The 2026 World Cup is almost set. We now know 42 out of the 48 teams going to next year’s tournament.

With the draw just around the corner, we're looking at who has qualified already, who is yet to qualify, and what a 48-team World Cup will look like.

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Felipe Cardenas, Adam Crafton

Executive Producer: Abi Paterson

Producers: Mike Stavrou, Liam Warburton, Nick Thomson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we bring you an audio exclusive with David Kogan, Chair of the Independent Football Regulator.

A role that makes him one of the most powerful people in English football.

So what powers will he actually have, and what difference will they make to fans of clubs in the Premier League and beyond?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Matt Slater and David Kogan

Executive Producers: Adey Moorhead and Abi Paterson

Producers: Guy Clarke, Jay Beale and Paul Iliffe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A week ago we released a documentary about illegal streaming. It’s fair to say, you’ve had a lot to say about it.

So, today we’re going to answer your questions, and look to the future of watching football.

Host: Adam Leventhal

With: Adam Crafton and Matt Slater

Executive Producer: Abi Paterson

Producer: Guy Clarke

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re eleven games into the 2025/26 Premier League season. Arsenal are top, Man City are clinging to their coat tails, Sunderland are in the Champions League places and just four points separate 2nd from 9th. 

Meanwhile Newcastle are languishing in 14th, Fulham’s top scorer is own goals, West Ham and Nottingham Forest are in the relegation zone and Wolves sit rock bottom, still yet to win a game. 

So, is this the most unpredictable the Premier League has been in recent years?

Host: Matt Davies-Adams

With: Tim Spiers & Megan Feringa

Executive Producer: Abi Paterson

Producer: Jay Beale

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Como 1907 are one of the most intriguing clubs in modern football. They have gone from Serie D to Serie A in just six years, backed by billionaire owners they have ambitious plans to grow the Como brand and emulate a Disney model.

In this show we're talking to Mirwan Suwarso, President of Como 1907 about how the club rose to the top and their plans to sustain their success. You'll hear all about manager Cesc Fabregas's involvement in succession planning, their data-led recruitment strategy, and insight into plans for their match abroad against AC Milan.

We also talk fashion, Suwarso's surprising LinkedIn account, and Como's gorgeous lakeside stadium.

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Matt Slater and Mirwan Suwarso

Producer: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson

Exec Producers: Adey Moorhead and Abi Paterson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we're bringing you an exclusive interview for The Athletic, Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton in conversation with David Ornstein.

Ahead of next summer's World Cup, they get into his England chances, being overly self critical, the constant transfer speculation that surrounds him and much more...

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: David Ornstein & Adam Wharton

Executive Producers: Abi Paterson & Adey Moorhead

Producer: Jay Beale

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ruben Amorim’s first year at Manchester United has been box office.

From the lows of the Europa League final defeat to the highs of that historic win at Anfield.

So how do we assess his time at Old Trafford - and what next for the project?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Mark Critchley, Oli Kay and Charlotte Harpur

Executive Producer: Abi Paterson

Producers: Mike Stavrou and Nick Thomson

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pep Guardiola’s 1,000th game in management ended with Liverpool thrashed and Man City just four points off Arsenal.

Erling Haaland was among the goals, but Jeremy Doku got all the attention at the Etihad.

Can they now sustain a serious challenge for the title?

Host: Ayo Akinwolere

With: Adam Crafton and Jack Pitt-Brooke

Executive Producer: Abi Paterson

Producer: Paul Iliffe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does the rise of illegal streaming pose an existential threat to football?

To answer that question, Adam Leventhal has spent the last six months looking into the culture, crime and crisis associated with pirating live football matches.In this special episode of The Athletic FC Podcast you'll hear undercover reporting and behind the scenes access to police investigations, including how the world's largest illegal sports streaming platform was taken down.

We get the takes of match-going fans, and ask if 'Premflix' is the future of Premier League broadcasting?

If you're an Athletic subscriber you can have your say here.

And if you're not yet a subscriber, join here and have your say.

Please note that the documentary has content some listeners may find upsetting.

Host: Adam Leventhal

Mixing: Jay Beale

Producer: Abi PatersonFeaturing footage from Amazon, Sky Sports, tallkSPORT, Leaders. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to The Preview on The Athletic FC, where this week our main focus is Manchester City vs Liverpool.

Where do you play Wirtz? How do you stop Haaland? And will either of them reel in Arsenal?

Andy Jones and Jordan Campbell join Matt Davies-Adams to look ahead to Sunday's clash before turning their attention to the fixtures elsewhere including Sunderland vs Arsenal, Spurs vs Manchester United and Crystal Palace vs Brighton.

Host: Matt Davies-Adams

With: Andy Jones & Jordan Campbell

Executive Producer: Abi Paterson

Producer: Jay Beale

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.