The Happy Pod: The decades long wait for the World Cup episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 4, 2026 · 26 MIN

The Happy Pod: The decades long wait for the World Cup

from Global News Podcast · host BBC World Service

We now know the 48 nations that will be competing in the summer's FIFA World Cup. The final two sides to qualify - Iraq and the DRC - have each waited decades to return to the competition. We hear from jubilant fans of both teams.Also, a small rural village in South Korea, which is at risk of extinction, is celebrating the birth of a baby for the first time 17 years. A community in Washington DC has come together to rebuild a bookshop that was destroyed in a fire. An ancient abbey in the north of England is experiencing a tourism boost thanks to a Taiwanese pop star. A British schoolgirl has invented a pair of glasses designed to help people with dyslexia. In Japan, people have been taking part in a Grand Prix like no other: an office chair race. Our weekly collection of inspiring, uplifting and happy news from around the world.Presenter: Holly Gibbs. Music composed by Iona Hampson.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Apr 4, 2026

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

The Happy Pod: The decades long wait for the World Cup

0:00 26:35

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Global News Podcast?

This episode is 26 minutes long.

When was this Global News Podcast episode published?

This episode was published on April 4, 2026.

Can I download this Global News Podcast episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!