GOAL Launches ICONS & LEGACY: Two New World Cup Podcasts Featuring Martin Tyler
Football fans around the world have a new reason to celebrate as Footballco’s GOAL unveils a groundbreaking double-podcast project dedicated to the rich tapestry of World Cup history. The global football media giant has officially launched ICONS, a ten-episode series voiced by the legendary commentator Martin Tyler, with a second, more expansive series titled LEGACY set to follow on 16 December.
Together, these two audio projects form one of the most ambitious explorations of World Cup culture ever created—stretching across 36 deeply researched episodes, spanning multiple languages, and produced by GOAL’s global network of journalists.
This is not just another football podcast release. It is a milestone in digital football storytelling.
ICONS: The First Chapter of the Double Series Launch
Launched today, ICONS is a ten-episode podcast series narrated by Martin Tyler and crafted by GOAL’s editorial and audio production teams. Each episode revisits a single defining moment from the last ten men’s FIFA World Cups, tracing all the way back to Mexico 1986.
Rather than recounting chronological timelines, ICONS zeroes in on one story per tournament—the kind of story that transcends the pitch and becomes part of football folklore.
What ICONS Covers
The series dives into unforgettable World Cup moments, including:
Ronaldo Nazário’s iconic 2002 haircut, which became a global talking point
The controversial Adidas Jabulani ball from the 2010 World Cup that infuriated goalkeepers everywhere
Argentina’s bootleg jerseys at the 1986 World Cup, a bizarre but true equipment fiasco
Off-pitch cultural narratives that shaped how billions experienced the tournament
And this is just the beginning.
The Power of the Tyler Voice
Martin Tyler is not just a narrator—he is the voice of football for multiple generations. Having commentated on twelve World Cups since Argentina 1978, Tyler brings authority, emotion, and a sense of familiarity that instantly elevates the listening experience.
Tyler said:
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have commentated on twelve World Cups, dating back to Argentina 78, so I know only too well how the World Cup can create icons and stories like nothing else in football. I’m excited to be working with GOAL to bring these stories to life, some of which I wasn’t even aware of.”
His involvement signals GOAL’s ambition to produce the most definitive World Cup audio storytelling catalogue to date.
The Stories Behind the Stories: What ICONS Represents
GOAL created ICONS as part of a broader cultural re-examination of football’s biggest stage. While the World Cup is often analyzed through tactics, match results, and star players, ICONS brings something different: the human, emotional, and sometimes strange narratives that made each tournament unforgettable.
Why This Approach Matters
Universality: The World Cup is a global event transcending sport, politics, fashion, and identity. ICONS captures these cross-sections.
Accessibility: Younger fans discovering past World Cups through digital media can engage with these stories in an intimate audio format.
Preservation: Many stories—like Argentina’s counterfeit kit fiasco or the cultural phenomenon of Ronaldo’s haircut—risk fading without modern retelling.
Authority + Creativity: Tyler’s gravitas combined with GOAL’s modern storytelling gives the project both credibility and contemporary appeal.
ICONS is produced not just to inform, but to ignite nostalgia, create new curiosity, and preserve global football heritage for the next generation.
LEGACY: A Deeper Journey into Football Identity (Launching 16 December)
While ICONS focuses on moments, the upcoming LEGACY series widens the lens significantly.
Launching 16 December, LEGACY is a 26-episode deep-dive exploring:
National football cultures
Long-standing football traditions
Tournaments that shaped historical identity
The distinct style, philosophy, and evolution of footballing nations
Generational narratives on and off the pitch
LEGACY is designed to run up to the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup, offering a rich listening companion leading into the tournament.
Which Nations Will Be Featured?
The series examines football dynasties and emerging identities from around the world, including:
England
Brazil
Argentina
Germany
Italy
France
Spain
United States
Mexico
Netherlands
Morocco
Uruguay
Each nation’s story is explored through its own triumphs, failures, cultural quirks, and defining World Cup moments.
