Rephonic
Artwork for The FootPol Podcast
Football
Politics
Women's Football
Gaza
FIFA
Exeter City FC
World Cup
Fan Ownership
Sectarianism
Israel
Community Engagement
Football Academy
Ireland
Hong Kong
Spain
Women’s Football
Local Community Initiatives
Exeter, United Kingdom
Racism
China

The podcast that brings together football and politics. We'll be exploring the relationship between the two, both inside and outside the game.The podcast covers "Big Politics" like politicians, clubs, international and national federations and other organised groups and how they use or abuse the game to "Small, Everyday Politics" in the form of community-level clubs, fan associations and the way t... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes109Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsNewsSoccerPolitics

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Artwork for The FootPol Podcast

Latest Episodes

The 2026 World Cup is already generating political heat long before kick-off. In this episode, Francesco is joined by Tamir Bar-On and Danyel Reiche, sport and politics experts and editors of a new special issue in Soccer & Society on the World Cup 2... more

With the 2026 World Cup just weeks away, France once again enters the tournament as one of football’s superpowers — but what does the French national team actually represent in modern France? In this gripping episode, co-hosts Guy Burton and Francesc... more

As Curaçao prepares for its first-ever FIFA World Cup appearance, the latest episode of the FootPol podcast goes far beyond football. Host Guy Burton is joined by historians and researchers Karym Leito and Margo Groenewoud to unpack how a small Carib... more

What does football really reveal about globalisation—and where does that neat theory start to fall apart? In this episode, hosts Guy Burton and Francesco Belcastro are joined by historian and analyst Graham Cornwell (George Washington University; Box... more

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Recent Guests

Jonathan Ervine
Senior Lecturer in French and Francophone Studies
Bangor University
Episode: How France’s Football Became a Political Battleground ft. Jonathan Ervine
Karym Leito
Junior researcher in Curaçao and sports history at Radboud University; lecturer at The Hague University of Applied Sciences
Radboud University, The Hague University of Applied Sciences
Episode: 2026 World Cup Debutants: How Curaçao Built a World Cup Team in the Netherlands ft. Karym Leito & Margo Groenewoud
Margo Groenewoud
Historian of the Caribbean and heritage consultant
Leiden University
Episode: 2026 World Cup Debutants: How Curaçao Built a World Cup Team in the Netherlands ft. Karym Leito & Margo Groenewoud
Graham Cornwell
Historian and writer focusing on football and globalization
Box2Box (Board President)
Episode: Can Football Explain Globalisation? Revisiting the Theory ft. Graham Cornwell
Curtis Ryan
Middle East scholar with football and politics interests
Appalachian State University
Episode: 2026 World Cup Debutants: Jordan's Football Story ft. Curtis Ryan
Sandeep Menon
Journalist, author and educator; author of Sacred Grounds
Author, Sacred Grounds: A Journey Through People's Football in India
Episode: Sacred Grounds: People's Football in India ft. Sandeep Menon
Paddy Hoey
Senior lecturer in humanities and social science at Liverpool John Moores University
Liverpool John Moores University
Episode: Staples, Satire and Protest: The Politics of Football Fanzines ft. Paddy Hoey
Emmanuel Charles D'Oliveira
Writer from Cabo Verde, author of works on football in Cabo Verde
Cabo Verdean football/history researcher
Episode: 2026 World Cup Debutants: Uniting the Islands — Cabo Verde ft. Emmanuel Charles D’Oliveira & Nuno Domingos
Nuno Domingos
Portuguese sociologist, senior researcher at the Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon
Institute of Social Sciences, University of Lisbon
Episode: 2026 World Cup Debutants: Uniting the Islands — Cabo Verde ft. Emmanuel Charles D’Oliveira & Nuno Domingos

Hosts

Guy Burton
Co-host of the FootPol Podcast, often involved in discussions at the intersection of football and politics.
Francesco Belcastro
Co-host of the FootPol Podcast, contributing insights on political relations within the world of football.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 37 ratings
  • New favourite

    I’ve heard people say you shouldn’t mix sport and politics, I couldn’t disagree more. This podcast fills a fascinating gap left by conventional sport podcasts

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    alexisgoodwin
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • New favourite

    I’ve heard people say you shouldn’t mix sport and politics, I couldn’t disagree more.

