something special. It’s so raw and Kendrick sounds composed, but you can still feel the anger in his delivery. This captures a mood so well: pure menace. To show how much rap has fallen off for me, this is still the most recent rap #1 in my charts. The highest placement for dove, Breakfast really builds on the sound she uncovered in ‘Boyfriend’ with her smoky, breathy vocals really hitting hard for me. It’s starting to fall down the list rapidly and I don’t go back to it as much as the others in this section but the ‘I eat boys’ bridge will eternally be stuck in the back of my mind. In my opinion, On Deck, especially the remix, is the greatest drill song ever released. The remix pulls together all of OFB’s finest for a masterclass in the posse-cut. Abra has the perfect voice for this genre and the guest features have a surprisingly high hit rate. Just look at that climb this had in its first two years. Reality is starting to hit but still a great showing for a song that was #60 in my 2020 EOY chart. Ice Cream is not particularly a shining light in either of their discographies (even with an Ariana Grande co-write) but I’m really starting to appreciate it more now the hype surrounding the collab has calmed down. I like the bright colours and summery aesthetic and LISA’s rap and the closing bridge are both strong. Angel of my Dreams was an admiralty creative and risky way to start a solo-career. It shown from the get-go that JADE had bigger ambitions. Musically, it’s all over the place, shifting from hard-hitting techno beats to angelic R&B vocals in the blink of an eye. I love the vitality she puts into performances of this song and it was the perfect centrepiece for her tour last year. toxic till the end was a much more traditional attempt at a solo girl-group song but no worse for it. Evan Blair’s synthy production is buoyantly bouncy and the hook is memorable. Everything you need for a good pop song! I Can See You was one of the surprise tracks from my tour date of the Eras Tour. I was very happy to hear it as it's certainly her strongest ‘from the vault’ track. This doesn’t feel at all like was recorded for ‘Fearless’ so I have to imagine the demos would have sounded a lot different than what we got. I think it came out at the right time where her voice has matured and the world is more ready for suggestive Taylor. All I Want is a rare song in this list that was released before 2020, coming from Olivia’s time on Disney+ show ‘High School Music: The Musical: The Series’. It’s a very Disney-esque pop ballad in many ways but it is just so catchy. Her songwriting has definitely matured but this was a lot better than it had any right to be. really loved hearing this in her delayed Manchester show on tour last year. While we weren’t all famous and under intense media scrutiny in our teenage years, I think everyone can relate to having regret at not appreciating the freedom and excitement of our younger years and Madison hits upon that feeling perfectly in 17. A mix of both nostalgia and mourning time lost. get him back! is a song designed to be an arena anthem if I’ve ever heard one and I can confirm this it does indeed go off in that setting with the whole crowd shouting along. I love the wordplay from Olivia on this one with the dual meanings of the titular phrase being explored in some creatively amusing ways. While I imagine most would say ‘folklore’, ‘Midnights’ is my favourite Taylor album of the 2020s and it's opening track, Lavender Haze, lured me in from the start. It was a sonically adventurous song from Taylor with the pounding bassline paired with ambient sounds and a slower pace. It felt really exciting and the falsetto parts are very satisfying. 35.31 now has an official title of ‘Little Foot Big Foot’ (and unnecessary Young Nudy feature) since Gambino released his 3.15.20 in fully completed form as ‘Atavista’ in 2024. I still prefer the original release but that’s long gone from streaming now. A bit like ‘Hey Ya’ in how deceivingly dark the lyrics are, this is a song about a drug dealer who feels stuck in the world but is sung with a country twang, with a huge smile and in a nursery rhyme metre. It feels like a TikTok hit that went away, despite the eventual music video release giving it a second chance. It was produced by an Oscar winning composer which is some pedigree. JID & EARTHGANG never miss together and there’ll be more evidence of that to come but now now we've got Shiva by their occasional supergroup, Spillage Village. Doctor Dot is like butter on the chorus, the production is so jazzy and relaxing and feels straight out of an older era of rap that I love and Jurdan Bryant, Johnny Venus, Benji., JID & Dot all make their verses sound effortless while hitting on some really big, introspective topics. Dot takes away the MVP award but it’s a song where everyone it firing on all cylinders. It really calms me down when it comes on. Lion King On Ice is matured evolution of Cole’s ‘Simba’ tracks and was released on the Lewis Street EP alongside another song which is still to come. They both have a great sound. The soulful production with a muted trap beat and pitched sample is a well-trodden path but Cole finds a great pocket to make it feel fresh. I’m a big fan of the STARBOY album but I can’t say that Die For You was ever a huge favourite. But with an added Ariana verse? - A new