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The Away End with Daniel Alarcón and John Green

iHeartPodcasts
World Cup
Soccer
African Cup Of Nations
Arsenal
Netherlands
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sports Gambling
Football
2026 World Cup
USA
Colombia
Peru
Uzbekistan National Football Team
Carlo Ancelotti
James Rodriguez
Cote D'ivoire National Team
Carlos Kaiser
Iran
Chile
France National Team

Two novelists, Daniel Alarcón and John Green, friends since they were teenagers, tackle questions big and small around the World Cup and international football more generally. The only soccer podcast that regularly name checks Toni Morrison, The Away End is about much more than sport: it's about politics, literature and culture, with an eye toward those moments and spaces where our collective love... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes22Founded5 months ago
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Artwork for The Away End

Latest Episodes

On Episode 21 of The Away End podcast, the road to the long-awaited bracket reveal has come to an end! But first, Daniel and John have a disagreement over what John facetiously dubbed, “one of the greatest moments in World Cup history” that Daniel su... more

On Episode 20 of The Away End podcast, Daniel is recovering from a whirlwind weekend that included watching vignettes of the UEFA Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal on his phone's screen as he was being called to make an important speech.... more

After Daniel takes a victory lap for his (Arsenal's) finish atop the Premiere League and talks about sharing the joy with his son Eliseo, albeit for different reasons, John, Daniel, and Sean read and discuss several listener questions. Plus a most ex... more

On Episode 18 of The Away End, Daniel’s story about watching the Arsenal v. West Ham game and the aftermath leads John to zero in on a major problem with human behavior. In his Brazil deep dive, Daniel introduces us to jogo bonito (The Beautiful Game... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Simon Kuper
Author and journalist, World Cup Fever author
Author, World Cup Fever
Episode: Episode 17: Seeking Beauty with Author Simon Kuper

Hosts

Daniel Alarcón
Host of The Away End; prolific novelist and essayist; crafts reflective, culture-forward conversations about football, politics, and storytelling.
John Green
Co-host and prolific writer; guides conversations with warmth, humor, and literary insight while exploring football's social and cultural dimensions.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 91 ratings
  • I love the podcast! I have never watched a world cup match before, but I'll be tuning in to several this year. I love the stories, the insight, and the genuine love for the sport that comes through in every episode. Keep it up!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Alex
    2 months ago
  • So much more than football! Inspiring stories, funny jokes, and thoughtful insights on sport

    I love this podcast so much! As a recently converted soccer/football fan, this podcast has helped me contextualize football history and get excited for this year’s World Cup. Daniel and John’s conversations are both entertaining and moving. I came for the football education, but I am staying for the insightful discussions about the human spirit, current events, personal investment in sport, literary references, etc. It’s more than just a sports pod, it’s a human pod! Thanks Daniel and John!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    josclark
    United States2 months ago
  • Excellent in every way

    I am new to the world of Football/soccer (apologies for my incurable American-ness) and attribute John as one of the people who inspired my interest in the sport. This is such a wonderful way to learn about the World Cup in a fun, thoughtful and informative way. Daniel, John and Sean are such a great team for this show. Thanks for fueling my passion for soccer/football! (PS Go Nashville SC!)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SheldonCMusic
    United States3 months ago
  • I love y'all DOWN but please cut down on the ads 😭😭 3/4min ads multiple times an ep is mental

    Podcast Addict
    5
    biscuithead
    3 months ago
  • ❤️

    The Away End Podcast is fútbol in its most honest register, a conversation that refuses containment. It moves the way memory moves. Tactics give way to geography. A goal becomes a migration story. Someone reaches for a season that lives in the body like weather. Nothing is too small to matter. Nothing stays where it was supposed to.

    There is a producer who should remain behind the glass and never does. He is pulled into the light and asked to explain the unexplainable, to solve questions everyo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Har0ldM
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Praised for storytelling, warmth, and insightful commentary that goes beyond hype.
Fans appreciate the blend of literary references with sports discussion.
Listeners praise the show for its thoughtful, human-centered take on football and culture.
Audience notes the hosts' chemistry and the podcast's ability to discuss heavy topics with nuance.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#9
United States/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#106
United States/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#23
Canada/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#98
United Kingdom/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#219
Canada/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#250
United Kingdom/Sports

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 12: The World Cup Stage is Set, Bosnia and Herzegovina Deep Dive, and an Ode to Ali Al-Hamadi
Q: Do international friendlies matter for a national team's progress and confidence?
They matter for building confidence and gauging where a team stands, though outcomes are not always predictive of World Cup performance; the US, while improving, is not currently among football powerhouses, so friendlies set realistic expectations.
Episode 12: The World Cup Stage is Set, Bosnia and Herzegovina Deep Dive, and an Ode to Ali Al-Hamadi
Q: Based on the Bosnia-Italy playoff, if you could pick another country to represent your background, would you consider it over Team USA?
They discuss personal identity and loyalty, noting it would depend on where one sees a realistic chance to contribute meaningfully, but ultimately express a strong preference for representing the country they grew up rooting for, while acknowledging the hypothetical nature of such a choice.
Episode 5: The White Wolves of Uzbekistan and The Wild Story of Carlos Kaiser
Q: Do you have any response to Alejandro?
John asserts that he believes eight of the twelve third-placed teams will go through, sharing his thoughts on the group's dynamics.
Episode 5: The White Wolves of Uzbekistan and The Wild Story of Carlos Kaiser
Q: Have either of you had any experience coaching your children?
John shares his experiences of co-coaching his son's soccer team, recounting a specific incident involving conflict with another coach.
Episode 6: Listener Mailbag!
Q: Why is China not a powerhouse in football?
Daniel highlights the potential of China but emphasizes that there hasn't been a national commitment to soccer yet.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Away End

What is The Away End about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two prolific writers explore football as a lens on culture, politics, and personal identity. Across episodes, the show blends sharp sports analysis with storytelling, memoir, and literary references, using World Cup moments to critique governance, economics, and global society. Listeners can expect thoughtful conversations that weave immigration, memory, fandom, and ethics into accessible yet richly textured discussions about how soccer mirrors broader human experiences. A standout pattern is the hosts' willingness to connect football to literature, history, and current events, making it appealing to listeners who want more than scorelines—stories, context, and critical thinking are central.

Noteworthy elements include deep dives into nati... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Away End?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Away End:

1. Dear Hank & John
2. Let's Learn Everything!
3. Ologies with Alie Ward
4. Cortex
5. The Flop House

How many episodes of The Away End are there?

The Away End launched 5 months ago and published 22 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Away End?

Recent guests on The Away End include:

1. Simon Kuper

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