World Football

The former Ghana international Tony Yeboah talks openly about the racism he experienced while playing in Germany. We also hear from the former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given, who looks back on his career and the controversial referee decision which still haunts him.Claudio Ranieri reflects on life at Nantes. Plus, we find out about the dangers for women players in the Russian league.(Photo by Frank Peters/Bongarts/Getty Images)

This week's special guest is the former USA international Eric Wynalda, who now wants to run US soccer. Also on the show, we're all dressed up, our hair's neatly combed and we're off to the annual FIFA awards night where we'll meet up with the former France captain Marcel Desailly and the in-form Harry Kane. Plus, we'll hear from Bibiana Steinhaus...the first ever female referee to take charge of top level men's football.(Photo by Lutz Bongarts/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Does Qatar have enough time to find a good enough team for when they host the World Cup in 2022? Many have criticised the Qatari tradition of drafting in naturalised players to fill the national team, but is that criticism fair, and will it continue in the next five years? Also, Claude Makelele explains why France could struggle at next year's World Cup. And the great Spanish midfielder Xavi tells us how he turned down Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United to stay at Barcelona.(Photo: Xavi, captain of Al Sadd celebrates winning the 2017 Emir Cup at Khalifa International Stadium. Credit: Neville Hopwood/Getty Images)

On World Football, we look back on a feverish week of World Cup qualifiers in the Americas. We're with the United States as they were sensationally eliminated, ending a run of seven consecutive World Cup appearances. We're in Panama as they capitalized on the USA's misfortune to secure their World Cup debut. And we'll be asking why the South American champions Chile haven't made it to Russia 2018.Picture: Supporters of Panama celebrate after their team defeats Costa Rica and qualifies for the 2018 World Cup (RODRIGO ARANGUA/AFP/Getty Images)

A year ago, Atlanta United didn’t exist. Now they’re in the end-of-season play-offs and have broken the MLS attendance record.Alan Green reports from the city and meets the key figures at the heart of one of the world’s newest clubs.We preview the crucial World Cup qualifier between the United States and Panama with Matt Besler, and discuss Nigeria’s World Cup prospects with Jay-Jay Okocha.

The USA international Megan Rapinoe discusses her Olympic and World Cup victories, sexism and homophobia in the game and why she chose to 'take a knee' during the American national anthem.We also find out where it all started for PSG's Kylian Mbappe. We visit AS Bondy in the Paris suburbs to find out more about the club and coaches which shaped Mbappe.And in the second part of our interview with Ivan Rakitic, the Barcelona midfielder ttells us how he'd swap five Champions League titles for a World Cup.(Photo: US women's national soccer team player Megan Rapinoe. Credit: Harry How/Getty Images)

Barcelona's Ivan Rakitic tells us why it's difficult playing alongside Lionel Messi and how he regrets Neymar leaving the team. He also says Barcelona are motivated to do well this season for those affected by the recent terrorist attack in the city.Also on the show, Borussia Monchengladbach's Ibrahima Traore tells us how he went from playing street football in Paris to the Bundesliga in just twelve months. He also recalls his meeting with the Pope.Ghana's Anthony Baffoe reflects on what's going wrong with Black Stars, with next year's World Cup now seemingly out-of-reach. And the Indian goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh discusses his seven days in Pyongyang and waking up to the news that a missile flew over the team hotel.(Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Nigerian legend Sunday Oliseh, who is now the manager of Fortuna Sittard, tells us how difficult it is for African players to get coaching opportunities.World Cup winner Juliano Belletti assesses Brazil's chances at Russia 2018. And the Senegal defender Pape Souare talks about his return from injury following a terrible car crash. Plus, we're joined by the former Tottenham player Rohan Ricketts who's been described as the 'world's most travelled footballer' having played in Canada, Hungary, Moldova, Germany, Ireland, India, Ecuador, Bangladesh, Thailand and Hong Kong.

The Chief Executive of Ajax, Edwin van der Sar, calls on UEFA to address the trend of big clubs stockpiling the best young talent, only to loan them out.We meet one of the best connected men in football, the American sports executive Charlie Stillitano. As RB Leipzig prepare for the Champions League, former coach Alex Zorniger remembers the early days of fourth-tier football. And we hear from the President of Bristol Rovers FC, Wael Al-Qadi. But why has a wealthy Jordanian businessman decided to invest in England’s lower leagues?

