EPISODE · Jun 30, 2025 · 45 MIN
Football in a Time of War: Gaza, Iran, Sudan & DR Congo
from The FootPol Podcast · host Francesco Belcastro and Guy Burton
In this episode of The FootPol Podcast, Guy and Francesco explore how war is disrupting football in 2025, focusing on conflicts that are ongoing or escalated this year. They examine: Israel’s war on Palestine and Palestinians, especially in Gaza The 12-day Israel–US conflict with Iran The Sudanese civil war The advance of Rwanda-backed M23 forces in eastern DR Congo The discussion looks at how these wars affect domestic leagues, players, and fans—as well as the wider political repercussions for national teams. From FIFA’s silence on banning Israel to how a potential US travel ban under Donald Trump could affect Iranian and possibly Sudanese fans at the 2026 World Cup, this episode tackles the uncomfortable collision between politics and the pitch. Despite the devastation, Guy and Francesco also reflect on how football persists as a source of community, resilience, and hope in even the darkest corners of conflict.
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In this episode of The FootPol Podcast, Guy and Francesco explore how war is disrupting football in 2025, focusing on conflicts that are ongoing or escalated this year. They examine: Israel’s war on Palestine and Palestinians, especially in GazaThe 12-day Israel–US conflict with IranThe Sudanese civil warThe advance of Rwanda-backed M23 forces in eastern DR CongoThe discussion looks at how these wars affect domestic leagues, players, and fans—as well as the wider political repercussions for n...
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Football in a Time of War: Gaza, Iran, Sudan & DR Congo
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