“When I think of the World Cup, I think of Brazil”: Ryan Christie joins Footballers Unfiltered

• Scotland are heading to their first men’s World Cup since 1998 – and Ryan Christie says “this one can’t really let slide”

• Hosted by Australia international Jackson Irvine, Footballers Unfiltered Season Three brings together players preparing for the World Cup

• Christie opens up on Scotland’s emotional qualification, player workload and why facing Brazil feels like the ultimate World Cup moment

Scotland have waited almost three decades to return to the men’s World Cup. For Ryan Christie, the reality of finally getting there still feels surreal.

In the fourth episode of Footballers Unfiltered Season Three, the Bournemouth and Scotland midfielder joins Australia international Jackson Irvine for a conversation that goes beyond standard pre-tournament media lines.

Hosted by Irvine, who is preparing to play at the tournament himself, Season Three brings together players living the same moment and asking the same questions about football’s biggest stage. For Christie, that stage carries enormous emotional weight.

“I grew up a massive Scotland fan,” he tells Irvine. “Most of my memories are of watching Scotland fall short.”

Now, Christie is part of the generation that changed that story. The episode captures his reflections on Scotland’s dramatic qualification campaign, including the unforgettable play-off victory over Denmark that sent the country to its first men’s World Cup since 1998. 

“The game itself was absolutely surreal,” Christie says. “It’s the best game of football I’ve ever got to watch live – and I was playing in it.” 

What followed, Christie explains, showed him just how much qualification meant beyond football. “It seemed to transcend football a little bit. People who’d never watched football in their lives were crying watching the game.” 

The conversation also dives into the emotional hangover of Scotland’s previous World Cup failure against Ukraine and how that disappointment shaped the mentality of the squad. 

“There was a feeling that this was our last throw of the dice,” Christie says. “This one can’t really let slide.”

Travel and schedule demands

Irvine and Christie also explore the unique reality of preparing for a World Cup while still living through the relentless demands of club football. As two current internationals, the discussion moves into player workload, recovery and the physical and emotional strain placed on players across the modern international match calendar. 

“It’s probably not spoken about enough,” Christie says of international travel and scheduling demands. “Some players are absolutely dead on their feet.”

The episode becomes one of the most revealing conversations of the season as both players speak candidly about exhaustion, pressure and the hidden side of elite football. 

“There’s no worse feeling than going into games knowing you’re only at 70 percent,” Christie explains.

From bedroom posters to World Cup opponents  

Alongside the bigger issues shaping football, there are lighter moments too such as Christie revealing his dream World Cup shirt swap, Scotland dressing-room DJ Kieran Tierney’s chaotic playlist, and why Christie still has a 2002 Brazil poster in his mind whenever he thinks about the tournament. 

“When I think of the World Cup, I think of Brazil,” Christie says. “I had that 2002 Brazil poster on my wall growing up.” 

Scotland’s group-stage clash with Brazil already feels iconic before a ball has even been kicked. 

“I just wanted an iconic game or an iconic team that was from outside of Europe,” Christie says. “And we hit the nail on the head with that one.” 

At a time when players often say less because of scrutiny and pressure, Footballers Unfiltered continues to offer something different: active internationals speaking openly, honestly and intelligently about the realities of football today. 

Watch Episode Four of Footballers Unfiltered Season Three with Irvine and Christie in full HERE.