The former AC Milan player and FIFA World Player of the Year, George Weah, looks back on his career. He also talks about his political aspirations after launching his campaign to become the next President of Liberia.Picture: Former international football star George Weah looks at his political supporters from his party's headquarters in Monrovia. (ZOOM DOSSO/AFP/Getty Images)

We investigate allegations of corruption inside Croatian and Greek football as HNK Rijeka and Olympiacos face each other for a place in the Champions League group stage.

We spend time with Girona FC as the Catalan club prepares for its first ever season in La Liga. Also on the show, the Burnley manager Sean Dyche talks about his love for dance music and handmade leather shoes.Picture: The Estadia Montilivi stadium during the Spanish Segunda Division match between Girona FC and SD Eibar (Josep Lago/EuroFootball/Getty Images)

Australian goalkeeper Maty Ryan talks about his move to Brighton, initiation songs and how he keeps his feet on he ground. We travel to Lille to find out about the coaching methods of the enigmatic Marcelo Bielsa. Plus, Eric Abidal talks about 'crazy' transfer fees and his emotional return to football after twice being diagnosed with cancer.Picture: Australian goalkeeper Mathew Ryan gestures during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualification match between the Socceroos and Tajikistan (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Ahead of the Euro 2017 final we discuss the state of the women's game. Yannick Bolasie talks about his rehabilitation following a serious knee injury. And comic book artist Paul Trevillion tells us about the ideas he's had which have shaped the modern game, such as replica kits, mascots and football stickers.Picture: Netherlands' Shanice van de Sanden celebrates after winning the UEFA Womens Euro 2017 football match against Sweden (Credit: DANIEL MIHAILESCU/AFP/Getty Images)

Some of football's most traveled managers swap stories about their experiences. We're joined by Stephen Constantine, Tom Saintfiet, Vera Pauw and Steve Darby...four coaches who between them have coached more than 20 national teams and countless clubs on four continents.(Photo: India's national football coach Stephen Constantine (R) addresses his players at a training camp in Bangalore (Indranil Mukherjee/AFP/Getty Images)

We're with Vikingur of the Faroe Islands and FC Copenhagen for the latest round of Uefa Champions League matches. We hear from the FC Copenhagen coach Ståle Solbakken about his near death experience. And the former Denmark midfielder John Jensen tells us how binge eating beef burgers was the secret to their shock European Championship success in 1992.Picture: FC Copenhagen fans (Joern Pollex/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Former USA captain Thomas Dooley talks about coaching the Philippines national team. Is there a secret as to why 25% of Premier League managers used to play for Barcelona? We ask Patrick Kluivert. And the former Werder Breman and New Zealand striker Wynton Rufer tells us about his fascinating career.(Photo: Patrick Kluivert poses with a t-shirt at a Global Legends Series event in Kuala Lumpur. Credit: Charles Pertwee/Getty Images)

We spend time with Andorra's FC Santa Coloma. Despite being a modest club, the Andorran champions do have a rather special left-back...the former World Cup winner Joan Capdevila. But could this be the end of his illustrious career? We speak to Capdevila and his team-mates as they take on Armenia's Alashkert in the first qualifying round of the Uefa Champions League. We're also in Mitrovica for Trepca 89 v Vikingkur, the first Champions League match to be played in Kosovo.(Picture: BBC)

The CEO of Russia's 2018 World Cup organising committee, Alexey Sorokin, reacts to reports that Russia's footballers are being investigated for doping and talks about the lessons learnt at the Confederations Cup. The former Russia and CSKA coach and Leonid Slutsky looks ahead to next year's World Cup. And we talk to FIFA's head of referees Massimo Busacca about the controversy over the use of video technology at the Confederations Cup.(Picture credit: Francois Nel/Getty Images)

Mani Djazmi reports from the Fifa Confederations Cup speaking to the former Russia captain Alexei Smertin.

Portugal's Jose Fonte looks ahead to the Confederations Cup and talks about his international career. Nigeria's Ahmed Musa reflects on his time playing in Russia for CSKA Moscow. We also hear from the former Russia national team coach Leonid Slutsky . Plus, Stuart Baxter explains why he's decided to take on the job of South Africa's national team coach for a second time.(Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Manchester City's Kelechi Iheanacho pays tribute to Cheick Tiote after the Ivory Coast international collapsed and died during training. Iheanacho also tells us how his manager, Pep Guardiola, was caught up in the recent Manchester bombing...and discusses his own future.Also on the programme, the USA international Herculez Gomez talks about the rivalry between Mexico and the USA.Picture: Cheick Tiote of Newcastle United applauds the supporters following the Premier League match between Burnley and Newcastle United (Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)

