World Football's Isaac Fanin and Mani Djazmi are joined by the former Liverpool defender Steven Caulker to discuss whether Mo Salah still has a future at Liverpool, following comments suggesting he's fallen out with manager Arne Slot and might be looking to leave Anfield.
27 years after their last World Cup, Norway’s men have finally qualified for another one. With Erling Haaland, who scored 16 goals in eight qualifying matches, and a team that ran in 37 goals during the campaign, should the rest of the world be worried?Former Norway goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt and journalist Lars Sivertsen join Mani Djazmi to discuss the team’s strengths and weaknesses.Photo: Staale Solbakken, Head Coach of Norway, is lifted into the air by players of Norway as they celebrate victory following the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Norway at San Siro Stadium on November 16, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Credit: Getty Images)
The club versus country row often causes friction, but midfielder Soren Lerby once found a way to satisfy both.He played for Denmark and Bayern Munich on the same day. In different countries.On the afternoon of 13 November 1984 - exactly 40 years ago - Lerby lined up for his national team in Dublin for their final qualifier for the 1986 World Cup.Bayern, meanwhile, had a last-16 German Cup match at Bochum later that evening.Photo: Soren Lerby of Denmark in may 1986 (Credit: VI Images via Getty Images)
Bayern Munich have yet to lose this season in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. The Bavarian club did show signs of vulnerability when they drew 2-2 draw at Union Berlin, which ended their 16-game winning streak from the start of the campaign. The result meant Bayern fell one game short of matching its Bundesliga-record 10-game winning start to the league from 2015. So are they the best team in Europe? Away from Germany, Dutch giants Ajax have sacked manager John Heitinga less than six months after he joined the club from Liverpool. Heitinga have won just five of his 11 Eredivisie matches in charge and the club have lost all four of their Champions League matches this season, including a 3-0 home defeat to Galatasaray on Wednesday. What is going wrong at Ajax.John Bennett is joined by German football writer Constantin Eckner, Dutch football reporter Arthur Renard, the BBC's Mike McCarthy and World Football's Mani Djazmi. (Image: Bayern Munich celebrating, Credit: Getty Images)
Mjallby, a team from a tiny fishing village, are about to become champions of Sweden for the first time.It’s one of the biggest shocks in recent European football history, and defender Tom Pettersson has been telling World Football’s Mani Djazmi how it’s happened.Image: Mjallby's Tom Pettersson against Djurgarden's Haris Radetinac during an Allsvenskan match between Djurgardens IF and Mjallby AIF at Tele2 Arena on May 21, 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)
The President of the Norwegian Football Federation, Lise Klaveness, tells Mani Djazmi why they have chosen a home game against Israel to donate profits from ticket sales to a charity working in Gaza.Image: Norwegian Football Federation president Lise Klaveness looks on prior to the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Japan and Norway at Wellington Regional Stadium on August 05, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Maja Hitij - FIFA via Getty Images)
It’s Champions League romance as Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty face the mighty Real Madrid.Kairat player Damir Kasabulat tells Mani Djazmi what it means just to be in the competition, the reaction when the players discovered that their first home game would be against Real Madrid, and who he might take to London when they play Arsenal.Image: Geovany Quenda of Sporting CP with Damir Kassabulat and Luis Mata of FC Kairat Almaty in action during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1 match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and FC Kairat Almaty at Estadio Jose Alvalade. (Photo by David Martins/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Not many football players will be like Christian Burgess. The English defender has a first-class honours degree in history and is making history on the pitch for Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise.He’s captaining the side as they make their Champions League debut this season and Burgess tells World Football’s Mani Djazmi about his path from university to now Champions League football.He shares his disbelief at making his debut in Europe’s premier club competition just a month before his 34th birthday.Burgess shares his own personal view of the situation facing refugees trying to cross the English channel. There are many other opinions and we aim to reflect them all on the BBC World Service and across the BBC.Image: Christian Burgess of Union Saint-Gilloise celebrates after the team's victory during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 match between R. Union Saint-Gilloise and Liverpool FC at Stade Joseph Marien on December 14, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)
Every season teams across Europe compete for a place in the Uefa Champions League, but who are the clubs from Cyprus, Norway, Belgium and even a team north of the Arctic Circle making their debuts in Europe’s top-tier club competition?Pafos FC of Cyprus, Norway's Bodo/Glimt, Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan and Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise all advanced through the qualifying rounds to make history by reaching the competition’s league phase for the first time.Maz Farookhi is joined by football reporter George Addo to get the views from each of the four sides making their debuts.Image: Jaja (C) of Pafos celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League Play-offs Round Second Leg match between Pafos and Crvena Zvezda at Limassol Stadium on August 26, 2025 in Limassol, Cyprus. (Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty Images)
