PODCAST · sports
The FootPol Podcast
by Francesco Belcastro and Guy Burton
The podcast that brings together football and politics. We'll be exploring the relationship between the two, both inside and outside the game. The podcast covers "Big Politics" like politicians, clubs, international and national federations and other organised groups and how they use or abuse the game to "Small, Everyday Politics" in the form of community-level clubs, fan associations and the way that football reflects the political challenges of our day to day lives. The FootPol Podcast is brought to you by co-hosts Drs Francesco Belcastro and Guy Burton.
Episodes
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Insta-FootPol. Is FIFA Selling the World Cup?
On Tuesday 28 July, FIFA posted plans to create a $20 billion commercial subsidiary, opening the door to outside investors taking minority stakes in the organisation's most valuable commercial assets, including the FIFA World Cup. In our latest Insta-FootPol Podcast episode, we unpack what the...
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The World Cup Was Never Just Football | Season 3 Finale
How political was the 2026 FIFA World Cup? In our final episode of Season 3, FootPol Podcast co-hosts Guy Burton and Francesco Belcastro look back on a tournament that was as much about politics as football. From US visa restrictions, the treatment of Iran and FIFA's ticketing and resale system…
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FIFA After the World Cup: Can Football's Governing Body Be Reformed? ft. Gaby Bracamonte
What should FIFA look like after the 2026 World Cup? In this week's FootPol Podcast, we speak with sports consultant Gaby Bracamonte about her provocative article, "Make FIFA Great Again," and what football's governing body must do if it is to regain trust and legitimacy. Recorded during the…
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Women Coaching Men’s Football: Marie-Louise Eta and Football’s Gender Debate ft. Claire-Marie Roberts
Marie-Louise Eta’s appointment at FC Union Berlin in the Bundesliga in April made history as she became the first woman to take charge of a men’s team in one of Europe’s top five leagues. But the reality behind the headline is more complex than the milestone suggests. In this episode, we examine...
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Hook, Lock and Squeeze: Football's Enshittification ft. Mark O'Neill
What if football is following the same path as social media: hook the users, lock them in, then squeeze them for everything they're worth? In this episode, we talk to Mark O'Neill, a doctoral researcher at Westminster University, about the “enshittification” of football—how the relentless pursuit...
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World Cup 2026 special issue ft. Danyel Reiche & Tamir Bar-On
The 2026 World Cup is already generating political heat long before kick-off. In this episode, Francesco is joined by Tamir Bar-On and Danyel Reiche, sport and politics experts and editors of a new special issue in Soccer & Society on the World Cup 2026 to unpack what the tournament reveals about...
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How France’s Football Became a Political Battleground ft. Jonathan Ervine
With the 2026 World Cup just weeks away, France once again enters the tournament as one of football’s superpowers — but what does the French national team actually represent in modern France? In this gripping episode, co-hosts Guy Burton and Francesco Belcastro sit down with Bangor University's...
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2026 World Cup Debutants: How Curaçao Built a World Cup Team in the Netherlands ft. Karym Leito & Margo Groenewoud
As Curaçao prepares for its first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, the latest episode of the FootPol podcast goes far beyond football. Host Guy Burton is joined by historians and researchers Karym Leito and Margo Groenewoud to unpack how a small Caribbean island with deep colonial ties to the...
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Can Football Explain Globalisation? Revisiting the Theory ft. Graham Cornwell
What does football really reveal about globalisation—and where does that neat theory start to fall apart? In this episode, hosts Guy Burton and Francesco Belcastro are joined by historian and analyst Graham Cornwell (George Washington University; Box2Box) for a sharp, wide-ranging discussion that...
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2026 World Cup Debutants: Jordan's Football Story ft. Curtis Ryan
A compelling instalment in our in-season series on World Cup debutants, in this episode co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to Middle East scholar Curtis Ryan of Appalachian State University about Jordan’s historic first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup. From the fierce rivalry between...
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Sacred Grounds: People's Football in India ft. Sandeep Menon
This week's FootPol Podcast episode explores Indian football as a political and social phenomenon rather than simply a sport. Joining co-hosts Guy Burton and Francesco Belcastro in conversation is Sandeep Menon, author of Sacred Grounds: A Journey Through People’s Football in India. It traces how...
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Insta‑FootPol. AFCON Fallout, Iran World Cup Participation and Iranian Women’s Asylum
In the FootPol Podcast's latest episode, Francesco Belcastro and Guy Burton unpack the latest political storms that have shaken the football world in the past week. They start with the AFCON 2025 controversy, examining the dramatic reversal of Senegal’s victory against Morocco, the refereeing...