    This podcast fills a fascinating gap left by conventional sport podcasts

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    alexisgoodwin
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • It’s more than a game…

    Enjoyed all three of the episodes I’ve so far heard.

    Hoping for an episode unpacking the dinamo zagreb/Red star game of 1990

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    5areen
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the unique pairing of sports and politics, applauding the depth of conversation and insightful guests.
Many find the show fills a crucial gap in both sports media and political discourse, highlighting the importance of these intersections.
There is a strong enthusiasm for episodes that tackle inclusivity and sustainability, indicating a receptive audience towards progressive themes.
Listeners resonate with the show's ability to engage with complex issues while remaining accessible.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#69
Mexico/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#84
Russia/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#147
Taiwan/Sports/Soccer
Apple Podcasts
#192
Mexico/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#196
India/Sports/Soccer

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Class Act: Football and the English Working Class ft. Josh Bland
Q: Beyond the UK, do you see similar dynamics in other countries or continents?
While I don't have the same depth of expertise for every country, I anticipate similar patterns in places with strong industrial legacies and football cultures, and I'm planning to test these theories in Europe and beyond, looking at clubs connected to industrial histories.
Class Act: Football and the English Working Class ft. Josh Bland
Q: What does it mean for working-class identity in football when the Premier League becomes a global product?
It creates a paradox where global interest and higher revenues clash with local access and authenticity, threatening the traditional working-class fan communities unless clubs find ways to preserve local identity within a broader, market-driven landscape.
Class Act: Football and the English Working Class ft. Josh Bland
Q: Josh, could you tell us in a bit more detail what your project is about?
The project uses three clubs across different scales to explore how towns dependent on deindustrialization use football to maintain community identity and resilience, with a focus on how fans engage with notions of authenticity and tradition.
How France’s Football Became a Political Battleground ft. Jonathan Ervine
Q: World Cup starting soon, France is one of the favourites. What is your prediction for the World Cup?
Jonathan notes France are among the favourites with a wealth of attacking talent, but he stresses it will be open and contingent on squad selection, form, and management, with Zidane widely discussed as a potential future coach and a need to balance star power with tactical cohesion.
How France’s Football Became a Political Battleground ft. Jonathan Ervine
Q: My question, though, is more on today. What does the French national team represent now as some of these tensions that were emerging in the early 2000s are strengthened? What's the situation now?
Jonathan explains that the current state is complex and nuanced, with ongoing tensions around identity, race, and religion, but the team remains a symbol of modern France for many while reflecting broader societal debates, including debates over the far-right and the role of players in public discourse.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The FootPol Podcast

What is The FootPol Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intricate relationship between football and politics, this series highlights how the sport serves as a lens through which societal issues can be examined. From global events impacting major tournaments to local club dynamics and community issues, the conversations tackle significant political themes affecting the sport and its fans. Listeners can expect discussions that probe the intersections of culture, identity, and social justice in football, often featuring knowledgeable guests who bring unique insights into the dialogue surrounding the game's influence on and relationship with political currents. Noteworthy topics include sustainability, inclusivity, and the role of football in shaping national identities across various ... more

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How many listeners does The FootPol Podcast get?

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Which podcasts are similar to The FootPol Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The FootPol Podcast:

1. Football Travel by Outside Write
2. The Football Heritage Podcast
3. The Brazilian Shirt Name Podcast
4. It Was What It Was : The Football History Podcast
5. Pro Revolution Soccer

How many episodes of The FootPol Podcast are there?

The FootPol Podcast launched 3 years ago and published 109 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 FootPol Podcast?

Recent guests on The FootPol Podcast include:

1. Jonathan Ervine
2. Karym Leito
3. Margo Groenewoud
4. Graham Cornwell
5. Curtis Ryan
6. Sandeep Menon
7. Paddy Hoey
8. Emmanuel Charles D'Oliveira

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