The former Spain international Michel Salgado looks ahead to the Uefa Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus. We travel to Liechtenstein to find out more about Cup winners FC Vaduz, who play in the Swiss league. And the former Manchester City and England striker Darius Vassell talks about his troubled time in Turkey.(Photo: Cristiano Ronaldo. Credit: Pierre-Philippe Marcou/AFP/Getty Images)

The vice President of the Chinese FA, Zhang Jian, criticises the standard of football in Asia. He also raises concerns about Chinese clubs spending huge amounts of money to attract players from Europe and South America. And coach Matt Ward discusses his problems he faced working in Ghana.(Photo: Ultra supporters and fans of the Beijing Guoan FC cheer together during their match against Chongcing Lifan FC in Chinese Super League. Credit: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Paris Saint Germain winger Julian Draxler talks about the heartbreak of their dramatic loss to Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League this season. Bebeto's baby-cradling goal celebration was one of the iconic images from the 1994 World Cup. The child who inspired that celebration is now a footballer and has just signed for Sporting Lisbon. Bebeto tells us all about him. And we travel to the Colombian jungle to find out about a new football club set up by FARC rebels.(Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)

Has FIFA broken its promise to reform? We're in Bahrain to find out. The Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez talks about the one thing in football he'd love to change. And we visit the West Bank settlements to find out more about the football clubs at the centre of a political row between Israel and Palestine.(Picture credit: JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

Italy's anti-racism adviser, Fiona May, reacts to the latest incident of racism involving Ghana's Sulley Muntari. As football's corruption scandal reaches Asia, we find out more about the men caught up in the latest bribery allegations. And we're in Latvia to hear a story of match-fixers, ex-KGB agents and a former Premier League player who's simply had enough.(Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Argentina's Martin Demichelis looks back at Manchester City's title win in 2014 and tells us why his former coach Manuel Pellegrini deserves more respect. The Nigerian internationals Kelechi Iheanacho and Kenneth Omeruo discuss their Premier League futures. Plus, we visit Colombia to find out more about the country's new professional women's league.Picture: Martin Demichelis of Manchester City signals as snow falls during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Manchester City (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Former Manchester United player Dwight Yorke tells us why he thinks black footballers should go on strike. We find out more about the new league season in Indonesia with Bhayangkara FC coach Simon McMemeny. Friends pay tribute to the Panama footballer Amilcar Henriquez following his murder. And we hear from Brighton and Hove Albion's Israeli players Tomer Hemed and Beram Kayal, who are looking forward to playing in the Premier League.(Photo credit: ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images)

The President of Mexican club Santos Laguna, Alejandro Irarragorri, discusses the 2026 World Cup bid. And what next for Argentina following the sacking of the national team coach? We visit the football club where Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus began his career. And can the former England captain Tony Adams save Granada from relegation?

Why is one of the most famous clubs in European football, Steaua Bucharest, being torn apart? We speak to the controversial Gigi Becali. Watford's Isaac Success talks about reports that his injuries this season are due to a voodoo curse. And what is it like to be one of the worst teams in the world? We travel to the Turks and Caicos islands to find out.(Photo: FC Steaua Bucuresti supporters during the Uefa Europa League group stage march. Credit: Andrei Pungovschi/EuroFootball/Getty Images)

