World Football

In this episode of World Football, we bring together two sports not usually associated with each other – football and snooker. That’s because four-time world snooker champion Mark Selby’s career has been strongly linked to his hometown football club Leicester City. He became world champion for the second time on the night of Leicester’s iconic Premier League title win in 2016 As he prepares to try to add another world title to his collection at the World Championship in Sheffield, England he’s been telling John Bennett about his footballing passion. Photo: Mark Selby with a Leicester City football club flag after lifting the trophy after beating Ding Junhui to win the World Snooker Championship final at the Crucible Theatre on May 02, 2016 in Sheffield, England. (Credit: Getty Images)

The last time five-time winners Barcelona won the men’s Champions League was 2015, but, after a 10-year wait, is the 2024-25 season their best chance to be crowned kings of Europe again? Ernest Macia from Radio Catalunya joins World Football’s Mike Williams and George Addo to assess where Barcelona are now, if they have what it takes to win the Champions League this season and the influence of their manager Hansi Flick. Image: Raphinha of FC Barcelona (R) celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates Pau Cubarsi, Fermin Lopez and Jules Kounde during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between FC Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on April 09, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Family members and former team-mates including his son Tyrese Campbell, Wayne Rooney and Andy Cole open up about the life and death of ex-Arsenal and Everton striker Kevin Campbell. Darren Fletcher narrates the story of Campbell's life, loss and legacy, told by those who knew him best. (Images via Getty Images and the Campbell family)

It's set to be a huge week in European club football with the second legs of the Champions League quarter-finals taking place as the road to Munich in May takes shape. While Barcelona have a commanding 4-0 advantage in their tie against Borussia Dortmund, their big Spanish rivals Real Madrid go into the second leg at home to Arsenal 3-0 down, with the holders facing a huge battle to remain in the competition. They also trail Barcelona in the La Liga title race, only increasing the pressure on legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian is one of the most decorated coaches in European football, and no one has won more Champions League titles as a manager, including in 2024 with Madrid. Spanish football journalist Juan Castro has been telling World Football’s Delyth Lloyd about the scrutiny Ancelotti is under. Photo: Carlo Ancelotti, manager of Real Madrid, during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Arsenal Stadium on April 08, 2025 in London, England. (Credit: Danehouse/Getty Images)

Manchester United head into a season defining game against Lyon with a number of question marks, including who will start in goal. The Europa League quarter-final tie is evenly poised at 2-2 with United needing to progress in order to keep alive their chances of a trophy and European football next season following an underwhelming campaign. All eyes will be on who manager Ruben Amorim opts to start in goal at Old Trafford with regular first choice keeper Andre Onana omitted from the squad for Sunday's 4-1 defeat at Newcastle. The Cameroon international has made a number of high profile errors this season, including in the first leg against Lyon in France. Turkey’s Altay Bayindir was brought in to make his first league start since joining United in September 2023, and has mainly been back up to Onana during his time at the club. Former Cameroon defender Sebastien Bassong has been giving his view on the situation to World Football’s Delyth Lloyd and George Addo. Photo: A dejected Andre Onana of Manchester Utd after the 2-0 loss during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers FC and Manchester United FC at Molineux on December 26, 2024 in Wolverhampton, England. (Credit: CameraSport via Getty Images

Former Ukranian international Yevgeny Levchenko has been auctioning off a number of shirts he's collected throughout his career to aid the ongoing war relief funds in the country. Featuring names like Wayne Rooney, Arjen Robben, Erling Haaland, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Ramos, the auction saw global football fans rally around Levchenko's cause, raising over US$30,000 (£23,000) in the process. World Football's Mani Djazmi explains more. Photo: A selection of shirts previously owned by former Ukranian international Yevgeny Levchenko which were auctioned off to raise money. (Credit: Match Worn Shirt)

Mohamed Salah has signed a new two-year contract with Liverpool. His previous deal was scheduled to run out in the summer and there had been doubts he would stay with the Reds following comments from the 32-year-old during the season as well as speculation linking him with a move to Saudi Arabia. The man known as' the Egyptian King' will now remain in the North West of England until 2027 and have the chance to add to his 243 goals and 109 assists for Liverpool in 394 appearances. So how has the news gone down across the football world? Arabic football expert Mohamed Qoutb and football reporter, John Bennett, tell us how the news has been receive in Salah's native Egypt. Plus, what's the view of former players & managers? Former Glasgow Rangers and Nottingham Forest boss, Mark Warburton, and former DR Congo captain and Match of the Day Africa: Top 10 host Gabriel Zakuani give us the lowdown. Photo - Mohamed Salah of Liverpool signs a new contract extension at Anfield on April 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Credit: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Olympique Lyonnais has won 6 of the last 9 Champions League titles and for years dominated women’s football in Europe. Only Barcelona have recently been able to compete. Lyon's success is the vision of club president Jean-Michel Aulas who wanted to create an iconic team, with the best players, but in the case of Aulas he also promised to ensure both male and female players were treated equally. This included the first mixed football training academy. In Olympique Lyonnais: The Champions League trailblazers we find out the story of how the French club raised the standard of women’s football, going behind the scenes with striker and Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg, Chelsea and England defender Lucy Bronze and France and Lyon captain Wendie Renard who have all witnessed huge success and then change with Europe’s elite catching up. Now South Korean born businesswoman Michele Kang has taken over the the French giants, with big ambitions for the club. Photo: Players of Olympique Lyonnais celebrate after winning during the UEFA Women's Champions League final match between FC Barcelona and Olympique Lyonnais at Juventus Stadium on May 21, 2022 in Turin, Italy. (Credit: Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)

