What has been the impact of the Qatar World Cup? Has the tournament been a success for the organisers, and what is its legacy in terms of human and particularly labour rights?  A year to the day after Lionel Messi's Argentina raised the trophy, co-hosts Guy and Francesco take a look at the reasons behind Qatar bidding for the World Cup and the immediate and long-term consequences of winning the hosting rights. As well as looking at the political and economic effects following the World Cup,...

Belgium is known for its waffles, chocolates and beer. And arguably for its football. But what can the beautiful game tell us about the politics and history of the country?  Co-hosts Guy (himself a Brussel resident) and Francesco  talk to Scott Coyne, Mechelen fan and co-host of the Belgian Football Podcast, the world's premier English language show on the game there. Scott provides insight on how football first arrived in Belgium, who the big clubs are and the extent to which past economic...

Football in Saudi Arabia has been the subject of a lot attention in the last year due to the purchase of high profile players by Saudi teams. But how is the Saudi Pro League doing now that we're several months into the new season? Has it been successful so far? And what does the future of football look like in the Kingdom? To discuss this, co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to Aziz Alghassian and Eyad Alrefai, Saudi scholars and football fans. Aziz and Eyad discuss the football's domestic...

As the world game, how do diplomats relate to football? And how is football being used by states around the world to advance their global interests and influence? To discuss these questions, co-hosts Guy and Francesco talk to former British diplomat and now geopolitical commentator, Arthur Snell, about his experience of working for the UK Foreign Office in Nigeria, Trinidad & Tobago and other countries, and  whether the beautiful game played a role in his diplomatic career. Arthur also...

From Japan's and South Korea's heroics at past World Cups to the advent of global stars from the region, East Asia has made a splash in world football in recent years. The trajectory of the Chinese Super League, however, that it's not all progress. In this episode Francesco and Guy spoke to Professor Seungbum Lee  of Akron  University about the rise and fall of the Chinese Super League, the social impact of the beautiful game in different East Asian countries and the development of...

In the last few years,  collecting football shirts has turned into a popular hobby for a growing number of fans. But are football kits only pretty patterns and shining colours? In this episode co-hosts Francesco and Guy talk to author Alex Ireland  about the politics and economics of football kits, from their development into contemporary fashion and leisure wear to how choices about sponsors, badges and players' numbers can be political.  Alex also discusses the differences between men's and...

Every football fan's worst nightmare is seeing their team going bust. But how likely is that to happen? While the English game has been able to attract significant capitals,  cases of teams falling into financial hardship are frequent.  In this episode co-hosts Guy and Francesco ask Portsmouth University's Christina Philippou  what is the state of English football clubs' financial health. Christina teaches accounting and finance and is an expert on the financial sustainability of football,...

What can the beautiful game tell us about the society we live in? How is football and the football industry impacting the environment? In the episode co-host Francesco speaks to David Goldblatt, sociologist of football and author of several influential volumes on the history and politics of the game. David  discusses how football is the greatest modern-day political theatre , and why the game and 'the political' are closely connected. In the second part of the episode, the conversation...

What is the connection between national identity and the beautiful game? And why is  there no British national football team? In this episode Guy and Francesco speak to Professor Matthew Taylor, one of Britain's main historians of sport, based at DeMonfort University. Matt discusses the origins of the game and the first competitive matches, often involving teams between different British cities, as well the development and relevance of the international game.   

What can a football team do for its community? Is it possible to re-imagine the role of  football clubs? In this episode Guy and Francesco talk to Sukhdev Johal from Clapton CFC, East London's fan-owned football club with a strong social and political profile. From the iconic Second Spanish Republic-inspired jersey to Clapton's campaigns against homophobia, racism, sexism and intolerance and what it means to be a community club, including an invaluable Hardship Fund during the covid pandemic,...

Can football change lives? In this episode co-hosts Francesco and Guy talk to Mel Young, social entrepreneur and founder of the Homeless World Cup .   The HWC is more than a big yearly tournament bringing together men and women's teams from all over the world. It is a global network of 70 grassroots organisations that help select and prepare the players for the competition. The mission of the HWC is 'to use football to support and inspire people who are homeless to change their own lives;...

The recent Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand has been hailed as a great success and a sign of the growing popularity of the women's game. But what are the challenges faced by the women's game away from the bright lights of the major tournaments? In this episode co-hosts Guy and Francesco speak to Carrie Dunn, journalist and academic,  about the women's game in England and beyond. Carrie, author of several books on the Lionesses and on the history of the sport, including The Reign...

What is FootPol? In this short introduction co-hosts Guy Burton and Francesco Belcastro introduce themselves and the podcast and its purpose as well as the topics and guests in the first few episodes. The first proper episode lands on Monday 2nd of October on all main podcasting platforms! Book the date and watch and listen out for it!