World Football

Many of the world’s biggest clubs are playing in the Club World Cup in the United States, but does the expanded, new look tournament give the African sides a chance to make an impression? Egypt's Al Ahly, South Africa's Mamelodi Sundowns, Wydad Casablanca of Morocco and Tunisia's Esperance are the teams looking to outperform European superclubs and other contenders from across the globe. Hear from former South Africa defender Mark Fish and South African football journalist Mo Allie on Sundowns chances. Image: Photos of the second leg of the CAF Champions League semi-final between Al Ahly of Egypt and Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa, which ends in a 1-1 draw for Sundowns in Cairo, Egypt, on April 25, 2025. (Photo by Mohsen Nabil/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Ahead of the newly expanded Club World Cup, World Football’s Mani Djazmi is joined by Spanish football journalist Eduardo Alvarez to look ahead to the tournament taking place in the United States. Thirty-two teams from around the globe will take part in the tournament across 11 cities in the US, with the final taking place on 13 July. Plus, we also hear from striker Angus Kilkolly who plays for the tournament’s only amateurs, Auckland City. Photo: General view of the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy in exposition at Estadio da Luz during the FIFA Club World Cup Trophy Tour on January 17, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Credit: FIFA via Getty Images)

With a year to go until they co-host the World Cup, the USA men's national team are on a run of 4 defeats in a row. So after his high-profile appointment in 2024, how much pressure is head coach Mauricio Pochettino under? And can USA find form before they co-host the World Cup in 2026 with Canada and Mexico. World Football's John Bennett is joined by former MLS player and current CBS analyst Michael Lahoud, as well as US football writer Zach Lowy. Plus hear from Pochettino and the former USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann. Photo: USA head coach Mauricio Pochettino observing his players during a Concacaf Nations League game between Canada and USMNT at SoFi Stadium at on March 23, 2025 in Inglewood, California. (Credit: ISI Photos/Getty Images)

This week marks the 20th anniversary of the start of a campaign for female football fans in Iran to be allowed in to stadia to watch men’s matches. On the 8th June 2005 Iran’s men’s team played their final World Cup qualification match against Bahrain. A group of women went to the Azadi stadium to reclaim what they had lost after the 1979 revolution, including the right to go to stadiums and watch football. So what impact did the events of that day have on football in Iran? World Football's Mani Djazmi has been across the story. Photo: Players of Iran celebrate after the 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers Group A game between Iran and Uzbekistan at Azadi Stadium on March 25, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Iran's national football team celebrated after securing qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan. (Credit: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Uzbekistan and Jordan have qualified for the men’s Fifa World Cup for the first time, but what’s the reaction been like and how significant is it for the two countries? World Football’s Isaac Fanin spoke to BBC journalists Khaldoon Alshamayleh in Amman, the capital of Jordan, and Firdavs Zavkiev in the Uzbek capital Tashkent to gauge the reaction. South Korea also secured their place at the tournament with 10 countries now confirmed for the expanded 48-team tournament in United States, Canada and Mexico. The three hosts have qualified automatically, while Japan, New Zealand, Iran and Argentina have also confirmed their spots. Image: Uzbekistan's players celebrate after their 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier football match against the United Arab Emirates ended in a draw, qualifying them for the World Cup for the first time, at Al-Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on June 5, 2025. (Photo by Fadel SENNA / AFP via Getty Images)

As well as the big name players and coaches we hear from here on World Football, we also want to hear from you, the fans. During the English Premier League season on our Sportsworld programme we've been speaking to supporters from around the world in our international fans panel to gauge what they've been making of their clubs fortunes From Germany to Ghana and Argentina to Australia, we've covered the globe. Along with World Football's own Mani Djazmi, we’ve been catching up with some of those supporters to review the season. Photo: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool lifts the trophy after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Credit: Getty Images for The Premier League)