Chelsea and Senegal striker Nicolas Jackson had a difficult start to life in English football but he's performing well this season and after an injury lay-off he's recently been described in the UK media as "indispensable" to Enzo Maresca's team. So as he returns to full fitness just in time for Chelsea's crucial end of season run-in, World Football's John Bennett, football journalist Rahman Osman and BBC Sport's senior football news reporter Nizaar Kinsella discuss his journey from the Gambia to the Premier League and whether he is now - along with Cole Palmer - the most crucial player in the Chelsea side? Plus, will be he be first choice next season or will Chelsea bring in a new number 9 to replace him? Photo: Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea FC celebrates scoring a goal with Enzo Fernandez during the Premier League match between Leicester City FC and Chelsea FC at The King Power Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Leicester, England. (Credit: Getty Images)

Players will be punished if they stand on the ball during football matches in Brazil, but what led to this controversial law change? The decision by the Brazil Football Federation (CBF) came after Corinthians forward Memphis Depay performed the move in a game against Palmeiras which sparked a mass brawl between both teams. The CBF has announced that players should be shown a yellow card if they stand on the ball with both feet and the opposing team awarded an indirect free-kick. South American football expert Tim Vickery and BBC football reporter John Bennett joins World Football’s Ed Harry to discuss the law change and the reaction in Brazil. Image: Kevin de Bruyne of Manchester City standing on a ball prior tothe UEFA Champions League 2023/24 round of 16 second leg match between Manchester City and F.C. Copenhagen at Etihad Stadium on March 6, 2024 in Manchester, England.(Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

PSG forward Ousmane Dembele has long had a big reputation, but is he now living up to his potential and could that lead to him winning football’s star prize? The France international was once the second-most expensive player in history when he signed for Barcelona from Borussia Dortmund in 2017 in a deal worth £135.5m, before joining Paris St-Germain in 2023 for just £43.5m. After scoring 40 goals in 185 games for Barcelona, Dembele has gone onto become one of Europe’s most in-form forwards, scoring over 30 goals in all competitions in the 2024/25 season, including 21 goals in 26 league games to help PSG lift the Ligue 1 title. So, what changed and could Dembele be rewarded with the Ballon d'Or? European football experts Julien Laurens and Guillem Balagué and former Cameroon defender Sebastien Bassong join World Football’s John Bennett to discuss. Image: Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #10 Ousmane Dembele celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Olympique de Marseille (OM) at the Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris, on March 16, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

Southampton set the unwanted record of being the earliest team to be relegated in Premier League history after their relegation was confirmed in April 2025. So, what’s it like as a player to be relegated and is the gulf getting bigger between England’s top-flight and the second-tier? Former Premier League defender and current Sierra Leona captain Steven Caulker joins World Football’s Delyth Lloyd and George Addo to discuss. Image: Dejection for Southampton players at the final whistle after relegation was confirmed during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and Southampton FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on April 6, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Rob Newell - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images)

What do Australia, the US state of Wyoming and the German city of Bielefeld all have in common? They're all locations subject to satirical conspiracy theories that claim they don't exist. The 'Bielefeld conspiracy' remains one of the most popular Internet jokes originating in Germany, but their third-tier football team are well and truly putting them back on the map. Arminia Bielefeld have become the first team outside the top two divisions to knock four Bundesliga sides out of the German Cup in one season on their way to a surprise appearance in the German Cup final. World Football's Delyth Lloyd is joined by football reporter Mani Djazmi, who's been finding out more. Photo: Supporters of Bielefeld cheer their team during the 3. Liga match between Arminia Bielefeld and Erzgebirge Aue at Schueco Arena in Bielefeld, Germany. (Credit: Getty Images for DFB)

As Thomas Muller and Kevin De Bruyne get ready to leave their clubs at the end of the season, how will they be remembered? Thomas Muller has played the most games in the history of Bayern Munich with 743, while he is third on their all-time scorer's list with 247 goals and has won two Champions Leagues and 12 Bundesliga titles among 33 trophies in total with the German giants. German football expert Constantin Eckner joins World Football's Lee James to look back at Muller's legacy. It's also the end of an era for Kevin De Bruyne, who announced that he'll be departing when Manchester City's season concluded. The 33 year old has won 16 trophies since joining City from Wolfsburg in 2015, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023 - scoring 106 goals in 413 appearances in all competitions for City. So how will he be remembered? The former Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel and former Tottenham and Ireland defender Stephen Kelly joined me. Photo: Thomas Mueller of Bayern Muenchen is injured during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Eintracht Frankfurt at Allianz Arena on February 23, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Credit: Sampics/Getty Images)