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Staples, Satire and Protest: The Politics of Football Fanzines ft. Paddy Hoey
Football fanzines were once the DIY voice of supporters in Britain — photocopied, stapled together, and sold outside stadiums by fans who wanted to challenge clubs, authorities, and the football establishment. In this episode, Guy Burton and Francesco Belcastro speak with Paddy Hoey, senior...
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Insta-FootPol. The US-Israel War with Iran and the 2026 World Cup
In this special FootPol Podcast episode, co-hosts Francesco Belcastro and Guy Burton confront the explosive intersection of geopolitics and sport as the United States and Israel’s military attacks on Iran cast a shadow over the latter's participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With Iran’s FA...
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2026 World Cup Debutants: Uniting the Islands — Cabo Verde ft. Emmanuel Charles D’Oliveira & Nuno Domingos
The FootPol Podcast has reached 100 episodes! To mark this special occasion, we return to this season's World Cup debutants series, this time focusing on Cabo Verde’s historic qualification for the 2026 tournament. Co-hosts Guy Burton and Francesco Belcastro are joined by Cape Verdean historian…
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Breaking Barriers: Women’s Football Across the Middle East ft. Assile Toufailly
Women’s football in the Middle East and North Africa is changing fast — but unevenly. In this 99th episode of the FootPol Podcast, co-hosts Francesco Becastro and Guy Burton speak with Assile Toufailly, a former Lebanon international and recent sociology PhD graduate from the University of Lyon 1...
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Carnival or Control? Politics and the 2026 World Cup ft. Pete Watson & Roger Magazine
As the 2026 World Cup approaches, how will geopolitics, migration policy and fan culture shape the tournament across the United States, Mexico and Canada? In this episode of FootPol, Guy Burton is joined by Pete Watson (University of Leeds) and Roger Magazine (Universidad Iberoamericana) to…
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Grassroots, Growth and the Game: Football in New Zealand ft. CJ Price
In this episode of FootPol, Francesco Belcastro and Guy Burton are joined by CJ Price, Director of Football at Palmerston North Marist FC, for a deep dive into how football is evolving in New Zealand and across Oceania. Using Palmerston North Marist as a window onto the wider system, CJ unpacks...
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How the Football Association Took Over the Women's Game ft. Rafaelle Nicholson
What really happened when the FA took over women’s football in 1993 – and why does it still matter today? In this first episode of 2026, co-hosts Francesco Belcastro and Guy Burton are joined by Rafaelle Nicholson of Bournemouth Media School to unpack the hidden history, politics and governance…
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From College to the Pros: Power and Pathways in Women’s Football ft. Sydney Minarik
As the year comes to a close, FootPol examines what it really takes to build a career in women’s football — and how politics, policy and power shape pathways into the professional game. In this episode, co-hosts Guy Burton and Francesco Belcastro are joined by Sydney Minarik, former Clemson...
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2026 World Cup Debutants: Uzbekistan’s Rise from Soviet Shadows ft. Donat Iskanderov
Last Friday's 2026 World Cup draw in Washington DC kicks off a new mini-series running on the FootPol Podcast this season, about debutant nations heading to next year’s tournament. In this first episode, we turn to Uzbekistan — one of the most intriguing first-timers on the global stage. Guy…
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Football in a state of emergency ft. David Goldblatt
Historian and sociologist of football David Goldblatt is back on the podcast to talk to hosts Guy and Francesco about his latest book 'Injury Time. Football in a state of emergency'. David's excellent work discusses how football is an extraordinary tool to understand the recent past in Britain,...
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How Football Sells Its History: Stadium Tourism and Identity ft. Felipe Tobar
This week on The FootPol Podcast, we explore the booming world of football tourism, stadium tours, and club museums with expert Felipe Bertazzo Tobar of Clemson University. From the Camp Nou to the Maracanã, Felipe unpacks how football heritage has become a powerful mix of politics, identity, and...
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Fueling or burning the game? Football clubs, fans and energy companies ft. Leslie Mabon
In the latest FootPol Podcast episode, Leslie Mabon, senior lecturer in environmental systems at The Open University discusses how football’s deep ties to industry reveal a bigger story about climate change, community identity, and the energy transition. From the coalfields of Fife to the...
