Best African Defence Review Podcasts (2025)

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UN’s Navi Pillay: Israel committing genocide in Gaza war 27:50

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3d ago27:50

27:50

Nearly two years into Israel’s war on Gaza, a United Nations fact-finding mission has delivered its most damning verdict yet: genocide. Navi Pillay, chairwoman of the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, says Israeli leaders’ statements and the destruction on the ground prove intent. Speaking to …

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Christian Burgess: The history graduate making history with Union Saint-Gilloise 15:43

21m ago15:43

15:43

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 un…

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The Muslim world must move from words to action 27:20

1d ago27:20

27:20

In the wake of Israel's unprecedented strike on Qatari soil, Muslim leaders are weighing their response. Pakistan, the Islamic world's only nuclear power, warns that words alone will not deter further aggression. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar tells Talk to Al Jazeera that Pakistan, as part of the Ummah or global comm…

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Iraq’s rivers are drying: A nation faces water collapse 28:15

12d ago28:15

28:15

Iraq, once known as Mesopotamia, the “Land of the Two Rivers”, is facing its worst water crisis in living memory. The Tigris and Euphrates — lifelines of agriculture and civilisation for millennia — are running dry. Climate change, upstream dams and decades of mismanagement have turned fertile land into dust, forcing families from their homes and t…

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The real crisis isn’t climate change, ecologist Sandra Diaz says 28:25

19d ago28:25

28:25

Sandra Myrna Diaz, one of the world’s most influential ecologists, argues that humanity is missing the bigger picture. While climate change dominates headlines, she warns the deeper crisis is biodiversity collapse, the unravelling of the living web of plants, animals, soil and water that sustains life. In this Talk to Al Jazeera interview, Diaz cri…

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Who are the Champions League debutants making history? 15:30

13d ago15:30

15:30

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 advanc…

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Fabio: World record holder 13:40

14d ago13:40

13:40

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 wh…

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Eberechi Eze: The transfer dividing Arsenal and Tottenham 7:52

19d ago7:52

7:52

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…

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Floating cities? Koen Olthius explains why | Talk to Al Jazeera 27:10

1M ago27:10

27:10

As climate change pushes sea levels higher, Dutch architect Koen Olthuis says the answer isn’t higher dikes - it’s floating cities. From luxury homes in the Netherlands to sustainable floating schools in slums and entire island communities in the Maldives, his vision blends architecture and adaptation. But can floating design truly offer an inclusi…

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Eurostars: Who are the teams and players to watch across Europe? 43:00

26d ago43:00

43:00

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 Ta…

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Marshall Islands: ‘The last nation on earth’ to finally play an international football match 11:35

27d ago11:35

11:35

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. He…

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Who can stop Liverpool winning another Premier League title? 49:00

1M ago49:00

49:00

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, Liverp…

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Mido: The Egyptian star aiming to unearth the next generation of talent 11:56

1M ago11:56

11:56

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 Egy…

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Sabina Tanovic: How architecture shapes memory and justice 28:25

2M ago28:25

28:25

How do we remember war, and who gets remembered? In this episode of Talk to Al Jazeera, Step Vaessen speaks to Sabina Tanovic, a Sarajevo-born expert in memorial architecture. From the genocide in Srebrenica to the destruction in Gaza, Tanovic explores how monuments shape justice, history, and collective healing.…

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Wafcon: Nigeria shock Morocco to complete Mission X 28:12

2M ago28:12

28:12

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 s…

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Wafcon final: Will hosts Morocco stop Nigeria’s Mission X? 30:11

2M ago30:11

30:11

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 expl…

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What a WAFCON win could do for Moroccan football 15:00

2M ago15:00

15:00

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 t…

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Morocco and Nigeria reach Wafcon final after semi-final drama 32:37

2M ago32:37

32:37

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 Mo…

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WAFCON: Ghana look to reach the final for first time in 19 years 16:51

2M ago16:51

16:51

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…

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WAFCON 2024: The Final Four 48:18

2M ago48:18

48:18

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,…

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Euro 2025: The Final Four 42:52

2M ago42:52

42:52

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 reache…

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Wafcon: Best defence v best attack? 25:47

