Sven Goran Eriksson talks about his addiction to football. The former Wolves and Nigeria goalkeeper Carl Ikeme talks about his retirement from the game due to cancer. And we're also joined by the former New Zealand captain Rebecca Smith and the man who coached the Matabeleland.(Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images)…

The Juventus and Italy captain, Giorgio Chiellini, talks about his career and tells us how the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo has changed the dressing room. Plus, we hear from Kyrgyzstan's Daniel Tagoe, an African Prince playing in the 2019 Asian Cup.(Photo by Daniele Badolato via Getty Images)

Bernd Stange has one goal above all others when he leads Syria into the finals ; to put a smile back on the faces of the country's war-ravaged people. The veteran German manager was lured out of retirement this year to take charge of the Syrians as they seek to build on their remarkable run to the verge of qualifying for their first World Cup f ...…

The former Liverpool, Roma and Norway footballer John Arne Riise looks back on his career and remembers the many highlights, such as the 'Miracle in Istanbul'. Yet despite his achievements, Riise had to overcome bullying, insecurity and loneliness to get to the top. And his career was nearly put in jeopardy when a team mate attacked him with a ...…

Former South Africa international Shaun Bartlett talks about his meetings with Nelson Mandela. Plus, Heather O'Reilly Pat Nevin and Peter Odemwingie discuss Jose Mourinho's sacking and the relevance of the FIFA Club World Cup.(Photo: ANNA ZIEMINSKI/AFP/Getty Images)

Former Tottenham and Cameroon player Sébastien Bassong talks about the racism he has suffered. Mani Djazmi reports from the postponed Copa Libertadores final in Madrid. Plus, the Belgian defender Thomas Foket tells us how a routine medical led to an unpleasant surprise.

Mani Djazmi hosts the show from Madrid where River Plate and Boca Juniors are set to play the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final Sunday.The match was postponed twice after River fans attacked the Boca team bus and has now been moved more than 6000 miles from Buenos Aries. Mani will be joined by Heather O’Reilly, Pat Nevin and Peter Odemw ...…

The story of the Copa Libertadores final between River Plate and Boca Juniors, which was controversially postponed following an attack on the Boca team bus. We also hear from the Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez, who reflects on his career highlights.(Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

World Football comes from Buenos Aires, ahead of the second leg of the Copa Libertadores final between fierce rivals Boca Juniors and River Plate on Saturday. This is South America’s Champions League and, with the match currently tied at 2-2 on aggregate, it’s hard to over-hype what a contest this will be!Mani Djazmi is joined by former Scotlan ...…

Heather O'Reilly, Peter Odemwingie and Pat Nevin discuss the big football stories. Should TV cameras be allowed in the dressing room? The education of playing abroad and why you're never to old for a kick-about.

Heather O'Reilly, Pat Nevin and Peter Odemwingie join Mani Djazmi to discuss the week's biggest stories. We also hear from controversial French referee Tony Chapron and the players of Kenyan champions Gor Mahia.

World Cup winner Heather O'Reilly, former Premier League striker Peter Odemwingie and Pat Nevin once of Chelsea, Everton and Scotland swap stories about football's biggest rivalries. And presenter Mani Djazmi takes a trip to the Soweto Derby, where he meets the South African George Best.

South Africa’s Lucas Radebe speaks about his life journey. From being shot on the streets of Soweto, to becoming a Premier League player, the captain of his country and the ‘hero’ of Nelson Mandela!We also speak to Socceroo Awer Mabil. Born into a family of South Sudanese refugees, he tells us about his goalscoring debut for the Australian nati ...…

Carlos Queiroz on the challenges of coaching Iran. The former German international Simon Rolfes dissects his country's latest defeats. We also speak to the coach of Kuwait and hear about life as a female football agent.(Photo by Jeroen Meuwsen/Soccrates/Getty Images)

The former Manchester United striker Louis Saha tells us why big egos are disrupting the club. We discuss the plans to develop football in the Caribbean and speak to two St Kitts and Nevis internationals. Plus, Benin's Aaron Ibilola talks about life in Brazil's second division.(Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)…

Burnley striker Chris Wood remembers the bullying he faced for wanting to play football as a youngster in New Zealand. We find out why the Italian club Virtus Entella don't have a league to play in. The Kosovo forward Atdhe Nuhiu tells us what it means to be playing international football. And we're joined by psychologist Damian Hughes, who giv ...…

Germany coach Joachim Löw reflects on his team's disappointment at Russia 2018. The Belgium national team coach Roberto Martinez and France's N'Golo Kanté also look back on the highs-and-lows of the World Cup.. We are also in Valencia to meet the club's Singaporean President, Anil Murthy.(Photo by Michael Regan - Fifa/Getty Images)…