World Cup winner Juninho reflects on Brazil's qualification for Russia 2018. Also on the show, the Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi defends his manager Arsene Wenger. And we hear from Japan's record-breaking striker, the 50 year old Kazuyoshi Miura.(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Khalida Popal, standing up to the TalibanFormer Afghanistan women's team captain Khalida Popal grew up in a nation under Taliban rule where women were banned from playing any form of sport. She learned to play silently with friends to avoid detection, played on pitches once used for public executions and suffered physical and verbal abuse. Khalida fled her country, years later, and with her playing career now over she looks back on her life and tells us of her dream to one day return home as head of their FA. Bon soire Napoleon, the life of Raymond KopaRaymond Kopa died earlier this month at the age of 85. He was the first French player to win the Ballon D'or and finished in the top three on a total of four occasions.He was the first player to boast a commercial interest, (his own sportswear brand), something no player would be without today. He was also one of the founding fathers of the first players union. Nicknamed 'The Little Napoleon', he was part of the Real Madrid side that dominated the 50s, he also played for Stade de Reims in the first ever European Cup final.We hear Kopa's only BBC World Service interview and Reims Sporting Director Alexandre Barbier pays tribute.Alessandro Costacurta interview The former Italy and AC Milan defender Alessandro Costacurta looks back on his time playing alongside Paolo Maldini and Franco Baresi.Arguably the most dominant defence of all time, he says the team 'choked' their opponents into submission and blames Milan's recent problems on the absence of a 'teacher' like Baresi or Maldini.He also claims Milan's owner is 'too old' to take the team back to the top and admits Inter Milan are the more likely of the two teams to challenge for Serie A titles in the near future.A night on the tiles with KosovoJames Montague reports from Kosovo where the national team coach Albert Bunjaki staged a flash mob at a classical music concert to stir up national pride amongst his players.Kosovo are hoping to record their first ever competitive win when they face Iceland this weekend.We also hear from Manchester City and Kosovo player Bersant Celina who recently jumped into the crowd to tear down a 'Kosovo is Serbia' banner at an FC Twente match (he's on loan there).The tragedy of Justin FashanuLeroy Rosenior played with Justin Fashanu at West Ham, he looks back on their time at the club and examines how close (or far away) football is from convincing gay players they are safe to come out whilst continuing their careers.He also tells us how Fashanu's suicide changed his life.

For the first time in three decades, African football has a new President. We hear reaction to the “sweet victory” of 57-year-old Madagascan Ahmad, who goes by that single name.In March 2017, 24-year-old Mohamed Tauseef died of kidney failure and blood sugar complications that were the result of a common, ligament injury sustained while playing for his national team. He was the second Pakistani footballer to die in a matter of weeks. So why are Pakistani players dying when their injuries can be treated?Meet the Muslim coach of a Jewish club. Former Mali international Sami Traore has taken over French amateur club Maccabi Creteil.The fall and rise of Ljubo Milisevic. The former Australia international tells us how he fell into isolating depression from the heights of the Champions League and his national team, and how he’s returned to football, a more fulfilled man.(Photo: Ahmad with a football, Credit: Getty Images)

Should fans at next year's World Cup be fearful of hooliganism? We get a Russian view of fan violence. And, why are fans in Atlanta so excited about their brand new soccer team? We're joined by Atlanta United's President Darren Eales.(Photo: Russian riot police. Credit: Getty images)

Ivory Coast striker Wilfried Bony explains why he refused a move to China. Find out about Tanzania's biggest club match...but be warned, when city rivals Simba and Yanga meet, things can get a bit crazy! And discover how Besiktas supporters are recovering and finding togetherness through football following last year's bomb attack.Picture: Wilfred Bony of Manchester City celebrates scoring against Borussia Monchengladbach (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Chile international Mark González talks about his close friend and team-mate Alexis Sanchez. We meet the owner of the Israeli Champions Hapeol Be'er Sheva to find out why the club's fans think she's the new Messiah. And the former referee Kim Milton Nielsen discusses the extreme pressures faced by today's match officals.Picture: Alexis Sanchez of Arsenal celebrates after he scores the equalizing goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first leg match against FC Bayern Muenchen (Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Cameroon coach Hugo Broos reflects on his victory at the Africa Cup of Nations. Dirk Kuyt and Brad Jones talk about Feyenoord's title hopes. And we examine hooliganism in Brazil.(Photo: Cameroon's Belgian coach Hugo Broos is lifted into the air as Cameroon celebrates beating Egypt 2-1 at 2017 AFCON final. Credit: Gabriel Bouys/AFP/Getty Images)

The shocking story of Kenyan footballer called Clifton Miheso. He claims to have been threatened at gunpoint by his club and forced to terminate his contract. Also on the show, the Cameroon defender Allan Nyom tells us he has no regrets about choosing not to represent his country at the Africa Cup of Nations. And the former Brazil midfielder Edu will be chatting about Manchester City's new striker...Gabriel Jesus.Picture credit: Mohammad Amin

A look ahead to the final of this year's Africa Cup of Nations between Egypt and Cameroon. We hear from Cameroon’s Geremi and Zambia’s Kalusha Bwalya. Also on the show, the former South Africa captain Aaron Mokoena warns that World Cup expansion could lead to African teams embarrassing themselves. And the former Rwanda, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Zaire, Ghana, Togo and Cameroon coach, Otto Pfister, tells us how African talent is being killed by European academies.

