Football has always been one of the biggest ways for brands to connect with audiences. But in 2026, the players themselves may be the most powerful tool within that ecosystem.

This latest episode explores how footballers have become brands in their own right, how their pursuit of creative endeavours is making them as popular off the pitch as their performances on it and which highlighting the leaders of this new wave.

The VERSUS Podcast brings you into our world as we tackle the conversations others avoid, challenging the game and exploring where football and culture go next.

Got something you want us to discuss? [email protected]

Football’s popularity across the world continues to grow. However, viewership numbers for broadcast games in some regions seem to be on the decline. This isn’t football losing its audience. It’s an evolution in how fans access the game and who controls that relationship.

This latest episode explores how podcasts have become big players in the space, why Netflix and Disney+ are forking out millions on alternative entertainment offerings, what modern-day broadcasting looks like in football and what the future could hold for how we all consume the beautiful game.

The VERSUS Podcast brings you into our world as we tackle the conversations others avoid, challenging the game and exploring where football and culture go next.

Got something you want us to discuss? [email protected]

Football's relationship with fashion remains one of the most influential intersections in modern culture. As more luxury brands look to football for inspiration, Burberry continue to show why their connection to the game feels authentic, drawing on a history deeply rooted in British culture and everyday life.

Their latest campaign captures the unmistakable atmosphere of a football match while reflecting the people and communities that define it today, bringing together stars from football, film and beyond.

In this episode, the VERSUS team explore Burberry's long-standing relationship with football, why the brand has earned the credibility to tell these stories, and where its football-focused creative direction could go next.

The VERSUS Podcast brings you into our world as we tackle the conversations others avoid, challenging the game and exploring where football and culture go next.

Got something you want us to discuss? [email protected]

This summer marks a huge moment for Scotland, the chance to showcase their greatness on the world’s biggest stage for the first time since 1998. Leading the team is head coach Steve Clarke who has spent the last seven years preparing his squad for the relentless nature of tournament football.

But before the team jet off across the globe, Clarke sat down with VERSUS and EE for an open conversation on what it truly takes to lead a team and the pressures that both managers and players face.

In this episode, the VERSUS team and Clarke break down the importance of safe spaces and positive role models for young boys. By starting more conversations and encouraging young men to speak out, social media can become a safe space for boys to express themselves fully.

The VERSUS Podcast brings you into our world as we tackle the conversations others avoid, challenging the game and exploring where football and culture go next.

Got something you want us to discuss? [email protected]

Across this tournament cycle, brands have gone bigger than ever before — and for the USMNT, a home World Cup turns their kit into something more than just a shirt. It becomes a signal of identity, ambition, and where the game is heading.

In this episode, the VERSUS team break down how Nike’s latest drop speaks to the future of football in the US — and why kits are now one of the most powerful tools in shaping culture around the game.

The VERSUS Podcast brings you into our world as we tackle the conversations others avoid, challenging the game and exploring where football and culture go next.

Got something you want us to discuss? [email protected]

South Asians remain one of the most underrepresented groups within football due to systemic issues. However, a new generation is challenging this and becoming role models for themselves and others.

We sat down with Brown Girl Sports founder Miriam Walker-Khan to discuss the importance of visibility, the challenges faced by the South Asian community, and how one idea has created a community so many people once lacked.

The VERSUS Podcast brings you into our world as our team tackles the conversations others avoid — challenging the game and exploring where football and culture go next.

Got something you want us to discuss? [email protected]

Host: Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)

Guest: Miriam Walker-Khan (@ mimzara)

The Premier League remains the biggest league in the world. But while that status looks set to continue, the perception of its quality is being questioned more than ever.

From managers to fans, debates around the league’s current state are dominating timelines and back pages alike. In this episode, we ask whether those concerns are valid, and whether football has a duty to entertain.

The VERSUS Podcast brings you into our world as our team tackle the conversations others avoid, challenging the game and exploring where football and culture go next.

Got something you want us to discuss? [email protected]

Host: Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)


Cast: Ahmed Shooble (@AhmedShooble)

Wesley Fofana, Hannibal Mejbri, Tolu Arokodare, Djeidi Gassama and Emmanuel Fernandez were all sent monkey emojis on social media this past weekend.

Different players. Same message. The cycle is familiar by now: abuse, outrage, statements, silence. In this episode, we ask what it would actually take to break that loop.

The VERSUS Podcast brings you into our world as our team have the conversations others avoid — challenging the game and telling you where football and culture go next.

Got something you want us to discuss? [email protected] 

Host: Mayowa Quadri (@mayowaquadri_)

Cast: Corey Pellatt (@coreypellatt) Ahmed Shooble (@AhmedShooble)

Under Armour are offering once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to young athletes across London through their UA Next programme. The VERSUS team breaks down why this approach matters, what it gets right, and how it could help shape the next generation of future stars.

We also look ahead to AFCON, why excitement around the tournament feels higher than ever, and take a moment to pay respect to a true legend of African football.

The Future of Football is a podcast from VERSUS, bringing you closer to the people, stories and ideas shaping the next era of the game.

Got something you want us to discuss? Email [email protected]

Cast: @MayowaQuadri_ x @CoreyPellatt

Nike and Palace have joined forces for a collaboration that has the streets talking. While the product drop grabbed the initial headlines, the creation of a South East London community hub has become the real story.

The VERSUS team breaks down why this is a true example of what good brand partnership in football looks like — exploring its social impact and what it means for both Nike and Palace.

We also unpack the growing discourse around Mary Earps ahead of her new book launch — and why some of the narratives surrounding it might be more harmful than they seem. Plus, we discuss how one strategic move from Erling Haaland has revealed a new side to his personality, and why it could inspire other players to follow suit.

The Future of Football is a podcast from VERSUS — bringing you closer to the people, stories, and ideas shaping the next era of the game.

Got something you want us to discuss? Email [email protected].

Host: @mayowaquadri

Cast: @CoreyPellatt @AmiLouCri @Ojhnyn)