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African Fans, European Dreams ft. Manase Chinwesha and Solomon Waliaula
Why do millions of Africans passionately support European football clubs they’ve never seen in person? This episode addresses this question in Manase Chiweshe and Solomon Waliaula's recent book African Fans of European Football by exploring how fandom in Africa is reshaping global football…
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Pride in the Game: LGBTQ+ Football Culture ft. Rory Magrath
This week on the FootPol Podcast, Rory Magrath of Southampton Solent University joins co-host Guy to unpack LGBTQ+ issues in football. From the late acceptance of LGBTQ+ players and fans in the men’s game to the more welcoming culture in women’s football, Rory explains why attitudes have shifted…
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Season 3 Opener: Israel, Women’s Football, FIFA and Saudi Power Plays
FootPol is back for a brand new season — and we’re hitting the ground running. In this season opener, we recap the biggest political battles shaping the beautiful game and give you a taste of what’s to come. We start with Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza and the mounting grassroots calls to expel...
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Full-Time Whistle: The Season 2 Finale!
In the last episode of the seasone, co-hosts Guy and Francesco reflect on a great second season of FootPol, and pick apart some of the main themes from the season. They include conversations about community clubs and inclusivity as well as the relationship between social class and football in the...
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Football in a Time of War: Gaza, Iran, Sudan & DR Congo
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…
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Class Act: Football and the English Working Class ft. Josh Bland
This week, Francesco and Guy are joined by Josh Bland, a research student at the University of Cambridge, to explore the enduring and evolving relationship between football and social class in England. Josh traces the historic connection between the working class and the beautiful game, and…
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When Goals Don't Matter: Gals FC ft. Nora Beqaj
In this episode, Francesco and Guy speak to Nora Beqaj, co-founder of Gals FC, football's community of non-competitive football for women and non-binary people. Nora explains how the game looks like when goals don't count, and how Gals FC is bringing football to a lot of people who would…
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Did Spain's World Cup win change society? ft. Fernando Gutiérrez-Chico and Aníbal Mesa López
This week, Francesco and Guy are joined by Spanish scholars Fernando Gutiérrez-Chico and Aníbal Mesa López to explore the remarkable rise of women’s football in Spain. From La Roja’s 2023 World Cup triumph to the political fallout of the Rubiales scandal, this episode examines how the women's…
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The Club World Cup and Women’s Euros and What’s at Stake
This summer brings two major football tournaments into the spotlight: the Club World Cup and the Women’s Euros. In this episode, Francesco and Guy unpack the global politics surrounding both competitions—from restrictive US visa policies affecting teams and fans, to the growing cultural and…
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Rage Sport: People's sportswear against fascism (English edition)
In this special double episode, Francesco interviews Maurizio Affuso, founder of Rage Sport, sportswear brand that dresses 'sport popolare' (people's sport), anti-fascist clubs. Maurizio tells the story of how Rage Sport Started, the link with Clapton Community Football Club and why sport and...
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Rage Sport: sport popolare, solidale e antifascista (edizione italiana)
In questo doppio episodio speciale italiano/inglese, Francesco intervista Maurizio Affuso, fondatore di Rage Sport, marchio d'abbigliamento che veste lo sport popolare, solidale e antifascista. Maurizio racconta l'incredibile storia di RAGE, il suo legame con Clapton Community Football Club, e...
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Inside Indonesia's Football and Politics ft. Andy Fuller
Co-hosts Guy and Francesco sit down with researcher, publisher and podcaster Andy Fuller—the mind behind Reading Sideways Press and Everyday Runners—for a deep dive into the work that he has previously done, on the complex world of Indonesian football. From vibrant stadiums packed with passionate...
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Pitching Ambition: The Rise and Risk of Non-League Football ft. Paul Caulfield
With the FA Vase and FA Trophy finals putting non-league football in the national spotlight at Wembley on Sunday 11 May—including a nail-biting outing for Guy’s own Aldershot Town FC—this week’s episode dives into the vibrant, volatile world of the English non-league game. Guy is joined by...
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Small Nation, Giant Game: Uruguay’s Football Story ft. Will Huddleston
This week, Guy and Francesco are joined by Will Huddleston, who recently completed his PhD at the University of Cambridge, focusing on the early global success of Uruguayan football. Will unpacks how Uruguay — despite its small population — rose to international prominence as Olympic and World…
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Football and identity in the MENA region ft. the SEPAD research group
This week, Francesco switches seats—co-hosting and guesting—as he and Guy dive into a lively discussion about football in and from the Middle East, inspired by a brand-new report from the Sectarianism, Proxies and De-sectarianisation (SEPAD) Project at Lancaster University. Francesco is joined by...
