World Cup Fever Podcasts - Apple Podcasts

2021-09-10

Why Do Americans Use The Word ‘Soccer?’

Kala wants to know why we say soccer in the United States, when the rest of the world calls the game "football." In this episode we hear from people who make their living in the game: professional players, coaches and commentators. Download our learning guides: PDF | Google Slide | Transcript “Why is soccer called 'soccer,' instead of being called 'football?'” - Kala, Colchester, Vt. "It's an interesting question because so many people around the world play the game of football," said David Saward, now-retired men's coach at Middlebury College. "What happened with the words soccer and football goes back to the 1800s when the game was developed. There were two groups of people in Britain who got together to set the rules of two different games, one that was known as rugby football, and another that was known as association football. From those two first words: 'rugby' and 'association,' came two very separate games. Rugby was abbreviated to the word 'rugger.' And out of the word 'association' came 'soccer.' That's the root of where the two differences came." So although these days you probably won't hear many Brits calling the sport "soccer," the word actually originated there. Americans brought the nickname to the US, and as the sport became popular, soccer stuck. "When you look around the world," says Coach Saward, "there are all sorts of different forms of football: American football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, rugby football and association football. I think for the clarity of everyone over here when we say the word football, we think of people running around with helmets and pads on; so soccer is a very clear distinction."

12 min
2023-01-17

Megan Rapinoe: Goaling for Gold

[This episode originally aired June 2022.] Megan Rapinoe is a world class athlete and activist. Together with the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team, Megan has won World Cups and Olympic medals. She is a fierce advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, equal rights and social justice. This story is from the new Rebel Girls app! You can listen to more stories like this, PLUS sleepy stories, soundscapes, and all the podcast episodes you know and love. Just go to go.rebelgirls.com/dream-on to download and listen for free! This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls. It’s based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. This episode was produced by Camille Stennis and Haley Dapkus. Sound design and mixing by Bianca Salinas. It was written by Meghan Pochebit and voiced by Aida Reluzco. A special thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team, who make this podcast possible!

18 min
2025-08-13

TRINITY RODMAN 🇺🇸⚽🏆 FROM CALIFORNIA KID TO OLYMPIC GOLD & US SOCCER SUPERSTAR ⭐🦅

AD Free listening: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheSoccerforKidsPodcast From record-breaking goals to Olympic gold, Trinity Rodman has stormed her way into football history before the age of 23. She’s stepped out of her famous father’s shadow to become a champion, an author and an inspiration to young players everywhere. In this episode we trace her journey from California pitches to the world stage and discover the resilience, drive and passion that make her one of the game’s brightest stars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

13 min
Feb 4

Naomi Girma: The Calm Defender

Naomi Girma doesn’t need the spotlight to make an impact — her calm, intelligence, and consistency speak for themselves. In this episode of Life of a Soccer Girl, Evie dives into the story of Naomi Girma, one of the best defenders in the world. From her early days playing soccer with her family to captaining Stanford to a national championship, becoming the No. 1 overall NWSL draft pick, and winning Olympic gold with the U.S. Women’s National Team, Naomi’s journey is all about trust and composure. Evie talks about why Naomi’s calm presence makes her such a powerful leader, how defenders shape the game in ways people don’t always notice, and why being steady under pressure can be just as important as scoring goals. This episode also explores how Naomi plays every minute when it matters most — and what young players can learn from her quiet confidence.

12 min
Apr 2

🇩🇪 🚀 🔴 ⚪️ JAMAL MUSIALA ⚪️ 🔴 🚀 🇩🇪

Support the show, gain access to loads of exclusive episodes, early access and much more: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/c/Footballforkids⁠ or Apple ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/football-for-kids/id1627973563 Discover the incredible journey of Jamal Musiala – from a young boy kicking a football in Germany to becoming a superstar at FC Bayern Munich and playing for Germany national football team. In this inspiring episode of Football For Kids, we explore his childhood, his time at Chelsea F.C., his record-breaking rise in the Bundesliga, and the resilience that helped him overcome setbacks. A brilliant football story for kids aged 6+ and their families. ⚽ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

18 min
2023-10-23

Who is African football’s greatest unsung hero?

Is Mikel John Obi Africa’s most underrated player? Or is there a two-time Afcon winner that flies under the radar? And was Yaya Touré ever an unsung hero? He’s with Efan Ekoku and Gabriel Zakuani to discuss and debate the most underappreciated African footballers as they rank their top 10. Top 10 unsung heroes (A-Z): - Mohamed Aboutrika - Stephen Appiah - Serey Die - Papa Bouba Diop - Odion Ighalo - Freddy Kanoute - Christopher Katongo - Seydou Keita - Geremi Njitap - Mikel Jon Obi

35 min
Apr 20

Lionel Messi: Soccer Legend

Lionel Messi is one of the greatest soccer players in history. Born in Argentina, he showed amazing talent at a young age and later became a global superstar. Known for his speed, control, and teamwork, Messi won many championships and awards during his career. He helped lead Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup, inspiring fans around the world with his dedication and love for the game. 👉 Upgrade your bedding with Quince for free shipping and 365-day returns: ⁠www.quince.com/bedtimehistory⁠

9 min
Feb 10

Underdogs: N'Golo Kante

Send us Fan Mail In this remastered episode of Soccer Bedtime Stories, we revisit the inspiring journey of one of football’s most humble heroes in “Underdogs: N’Golo Kanté.” From cleaning streets in Paris to lifting the World Cup with France, N’Golo Kanté’s story is the ultimate underdog tale. Rejected by elite academies and overlooked by scouts, Kanté refused to quit. Instead, he quietly outworked everyone—rising through the lower leagues of France, stunning the Premier League with Leicester City’s miracle title, and dominating midfields for Chelsea and Les Bleus. This updated edition includes new scenes from his triumphant return to the French national team at Euro 2024, where he claimed back-to-back Player of the Match awards and wore the captain’s armband for the very first time. We also highlight his defining moments at Caen, his legendary tackle stats at Leicester, and even his decision to drive a modest Mini Hatch—because it was easy to learn on. ✨ A tale of quiet strength, relentless heart, and the power of belief. Perfect for listeners of all ages. Support the show Support the show! Become a member and have access to fan art, new episodes, shout outs, story input, educational resources and the Soccer Bedtime Community. To become a Soccer Bedtime Stories Member Visit us at Buzzsprout! We would love to hear from you and connect with other soccer/football lovers from around the world! Leave a comment, email or find us on social media. Find us on Instagram: MySoccerBedtime Find us on Facebook: SoccerBedtimeStories Also excited to launch our first story coloring pages, you can find them at: The Soccer Teacher by Soccer Bedtime Stories

25 min