The End of Sport

In this episode, Priyanash interviews David Goldblatt, a renowned football writer and academic, to explore the political, cultural, and economic dimensions of the World Cup and football's role in society. They discuss the legacy of recent tournaments, FIFA's organizational challenges, and the potential for reform and resistance within the sport. 

David Goldblatt is a writer, journalist and academic. He has written four previous...

In this episode, Derek and Priyansh chat with educator, writer, poet and podcaster extraordinaire Nashwa Lina Khan about the cultural, political, and social significance of the Moroccan men’s football team and the 2026 MAGA World Cup. Nashwa shares insights on Morocco's remarkable World Cup journey, the political and social implications of football celebrations, and the systemic issues surrounding the tournament.  &...

In this episode, Anna Olimpia de Moura Leite and Amanda Jorri join us to explain how Brazilian football is beset by colonial logics. Following an examination of the current team and the crisis of football coaching in Brazil, Anna and Amanda reflect on the way out of this predicament and look forward to the 2027 women's World Cup.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and episode overview

00:52 Guests introduce themselves and their work

02:07 The...

**CW: This episode contains discussions of sexual violence.**

In this episode of Out of Left Field, we are joined by Daniel Sailofsky to explore corruption in FIFA, sexual violence and the MAGA World Cup, the role of athletes in political activism, and the recent Supreme Court decision on trans athletes, highlighting issues of fairness, justice, and systemic bias in sports.

For more of Daniel on this topic, see recent interviews h...

In this episode, we feature Eric Sheehan, a dedicated organizer representing both NOlympicsLA and the Anti-fascist Football Coalition, alongside Carlos Sirah of the Black Alliance for Peace, Southern California. Together we explore the intersection of mega sporting events like the World Cup and Olympics with issues of displacement, capitalism, and resistance and discuss how these events serve as tools for gentrification and state r...

In this episode, Priyansh and Derek sit down with Alexander Aviña to discuss Mexico's participation in and hosting of the 2026 MAGA World Cup and what it means for the people.

Hosts in this episode: Derek and Priyansh

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In this episode, we explore the environmental and social impacts of the World Cup, focusing on climate change, fossil fuel sponsorship, and the future of football. Our guest, Peter Crisp from Fossil Free Football, shares insights on how the sport can lead change and hold governing bodies accountable.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to World Cup Coverage and Heat Concerns

02:51 Environmental Impacts of the World Cup

06:03 FIFA's Resp...

In this episode, Nathan and Priyansh speak with Nihal El Aasar, who explores the rich history of Egyptian football, its cultural significance, and its political implications, especially in relation to Egypt's participation in the World Cup and regional politics.

Nihal El Aasar is an Egyptian writer, researcher, political analyst, and radio host based in London. She writes about politics, political economy, culture, and literature fo...

This episode features a deep dive into the complexities of the 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup in Qatar, exploring media narratives, labor issues, geopolitical relations, and the broader implications of sportswashing. Nathan and Priyansh sit down with Thomas Ross Griffin to get an insider perspective on Qatar's society, economy, and the global context of the tournament.

Thomas Ross Griffin is Assistant Professor of English & Comparati...

This episode of Out of Left Field covers the truly heinous fascist imagery used by the Department of Homeland Security, how the World Cup is sportswashing this terrible regime, the treatment of Iranian football players, and racism surrounding the WC. 

Keywords: World Cup 2022, sportswashing, athlete activism, fascism, FIFA, Iran, US Soccer, Qatar, social justice, sports politics

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Wor...

In this episode, we explore the global politics of football, focusing on the notable absence of China and South Asia writ large at the World Cup, and the broader implications of sports as soft power and economic development tools.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the MAGA World Cup Episode

03:42 The Importance of China and South Asia in Football

06:45 Broadcasting Rights and Market Dynamics

14:57 Cultural Significance of Football in China...

In this episode, we explore the intersection of geopolitics and international sports, focusing on the 2026 World Cup, Iran's participation, and the broader implications of global power dynamics. Our guest, Adnan Husain, offers deep insights into how politics, diplomacy, and sports collide on the world stage.

This episode features a deep dive into the political implications of FIFA's recent actions regarding Palestine and Israel, Ir...

In this episode, Derek Silva, Priyansh, and guest Sina Rahmani analyze the 2026 World Cup, its political implications, and the broader geopolitical context involving Iran, and the belligerent imperial US and Israel states.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the World Cup and Live Content

02:16 World Cup Format and Hydration Breaks

05:38 Impact of Hydration Breaks on Game Dynamics

09:24 Surprise Results and Team Performances

14:28 Iran's Part...

Karim Zidan, an investigative journalist and author, explores the complex relationship between sport, politics, and authoritarian regimes through his podcast Power Plays and upcoming book. This episode delves into how FIFA's World Cup has historically been exploited by regimes to legitimize power, the role of protests, and the future of global sporting events amidst political turmoil.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introductio...

Our 2026 MAGA World Cup coverage continues with this in-depth conversation with Zito Madu, exploring the political, cultural, and social dimensions of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Nathan, Priyansh and Zito talk about the impact of geopolitics on sports, the role of athletic labor, and the significance of football as a space for resistance and cultural exchange.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the MAGA FIFA World Cup

02:44 Cultural Signific...

On this episode of EoS’ Out of Left Field, the hosts launch their 2026 MAGA World Cup coverage with a wide-ranging discussion about our ethical stance on this blood stained tournament, who we are (and are not!) cheering for, and all of the VISA and police state issues that make this one of the worst mega events of recent years. 

Keywords: World Cup Qatar 2022, sportswashing, geopolitics, visas, protests, human rights, FIF...

Join us as we explore Joseph Darda's new book 'Gift and Grit,' which examines how sports have shaped racial and social narratives in America since the civil rights era. Discover insights into the racialization of giftedness, the evolution of college sports, and the complex relationship between fans, athletes, and capitalism.

Keywords: sports, race, social debt, giftedness, college sports, racial formation, capitalism, sports media, ...

This episode explores the complex issues of gender, testosterone, and fairness in women's sports, featuring insights from Sasha Gollish & Roger Pielke Jr. Sasha Gollish is a competitive elite runner for Team Canada, an engineer with a PhD in civil engineering, and researcher at the University of Toronto’s Mental Health and Physical Activity Research Centre. She is the co-founder of Yellow Running Shoes and an advocate for...

In this episode of the End of Sport podcast, Nathan Kalman-Lamb and Anna Posbergh speak with Brandon Wallace, an assistant professor at Indiana University, about the intersection of sports, social movements, and activism. They 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.

Keywords: social movem...