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
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 points to Iraq winning the Asian championship in 2007 as a key moment and discusses the role and impact of foreign-born Iraqi players alongside Iraq's chances of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. One not to miss!
Once you've listened to this episode, check out the Iraq Football Podcast as well.
