The FootPol Podcast

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 otherwise not play the game.

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 game is reshaping Spanish football and society. They discuss the evolution of the domestic league, the tension between women’s clubs that are affiliated with men’s teams versus independent outfits, and h...

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 social impact of the women’s game. As always, it’s not just about the football, but what the game reveals about the world beyond the pitch.

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 politics are closely connected for RAGE sport.

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 perche' per RAGE lo sport e' politica.

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 fans to the darker sides of the beautiful game—corruption, mismanagement, and the deadly tragedy at Kanjuruhan Stadium in 2022—Andy offers sharp insights into the development of football in Indonesia...

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 freelance journalist and non-league connoisseur Paul Caulfield to unpack the unique ecosystem of clubs outside the English Football League. What makes non-league tick? What keeps it alive? And why do some c...

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 Cup champions in the 1920s and 1930, and how the national team’s triumphs became powerful political tools both domestically and abroad. The conversation charts the evolution of Uruguayan football after ...

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 fellow co-editor Javier Bordon, along with SEPAD directors Simon Mabon and Edward Wastnidge, for a wide-ranging conversation that explores the Gulf states' rising influence in global football (especi...

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 Spanish football—from Franco’s regime using the sport as soft propaganda to the democratic era’s subtler, but still strategic, engagement with the game. They explore how ownership models shifted ...

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 Bohemians are tackling the climate crisis through a justice-centered approach that puts the local community first. Sean also discusses other campaigns and activity carried out by this exceptional club....

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 in 2027, Charl shares their insights on making the game more inclusive. From the Dragons' commitment to diversity to the broader challenges minorities face in football and society, Charl unpacks the re...

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 this, from the amateur era of the past to today's professional one. She also gives a brief preview of the upcoming Women Euros in Switzerland which takes place this summer. Carrie's book will be p...

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 to their recent discussion on the 2034 World Cup, Guy and Francesco break down the political and logistical challenges of the 2030 edition. They explore Morocco’s hosting ambitions against the backdrop...

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 crisis era. He explains why the Greek government intervened in football governance, leading to tensions with UEFA and FIFA and the absence of a legacy following Greece's 2004 Euros victory. The conve...