The FootPol Podcast
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.
The FootPol Podcast
What may be football's political battle grounds in 2025?
Co-hosts Guy and Francesco reflect on the political stories that shaped football in 2024 and those likely to dominate 2025. Francesco highlights the Israel–Gaza war and its impact on football, as well as the ambivalence of sporting bodies to sanction Israel. Guy suggests football’s environmental footprint, citing the controversial decisions to host the 2030 World Cup across three continents and the 2034 tournament in oil-rich Saudi Arabia.
Looking ahead, they discuss the politically charged football events that may define 2025, including the Women’s Euros, the Manchester City vs. Premier League legal ruling, FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, and the A22 Group’s push to create a European Super League as an alternative to the Champions League.