On Saturday 21 January, Chapecoense took to the pitch for the first time since the plane crash which killed 71 people. The friendly against Palmeiras was a symbolic and emotional return for a club trying to recover from a tragedy. World Football's Mani Djazmi travels to Chapecó to find out how the team and the city are rebuilding, after one of football's great disasters.Also, Otto Pfister talks about his remarkable career. The German coach began his African adventure when he took over Rwanda in 1972. Along the way, he became friends with President Mobutu of Zaire and some of the best African footballers of all time.Picture: Brazilian Chapecoense goalkeeper Jackson Follmann (C), a survivor of the LaMia airplane crash in Colombia, receives the Copa Sudamericana trophy in Arena Conda stadium before a charity match between Chapecoense and Palmeiras in Chapeco, Brazil on January 21, 2017. (Photo by Leonardo Benassatto/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

The former Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph Antoine Bell hits out at the organisation of the Africa Cup of Nations. The AC Omonia coach, John Carver, talks openly about his suspicions of match-fixing in Cyprus. And after being awarded a lifetime achievement award by the Dutch government, what's next for Louis van Gaal?Picture: A Mali supporter cheers for his team ahead of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations match between Mali and Egypt in Port-Gentil (JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images).

We chat to the Brazilian defender Dante about Nice's surprise title challenge, team-mate Mario Balotelli and former coach Pep Guardiola. Plus, Ghana's Andre Ayew looks ahead to the Africa Cup of Nations.Picture: Dante of OGC Nice during the French Ligue 1 between Nice and Lille at Stade Allianz Rivera (Getty Images)

The Ivory Coast international Salomon Kalou tells us why representing your country at the Africa Cup of Nations could damage a footballer's career. We'll be finding out more about the problems facing one of Israel's most famous and successful clubs, Hapoel Tel Aviv. And Rene Meulenstenen talks openly about the lack of job security for coaches.Picture: Ivory Coast's forward Salomon Kalou during a friendly match between France and Ivory Coast (FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images)

A tribute to Johan Cruyff and Carlos Alberto who both died in 2016. Plus, the story of Kosovo's fight for FIFA recognition.(Picture: A tribute to Johan Cruyff at Wembley Stadium before a match between England and the Netherlands - Getty).

The story of the rise and fall of the 1970s New York Cosmos, arguably the World's first ever football Super Club. With the likes of Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, Carlos Alberto and Giorgio Chinaglia they put the game on the map in the USA. But how was a soccer team able to capture the American imagination? And why didn't the good times last? Former players, fans and officials remember a unique moment in sporting history.Picture: Tony Field #7, Giorgio Chinaglia #9 and Pele #10 of New York Cosmos look on before a game at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, circa 1975 - 1977, Credit Robert Riger/Getty Images

Meet the youngest coach in Bundesliga history, Hoffenheim's 29 year old manager Julian Nagelsmann. The former West Ham footballer Clyde Best talks about the racism he suffered in the 1970s. And ahead of the Catalan derby, the Espanyol coach Quique Sanhez Flores discusses his family's love of flamenco.Picture: Head coach Julian Nagelsmann of Hoffenheim looks on prior to the Bundesliga match between 1899 Hoffenheim and Hertha BSC (Simon Hofmann/Bongarts/Getty Images)

An exclusive interview with disgraced former FIFA President Sepp Blatter. He talks about his breakdown following the corruption scandal and talks openly about the mistakes he made. Also on the show...the Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans Joachim Watske explains why Red Bull Leipzig are the most hated club in Germany. And the Dutch player Nathan Ake tells us why Chelsea is like Harvard University in terms of getting a football education.Picture: The former FIFA president Sepp Blatter smiles during the 'Sepp Blatter Tournament' in Ulrichen, Blatter's hometown. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

A football team on the way to a Cup final. It was supposed to be Chapecoense's moment of glory, but instead Brazil is left to mourn the dead. Friends of the dead pay tribute and talk of their grief following the air crash which killed 71 people.(Picture: View of a flower hanging from a net during a tribute to the players of Brazilian team Chapecoense Real who were killed in a plane accident in the Colombian mountains - Heuler Andrey/Getty Images)

The Nigerian international Michael Uchebo tells how he has been treated ‘like a slave’ by the Portuguese club Boavista. Chelsea's John Obi Mikel says he is ready to quit Stamford Bridge in January if he cannot force his way back into the team. Plus, an interview with the new American owner of Marseille, Frank McCourt, who tells us how he plans to outsmart his rivals.(Photo: Michael Uchebo in action for Nigeria. Credit: Getty Images)