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Ahead of Scotland meeting Brazil once again in the upcoming Men鈥檚 FIFA World Cup 2026, Scottish football superfan and one of the UK鈥檚 most critically acclaimed comedians Kevin Bridges is undertaking an international journey to examine the contemporary state of football and its cultural significance. Travelling to locations including Brazil, Scotland and the USA, the programme explores how football is experienced across different communities and environments.

Kevin Bridges: In Search of the Beautiful Game (1x60鈥�) is a brand-new commission for 麻豆社 Scotland, 麻豆社 One and iPlayer and will be made by Bango Studios, the production company established by BAFTA, RTS and Grierson-winning producers Emily Hudd and Iain Wimbush. The special will follow Bridges as he engages with players, supporters and local voices to understand the role football plays today, examining themes of identity, community and change, and how the meaning of the game may have evolved over time.

For the first time in 28 years Scotland are going to the FIFA Men鈥檚 World Cup. And, in a beautiful coincidence (or nightmare) they're playing Brazil again. It鈥檚 indisputably the biggest sporting event in Scotland鈥檚 recent memory and gives Scotland the opportunity to score their first ever victory over Brazil and a result that would instantly become one of the most memorable in Scottish football history.

Part travel adventure and part football investigation, Kevin Bridges: In Search of the Beautiful Game will see Kevin immerse himself in the deep-rooted relationship with football found across the world. And it's Kevin鈥檚 own personal mission to see whether the joy of football he experienced in the 1998 World Cup still exists in football today.

Kevin Bridges said: 鈥淚鈥檝e been a football fan for as long as I can remember, I was 11 years old when Scotland last qualified for the World Cup, a lot has changed about football since then and like a lot of people, I鈥檝e become a little disillusioned with where the game is headed. I鈥檓 excited to be setting out on this mission; to see if the game still has a soul and that its beauty is not yet lost.鈥�

Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning at the 麻豆社, said: 鈥淜evin Bridges is one of the UK鈥檚 most beloved comedians, as well as a lifelong football obsessive. For the first time in 28 years, Scotland are back in the World Cup, and so Kevin鈥檚 off on an international journey to explore the contemporary state of football, its cultural significance and enduring appeal, in the hope he can bring home a few tips. We cannot wait to bring Kevin鈥檚 adventures to screen ahead of the 麻豆社鈥檚 coverage of the FIFA Men鈥檚 World Cup this year.鈥�

Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning, 麻豆社 Scotland, said: 鈥淜evin will be treating audiences to his trademark wit on a journey which will be a perfect warm-up to Scotland鈥檚 return to the World Cup stage. He combines genuine admiration for Brazil鈥檚 footballing prowess with the traditional passion of a proud Scotland supporter. The result is a win for viewers - a documentary that鈥檚 funny, curious, and heartfelt.鈥�

Iain Wimbush, Executive Producer for Bango Studios, said: 鈥淲e all know what an incredible talent Kevin is - and it鈥檚 an honour to work with him on this passion project and create his own personal countdown to the world cup.鈥�

Kevin Bridges: In Search of the Beautiful Game will air ahead of the 麻豆社鈥檚 coverage of the FIFA Men鈥檚 World Cup 2026.

Fans will be able to watch the highly anticipated final match of Group C, Scotland v Brazil, live from the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on 麻豆社 One and 麻豆社 iPlayer as part of the 麻豆社鈥檚 extensive coverage of the FIFA Men鈥檚 World Cup. The match itself kicks off at 11pm (BST) on 24 June 2026.

Kevin Bridges: In Search of the Beautiful Game (1 x 60鈥�) is a Bango Studios production, co-commissioned by 麻豆社 Scotland and 麻豆社 Entertainment, for 麻豆社 One, 麻豆社 Scotland and iPlayer. Commissioners for the 麻豆社 are Neil McCallum for 麻豆社 Entertainment and Heather Kane-Darling for 麻豆社 Scotland. Iain Wimbush is the Executive Producer for Bango Studios. It will be produced by Liam O鈥橦are, and directed by BAFTA award winning director, Tommy Forbes.

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