The Footglish Podcast: Learn English with Football

By Zdenek LukasSports Education Football Language Learning

The Footglish Podcast: Learn English with Football episodes

July 05 Football Fans with Craig
This week's episode is a special crossover with Craig from the Ingles Podcast! ⚽🎙️
We look back at the role football played in our childhoods, share our thoughts on the ongoing World Cup, and even venture into the thorny subject of politics in football—with Craig, as always, doing his best to play devil's advocate.
Along the way, we naturally introduce plenty of useful football-related English, including different types of football fans such as die-hard supporters, fair-weather fans, glory hunters, and armchair supporters. In the Language Corner at the end of the episode, I go through all of this vocabulary again, explaining the key expressions and how to use them naturally.
Whether you're here for the football, the English, or the friendly debate, there's something for everyone.
Video from this episode
Craig's website
Craig's Podcast
My World Cup appearance on Luke's English Podcast
👉The Footglish Podcast FPL MINI LEAGUE
👉The Footglish Podcast Czech Fantasy MINI LEAGUE
👉Achievers Chamber - online group meetings for high-level English learners
SUPPORT the FOOTGLISH PODCAST: https://herohero.co/thrivingptfzcqbttaflf
Take part in this fun Listener survey.
Join The "Footglish Podcast: Czech Fantasy League
Follow "The Footglish Podcast" on Instagram.
If you like this podcast, please subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and share it with your friends, colleagues, or anyone who might enjoy it.
Feel free to email your feedback to Zdenek: [email protected]
More about Zdenek
59 min
July 03 Master the Verb "PLAY" Like a Football Commentator
The verb play might seem simple, but in football English it's one of the most versatile words you'll ever use.
In this episode of Footglish, we'll explore the most important football collocations and expressions with play, including:
⚽ play for
⚽ play as
⚽ play against
⚽ play at
⚽ play out from the back
⚽ play someone in
⚽ play a through ball
⚽ play a ball over the top
⚽ play on .
..and many more useful collocations and idioms you'll hear in real football commentary and conversations.
You'll learn what these expressions really mean, hear plenty of authentic examples, and test yourself with a football English quiz.
🎙️ Bonus: I also tell you about my latest guest appearance on Luke's English Podcast, where Luke and I enjoyed a two-hour football ramble about the 2026 World Cup, football culture, and learning English through the beautiful game. If you haven't listened yet, don't miss it!
Video from this episode
My World Cup appearance on Luke's English Podcast
👉The Footglish Podcast FPL MINI LEAGUE
👉The Footglish Podcast Czech Fantasy MINI LEAGUE
👉Achievers Chamber - online group meetings for high-level English learners
SUPPORT the FOOTGLISH PODCAST: https://herohero.co/thrivingptfzcqbttaflf
Take part in this fun Listener survey.
Join The "Footglish Podcast: Czech Fantasy League
Follow "The Footglish Podcast" on Instagram.
If you like this podcast, please subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and share it with your friends, colleagues, or anyone who might enjoy it.
Feel free to email your feedback to Zdenek: [email protected]
More about Zdenek
25 min
June 26 ENGLAND or SPAIN, Who Has More WORLD-CLASS Players
This week I'm joined by Ben from To the Point English for a football and English chat with a World Cup twist.
Is England's squad really full of world-class players? Or does Spain have the stronger team? We compare both sides, predict who will go further in the tournament, and discuss whether England has what it takes to lift the trophy.
Later, I also explain the phrase "to be torn between two things".
Video from this episode
👉The Footglish Podcast FPL MINI LEAGUE
👉The Footglish Podcast Czech Fantasy MINI LEAGUE
👉Achievers Chamber - online group meetings for high-level English learners
SUPPORT the FOOTGLISH PODCAST: https://herohero.co/thrivingptfzcqbttaflf
Take part in this fun Listener survey.
Join The "Footglish Podcast: Czech Fantasy League
Follow "The Footglish Podcast" on Instagram.
If you like this podcast, please subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and share it with your friends, colleagues, or anyone who might enjoy it.
Feel free to email your feedback to Zdenek: [email protected]
More about Zdenek
33 min
June 19 Awful Awful AWFUL Czechia
⚽ Czechia 1-1 South Africa | World Cup 2026 Reaction In this episode, I rant about what may have been the worst match of the World Cup so far.