Life stories from the former Liverpool and Zimbabwe goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar.(Photo by David Cannon/Allsport/Getty Images)

Dynamo Moscow's Konstantin Rausch discusses Russia's new found confidence following the World Cup. We travel to Luxembourg for the start of a journey which the locals hope will take them to Euro 2020. And the Montserrat coach and players talk about the Caribbean island's return to international football after three years without a game.(Photo b ...…

A proud Peter Schmeichel talks about the career of his son Kasper. The former Nigeria striker Nwankwo Kanu discusses the lack of African superstars. Plus, Clarence Seedorf on coaching the Cameroon national team.(Photo by Ian Gavan for FIFA via Getty Images)

In 2015, the two-time UEFA Cup winners Parma were declared bankrupt and demoted to the amateur leagues. The famous club effectively ceased to exist. Rebuilt and reborn as Parma Calcio 1913, the team won three back-to-back promotions and is back in Serie A. We hear from Parma's former captain and hero, Alessandro Lucarelli, who stuck with the cl ...…

Real Betis goalkeeper Joel Robles discusses the possibility of La Liga footballers going on strike because of a row over playing league matches in North America. The former Jamaica and Yeovil Town player Nathan Smith tells us how meditation has made him a better person. And Coritiba FC's Vitor Carvalho tells us why so many Brazilian footballers ...…

From growing up on a trailer park to playing in the World Cup final, the former Ajax and Real Madrid player Rafael van der Vaart looks back on his career and life. Also on the show, the flamboyant Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos.(Picture: Rafael van der Vaart courtesy of Getty images)

The former Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennent talks his wild lifestyle and difficult upbringing. We find out why the World Cup feel-good factor is fading fast in Croatia. And, we speak to one of South America's greatest players...Peru's Teofilo Cubillas.(Picture: Peru footballer Teofilo Cubillas courtesy of Getty images)…

Valencia's new signing Daniel Wass looks ahead to the new season. Frank de Boer talks about the struggles of Dutch football. And we visit the hometown of Manchester United's Serbian international Nemanja Mati to find out how his Premier League wages have been used to re-build a football stadium and a church. (Picture: Valencia's Daniel Wass by ...…

We're with 18 time Italian champions Inter Milan as they prepare for a return to the Champions League. John Bennett speaks to Ghana International Kwadwo Asamoah who joined from Serie A champions Juventus and Dutch former Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij as the club plays English second-tier side Sheffield United.Across Yorkshire former Argentina a ...…

Minnesota United forward Collin Martin opens up to Mani Djazmi about coming out and becoming the only openly gay man in America's five major sports leagues. Following the end of Russia 2018, we shift our attention to the next World Cup with Hassan Abdullah Al Thawadi, Secretary General of the Qatar 2022 organising committee. In the week that Ju ...…

Join us this week on the World Football show as Croatia coach Zlatko Dalić and former Croatian international Dario Simic look ahead to the World Cup final. We are also joined by a number of star-studded guests such as French World Cup winner Christian Karembeu, former German striker Kevin Keranyi and Russia’s Alexey Smertin.(Photo Credit: Getty ...…

World Football comes from Nizhny Novgorod as we look ahead to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Within the show the former Russia international Andrei Kanchelskis criticises his country’s negative tactics, we ask if the president of the Spanish Football Federation faces some difficult questions after his team’s exit and finally Pontus Kamark ...…

Oliver Bierhoff and Mats Hummels reflect on Germany’s exit from the World Cup, Maya Yoshida and Keisuke Honda talk about Japan’s Samurai Spirit and Pablo Zabaleta discusses Argentina’s poor performances.(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

This week’s World Football comes from St Petersburg, and join us as we hear from the Iran coach Carlos Queiroz, Peru’s very own Nolberto Solano and the former French international Bixente Lizarazu.(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Finally it is here, Russia 2018. So join us as this week's episode comes from the heart of the tournament, where we speak not only to Australian goalkeeper Maty Ryan and the former Nigerian striker Peter Odemwingie, but from the fans who want their country to go all the way. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)…

Croatia's Davor Suker and Belgium's Kevin de Bruyne look ahead to Russia 2018. We speak to the former South Africa international Matthew Booth about his time playing in the Russian Premier League. And we meet the teams and players unrecognised by FIFA, as they compete in the CONIFA World Football Cup.Photo: Davor Suker at the 1998 World Cup (Ge ...…

Iraq international Brwa Nouri talks about his struggles with drugs and alcohol. Mexico coach Juan Carlos Osorio looks ahead to Russia 2018. We speak to the captain of Tibet's national football team, Karma Tsewang. Plus, we assess the joint-bid from the USA, Canada and Mexico to host the 2026 World Cup.…

