World Football

Marta is a Brazilian phenomenon. A six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, record goal scorer who’s even the hero of her opponents, but where did her love of football begin and what challenges has she faced in her incredible 20 year career? This is the story of Brazil’s global icon.

Image: Marta of Brazil celebrates a penalty during the Women's Football Semi Final between Brazil and Sweden on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at Maracana Stadium on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

This is the story of the day when the USA women’s national team, dubbed the 99ers, became instant stars and how one photograph of match winner Brandi Chastain went on to inspire a nation.

2015 World Cup winner Heather O’Reilly takes you back to the start of the decade to uncover the challenges the women’s game faced during the 1990s with journalist and long-time sport reporter Kelly Whiteside all the way to 10 July 1999 - the day the 99ers won the World Cup 5-4 on penalties against China on home soil in front of record breaking crowds.

25 years on from this historic moment, hear from 99ers Joy Fawcett, Mia Hamm, Carla Overbeck, USA goalkeeper Briana Scurry and Brandi Chastain, plus hear from Robert Beck, the Sport Illustrated photographer who captured the most iconic photo in women’s football.

Produced by Sophia Hartley for the BBC World Service

Image: Captain Carla Overbeck #4 of the US Women's Soccer Team raises the World Cup Trophy, as the team celebrates their victory over Team China in the Championship match of the FIFA Women's World Cup at the Rose Bowl on July 10, 1999 in Pasadena, California. Team USA defeated Team China 5-4 in sudden death after two overtimes. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Hear the untold story of how a science teacher from Oslo made a speech that would change the future of women’s football.

In 1986, Ellen Wille became the first female to speak at a FIFA Congress and in a room full of men demanded women should have a FIFA World Cup and play football at the Olympics. Then FIFA President Joao Havelange and Vice President Sepp Blatter accepted the challenge, although it did take some time.

Within two years FIFA staged a Women’s Invitational Event, and still not ready to call it a FIFA World Cup in 1991, the Women’s FIFA World Championship for Women’s Football for the M&M’s Cup took place. That’s not easy to say!

Finally – although it took nine years – in 1995 Sweden hosted the first FIFA Women’s World Cup and, significantly for Ellen, it was her home nation Norway who lifted the trophy.

Caroline Barker went to Oslo to track down Ellen Wille. She speaks to former president of the Football Association of Norway, Per Ravn Omdal; current President Lise Klaveness; and Norway’s 1995 World Cup winners Hege Riise and Linda Meladen.

Presented by Caroline Barker

Produced by Sophia Hartley for the BBC World Service

Photo: Ellen Wille speaking to the BBC World Service (Credit: BBC)

John Bennett presents reaction from outside the Alassane Ouattara Stadium in Abidjan after a dramatic Africa Cup of Nations final between hosts Ivory Coast and Nigeria.

John gets perspective from both nations as he’s joined by Ivorian football journalist Salia Dramé and Nigerian broadcaster Fisayo Dairo.

Friend of the pod George Addo also drops by to give his view on the tournament.

John Bennett is joined by former Cameroon and Tottenham defender Sebastien Bassong to look ahead to the Africa Cup of Nations final between Ivory Coast and Nigeria in Abidjan.

We hear from former Arsenal defender Johan Djourou on his mentoring relationship with one of the Ivorian stars of the tournament, Brighton winger Simon Adingra.

We also go behind the scenes in the Nigeria camp with their ex media officer Oluwatoyin Ibitoye who is now following the team as a broadcaster.

In a bonus episode, John Bennett is joined by a legend of Ivory Coast football and 2015 Africa Cup of Nations winner Kolo Toure.

The former Arsenal and Manchester City defender shares his Afcon memories, including lifting the trophy in 2015.

He also assesses the current squad, and looks ahead to the final against Nigeria.

John Bennett is joined by a host of guests to react to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in Ivory Coast.

John Bennett is joined by former DR Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani as they look ahead to the semi-finals at the Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.

We hear how Gaby rates the chances of his nation against the hosts Ivory Coast, while the guys assess how Nigeria may manage without star striker Victor Osimhen should he not be fit to face South Africa.

We also catch up with pod regular Sebastien Bassong and get his views on the final four, plus we hear from legendary Cameroon goalkeeper Joseph Antoine-Bell, who gives us his assessment of South Africa’s Ronwen Williams following his standout performance in the quarter-finals, saving four penalties against Cape Verde.

Host nation Ivory Coast produced another amazing escape act as Oumar Diakite's 122nd-minute winner sent the 10-man Elephants into the semi-finals at heartbroken Mali's expense. They’ll face DR Congo in the last four. South Africa will take on Nigeria after their penalty shoot-out win against Cape Verde. We hear from the South Africa keeper Ronwen Williams who saved four penalties.

Get in touch with your views on the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and send us a WhatsApp voice note. Tell us your name and where you are from to +44 800 032 0470.

John Bennett is joined by former South Africa captain Dean Furman to assess their 2-1 win on penalties over Cape Verde which saw goalkeeper Ronwen Williams save four spot kicks to see them through to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

We also discuss a dramatic last gasp victory for hosts Ivory Coast who beat Mali 2-1 thanks to a goal in added time at the end of extra time with Patrick Juillard and George Addo.

And we look ahead to the semi finals which take place on Wednesday.

Get in touch with your views on the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals and send us a WhatsApp voice note. Tell us your name and where you are from to +44 800 032 0470.