Interesting World Cup history: the best podcasts of the week | TV & radio

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Our Copa

Former United States soccer star Merritt Mathias (pictured above) and journalists Musa Okwonga and Julio Ricardo Varela are an impressive group of “soccer/soccer time travelers”. They trace the history of how international powers have tried to influence the game and make it political. After setting the stage for this year’s World Cup, he will first look at the 1934 tournament under Mussolini’s Italy, which Uruguay boycotted. Hollie Richardson
YouTube and Spotify, episodes every week

It’s Political: Who Funds Reform?

Is the future of the UK being shaped by useless donations from crypto tycoons? It’s a daunting question this four-part podcast – a collaboration between Goalhanger and the Observer – attempts to answer by exploring the Reform funding system (and Nigel Farage’s unusual spending) and exploring what donors want in return. Rachel Aroesti
It is widely available, episodes every week

Gossip & Murder

These stories from former sports journalists in the US Tracy Sandler and Nikki Kay (pictured above right) highlight the issues that are at the intersection of culture and popular sports, from the “famous lines” of the NBA to the basketball player Josh Hart who recently decided to bring a glass of red wine to the press conference. RA
It is widely available, episodes every week

If You Want … Himan Brown’s Radio Mystery Theater

Himan Brown was an American radio legend, producing over 30,000 programs in his career. This podcast from the 2024 biographical award-winner celebrates the series from the 1970s, including behind-the-scenes footage of old movies from Brown scholar John Slavney. RA
It is widely available, episodes every week

True Crime: Split

Reminiscing about traumatic events from the past is one of the foundations of the podcast medium. This new collection adds relevant expertise to the failure process with the help of investigative reporter Paul Connolly and psychologist Sohom Das, who begin by looking at hate crimes in Golders Green and Charleston. RA
It is widely available, episodes every week