Morocco at the World Cup Friend of the show Nashwa Lina Khan joins to discuss the cultural, political, and social significance of the Moroccan men’s national team at the MAGA World Cup. open.spotify.com/episode/3g41...

What Explains Brazil’s Football Decline? Anna Olimpia de Moura Leite and Amanda Jorri join to discuss the colonial logics destroying Brazilian football. open.spotify.com/episode/72w3...

How Football Explains Egypt The incredible Nihal El Aasar joins to discuss the rich cultural and political significance of Egyptian football, including its role in the revolution and relationship with Gaza. She might even make you cheer for Egypt vs Iran. 😳 open.spotify.com/episode/6bbH...

Revisiting the 2022 Qatar World Cup Thomas Ross Griffin joins to reflect on how Orientalism defined coverage of the last World Cup, including media narratives, labor issues, geopolitical relations, and the broader implications of sportswashing. open.spotify.com/episode/5iCt...

Why Aren’t China, India, and Pakistan at the World Cup? @karachikhatmal.bsky.social and Chen Chen join to break down the significance of the world’s most popular sport to the culture and political economy of the world’s most populous regions. open.spotify.com/episode/3qKX...

US-Iran and the World Cup @adnanhusain.bsky.social joins for an epic breakdown of the geopolitical dynamics at the World Cup and in the MOU between Iran and the United States. This is an all-timer. open.spotify.com/episode/74Pe...

Join us live tomorrow for our discussion of Iran, Palestine, Iraq, and the 2026 MAGA World Cup. m.youtube.com/watch?v=zOJa...

FIFA's World Cup and Authoritarianism @karimzidan.com of @sportspolitika.news joins to discuss how the Tournament has historically been exploited to legitimize power, the role of protests, and the future of global sporting events amidst political turmoil. open.spotify.com/episode/12nu...

The Politics of the 2026 MAGA World Cup The amazing @zeets.bsky.social joins to help us preview the stakes of the tournament, the impact of geopolitics on sports, the role of athletic labor, and the significance of football for resistance and cultural exchange. open.spotify.com/episode/5HZs...

TOMORROW

OLF #12: MAGA WORLD CUP KICKOFF STREAM We break down what to watch for (if you must) in this blood-stained tournament, and who you are and are not allowed to cheer for. open.spotify.com/episode/1YWN...

How Sports Shape Racial Narratives in America Joe Darda joins to discuss his wonderful new @universitypress.cambridge.org book *Gift and Grit* on race, sports, and the construction of social debt. open.spotify.com/episode/4vLQ...

Incredible roster of World Cup guests incoming including @zeets.bsky.social, @leylahamed.bsky.social, @karimzidan.com, @karachikhatmal.bsky.social and so many more.

The Science and Politics of Gender in Women's Sports @thehonestbroker.bsky.social and @sgollishruns.bsky.social join to explore the complex issues of gender, testosterone, and fairness in women's sports. open.spotify.com/episode/7crq...

The Evolution of Athlete Activism @brandontwallace.bsky.social joins to explore the evolving landscape of athlete activism, the role of grassroots organizations like Know Your Rights Camp, and the complexities of balancing critique with actionable solutions. open.spotify.com/episode/0ifo...

How FIFA Fuels the Occupation of Palestine We talk to Jill Thomson about a blockbuster new report exposing FIFA's close collaboration with Israel in the violation of its own statutes and international law via the IFA clubs that play in Palestinian territory. open.spotify.com/episode/4MUS...

OLF #11 Anna makes a huge announcement and then we discuss the “Enhanced Games,” problems with putative “holistic coaching,” the NAACP Statement on Black athletes, and the FIFA World Cup. open.spotify.com/episode/34wP...

Check out Adrian Harewood's @ricochetmedia.bsky.social podcast In Bed with the Elephant. inbedwiththeelephant.podbean.com

How the Media Upholds Imperialism Former CBC and current @ricochetmedia.bsky.social host Adrian Harewood joins to explore the manifold crises besetting the mainstream media and sports/media complex with a particular focus on Canada's national broadcaster. open.spotify.com/episode/2GBL...

Anti-Trans Politics and Global Fascism Dr. CJ Jones joins to explore the intersection of gender, sports, + political mobilization. We dive into how trans visibility, legislative trends, + anti-gender movements shape the realities of athletes and institutions today. open.spotify.com/episode/6FgI...

Inside FIFA and the Politics of Mega-Events Great friend of the show @julesboykoff.bsky.social joins to discuss his wonderful new @dukepress.bsky.social book *Kicking*, sportswashing, and the upcoming World Cup. open.spotify.com/episode/3fKt...

Red Sullivan's Fight for Trans Rights in Sport Fencer Red Sullivan shares her experiences with trans exclusion, sports policies, and the interconnectedness of social issues. open.spotify.com/episode/2Pdu...

"Tested" and the Resurgence of Sex Testing The incredible @reveleth.com returns to discuss the complex history and ethics of sex testing in elite sports, exploring how policies are manufactured and their impact on athletes' human rights. open.spotify.com/episode/3pd0...

Boxing and US Imperial Decline Gerald Horne and @tonyjballas.bsky.social join to explore US imperialism and the complex intersections of boxing, race, and culture. open.spotify.com/episode/0aPv...

The Racial Capitalism 'Debate' We sit down with the incredible Dr. Charisse Burden-Stelly to weigh in on recent Racial Capitalism ‘debates.’ This one has nothing to do with sports. open.spotify.com/episode/4KWf...

Sports and the Strait of Hormuz We are joined by the amazing @lalehkhalili.bsky.social to discuss the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, the global shipping crisis, and the intersection of geopolitics and sports amid ongoing conflict. open.spotify.com/episode/2Tsg...

OLF #9 We talk Canada blocking visas for the PFA to FIFA Congress, the significance of the recent Hungarian Election, the expansion of biometric surveillance and it's impact on trans communities, and the brilliant athlete activism of Brianna Turner. open.spotify.com/episode/7y4Q...

The Sports Psychology Episode Lauren Beasley joins for a critical conversation about sports psych and athlete mental health. This one has been a LONG time coming. open.spotify.com/episode/1aYH...

The Hidden Labor of Ethiopian Runners Long-time friend of the pod @hborenstein.bsky.social joins to discuss the social and political economic dynamics that shape Ethiopian running and practicing the anthropology of sport. open.spotify.com/episode/0gkT...

Double Crossover with Courtney M. Cox Courtney Cox joins to discuss her @illinoispress.bsky.social book on race, gender, and athletic labor in women's basketball, exploring international fieldwork and innovative models like Athletes Unlimited. open.spotify.com/episode/2Pf6...