The Fluminense goalkeeper, Fabio, is the new holder of the world record for the number of professional appearances. His former teammate at Cruzeiro, Fabiano, tells Mani Djazmi about Fabio’s dedication and describes him as an inspiration for any player who wants to keep going for as long as possible.We also hear from Fluminense fan Bruno Stefano who was at Fabio’s historic 1,391st appearance.Photo: Fabio of Fluminese during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 semi-final match between Fluminense FC and Chelsea FC at MetLife Stadium on July 8, 2025 in East Rutherford, United States. (Credit: AMA/Getty Images)
The future of England and Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze has been one of the major talking points of the current transfer window.It had been thought he would join Tottenham, with a deal agreed between the clubs until their biggest rivals in North London, Arsenal, also reached an agreement with Palace.Eze started his youth career with Arsenal, and has been one of Palace’s key players and helped them to win the FA Cup last season.John Bennett is joined by former Tottenham defender Stephen Kelly and Crystal Palace forward Kwesi Appiah as they give their perspectives.PHOTO CREDIT: Eberechi Eze of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his sides goal which is later disallowed following a VAR review during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on August 17, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Ahead of the start of the European leagues, John Bennett brings together our European football experts to preview the Bundesliga, La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1.Joining John is World Football’s Mani Djazmi, German writer and broadcaster Constantin Eckner, Italian football expert Daniele Verri, Ernest Macia from Radio Catalunya and L’Equipe’s Loic Tanzi.The panel discuss the big clubs and key battles in Europe as well as the teams and players to watch and also share who they think will win the Ballon d'Or.Image: Thomas Muller of FC Bayern Munich celebrates with the Meisterschale trophy after the teams 2-0 victory in the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Borussia Mönchengladbach at Allianz Arena on May 10, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
The Marshall Islands’ claim to sporting fame, according to themselves, has been that they’re the last nation in the world to have a senior national football team.They’ll take to the pitch for their very first 11v11 international match against US Virgin Islands at a tournament in Arkansas - where they'll also be playing against Turks and Caicos.Head coach Lloyd Owers describes the feeling of history being made and tells World Football’s Mani Djazmi about how they’ve reached this point.Image: The squad who will represent the Marshall Islands for the first time in an international fixture. (Credit: Marshall Islands Soccer Federation)
Are Liverpool the team to beat again? Will Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea be their closest challengers? Where will Manchester United finish? Can the three promoted clubs stay up?World Football’s John Bennett is joined by former Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and USA goalkeeper Brad Friedel and former Everton, Fulham, Liverpool and England striker Natasha Dowie to preview the Premier League season.They discuss how teams are looking ahead of the season and also predict their title winners, the promoted team who is most likely to survive and their player to watch.Image: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool, lifts the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
In this edition of World Football we’re chatting with one of the biggest names in Egyptian football, Mido.As a striker he spent his career with some of the biggest clubs across Europe representing the likes of Ajax, Roma, Marseille and Tottenham while also winning over 50 caps for his country.He’s now looking to unearth the next generation of Egyptian talent to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before, and players like Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah and Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush who will both play key roles for their club sides and Egypt over the coming season.John Bennett has been speaking to Mido at The Maker Academy in Cairo.Image: Egyptian star striker Ahmad "Mido" Hossam celebrates after scoring the first goal against Libya during the opening football match at the African Nations Cup (CAN) in Cairo 20 January 2006. (Photo by KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images)
Maz Farookhi presents reaction from Rabat as Nigeria come back from 2-0 down to beat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations final.For Nigeria, it is a record extending 10th title, while Morocco have now lost the last two finals.The Atlas Lionesses led 2-0 at the break in Rabat through Ghizlane Chebbak's fine curling effort and a scuffed shot from Sanaa Mssoudy.But Esther Okoronkwo inspired the West Africans after the break, pulling a goal back from the penalty spot in the 64th minute after Nouhaila Benzina handled Folamide Ijamilusi's cross.Okoronko burst into the Morocco box and squared for Ijamilusi to equalise in the 71st minute, then teed up substitute Jennifer Echegini to score the winner with two minutes of the game remaining.Four time Wafcon winner Desire Oparanozie and BBC Sport Africa’s Rob Stevens join Maz from the Olympic Stadium.Photo: Nigeria's players celebrate with the trophy on the podium after winning the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations final football match against Morocco at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on July 26, 2025. (Credit: AFP via Getty Images)
