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.

(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)