Former Australia coach Ange Postecoglou explains why he turned his back on the World Cup. Clarence Seedorf looks ahead to the Uefa Champions League final. We meet the generous Nigerian forward Alhaji Gero who plays for Östersunds FK in Sweden and sends most of his money back home. Plus, the vice-chairman of Parma Calcio 1913 talks about the clu ...…

The coach of Syria, Bernd Stange, talks about the challenges he faces and remembers his previous job in charge of the Iraqi national team. Spain's David Villa gives us his World Cup memories. Plus, the former West Ham and Charlton Athletic player Kevin George talks about mental health issues in the game.(Picture: SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)…

An exclusive interview with the disgraced former President of FIFA, Sepp Blatter. What's his life been like since his spectacular fall from grace? And did he really not know anything about the rampant corruption that was taking place on his watch? We'll also be looking ahead to the World Cup with Denmark's Nikolai Jorgensen.(Picture: MICHAEL BU ...…

Abraham Mebratu tells us what it's like to coach war-torn Yemen. Bangkok United's Mika Chunuonsee talks about the growth of the game in Thailand. And we look ahead to the World Cup with Morocco's Karim El-Ahmadi and Belgium's Christian Benteke.(Photo: YASSER AL-ZAYYAT/AFP/Getty Images)

Peru and Feyenoord midfielder Renato Tapia tells Mani Djazmi about his World Cup expectations and managing the National team Whatsapp group. Australia's Trent Sainsbury shares his experiences of playing at the 2017 Confederations Cup in Russia and his reservations about VAR. The Jiangsu Suning F.C. defender, who's currently on loan with Swiss s ...…

Mexican striker Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez looks ahead to the World Cup. Australia's Sam Kerr remembers her reluctant switch from AFL to soccer. We find out about the demise of the Corsican club SC Bastia. Plus, we speak to the first Englishman to play professional football in Brazil.(Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)…

AS Roma President James Pallotta reflects on his team's astonishing win against Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League. We also hear from the former Liverpool and Valencia coach Pako Ayestaran. Plus, will theCopa America Femenina 2018 in Chile help give a much needed boost to women'a football in South America?(Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)…

Former Vitesse Arnhem and FC Twente goalkeeper Wouter Dronkers talks about his interest in medicine, astrophysics and aliens. We also hear from the Benin international Steve Mounie about the pressures of being in a Premier League relegation fight. And the Philippines national team captain Phil Younghusband relives the moment he made history.(Ph ...…

We’re on the road for the latest round of international friendlies. Nigeria’s Alex Iwobi, Poland's Lukasz Fabianski and Tunisia’s Yohan Benalouane discuss their World Cup preparations. Plus, we hear from 1998 World Cup winner Bixente Lizarazu. He reflects on Paul Pogba’s worrying form and tells us how Jose Mourinho’s ‘tough love’ is causing ser ...…

Was the Malta team that lost 12-1 to Spain in 1983 the victim of a doping scandal? Malta's Carmel Busuttil dismisses claims that they were drugged by contaminated lemons. Nigeria's Femi Opabunmi tells us how his career was cut short after losing the sight in one eye. Canada's international goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe discusses her decision to pl ...…

What can be done to fix Greek football? With the league suspended after the PAOK president Ivan Savvidis invaded the pitch to protest against a late goal being disallowed for his side, we speak to Herbert Hübel, the man leading the Fifa monitoring committee that oversees football in Greece. Freddie Kanoute, the former West Ham and Tottenham str ...…

With less than 100 days to go to the World Cup Russia’s anti-racism inspector, Alexey Smertin, says that black and gay fans shouldn’t fear going to the tournament but Aleksandr Agapov, President of Russia’s LGBT sports federation, doubts that there will be a legacy after the tournament. We hear how Jean Ssinende, arguably Uganda’s biggest footb ...…

The Borussia Dortmund Chief Executive Hans-Joachim Watzke explains why German fans are staying home and being counted in protest over Monday games in the Bundesliga. The world's most expensive defender Virgil van Dijk tells us how he's had to "step up" his game to settle in at Liverpool after his transfer from Southampton.We hear from the woman ...…

Former Premier League footballer Kieron Dyer talks about the sexual abuse he suffered as a child and explains how that affected his football career. The coach of the Afghanistan women's team discusses the challenges she faces. Switzerland international Gelson Fernandes looks back on his time at Manchester City. And we remember the life and time ...…

Will Saudi Arabia's deal with La Liga backfire if their players don't get game time ahead of Russia 2018? Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino talks about the pressure footballers face. We discuss the state of football in Egypt and visit the Swedish club Östersunds FK.(Photo by Kaz Photography/Getty Images)…

The former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet talks about his time in the Chinese Super League and discusses the pressures of coaching. We also hear from the former Australia international Jade North about his struggles with depression and discrimination. And the coach of Nigeria, Gernot Rohr, tells us it's ridiculous to suggest that there's an attit ...…