Maz Farookhi is joined by the voice of African Football Mark Gleeson to preview the final of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations between Nigeria and Morocco.Four-time Wafcon winner Osinachi Ohale tells Maz about how she is helping the younger members of the Nigeria squad to prepare for the big occasion. Moroccan sports journalist Kaoutar Alaidi explains the anticipation in the country ahead of the host’s ambition to win the competition for the first time.North African football journalist Maher Mezahi joins Maz to discuss the controversial appointment of Morocco’s head coach Jorge Vilda and how a triumph for his side in Rabat could see him leave a long legacy on football in Morocco.Image: Morocco's players react during the penalty shootout at the end of the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations semi-final football match between Morocco and Ghana at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on July 22, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP via Getty Images)
Bahiya Lahmidy, the head of women’s football at ASFAR, Morocco’s most successful club, tells Maz Farookhi about the club’s rise to dominance and how she hopes a Morocco win at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations could help develop football for females further in the country.Maz is also joined by BBC Sport Africa’s Rob Stevens on the legacy of this tournament and what needs to be done ahead as the country prepares to host a men’s and another women’s AFCON in the next 12 months.Image: Morocco's forward #19 Sakina Ouzraoui celebrates with defender #14 Aziza Rabbah after scoring her team's equaliser during the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations semi-final football match against Ghana at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on July 22, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid/AFP via Getty Images)
The two finalists of this year's Women’s Africa Cup of Nations are now confirmed, but it wasn’t without drama for both Morocco and Nigeria.BBC World Football’s Maz Farookhi is in Casablanca where she saw Nigeria beat defending champions South Africa 2-1 with a dramatic stoppage time winner. Maz dissects the match with sports journalists Firdose Moonda and Onyinyechi Obaroh.Match winner Michelle Alozie shares the emotion of scoring the goal that sent Nigeria through to the final and also hear from South Africa defender Lebohang Ramalepe.Nigeria will face the hosts Morocco in the final and Piers Edwards reflects on their penalty shootout win in their semi-final against Ghana, with the former Nigeria goalkeeper Rachael Ayegba.Image: Morocco's players celebrate after winning the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations semi-final football match against Ghana at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat on July 22, 2025. (Photo by Abdel Majid BZIOUAT / AFP via Getty Images)
BBC World Football’s Maz Farookhi is joined by Ghanian sports journalist Veronica Commey to discuss the Black Queens run to the semi-finals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.Ghana have reached the last four for the first time since 2016 and Commey believes their future is bright, even if the three-times runners up don’t go on to lift the trophy. She also believes they face a difficult atmosphere against hosts Morocco but is confident the players won’t suffer with stage fright. Plus, the BBC's Celestine Karoney has been inside the Ghana camp to speak to winger, Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah.Credit: Cynthia Konlan of Ghana looks on during the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Costa Rica 2022 group D match between Japan and Ghana at Alejandro Morera Soto on August 14, 2022 in Alajuela, Costa Rica. (Photo: FIFA via Getty Images)
The dust is still settling after two more dramatic quarter-finals went the distance on Saturday, and we now know our final four at this Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. It includes two of the tournament heavyweights: Nigeria face South Africa on Tuesday. The nine-time champions sailed through their quarter final with a 5-0 win over Zambia. Meanwhile, reigning champions South Africa failed to find a goal in the 90 minutes or in extra time on Saturday against Senegal - but got over the line in the penalty shoot-out. Ghana play Morocco in Tuesday’s later kick-off. Maz Farookhi and guests look ahead to all the action, and we hear from Nigeria and Super Falcons defender Ashley Plumptre about the potential of a return of the grudge match-up with South Africa from three years ago.
The semi-final line up is complete for the Women's Euros 2025. Italy will face defending champions England on Tuesday in Geneva while world champions Spain will come up against the eight time winners Germany on Wednesday in Zurich. Delyth Lloyd and Sophia Hartley are joined by experts to preview both fixtures – it’s the first time Italy have reached this stage since 1997, so are they the surprise team of the tournament? We hear from England’s Beth Mead, and discuss the power of the Lionesses’ bench. And when it comes to the World Champions, Spain, have they really been challenged so far in the tournament? Plus, we discuss the penalty conundrum that has plagued the tournament – with Germany goalkeeper Ann-Katrin Berger’s outstanding performance to help her side defy France, paired with Germany’s prowess from the spot, would that give the eight-time champions the edge should it come down to penalties?