classic! Their fourth collaboration, they just never miss when they get together. They both know how to sing and their chemistry is always off the charts. I think this is better than the Save Your Tears remix Feather was Sabrina’s first song to crack the UK top 20. I’m sure no doubt in part to its campy, murderous (and controversial) music video that led to the iconic ‘Jesus was a carpenter’ quip. It has a really hummable melody and the spoken ‘I’m so sorry for your loss’ in the second pre-chorus is delivered perfectly. I can see why they based the whole concept of the video off just that one line. Rockstar is the most ‘LISA’ LISA single to date. It's like a mix of her first two songs (MONEY and LALISA) blended together and is exactly what you think a solo single of hers would sound. Confidence for days with a boastful rap, dance chorography and bold visuals. It might not be too original but she oozes star-qualify and you can’t take your eyes off her. As the title suggests, Wifey Riddim 4 is the fourth edition of AJ’s ‘Wifey Riddim’ series and, in my opinion, is the best of the bunch. I love the production here, the pitched sample of Lous and The Yakuza's 'Interpol' is addictive and would be a banger even without AJ flowing on top. But he does his job too with his classic sound with multiple anime references and a Japan-filmed video. Watsky is an artist that I associate with my teenage years but even in my 20s, he’s still bagged three entries in my top 150 with his first being ‘Undermine’. I think it’s 13th position in my 2020 EOY was a bit too high but this is still a really nice listen. He’s more in his singing bag here and it works but it really the ending rap that sticks with me most. A fun titbit for fact fans: the music video was filmed at the same location that Tame Impala went on to use for the cover of his ‘The Slow Rush’ album Cate's Brother is an ironically unhinged moment in Maisie’s career. This is a very unsubtle song about creating a fake relationship with her friend’s brother in a pop-punk Avril Lavigne styling. It’s silly but my god does it put my in a good mood. Sometimes you just want your songs to be fun with no deeper meaning and that’s ok. Don’t be surprised this to climb by the final chart in 2030. Speaking of songs that are just bundles of fun with not a cynical bone in it's body, how could you not smile listening to The Feels? It’s bubble-gum at its absolute sweetest and purist and I absolutely love every second. I know the K-POP Demon Hunters finally saw them make a UK top 40 breakthrough but it should have been this! I was officially ahead of the curve with Surround Sound with it already hitting #1 in my chart and bagging itself an EOY top 20 placement before it even had a sniff of the UK chart. JID sounds as unique as ever, going through about 40 different flows, many of which no other rapper would have never even dare considerm but it’s Baby Tate’s short-and-sweet couple of bars that steal the show for me. She sounds angelic and makes the beat switch more palatable.

37. Panama Group L CONCACAF (4/6) World Ranking: 33 Best Result: Group Stage (2018) Fixtures: Ghana (18th June, 12AM) Croatia (24th June, 12AM) England (27th June, 10PM) With the three host countries booking their spot automatically, Panama were the highest ranked team in North American qualifying but made a bit of a meal of getting here, relying on Suriname falling apart in their final match to climb above them in the group. Steadily improving each year, Panama feel better suited for this tournament than they did in their only other World Cup appearance in 2018 where they finished bottom of their difficult group with no points and only one goal scored (against England, who they will play again this time around). Perhaps lacking in attacking options, Panama are still not to be underestimated. They aren’t this high in the World Rankings for no reason and impressed as guests at the most recent Copa America in 2024 where they escaped a tricky group featuring Uruguay, Bolivia and hosts USA before succumbing to Colombia in the Quarter-Finals. The Manager: Thomas Christiansen There will be Danish representation at this World Cup as Christiansen was born in the country, despite making two appearances for the Spanish national side. He has impressively overseen Panama climb from the 80s in the World Rankings when he joined in 2020 to the 33rd spot they sit in today. With Panama being the top side in qualifying, he saw them play a possession-based style but against the bigger teams, like in the Copa America, he sets the team up to defend and expect him to do that again this time. He will be best known to British fans for a spell as Leeds United manager in 2017 where he replaced Garry Monk. Key Player: Aníbal Godoy (San Diego) Not easy to choose as they don’t really have any standout names but Godoy is their captain and record-appearance maker and will be key if Panama do well. I think Panama are going to try to soak up lots of pressure and hit on the counter and Godoy will be key to their defensive effort as a deep-midfielder. He is 36 now so it will be difficult for him to see out every match but if Panama are to do well, expect to be hearing his name a lot. Why they're actually going to win it: A home confederation tournament will give them a boost and they’ve already shown that they can get results against good sides.