Power Plays
Human Rights FoundationBehind your favorite sport, there is always something else at play. Power Plays is a new investigative podcast from the Human Rights Foundation hosted by sports journalist and HRF Sports and Dictators Program Lead Karim Zidan, exposing how authoritarian regimes weaponize sports for political influence. Season 1 explores the regimes that have exploited the FIFA World Cup over the last century, from... more
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 6 | Founded | 2 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | DocumentaryHistorySociety & Culture | |||
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Latest Episodes
With the World Cup now underway in North America, this season finale of Power Plays explores what comes next for football and FIFA. From the politics surrounding this year's tournament to future World Cups in Morocco and Saudi Arabia, we examine how ... more
On the eve of the 2022 World Cup, FIFA president Gianni Infantino took the stage in Doha and delivered a speech that stunned the football world—declaring “today I feel gay… today I feel like a migrant worker," while pushing back on criticism of Qatar... more
In 2015, Swiss authorities—working with the FBI—raided a luxury hotel in Zurich and arrested top FIFA officials in a corruption scandal tied to how World Cups were awarded.
Three years later, Russia hosted the tournament anyway.
In Putin’s Russia, ... more
By 1978, the World Cup was a global spectacle—broadcasted into millions of homes and increasingly valuable to those in power. That year, it came to Argentina, under a military dictatorship.
Just miles from the stadiums, thousands were being detained... more
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Reviews
- Such an insightful listen
Have been listening to these episodes on my way to work! Such a great way to learn about the history of the World Cup and tournament itself. Really enjoyable listen! This is from a not so big soccer fan
Apple Podcasts5Liv do
United States23 days ago - Brilliant storytelling for football fans (or not!)
This podcast tells the untold story behind the World Cup in a very engaging way. It really draws you in and the production value is so high. You don’t need to love football or be interested in human rights to love this podcast.
Apple Podcasts5cbh603United Statesa month ago - Wow
I knew FIFA sucked. I just didn’t know just how long it sucked. Football is doomed
Apple Podcasts5Ghalie99
Canadaa month ago - Well done!
Incredible podcast. You don’t need to know anything about football to learn and deeply appreciate this show. Insightful and engaging!
Apple Podcasts5mar8633United Statesa month ago - Perfect timing
Really liking this show so far had no idea how far back FIFAs dark history goes
Apple Podcasts5PoliSport91Canadaa month ago
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #71 | United States/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #57 |  United Kingdom/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #91 | Canada/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #236 | United Kingdom/Society & Culture |
Apple Podcasts | #178 |  Australia/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Apple Podcasts | #212 |  France/Society & Culture/Documentary |
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
| Listeners per Episode | Gender Skew | Location | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interests | Professions | Age Range | |||
| Household Income | Social Media Reach | ||||
Frequently Asked Questions About Power Plays
What is Power Plays about and what kind of topics does it cover?
Power Plays investigates how authoritarian regimes leverage global sports events, especially the FIFA World Cup, to project power, shape international perception, and suppress dissent. Through documentary storytelling and interviews with historians, journalists, activists, and whistleblowers, the show traces historical case studies from Mussolini's Italy to modern regimes in Argentina, Russia, Qatar, and beyond. Episodes blend broader political analysis with human stories—from fan groups and workers' rights to governance scandals and reform debates—offering a critical lens on the intersection of sports, politics, and human rights. A standout throughline is HRF's mission to empower dissent and scrutinize power, often featuring firsthand test... more
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How many listeners does Power Plays get?
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What are the audience demographics for Power Plays?
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How many subscribers and views does Power Plays have?
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Which podcasts are similar to Power Plays?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Power Plays:
1. The Totally Football Show with James Richardson
2. Novara Media
3. One Song
4. The Athletic FC Podcast
5. Stadio: A Football Podcast
How many episodes of Power Plays are there?
Power Plays launched 2 months ago and published 6 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact Power Plays?
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What guests have appeared on Power Plays?
Recent guests on Power Plays include:
1. David Goldblatt
2. Ezekiel Moores
3. Nick McGeean
4. Nika Nikolshina
5. Abdullah Pahas
6. Ultras Ahlewi
7. Abdullah Ibhais
8. Ezequiel Fernández Moores
To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.