Czechia took the lead and had a poor South African side exactly where they wanted them, but instead of pushing for a second goal, they sat back, defended deep, and invited pressure. In the end, they were punished with a late equaliser.
Video from this episode
My appearance on Make Football Great Again
👉The Footglish Podcast FPL MINI LEAGUE
👉The Footglish Podcast Czech Fantasy MINI LEAGUE
👉Achievers Chamber - online group meetings for high-level English learners
SUPPORT the FOOTGLISH PODCAST: https://herohero.co/thrivingptfzcqbttaflf
Take part in this fun Listener survey.
Join The "Footglish Podcast: Czech Fantasy League
Follow "The Footglish Podcast" on Instagram.
If you like this podcast, please subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and share it with your friends, colleagues, or anyone who might enjoy it.
Feel free to email your feedback to Zdenek: [email protected]
More about Zdenek
29 min
June 16 When Curaçao Equalised Against Germany
⚽ Curaçao at the World Cup!
In this episode of the Footglish Podcast, I speak with a Curaçao fan who was born in the Netherlands but proudly supports Curaçao because of his family roots.
We discuss: What it means to support Curaçao at the World Cup
The unforgettable moment Curaçao equalised against Germany
The amazing Netherlands - Japan game
The emotions, celebrations, and hopes of a smaller football nation on the biggest stage
A fascinating conversation about football, identity, and World Cup dreams. 🏆 Have you ever supported a different country because of your family roots?
Leontes's YouTube channel:
Video from this episode
My appearance on Make Football Great Again
👉The Footglish Podcast FPL MINI LEAGUE
👉The Footglish Podcast Czech Fantasy MINI LEAGUE
👉Achievers Chamber - online group meetings for high-level English learners
SUPPORT the FOOTGLISH PODCAST: https://herohero.co/thrivingptfzcqbttaflf
Take part in this fun Listener survey.
Join The "Footglish Podcast: Czech Fantasy League
Follow "The Footglish Podcast" on Instagram.
If you like this podcast, please subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and share it with your friends, colleagues, or anyone who might enjoy it.
Feel free to email your feedback to Zdenek: [email protected]
More about Zdenek
38 min
June 13 The Real Reason Czechia Lost to South Korea
In this episode, I break down Czechia's 2-1 defeat to South Korea and explain why the Koreans deserved the win. We look at what Czechia got wrong, what South Korea did better, and what the result means going forward.
I also discuss: Mexico's victory over South Africa and the chaos of three red cards
Canada and Bosnia & Herzegovina sharing the points in a 1-1 draw
The USA's impressive 4-1 win over Paraguay
🏆 The World Cup is underway, and there's already plenty to talk about!
Video from this episode
My appearance on Make Football Great Again
👉The Footglish Podcast FPL MINI LEAGUE
👉The Footglish Podcast Czech Fantasy MINI LEAGUE
👉Achievers Chamber - online group meetings for high-level English learners
SUPPORT the FOOTGLISH PODCAST: https://herohero.co/thrivingptfzcqbttaflf
Take part in this fun Listener survey.
Join The "Footglish Podcast: Czech Fantasy League
Follow "The Footglish Podcast" on Instagram.
If you like this podcast, please subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and share it with your friends, colleagues, or anyone who might enjoy it.
Feel free to email your feedback to Zdenek: [email protected]
More about Zdenek
23 min
June 08 S03E11 England World Cup Preview
In this episode of the Footglish Podcast, I chat with Paul, an England fan, about England's chances at the World Cup 2026.
We discuss Thomas Tuchel, Harry Kane, England's key players, the team's strengths and weaknesses, and the new World Cup format and rule changes.
🏆 Can England finally bring football home?
Paul's YouTube channel
Video from this episode
My appearance on Make Football Great Again
👉The Footglish Podcast FPL MINI LEAGUE
👉The Footglish Podcast Czech Fantasy MINI LEAGUE
👉Achievers Chamber - online group meetings for high-level English learners
SUPPORT the FOOTGLISH PODCAST: https://herohero.co/thrivingptfzcqbttaflf
Take part in this fun Listener survey.
Join The "Footglish Podcast: Czech Fantasy League
Follow "The Footglish Podcast" on Instagram.
If you like this podcast, please subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and share it with your friends, colleagues, or anyone who might enjoy it.
Feel free to email your feedback to Zdenek: [email protected]
More about Zdenek
38 min