Examples of Topics Covered in LEGACY
Spain’s reputation as a cradle for wonderkid talents, from Xavi to Pedri
Italy’s unexpected decline, including missing recent World Cup tournaments
The United States’ surprising run in 2002, a turning point for American soccer
Morocco’s rise as a new powerhouse, igniting pride across Africa and the Arab world
Brazil’s evolution from ‘Jogo Bonito’ to modern tactical football
These narratives make LEGACY a must-listen for both hardcore fans and new followers of global football.
A Massive Global Collaboration Behind the Microphone
Across ICONS and LEGACY, football storytelling becomes a worldwide newsroom effort.
GOAL’s International Journalism Network
Both series are:
Research-driven
Written by GOAL journalists based across the globe
Produced in ten different languages
Narrated by culturally appropriate hosts
This results in a podcast project with unmatched global authenticity.
Voices of the Series
Martin Tyler narrates ICONS in English
Tom Watt voices the English-language episodes of LEGACY
Local narrators host versions in:
Arabic
Portuguese
Spanish
German
Italian
Dutch
French
This multilingual rollout ensures fans experience the stories in native tone, local nuance, and cultural resonance.
Technology Meets Tradition: How AI Powers the Project
Footballco EVP James Lamon highlighted the role of emerging technology, stating that the project blends traditional sports storytelling with cutting-edge audio innovation.
How AI Enhances the Project
AI-supported translation allows the series to reach larger global audiences
Voice tools ensure emotional consistency across languages
Data-driven research helps GOAL identify stories that resonate worldwide
Despite the AI integration, Lamon emphasizes one core principle:
“The goal is to maintain emotional impact and journalistic authenticity while expanding to multiple markets.”
This hybrid approach positions GOAL as a global leader in sports audio innovation.
What Happens After 2026? The Future of ICONS & LEGACY
The podcast series will pause after the 2026 World Cup in July, but the journey is far from over.
GOAL plans to continue exploring:
Legends from continental tournaments
Iconic stories from domestic leagues
Cultural histories of major football clubs
Fan movements and football-related social issues
Women’s World Cup legacies and global pioneers
Future football innovations and global youth development
This positions ICONS and LEGACY as long-term storytelling projects that will evolve with global football.
Why These Podcasts Matter in 2025 and Beyond
Football storytelling has undergone a massive transformation in recent years. Fans no longer consume content only in traditional formats—they want immersive, insightful, and emotionally rich experiences.
Here’s why ICONS and LEGACY are poised to dominate this space:
1. Audio Consumption Is at an All-Time High
Podcasts offer flexibility and intimacy unmatched by video or print.
2. World Cup Content Has Timeless Appeal
Football fans always seek to relive past tournaments or learn about ones they never experienced firsthand.
3. Multilingual Access Is a Game-Changer
Eight languages ensure enormous reach.
4. Martin Tyler’s involvement adds instant trust
For many, Tyler is the definitive voice of the World Cup.
5. Deep storytelling goes beyond match summaries
Fans get context, culture, characters, controversies—and things they never knew before.
The combination makes this project one of GOAL’s most ambitious editorial achievements ever.
Episode Distribution & Platforms
All episodes of ICONS and LEGACY will be:
Released weekly
Available globally
Published simultaneously as audio podcasts and feature articles on GOAL
Supported by supplementary multimedia content, including:
Infographics
Archival photos
Historical clips (where rights allow)
Social media breakdowns
This ensures maximum engagement across all audience segments.
Final Thoughts: A Landmark for World Cup Storytelling
With ICONS and LEGACY, Footballco’s GOAL is not just launching podcasts—it is building a digital archive of football’s most defining moments and cultural identities. By combining world-class narration, international journalism, and advanced technology, the platform has created an unprecedented audio celebration of the sport.
As the world approaches the 2026 World Cup, these series offer both nostalgia and fresh insight, inviting fans to rediscover the stories that shaped football into the global phenomenon it is today.
Whether you are a lifelong supporter or a new fan discovering football’s past, ICONS and LEGACY promise to be essential listening.
