World Football

BBC World Service

4.5 (71)
SPORTS
UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

Original football stories and interviews from around the globe.

NOV 8

Marta: Brazil’s global icon

Marta is a Brazilian phenomenon. A six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, record goal scorer who’s even the hero of her opponents, but where did her love of football begin and what challenges has she faced in her incredible 20 year career? This is the story of Brazil’s global icon. Amongst others, you’ll hear from her former Brazil coach Pia Sundhage, Uefa’s head of women’s football Nadine Kessler, Marta’s Brazil teammate Cristiane and Marta’s first coach in Rio, Helena Pacheco. Marta burst on to the global stage as a 17-year-old at the 2003 World Cup and secured a breakthrough move to Sweden soon after, landing in snow at the airport. It was a world away from her home in Brazil. Yet in the five years in Sweden, Marta would arrive as a young talent and leave as the biggest global star the game has ever seen lighting up the 2007 World Cup; bamboozling the USA defence with her dribbling, speed and flair and one of the best goals on the grandest stage. Now with a cabinet full of medals and trophies, she topped her final appearance in a competitive match for Brazil by winning silver at the Paris Olympics. A fitting finale for Marta - who transformed the women’s game. Image: Marta of Brazil celebrates a penalty during the Women's Football Semi Final between Brazil and Sweden on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

55 min
NOV 1

USA's 99ers and Chastain's iconic photo

This is the story of the day when the USA women’s national team, dubbed the 99ers, became instant stars and how one photograph of match winner Brandi Chastain went on to inspire a nation. 2015 World Cup winner Heather O’Reilly takes you back to the start of the decade to uncover the challenges the women’s game faced during the 1990s with journalist and long-time sport reporter Kelly Whiteside all the way to 10 July 1999 - the day the 99ers won the World Cup 5-4 on penalties against China on home soil in front of record breaking crowds. 25 years on from this historic moment, hear from 99ers Joy Fawcett, Mia Hamm, Carla Overbeck, USA goalkeeper Briana Scurry and Brandi Chastain, plus hear from Robert Beck, the Sport Illustrated photographer who captured the most iconic photo in women’s football. Produced by Sophia Hartley for the BBC World Service Image: Captain Carla Overbeck #4 of the US Women's Soccer Team raises the World Cup Trophy, as the team celebrates their victory over Team China in the Championship match of the FIFA Women's World Cup at the Rose Bowl on July 10, 1999 in Pasadena, California. Team USA defeated Team China 5-4 in sudden death after two overtimes. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

38 min
OCT 10

The speech that changed women’s football

Hear the untold story of how a science teacher from Oslo made a speech that would change the future of women’s football. In 1986, Ellen Wille became the first female to speak at a FIFA Congress and in a room full of men demanded women should have a FIFA World Cup and play football at the Olympics. Then FIFA President Joao Havelange and Vice President Sepp Blatter accepted the challenge, although it did take some time. Within two years FIFA staged a Women’s Invitational Event, and still not ready to call it a FIFA World Cup in 1991, the Women’s FIFA World Championship for Women’s Football for the M&M’s Cup took place. That’s not easy to say! Finally – although it took nine years – in 1995 Sweden hosted the first FIFA Women’s World Cup and, significantly for Ellen, it was her home nation Norway who lifted the trophy. Caroline Barker went to Oslo to track down Ellen Wille. She speaks to former president of the Football Association of Norway, Per Ravn Omdal; current President Lise Klaveness; and Norway’s 1995 World Cup winners Hege Riise and Linda Meladen. Presented by Caroline Barker Produced by Sophia Hartley for the BBC World Service Photo: Ellen Wille speaking to the BBC World Service (Credit: BBC)

36 min
FEB 12

Haller the hero for hosts Ivory Coast as they are crowned Afcon champions

John Bennett presents reaction from outside the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan after a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations final between hosts Ivory Coast and Nigeria. John gets perspective from both nations as he’s joined by Ivorian football journalist Salia Dramé and Nigerian broadcaster Fisayo Dairo. Friend of the pod George Addo also drops by to give his view on the tournament.

15 min
FEB 10

The Final Countdown: Ivory Coast v Nigeria

John Bennett is joined by former Cameroon and Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong to look ahead to the Africa Cup of Nations final between Ivory Coast and Nigeria in Abidjan. We hear from former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou on his mentoring relationship with one of the Ivorian stars of the tournament, Brighton winger Simon Adingra. We also go behind the scenes in the Nigeria camp with their ex media officer Oluwatoyin Ibitoye who is now following the team as a broadcaster.

15 min
FEB 9

Kolo Toure: Ivory Coast winning Afcon would be “incredible”

In a bonus episode, John Bennett is joined by a legend of Ivory Coast football and 2015 Africa Cup of Nations winner Kolo Toure. The former Arsenal and Manchester City defender shares his Afcon memories, including lifting the trophy in 2015. He also assesses the current squad, and looks ahead to the final against Nigeria.

15 min
FEB 7

The Elephants v The Super Eagles: Ivory Coast and Nigeria reach final

John Bennett is joined by a host of guests to react to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in Ivory Coast. Ivorian football journalist Salia Dramé and Afcon broadcaster Patrick Juillard join John to assess the hosts' 1-0 win over DR Congo which sees them through to the final. We are also joined by former South African captain Dean Furman and Nigerian writer Fisayo Dairo after the Super Eagles beat Bafana Bafana on penalties.

15 min
FEB 6

Afcon semi-finals: can South Africa and DR Congo stage upsets?

John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani as they look ahead to the semi-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast. We hear how Gaby rates the chances of his nation against the hosts Ivory Coast, while the guys assess how Nigeria may manage without star striker Victor Osimhen should he not be fit to face South Africa. We also catch up with pod regular Sebastien Bassong and get his views on the final four, plus we hear from legendary Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph Antoine-Bell, who gives us his assessment of South Africa’s Ronwen Williams following his standout performance in the quarter-finals, saving four penalties against Cape Verde.

15 min

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4.5

out of 5

71 Ratings

Beyond the Touchline

03/06/2009

Pierre W

This podcast deals with the aspects of football that lie beyond the pitch. It goes into the political, financial and sociological aspects of the beautiful game with the typical high standards of reportage of the BBC. If you're looking for what makes the game tick, this is the podcast for you.
End of an era

03/25/2023

Frequent Traveler 518

Listened to World Football consistently for the last 5-6 years, but I recall catching it in the early 2000s when I would travel to Europe. Always a great overview of the game, clever insights and also some stories I never would have otherwise learned about. A pity it will no longer be a weekly show.
Used to be better...

10/18/2019

AP213

I’ve been a listener for approximately 5 years. But ever since Manny Jasmine (six) took the helm, the quality of the show, and the guests, has taken a dip. A less serious show than in prior years, with lots of banter from relatively unknown football professionals. I sincerely hope that Manny can turn things around. He certainly has the pedigree for it.
Excellent!

09/08/2017

gatons

Excellent!