June 04 S03E10 Football Collocations Gone Wrong
Do you say give a goal or make a goal? Can the goal be called a gate? Can you save a goal?
In this episode of the Footglish Podcast, we look at 9 football collocations that English learners regularly make mistakes with. Using examples from international football and the road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, you'll learn the natural expressions that commentators, journalists, players, and fans actually use.
Whether you're following England, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, France, or your own national team, these collocations will help you understand football coverage and discuss matches with confidence. 🎙️
Perfect for football fans, English learners, and anyone preparing for conversations about the 2026 World Cup.
Video from this episode
My appearance on Make Football Great Again
👉The Footglish Podcast FPL MINI LEAGUE
👉The Footglish Podcast Czech Fantasy MINI LEAGUE
👉Achievers Chamber - online group meetings for high-level English learners
SUPPORT the FOOTGLISH PODCAST: https://herohero.co/thrivingptfzcqbttaflf
Take part in this fun Listener survey.
Join The "Footglish Podcast: Czech Fantasy League
Follow "The Footglish Podcast" on Instagram.
If you like this podcast, please subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and share it with your friends, colleagues, or anyone who might enjoy it.
Feel free to email your feedback to Zdenek: [email protected]
More about Zdenek
12 min
May 23 S03E09 Czech Republic World Cup Squad REVEALED
The Czech Republic have announced their preliminary World Cup squad — and there are already a few big talking points. 🇨🇿
In this episode of Footglish, we break down the latest call-ups, discuss the most surprising inclusions, and look at which players missed out on the squad. Who deserved a place? Which decisions could divide fans? And which players still have work to do before the final 26-man squad is confirmed?
We also explore useful football English expressions connected to squad announcements.
Video from this episode
My appearance on Make Football Great Again
👉The Footglish Podcast FPL MINI LEAGUE
👉The Footglish Podcast Czech Fantasy MINI LEAGUE
👉Achievers Chamber - online group meetings for high-level English learners
SUPPORT the FOOTGLISH PODCAST: https://herohero.co/thrivingptfzcqbttaflf
Take part in this fun Listener survey.
Join The "Footglish Podcast: Czech Fantasy League
Follow "The Footglish Podcast" on Instagram.
If you like this podcast, please subscribe to it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and share it with your friends, colleagues, or anyone who might like it.
Feel free to email your feedback to Zdenek: [email protected]
More about Zdenek
28 min
May 21S03E08 Arsenal End 22-Year Wait for the Title
🎙️ Arsenal are champions of England for the 2025–26 season — has it sunk in yet?
In this episode of Footglish, I’m joined by Cathal from Ireland 🇮🇪 — an Arsenal supporter and friend of the podcast — to talk about a historic season for Arsenal F.C..
We discuss what it feels like to finally see Arsenal back on top, whether this title win changes the way fans view Mikel Arteta, and what could happen in the upcoming UEFA Champions League Final.
⚽ In this episode:
Arsenal crowned champions of England
Has the achievement really sunk in yet?
The emotions of Arsenal fans right now
Predictions for the Champions League Final
📚 In the second part of the episode, I break down 9 useful English idioms and expressions from the interview to help you improve your listening and vocabulary through real football conversations.
Video from this episode
My appearance on Make Football Great Again
👉The Footglish Podcast FPL MINI LEAGUE
👉The Footglish Podcast Czech Fantasy MINI LEAGUE
👉Achievers Chamber - online group meetings for high-level English learners
SUPPORT the FOOTGLISH PODCAST: https://herohero.co/thrivingptfzcqbttaflf
Take part in this fun Listener survey.
Join The "Footglish Podcast: Czech Fantasy League
Follow "The Footglish Podcast" on Instagram.
If you like this podcast, please subscribe to it on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and share it with your friends, colleagues, or anyone who might like it.
Feel free to email your feedback to Zdenek: [email protected]
More about Zdenek
50 min

About The Footglish Podcast: Learn English with Football

From the publisher's feed

On the Footglish Podcast each week, join Zdenek, a passionate English teacher and a huge football fan, as we dive into the latest football news while helping you improve your English skills.…