The UEFA Champions League final may be done meaning the dust settles on the top European leagues for a while at least. Delyth Lloyd is joined by World Football’s Mani Djazmi, German football writer Constantin Eckner and Spanish football expert Eduardo Alvarez to look back over all the big talking points from across Europe. From Serie A through to the Bundesliga, La Liga and Ligue 1, our panel give their views on a momentous season. Photo: Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates the La Liga EA Sports 2024/2025 championship during the La Liga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF at Olimpic Llus Companys in Barcelona, Spain, on May 18, 2025. (Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Paris St Germain wrote their names into the Champions League history books after beating Inter Milan 5-0 in the final in Munich to win the trophy for the first time. World Football’s Delyth Lloyd is joined by Italian football journalist Daniele Verri and French broadcaster Patrick Juilliard to discuss the big talking points from the match. It brings to an end the finale of an expanded format introduced by UEFA which has seen a mammoth 189 matches since the main group stage began back in August. You’ll also hear from the PSG and Inter camps with their post-match thoughts. Photo: The Champions League trophy ahead of the UEFA Champions League Final 2025 between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Internazionale Milano at on May 28, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Credit: UEFA via Getty Images)

2025 marks 20 years since of one of the most extraordinary nights in Champion League history, as Liverpool completed the "Miracle of Istanbul”. AC Milan had a star-studded line up and were overwhelming favourites, especially after they raced into a 3-0 lead. However, Liverpool launched an amazing second half comeback that culminated in them winning the trophy in a penalty shootout. To mark the 20th anniversary, we take you back to that iconic night with those who were there, including penalty-saving hero, Jerzy Dudek. Plus, broadcasters and fans, each with their own unique perspective on the moments that made the match the most talked-about for years. Photo: Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard lifts the European Cup after Liverpool won the European Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan on May 25, 2005 at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. (Credit: Getty Images)

There's 370 matches down and just ten to go in the Premier League season Liverpool will lift their 20th top flight title in Arne Slot's first year in charge, so as the season draws to a close Sportsworld and World Football have collaborated to hand out their own awards. So who will former West Ham midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker, Everton goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and Washington Spirit and England international defender Esme Morgan pick as their winners of season 24-25? Photo: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah and the players celebrate winning the league after the Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield in Liverpool, England, on April 27, 2025. (Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Ange Postecoglou is the first coach from outside Europe or South America to win a European trophy, but what does that achievement mean for Australian football? Former Australia goalkeeper Mark Bosnich and journalist Michael Lynch tell World Football's Mani Djazmi about the significance in the context of Australian sport, and chart Postecoglou’s rise from immigrant to European winner. Photo: Ange Postecoglou, Manager of Tottenham Hotspur, celebrates with the UEFA Europa League trophy after his team's victory in the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Credit: UEFA via Getty Images)

SV Elversberg, from a small town of around 13,000 people, face Heidenheim in a promotion/relegation play-off. If they win – and most second-tier teams don’t – they will welcome Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and the rest to their stadium with a capacity of 10,000. The club’s Sporting Director, Nils Ole-Book, has been telling World Football's Mani Djazmi how they've gone from the fourth tier to the brink of the big time in just three years. Photo: Cornerflag of SV Elversberg in the Ursapharm-Arena Stadium before the Second Bundesliga match between SV 07 Elversberg and SC Preußen Münster at Ursapharm-Arena on March 15, 2025 in Spiesen-Elversberg, Germany. (Credit: firo sportphoto/Getty Images)

Basketball, the Cold War, and rock band The Grateful Dead collide in this incredible true story. Presented by the late NBA star Bill Walton. Episodes weekly from 19 May. What do basketball, rock music, and tie-dye t-shirts have in common? And what about Mickey Hart, Sarunas Marciulionis, Arvydas Sabonis, and the US Dream Team? Well, they are all subject of the brand new season of Amazing Sport Stories: Bill Walton’s The Grateful Team. It’s Moscow, 1989, and Lithuanian basketball star Sarunas Marciulionis is walking nervously through the airport. If all goes to plan, a new life awaits playing basketball for the NBA in the US. But first, he must cross the Iron Curtain. Sarunas doesn’t yet know the incredible journey he is about to go on. One which will involve political upheaval, the Olympic games, the US rock band The Grateful Dead - and, of course, tie-dye. The late NBA star and sports commentator Bill Walton presents this extraordinary true story. Bill passed away in 2024, not long after recording the series, and his family have given permission for its release following his death. Amazing Sport Stories brings you the greatest twists and personal journeys from sport history. Listen for inspiring tales of courage, drama, myths and legends from all over the globe. All told in mini seasons and one-off documentary episodes. #AmazingSportStories

From the third tier of German women’s football to the Frauen-Bundesliga in successive seasons, Union Berlin’s women’s team have been on a rapid rise. They won the Bundesliga 2 title on the final day of the regular season on goal difference from Nurnberg, and next term will line up against the biggest names in German women’s football such as Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich. World Football’s Delyth Lloyd has been speaking to Union Berlin forward Dina Orshmann about how it feels for the club to be in the top flight for the first time. PHOTO CREDIT: Dina Orshmann playing for Union Berlin (Credit: Union Berlin)

