We Came to Win

by Gimlet
1,015

Every four years, people all over the world turn their eyes, ears, and hearts toward the most exciting sports competition on the planet: The World Cup. We Came to Win tells the stories behind the tournament’s most memorable moments. Like, how did one player become a God, and a villain, after breaking the rules? How did the semi-final of the 1990 World Cup save English soccer from falling apart? And how did one player turn a free-kick into an act of protest? This series from Gimlet Media is an homage to the triumph and heartbreak, victory and defeat that we all experience from soccer (or football, or futbol, or whatever you call it). And it reminds us that so much of what we love about the beautiful game happens off the pitch.

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Recent Reviews
  • EJNS1212
    For football fans, soccer moms, and everyone in between
    I love this podcast so much! I am not a dedicated football fan, although I love the excitement of the World Cup. I listen to many, many podcasts, and there’s something magical about this one. Nando brings something for everyone.
  • Endgame07
    Good stories but
    Really missed out on an opportunity to do a second season for the women’s World Cup. Thought it might be a one off for the Men’s World Cup but then a new episode came out
  • Zeegha
    Need to Include Women’s Soccer
    Great podcast, but it’s incomplete without including Women’s soccer.
  • KLandis41
    Great podcast
    Thank you for a great podcast! The stories you told were totally new to me, but excellently told and fascincating. I hope we don't have to wait 4 years for more stories from you.
  • UD soccer
    Where are the ladies at?
    Would have loved to hear more from Hope Solo. Can we get a few more women’s interviews?
  • drmarathon02
    Beyond lame
    Nothing new here, just more of the same regurgitated stories told by white men. BORING!
  • Anonymous rightchea
    Women’s World Cup?
    It would be great for some women’s coverage :-)
  • Darkjester95
    More Please! Women’s World Cup is on the horizon
    Mattyfatpants can we get more episodes? #Womensworldcup is coming up and these stories of triumph, agony,and redefinition are the perfect hype!This show has been an absolute catapult to get me interested in soccer, it is everything you want in sports, ups, downs, joys, outrages, compelling, dramatic! Never cared for soccer before listening, now I’m all in!
  • Pixel reviews games
    Awesome show bring it back
    2019 World Cup is coming up bring We Came to Win back!
  • Tis Real
    Bring it BACK
    This show is awesome. It got me into listening to podcasts. It’s good. Bring it back for the next World Cup. 6/5 stars
  • Maya Holmes
    Bring it back!
    This does not have to be just about the world cup. There is so much more to explore here. Please do more episodes. Really love this and my 6th grade son does as well. It's a great bonding experience for us.
  • MKLouis
    Great storytelling!
    Not a huge soccer fan, but am glad this podcast was recommended by my sister-in-law. It’s World Cup and geopolitics and culture and biography and so much more all rolled into one. Great work!
  • Spherofan13
    Inspiring
    Excellent. For both soccer and non-soccer fans. Really exhibits the beauty of soccer. Any chance this will ever become a full time show, not just a seasonal one?
  • karla marla
    A Must
    If you’re a World Cup fan, this podcast is a must!
  • comegetpapabear
    Beyond soccer
    Great podcast. It’s not about soccer but rather the stories of people behind the game. It’s fantastic whether you are a soccer fan or just a sports fan.
  • xincpoe
    great pod
    downloaded the season for a long flight and wasn’t disappointed! great stories, great quality—as exciting as being in the stadium
  • RaphDS112
    Absolute stunner
    We Came To Win is now my favorite football show and the team nails how to capture the human drama of the beautiful game. Every story easily fits into the canon of global sporting Great Moments and gives us the best fresh (American, which is rare!) take on the moment. Love it, can’t wait for a new season to kick off.
  • Bookshelves91
    Love it!
    I absolutely love this podcast! I really enjoyed the episode on Maradona!
  • spkane
    Great World Cup Stories
    I only wish there were many more episodes.
  • Jrob274
    The greatest pod.
    This podcast is like a favorite book, difficult to put down, easy to return to over the and over again, and with each revisit, something new is revealed. I binged this in one day and have already recommended this to all my football loving friends and to those friends who I wish would love football.
  • EnigmaAM
    Great listening
    For soccer fans and non fans alike, these stories are fantastic. If you are a soccer fan, you may know some of the stories. They are told well, and even if you know the outcome, you are still riveted. I also really enjoy the variety— not just men’s soccer, but women’s soccer and refs are also covered.
  • Spradlin
    Soccer mom gives two thumbs up!
    This soccer mom barely knows the difference between a goal kick and a corner kick, and I love this podcast! It’s great storytelling! It’s well produced! Each podcast contains all of the character development, the villains, the victors, and the engrossing story that you want in any great tale. Seriously, listen to this. Mom says so.
  • flyingdics
    Great to listen to during World Cup
    Great to listen to during World Cup. I didn't know most of these stories as a very casual fan, so these well produced ones were awesome.
  • The savior 2000
    Fantastic
    During his commentary on some of the soccer games I felt I was there.
  • lmlineberry4
    A Goalazo of a podcast!!