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Pasión, Politics & the Pitch: Spain's Football Journey ft. Miguel Lourenço Pereira
In this episode, Guy and Francesco welcome back friend of the pod Miguel Lourenço Pereira to talk about his new book Pasión: A Journey to the Soul of Spanish Football (out 21 April from Pitch Publishing). Together, they dive into the political, cultural, and social undercurrents that have shaped...
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From community to climate justice. Bohemian FC ft. Sean McCabe
This week, Guy and Francesco are joined by Sean McCabe, Head of Climate Justice and Sustainability at Bohemian FC - a member-owned football club since 1890 with a mission that goes far beyond the pitch. As the world’s first Head of Climate Justice and Sustainability in football, Sean shares how...
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Kicking Down Barriers: Building Inclusivity through Football ft. Charl Galloway
This week Guy and Francesco discuss football activism with Charl Galloway, a consultant specializing in women's football and inclusive sports spaces. As chairperson of Cardiff Dragons FC, co-founder of the Women's Football Collective, and a key player in bringing the LGBTQ+ EuroGames to Cardiff…
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Flying the Flag: The women who played football abroad ft. Carrie Dunn
This week Carrie Dunn, a journalist, academic and good friend of the podcast talks to Francesco and Guy about her latest book,'Flying the Flag.' Carrie explains why British female players moved abroad to pursue their footballing dreams and the various challenges they have faced over time to do...
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The Politics of FIFA's 2030 World Cup ft. Leslie Mabon
Why did FIFA award the 2030 World Cup to six countries across three continents—Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco? What political calculations shaped this unprecedented decision? And how prepared are these nations to host an expanded tournament? In this companion episode…
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The Drama of Greek Football ft. Theofilos Pouliopoulos
This week, Guy speaks with Theofilos Pouliopoulos, a project manager and sports consultant with deep expertise in Greek football. Theo unpacks the social origins of Greece’s football clubs and how politics has shaped the game—from the 1967-74 dictatorship to democracy and the post-financial…
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Are football styles and tactics political? ft. Jonathan Wilson
This week, Guy and Francesco sit down with football author and journalist Jonathan Wilson—Guardian columnist, Football Weekly contributor, editor of The Blizzard, and co-host of It Was What It Was. They discuss his acclaimed book, Inverting the Pyramid: The History of Football Tactics, exploring...
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The German Football Model: Politics, Fans, and the 50+1 Rule ft. Danyel Reiche
In this episode, co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to Danyel Reiche of Georgetown University Qatar about the German football model and more broadly about the relationship between football and politics in the country. Danyel discusses the 50+1 rule of ownership and how it influences the…
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Football's new home? The beautiful game in the Gulf ft. Kristian Coates Ulrichsen
How is football being used as a tool of power and influence in the Gulf? This week, Guy and Francesco sit down with Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, a scholar at Rice University and expert on the region, to unpack the strategic playbook behind Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE’s deep dive into the...
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Playing for equality: Lewes FC ft. Joe Short
This week, co-hosts Guy and Francesco sit down with Joe Short, a director at Lewes FC, to explore what makes this fan-owned club truly unique. Lewes FC is known not just for its community-driven ethos but also for its groundbreaking commitment to gender equality—allocating equal budgets to both…
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The Beautiful Game in Troubled Times: Iraq’s Football Saga ft. Hassanane Balal
This week co-hosts Francesco and Guy talk to Hassanane Balal, host and founder of the Iraqi Football Podcast. Hassanane explains how sport and politics are closely connected in the football-mad country, and in particular how football provided unity and hope during Iraq's darker days. Hassanane...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The podcast that brings together football and politics. We'll be exploring the relationship between the two, both inside and outside the game.
The podcast covers "Big Politics" like politicians, clubs, international and national federations and other organised groups and how they use or abuse the game to "Small, Everyday Politics" in the form of community-level clubs, fan associations and the way that football reflects the political challenges of our day to day lives.
The FootPol Podcast is brought to you by co-hosts Drs Francesco Belcastro and Guy Burton.
HOSTED BY
Francesco Belcastro and Guy Burton
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The FootPol Podcast have?
The FootPol Podcast currently has 114 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The FootPol Podcast about?
The podcast that brings together football and politics. We'll be exploring the relationship between the two, both inside and outside the game. The podcast covers "Big Politics" like politicians, clubs, international and national federations and other organised groups and how they use or abuse the...
How often does The FootPol Podcast release new episodes?
The FootPol Podcast publishes regularly with 114 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The FootPol Podcast?
You can listen to The FootPol Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The FootPol Podcast?
The FootPol Podcast is created and hosted by Francesco Belcastro and Guy Burton.
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