From having no footballs to winning the league in a year, World Football's Mani Djazmi's been following the extraordinary rise of Auckland FC. Football Director Terry McFlynn describes how they found the players and the fans, and defender Tommy Smith explains how the players started a dressing room culture from scratch, once they had been assembled. But how much is Auckland’s success down to having a billionaire owner, Bill Foley, and being part of his Black Knight multi-club group, that’s headed by Bournemouth? Photo: Auckland FC celebrate with the Premier's Plate following the round 28 A-League Men match between Auckland FC and Perth Glory at Go Media Stadium, on April 27, 2025, in Auckland, New Zealand. (Credit: Getty Images)

In this episode of World Football we discuss one of the biggest matches in the global calendar, El Clasico between Barcelona and Real Madrid. With both sides vying for the La Liga title, Barcelona ran out 4-3 winners in a game where a Kylian Mbappe hat trick for Real Madrid wasn't enough for Carlo Ancelotti's side to close the gap at the top. Barcelona are now seven points clear with nine to play for and another title looks to be in their grasp in Hansi Flick's first season in charge. World Football's Delyth Lloyd has been discussing the game with George Addo and Spanish football journalist Eduardo Alvarez.

London City Lionesses’ owner Michele Kang says she wants to show women’s football teams are a good investment even without an affiliation to a men’s team. The Lionesses will be the first team to compete in the WSL in England without a link to a men’s football team, but Kang told the BBC she doesn’t see this as a disadvantage. Kang also owns Washington Spirit in the United States and eight-time Women's Champions League winners Olympique Lyonnais who are playing in the new look playoffs this weekend to decide the title winners in France. Find out what’s next for her French team Lyon this weekend and hear a rare interview with Michele Kang who’s been speaking to World Football’s Jo Currie: Photo - Michele Kang, Owner of London City Lionesses, celebrates with the Barclays Women's Championship trophy after London City Lionesses win the Barclays Women's Championship and subsequently gain promotion to the Barclays Women's Super League after the Barclays Women's Championship match between Birmingham City and London City Lionesses at St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park on May 04, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Credit: FA via Getty Images)

It was the game that no-one wanted to end... For the second time in six days Inter Milan and Barcelona served up a European classic as the champions of Italy won 4-3 on the night - 7-6 on aggregate - to reach the Champions League final. It was the joint highest-scoring Champions League semi-final ever, with the 13 goals equalling the 2018 semi-final when Liverpool also defeated Roma 7-6 on aggregate. Italian football expert Mina Rzouki and Ernest Macia from Radio Catalunya joined World Football’s Ade Adedoynin to reflect on one of the all-time great European football ties. Photo: Davide Frattesi of FC Internazionale Milano celebrates his goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Credit: Getty Images)

There’s been a rise in global attention towards football in Saudi Arabia with high-profile players moving to teams in the country, but are Saudi Arabia clubs now starting to dominate in Asia? Three of the four AFC Champions League semi-finalists are from Saudi Arabia with former Premier League players Roberto Firmino and Ivan Toney scoring to help Al-Ahli reach the final over Saudi Pro League rivals Al-Hilal. World Football’s Nick Hatton speaks to Asian football journalist Michael Church about how Saudi Arabian clubs are dominating Asia’s premier club competition. Image: Ivan Toney of Al-Ahli Saudi celebrates scoring his team's second goal with teammate Galeno during the AFC Champions League Elite Semi Final between Al Hilal and Al Ahli at King Abdullah Sports City Hall Stadium on April 29, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)

Liverpool equalled Manchester United's record of 20 top-flight titles with their 2024/25 Premier League win, but it wasn’t just the team making history. Arne Slot and Virgil van Dijk became the first Dutch manager and captain to win the Premier League title, so how has their influence helped Liverpool to glory – especially in Slot’s first season in England? World Football’s Sarah Mulkerrins is joined by football reporter George Addo as they get the views of former Liverpool and Netherlands players Bolo Zenden and Sander Westerveld. Image: Arne Slot head coach of Liverpool and Virgil van Dijk captain of Liverpool celebrating after being named Champions of the Premier League at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield on April 27, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)