    Stories behind the sport, the players, and the fans of the most popular worldwide sport.... Soccer, Fútbol. A Goalazo of a podcast!!
  • Um supppp
    Please make more!!!
    Loved this series, I binged listened to the entire series. Loved hearing about these amazing insights
  • jschweps
    Well Said
    I don’t like soccer. I have tried in the past to get into the hype of the World Cup but I couldn’t ever muster any real enthusiasm. These guys have helped me understand a bigger story about what it takes to win and how teams and players get to the World Cup. I’m definitely much more curious about the most popular sport in the world.
  • Arinze A.
    Simply Amazing!
    I LOVE this podcast. I can’t stop listening to it. Favorite episode hands down is the one on Zaire. Keep it up! 🙏🏾🙌🏾
  • Inkscribble
    Wonderful!
    Absolutely ignites my love of international soccer! Would be absolutely thrilled if it were continued!!!
  • Luinmirel
    Not a Sports Person, But...
    This podcast drew me in! The stories and politics are so interesting. I really enjoy stories about people, and that's what this podcast is about.
  • Dugdgsgsgshshshssgdvdvdg
    Excellent storytelling about the best Known and Unknown World Cup Stories
    The Zaire episode is so good. These stories need to be told!
  • Empress ChaChanna
    Love it!
    I enjoy the World Cup but admit I don't know much about the game or the history. We Came to Win was an amazing collection soccer moments and the stories of the players who lived them. I especially enjoyed the stories of Zaire's and the Spanish women's national soccer team. I would love it if they continued, epecially for the Women's World Cup.
  • Faith Kathryn
    Great for soccer newbies and pros alike!
    What a fantastic show! I’m only a casual soccer watcher (Olympics & World Cup) and I absolutely loved this show. It was so fascinating to hear all of these stories from soccer history, most of which I had never heard of before. I was very impressed by how many of the principal players they were able to get interviews with. I loved that they included a few episodes about women’s soccer (really wish there had been more) and was in particular really surprised by Hope Solo’s early-career story. All in all, this is a fantastic pod and I really hope they come back to make more episodes. I would love to hear stories like this year round and not just before the World Cup. Great job!
  • wecametobinge
    Great listen!
    Excellent stories to help build my soccer history knowledge. Very entertaining and got me even more excited for the World Cup. Hope they bring it back for the women’s World Cup next year!
  • BZN Mama
    Soccer Mom from Montana
    This podcast is the bomb! I love the stories, the personalities, the story telling ... all layered in history of one of the greatest sports of our time. My kids also love it. Gives them a greater sense of the game and how much passion surrounds the sport. You will enjoy this even if you are not a soccer fan.
  • Podcaster5
    True Soccer Fans
    This podcast is excellent! Love the stories, love the enthusiasm. Too bad you made an episode about Hope Solo. She doesn't deserve to be apart of this, she's selfish and ruined women's soccer in the US.
  • Fellacopter
    No thanks.
    Soccer is dumb and boring.
  • werrcvb
    Wow!!!
    It’s really brought out the soccer in me #wecametowin for LIFE
  • Kyleo08
    Excellent
    Bravo Gimlet! One of the most intriguing and entertaining podcasts I have ever listened to! Well done!
  • RLCpunk
    Soccer savvy podcast
    I love this show so much and it definitely succeeded in getting me pumped up for the World Cup. Hoping for more episodes, perhaps leading up to the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Loved the inclusion of Hope Solo and Vero Boquete. This podcast is such a fun, well researched and tightly edited gem. Plz give us more!!
  • Lb Amigo
    Gimlet you wonderful people you!
    The kind of stories that transport you, inform you, and leave you wanting MORE!
  • Pdxhen
    Great World Cup Stories!
    As a newer World Cup fan I loved the interesting stories and background. Was especially great to hear stories about both World Cups - Men and Women.
  • nsmontoya
    Whether you like soccer or not, awesome storytelling
    This is by far my favorite Gimlet podcast. The stories they've chosen to tell are so interesting and cover many other subjects than just soccer. Good mix of history, humor, reporting and overall storytelling.
  • Drbe4t
    A non soccer lovers intro into a beautiful sport
    As a lover of soccer this has been pretty sweet way to learn about old World Cups and how they have changed the game before I even become a soccer lover. If your someone who has struggled to understand soccer this is a great show to get started. The stories will spark the interest in the game.
  • Alexminiswole
    Fire!!
    Great story's to get you ready for the 2018 World Cup
  • IronArt
    Too long boring
    These should b mins long. Trying to make a deep story out of small occurrences
  • Rachiewins
    Wish this was more than a mini series!
    This show is so great, I loved the historical approach. I would definitely keep listening after the World Cup. I hope they make more episodes!
  • SeanKD
    Awesome
    Very well done podcast and very entertaining. Thanks for creating this!
  • Carlos TOR
    Best Soccer Podcast ever !!!
    This is definitely the best soccer podcast that was ever made!!! The stories that are reported here are so interesting and amazing !!!! I hope you continue this great work for a long time !!!
  • KAPPA TONY
    Great, but...
    Fantastic job on this podcast, but Vila should take it easy on the over-dramatic pronunciations. He sounds very pretentious when he chews the scenery in those instances.
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