Zambia take on Nigeria in the quarterfinals of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, looking to improve on their third placed finish in 2022.Barbra Banda and Rachel Kundananji will be leading their attack, so how will Nigeria stop them? Standing in their way will be Nigeria goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie who’s been speaking to BBC World Football's Maz Farookhi.Maz also speaks to Banda and is joined on the podcast by Zambian sports journalist Lydia Makina and ex Nigeria goalkeeper Rachel Ayegba to preview the stand out tie.Credit: Zambia's forward #11 Barbra Banda celebrates scoring a goal in the women's group B football match between Australia and Zambia during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the Nice Stadium in Nice on July 28, 2024. (Photo: AFP via Getty Images)
World Football's Maz Farookhi previews the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals from Morocco with Nigeria journalist Biola Solace-Chukwu from Ladies March and Moroccan journalist Kaoutar Alaidi.You’ll hear from Nigeria’s Rasheedat Ajibade about what it’s like to captain the Super Falcons players and what they have learned from the group stage as they face title rivals Zambia, plus Maz discusses the hopes of Morocco and South Africa in the tournament.Photo: Rasheedat Ajibade #15 of Team Nigeria reacts during the Women's group C match between Nigeria and Brazil during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux on July 25, 2024 in Bordeaux, France. (Credit: FIFA via Getty Images)
Chelsea are taking on Paris Saint-Germain in the first ever final of the new look, expanded FIFA Club World Cup. It’s a tournament that’s made headlines on and off the pitch since it kicked off in June. Sportsworld’s John Bennett is joined by two experts from London and Paris to look ahead to the final in New Jersey.
Nigeria are the first team through to the quarter-finals of WAFCON after defeating Botswana 1-0 at Stade El Arbi Zaouli in Casablanca on Thursday.World Football's Sophia Hartley, the BBC’s Ian Williams and the former Nigerian goalkeeper Rachael Ayegba reflect on the win and discuss who they could play in the last eight.PHOTO: Oshoala of Nigeria and Fc Barcelona during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between England and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium on August 7, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Sophia Hartley is joined by footballer writer Firdose Moonda and South African sport journalist Buisiswe Mokwena to discuss the start of Banyana Banyana's defence of their Women's Africa Cup of Nations title. There are questions over how the title holders will fare in the start of their campaign amidst ongoing disputes in the South African camp.PHOTO: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: Desiree Ellis, Head Coach of South Africa, is seen prior to the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Round of 16 match between Netherlands and South Africa at Sydney Football Stadium on August 06, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Nigeria’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign began with a convincing 3-0 victory against Tunisia. As the Super Falcons bid for a historic tenth WAFCON title, Sophia Hartley is joined by former Nigerian goalkeeper Rachel Ayegba to reflect on the opening weekend fixtures of the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations, plus you’ll hear from former Super Falcons goalkeeper Desire Oparanozie who is covering the tournament in Morocco.PHOTO: BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 31: Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria reacts after a missed chance during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group B match between Ireland and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium on July 31, 2023 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Mani Djazmi is joined by Eduardo Alvarez to look back on the Club World Cup so far - analysing the performances of Manchester City, Real Madrid, and the Brazilian clubs – and assessing just how much of a shock was provided by Al-Hilal as they beat Manchester City.They discuss the issues the tournament has faced and also look ahead to the quarter-final ties and plot a path to glory for one of them.PHOTO: ORLANDO, FLORIDA - JUNE 30: Ruben Neves of Al Hilal celebrates after the win at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 round of 16 match between Manchester City and Al-Hilal at Camping World Stadium on June 30, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
World Football meets identical twins Karen and Sara Holmgaard, who are both in Denmark’s squad for Euro 2025. They tell John Bennett that going to Switzerland as a pair is special and that it’s a dream to play together, after Karen missed the 2023 World Cup through injury. They also discuss the influence Pernille Harder has on Denmark’s squad and their hopes for the tournament.The twins spent last season playing for Everton and discuss how they feel, following the announcement Sara is leaving the club for Real Madrid. PHOTO: HELSINGOR, DENMARK - JUNE 21: (L-R) Sara Holmgaard and Karen Holmgaard of Denmark pose for a portrait during the official UEFA Women's EURO 2022 portrait session on June 21, 2022 in Helsingor, Denmark. (Photo by Oliver Hardt - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