2M ago25:47

25:47

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 …

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WAFCON: Nigeria vs Zambia - The big quarterfinal showdown 26:23

2M ago26:23

26:23

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 sta…

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Club World Cup Final: John Bennett looks ahead to PSG v Chelsea 10:41

2M ago10:41

10:41

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.…

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WAFCON: Nigeria book first spot in the quarter-finals 15:00

2M ago15:00

15:00

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 a…

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WAFCON: South Africa's challenges on and off the pitch 15:00

2M ago15:00

15:00

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. PH…

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Nigeria target tenth WAFCON title after first win 15:00

2M ago15:00

15:00

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 Sup…

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Just eight teams left in the FIFA Club World Cup. 19:53

3M ago19:53

19:53

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-f…

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Denmark twins Karen and Sara Holmgaard are ready for a special EURO 2025 12:19

3M ago12:19

12:19

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 t…

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Euro 2025: Made in Switzerland 25:26

3M ago25:26

25:26

Sophia Hartley looks ahead to UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 and the country at the heart of Europe hosting this year’s tournament, Switzerland. With access inside the Swiss camp and a seat at the table with UEFA Head of Women’s Football Nadine Kessler, World football explores what people can expect from the hosts, their chances in the tournament and what …

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The Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Preview 38:54

3M ago38:54

38:54

The build up is well under way ahead of the 15th Women's Africa Cup of Nations. The tournament is taking place in Morocco with 12 teams are taking part including the holders South Africa. Delyth Lloyd is joined by World Football’s Maz Farookhi as well as the former Nigeria goalkeeper Rachael Ayegba and South African football journalist Busisiwe Mok…

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How Sudan’s war is driving Chad’s humanitarian collapse 27:00

3M ago27:00

27:00

As Sudan’s war effects spill into Chad, the country faces the world’s most underfunded refugee crisis. Nearly a million Sudanese, mostly women and children, have fled, but aid is vanishing, disease is looming, and the system is on the verge of collapse. In this episode of Talk to Al Jazeera, Ahmed Idris speaks to a United Nations lead official in C…

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IAEA chief: No evidence Iran is building a nuclear weapon 28:15

3M ago28:15

28:15

As Israel bombs Iranian nuclear sites under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspection, questions mount over nuclear double standards and the credibility of the global system. Iran accuses the IAEA of bias and complicity, while Israel - an undeclared nuclear power - remains outside treaty obligations. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi r…

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Can African teams make an impression at the Club World Cup? 8:22

3M ago8:22

8:22

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…

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What can we expect from the Club World Cup? 16:33

3M ago16:33

16:33

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…

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What next for Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT? 13:37

3M ago13:37

13:37

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 …

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The struggle for Iranian women to attend football matches - 20 years on 22:24

3M ago22:24

22:24

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 revolutio…

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History made: Debutants Uzbekistan and Jordan celebrate World Cup places 8:59

3M ago8:59

8:59

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. …

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Australia to Argentina: Premier League fans' review of the season 47:16

3M ago47:16

47:16

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…

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Eurostars pick their Euro stars 55:05

3M ago55:05

55:05

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 t…

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PSG make Champions League history against Inter 26:07

3M ago26:07

26:07

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 bring…

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The Miracle of Istanbul: 20 years since Liverpool's comeback Champions League win 49:26

4M ago49:26

49:26

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…

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Premier League 2025: End of season awards 6:01

4M ago6:01

6:01

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 Asmi…

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Ange Postecoglou: Australia’s path-finder 15:17

4M ago15:17

15:17

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 ris…

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Could the German Bundesliga be about to welcome its smallest ever team? 11:43

4M ago11:43

11:43

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 Wor…

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Trailer: Bill Walton’s The Grateful Team 3:21

4M ago3:21

3:21

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 su…

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Union Berlin’s rise to the Frauen Bundesliga 8:33

4M ago8:33

8:33

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 Wolfsbu…

1
Auckland’s debut champions 19:03

4M ago19:03

19:03

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…

1
Barcelona and Real Madrid deliver a classic El Clasico 7:12

4M ago7:12

7:12

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. Barce…

1
Michele Kang’s women’s football revolution 10:11

4M ago10:11

10:11

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 Washing…