World Football’s Isaac Fanin finds out more about how "travel measures" introduced by US President Donald Trump led to Zambia's women's team withdrawing four United States-based players from their squad for a tournament in China. The Football Association of Zambia announced captain and BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year Barbra Banda, Racheal Kundananji, Prisca Chilufya and Grace Chanda would miss the Yongchuan International Tournament. This comes after President Trump signed an executive order to draft a list of countries that will mean a partial or full suspension on visitors from some nations. It is unclear if China is on the proposed list, but non-American residents have experienced increased difficulty in re-entering the country in recent months. Sydney Mungala, communications manager at the Football Association of Zambia, tells World Football about the impact on the team’s preparations and the players and how it should be treated as a “wake up call” to other nations about the changes in the US. Image: Gianni Infantino, president of the Federation International Football Association (FIFA), right, and US President Donald Trump, centre, during an executive order signing in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Friday, March 7, 2025. (Photographer: Chris Kleponis/CNP/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Imagine having to wait 50 years for your work to be officially recognised. That’s what happened to the women of St George Women's Soccer team, who represented Australia in the 1975 Asian Ladies Football Confederation tournament held in Hong Kong. For years, their efforts were overlooked by the football authorities in Australia. Now, Football Australia will recognise those players as the "First Matildas" by awarding them cap numbers ahead of Australia's game against South Korea. World Football’s Mani Djazmi tells John Bennet the inside story. Photo: The St George Women's Soccer team, now known as ‘the first Matildas’ at Sydney Airport on August 21, 1975. (Credit: Fairfax Media via Getty Images)

Arminia Bielefeld captain Mael Corboz speaks to World Football’s Mike Williams after the German third-tier side stunned defending champions Bayer Leverkusen to reach the final of the German Cup. Bielefeld won 2-1 to become the first team outside the top two divisions to knock four Bundesliga sides out of the German Cup in one season. The club had already beaten Union Berlin, Freiburg and Werder Bremen before their victory over the reigning Bundesliga champions. Image: Joel Grodowski and teammates of Arminia Bielefeld celebrate victory after the DFB Cup Semi Final between DSC Arminia Bielefeld and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Schueco Arena on April 01, 2025 in Bielefeld, Germany. (Photo by Christof Koepsel/Getty Images)

It’s the battle of the best in the Copa Libertadores – as teams from across South America compete in their version of the Champions League. The past six editions have all been won by Brazilian clubs – and four of those finals have been all Brazilian affairs. So, can anyone stop Brazil’s domination? World Football’s John Bennett is joined by BBC football reporter George Addo and Brazilian football journalist Renata Mendonca to discuss. Image: Players of Botafogo celebrate with the trophy after winning the tournament following the Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2024 Final between Atletico Mineiro and Botafogo at Estadio Más Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on November 30, 2024 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

Marta is a Brazilian phenomenon. A six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, record goal scorer who’s even the hero of her opponents, but where did her love of football begin and what challenges has she faced in her incredible 20 year career? This is the story of Brazil’s global icon. Amongst others, you’ll hear from her former Brazil coach Pia Sundhage, Uefa’s head of women’s football Nadine Kessler, Marta’s Brazil teammate Cristiane and Marta’s first coach in Rio, Helena Pacheco. Marta burst on to the global stage as a 17-year-old at the 2003 World Cup and secured a breakthrough move to Sweden soon after, landing in snow at the airport. It was a world away from her home in Brazil. Yet in the five years in Sweden, Marta would arrive as a young talent and leave as the biggest global star the game has ever seen lighting up the 2007 World Cup; bamboozling the USA defence with her dribbling, speed and flair and one of the best goals on the grandest stage. Now with a cabinet full of medals and trophies, she topped her final appearance in a competitive match for Brazil by winning silver at the Paris Olympics. A fitting finale for Marta - who transformed the women’s game. Image: Marta of Brazil celebrates a penalty during the Women's Football Semi Final between Brazil and Sweden on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

This is the story of the day when the USA women’s national team, dubbed the 99ers, became instant stars and how one photograph of match winner Brandi Chastain went on to inspire a nation. 2015 World Cup winner Heather O’Reilly takes you back to the start of the decade to uncover the challenges the women’s game faced during the 1990s with journalist and long-time sport reporter Kelly Whiteside all the way to 10 July 1999 - the day the 99ers won the World Cup 5-4 on penalties against China on home soil in front of record breaking crowds. 25 years on from this historic moment, hear from 99ers Joy Fawcett, Mia Hamm, Carla Overbeck, USA goalkeeper Briana Scurry and Brandi Chastain, plus hear from Robert Beck, the Sport Illustrated photographer who captured the most iconic photo in women’s football. Produced by Sophia Hartley for the BBC World Service Image: Captain Carla Overbeck #4 of the US Women's Soccer Team raises the World Cup Trophy, as the team celebrates their victory over Team China in the Championship match of the FIFA Women's World Cup at the Rose Bowl on July 10, 1999 in Pasadena, California. Team USA defeated Team China 5-4 in sudden death after two overtimes. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)