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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
2026 World Cup
USA
Colombia
Football
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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes24Founded6 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsSoccer

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Artwork for The Away End

Latest Episodes

On Episode 23 of The Away End, Daniel and John begin with a discussion of the differences between Messi and Ronaldo, "The Peru Rule", and the things that have made this Tournament brilliant so far. They reveal the wonders of watching teams that are l... more

On Episode 22 of The Away End, The World Cup brings people together, and that includes Daniel, John and Sean who, after many years or maybe just a year apart, find themselves reunited together again! John was watching the USMNT from Norway at 3 AM. D... more

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

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Number of Listeners
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Similar Podcasts

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Recent Guests

Sean Tytone
Producer and guest on the mailbag episode
The Away End
Episode: Episode 19: Super-Sized Listener Mailbag Edition
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 105 ratings
  • Episode 22

    Love this podcast, keeps getting better. My gawd, episode 22, chef’s kiss.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Heya-11
    Canada10 days ago
  • 50% ads

    love john but ads take up 10 minutes or more

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Aditiii571
    United States13 days ago
  • Great Intro to World Soccer

    I started listening to this podcast because I like Daniel and John, no other reason. But along the way I’ve learned so much about soccer and this is has allowed me to connect more with my friends and family who are super into it. It’s been a gift. Bonus, I get to bewilder my husband (who hasn’t been listening) with my newfound knowledge.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jazzy E.
    United States14 days ago
  • Maybe I watched the wrong episodes??

    What’s the point of having a podcast when you’re just going to (wrongly) predict all the better teams are going to win all their matches.

    The description says it’s about so much more than football, - like culture - but it’s really not. It’s exclusively about repeatedly saying the better teams will always win in a really smug tone. As well as answering way too many very basic questions that make the podcast unbearable for anyone remotely knowledgeable about football.

    Also 3 adbreaks is crazy fo... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    LostError
    Australia15 days ago
  • Futbol is life

    This is a perfect podcast for the twelve of us who love the intersection between soccer, history, politics, literature, and so much more. With so much heart, care, and genuine love of the game, this is THE definitive listen for a WC summer.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    alf10087
    United States17 days 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
#22
United States/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#225
United States/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#22
Canada/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#191
United Kingdom/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#239
Canada/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#94
France/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 19: Super-Sized Listener Mailbag Edition
Q: How should one watch major World Cup moments in a way that preserves the personal and communal experience?
Engaging with friends and diverse communities enhances the emotional impact and makes the memory feel collective and enduring, as illustrated by the listener story from Spain and the US connection to global events.
Episode 19: Super-Sized Listener Mailbag Edition
Q: Why do goalkeepers often get overlooked as favorite players, and what makes a great goalie in modern football?
Goalkeepers are increasingly valued for distribution, spatial understanding, and multi-limb control; their influence goes beyond saves, shaping both defense and attack.
Episode 19: Super-Sized Listener Mailbag Edition
Q: What makes a North London Derby meaningful for fans who didn't grow up with Arsenal or Spurs?
Rivalries provide belonging and identity; the hosts frame the feud as cultural construct that can unite fans in a shared experience while cautioning against letting bitterness spill into harm or violence.
Episode 19: Super-Sized Listener Mailbag Edition
Q: Is there a compelling pre or post-game interview?
The hosts acknowledge that most interviews are dull, but genuine moments can break through when someone speaks honestly or with a fresh perspective, although such moments are rare.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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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. 99% Invisible
3. My Brother, My Brother And Me
4. Cortex
5. What Trump Can Teach Us About Con Law

How many episodes of The Away End are there?

The Away End launched 6 months ago and published 24 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. Sean Tytone
2. Simon Kuper

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