

World Football
BBC World Service
Original football stories and interviews from around the globe.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 25, 2021 • 31min
Mergers, managers and Romania's Liga 2
Metaloglobus București player Ovidiu Herea joins us to discuss an incredible end to the Romanian Liga II season. And the CEO of Belgian's Pro league Pierre Francois talks about the possibility of a joint Dutch/Belgian league.(Photo: Ovidiu Herea challenges Edin Dzeko during a UEFA Cup match in 2008. Credit: Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Mar 18, 2021 • 31min
Cuba's Jorge Corrales and Wolfsburg's Kevin Mbabu
Cuban footballer Jorge Corrales discusses an historic moment for the national team, for the first time foreign-based footballers can now play for Cuba. And the Wolfsburg defender Kevin Mbabu talks about their impressive season so far.Picture: Jorge Corrales of Cuba leaps over two Mexican players during a match in the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images).

Mar 11, 2021 • 33min
A Caf coronation, Löw leaving and the prize money pay gap
Former Confederation of African Football executive committee member, Musa Bility, gives us his take on Patrice Motsepe's unopposed election as Caf President after the South African's three rivals for the job withdrew from the race. Former Germany, Chelsea and Leicester defender Robert Huth joins us to react to the news that international football's longest serving manager, Joachim Löw, will step down from his role with Die Mannschaft after this summer's European Championships.Mani Djazmi, Pat Nevin and Heather O'Reilly discuss the findings of a BBC Sport investigation that revealed football still has one of the biggest prize money gender pay gaps.And we hear about the superstition of 'Kirkicocho' that backfired on Sevilla goalkeeper, Yassine Bounou, in the Champions League this week.Photo: Patrice Motsepe speaks onstage during Global Citizen Presents Global Goal Live event in New York.
Credit: Noam Galai/Getty Images for Global Citizen

Mar 4, 2021 • 37min
Chinese Super League uncertainty and Fifa Council
With the Chinese Super League champions, Jiangsu FC, ceasing operations just 108 days after winning the title we look at whether more clubs could follow before the 2021 season starts in April. Ghana International and Tianjin Tigers captain Frank Acheampong tells us he doesn't know yet whether the club will continue without their backers Teda, who have reportedly withdrawn their funding because of the Chinese football association’s new policy that removes mention of companies from club names.Mani Djazmi, Heather O'Reilly and Pat Nevin discuss whether the packed fixture schedule is catching up with players in the Premier League and what impact that might have on the Uefa European Championships in the summer.Fifa Council candidate Laura McAllister tells us why she wants to be one of world football's decision makers, and shares her thoughts on the joint bid from the UK and Republic of Ireland to host the 2030 World Cup.And we reflect on the life of former Liverpool and Scotland winger Ian St John, who died this week at the age of 82. Photo: Jiangsu Suning players and staff members celebrating after their team defeated Guangzhou Evergrande to win the Chinese Super League in November 2020.
Credit: STR/AFP via Getty Images.

Feb 25, 2021 • 31min
Yohan Cabaye, 'Super Agents' and İstanbul Başakşehir
Former France international Yohan Cabaye discusses his decision to retire from football. Players' agent Mino Raiola talks about his motivation. And we find out what's gone wrong for the Turkish champions İstanbul Başakşehir.Picture: Yohan Cabaye with his hands on hips during a Premier League match between Burnley and Crystal Palace (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images).

Feb 18, 2021 • 26min
Ibrahim Ba, Colo Colo and the Milan derby
Ibrahim Ba looks ahead to the Milan derby. Plus, Brondy's Theresa Eslund discusses her career and looks ahead to facing Lyon in the UEFA Champions League.Picture: The mural of Romelo Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic of AC Milan outside the Giuseppe Meazza stadium (Claudio Villa/Getty Images).

Feb 11, 2021 • 29min
Protests, death threats and a fake footballer
Myanmar goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Htet tells us about his decision to protest following the military coup. Norway's Tom Henning Øvrebø tells us why death threats are an occupational hazard for referees. And we hear from an imposter, who tried to fool some of the world's biggest clubs.Picture: A player with the Myanmar Football Federation poses with an image of a red ribbon and makes the three finger salute at a protest against the military coup in Naypyidaw on February 7, 2021. (STR/AFP via Getty Images)

Feb 4, 2021 • 29min
Barca's Joan Laporta and USA coach Vlatko Andonovski
Barcelona's Presidential candidate Joan Laporta talks about the future of Lionel Messi, and how he intends to deal with a debt of nearly $1.5bn. And we'll also be joined by the coach of the USA's women's team Vlatko Andonovski.Picture: USWNT head coach Vlatko Andonovski on the touchline during a game against Spain in March 2020 (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Jan 28, 2021 • 33min
The Thomas Tuchel diet: No wheat, no sugar
Goalkeeper Hendrik Bonmann talks about his former coach Thomas Tuchel. Plus, Brazil's Gláuber Berti looks ahead to the final of the Copa Libertadores and remembers his cameo appearance for Manchester City. And we find out why Chile's biggest club, Colo Colo, is is danger of relegation.Picture: Julian Weigl and Henrik Bonmann celebrate during a parade following Borussia Dortmund's DFB Cup win in 2017 (Christof Koepsel/Bongarts/Getty Images).

Jan 21, 2021 • 26min
Dead bats in Cameroon and brick walls in Austria
Namibia's Pat-Nevin Uanivi joins us from the African Nations Championship in Cameroon. And Sturm Graz player Jon Gorenc-Stankovic tells us the secret of a good defence.Picture: The captains of Cameroon and Zimbabwe line up ahead of the opening match of the African Nations Championships (AFP via Getty Images)


