The Sweeper - A World Football Podcast

A newly-promoted club are on the verge of the impossible.If tiny FC Thun can get just a few more points on the board, they will win the Swiss Super League and claim the first major trophy in their 128-year history.But what do the locals make of it all? Why is Thun the perfect place for such a fairytale? And how did a literal sauna force a high-stakes clash with Basel to be called off?We headed to the Alps to meet the fans and find out the answers. Join us in Thun for Europe’s most extraordinary club football story of 2026.Sign up to Patreon at patreon.com/sweeperpod to enter the FC Vaduz giveaway.Chapters:00:00 – Intro01:35 – A quick history of FC Thun04:45 – The fire at St. Jakob Park11:20 – Other bizarre postponements16:46 – Groundhopping with the Thun Army22:16 – A tour of the Stockhorn Arena28:10 – The stunning beauty of Thun33:15 – A quick stop-off at FC Vaduz

A former poker player has coached Bosnia to the World Cup!Sergej Barbarez has guided the Balkan country to the tournament in his first head coach role – at the expense of four-time champions Italy.So how did he go from the casino for the dugout? Why has qualification cost his striker Ermedin Demirovic €300,000? And how are Bosnia at a second World Cup without ever making the EUROs?In this episode, we explore brilliant Bosnia’s incredible journey and reflect on Iraq and DR Congo’s play-offs successes too. Plus, the Ceuta coach pledges to walk to Rome and Nauru launch their one child, one ball initiative.Nutmeg Magazine (You can buy the magazine for a special Sweeper discount rate of £10 by using the code 'sweeper' at checkout): https://www.nutmegmagazine.co.uk/product/issue-39/Nauru's 1 Child 1 Ball Initiative: https://stingz.co/pages/nauru-soccer-federation-one-child-one-ball-initiative?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ8cvxleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEelDO7Gm-3sFxEpJ4A-iTsjaeuk0DmhnSSu4YoASfMxIsy-KbfggLYXbPp-qE_aem_QArFYavpkwgspTpT7riFWAChapters:00:00 – Intro01:26 – Bosnia’s poker-playing coach15:20 – Iraq’s 21-match qualifying campaign19:32 – DR Congo and the legend of Zaire23:39 – Nutmeg magazine’s World Cup issue26:24 – Ceuta coach’s pledge to walk to Rome31:40 – Nauru’s 1 child 1 ball initiative

Liechtenstein have the strangest national football team in Europe.They have no domestic league to develop players, sometimes take just one fan to away matches and, for years, had just one professional footballer.So how do they make it work? Why is it so hard to generate support for the team? And what change to international football might improve their fortunes?In this episode, we put the micro-state under the microscope and examine how Europe’s richest country is also home to its strangest national football team.Plus, the German winger with a secret double life and the Italian coach who disguised himself as a priest.Equator's World Cup 2026 course with David Goldblatt:https://www.equator.org/courses/world-cup-2026Stamping Grounds by Charlie Connelly: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stamping-Grounds-Exploring-Liechtenstein-World/dp/0349114889Chapters:00:00 – Intro01:03 – Liechtenstein at the FIFA Series08:07 – Europe’s strangest national team18:41 – Sudan’s bizarre 12th-tier call-up20:21 – Puerto Rico’s tournament triumph23:08 – Equator’s 2026 World Cup Masterclass27:22 – The German winger with a double life30:07 – Italy’s coach disguised as a priest

Eritrea’s national team haven’t played an official match in seven years.But this month, the Red Sea Camels are making their long-awaited return to the international stage in AFCON 2027 qualifying.So what kept Eritrea away? Why are they returning to the fold now? And do they have any chance against Eswatini?In this episode, we take you on a virtual journey to the Horn of Africa – and shine a light on the only country excluded from the FIFA rankings.Plus, the Belarusian team in exile in Poland and the Russian war critic making waves in Cyprus.Sweeper football shirts: ⁠https://stingz.co/collections/sweeper-podcast⁠Deutsche Welle documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMRQQYGNBK8Chapters:00:00 – Intro01:14 – Eritrea’s international absence04:55 – Dictatorships and defection09:16 – The long-awaited return to the fold13:30 – The state of play in the national team19:02 – Poland’s Belarusian club in exile22:47 – Sweeper shirts and special bonus pod24:17 – Russia’s war critic turned club owner

A World Cup co-host is at war with another participating nation.Since the United States launched strikes against Iran at the end of last month, the big question in the football world has been whether the latter will still play at the World Cup.So will Iran play or not? Could they even face the United States? And who would likely replace them if they were to withdraw?Today, we run through all the conceivable scenarios and analyse the most turbulent build-up to a World Cup in living memory.Plus: The Barcelona fan who went to the wrong St. James’ Park and Welsh club Llantwit Major’s hilarious cup run.BUY THE SHIRTS: ⁠⁠https://stingz.co/collections/sweeper-podcast⁠⁠ Get £6 off with Patreon: ⁠⁠https://patreon.com/sweeperpod⁠The Guardian on the 1930 World Cup: https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2014/may/13/world-cup-stunning-moments-25-conte-verde-uruguayThe Los Angeles Times on India:https://www.latimes.com/archives/blogs/sports-now/story/2011-07-19/did-india-withdraw-from-the-1950-world-cup-because-they-were-not-allowed-to-play-barefootChapters00:00 – Intro 00:55 – Iran’s World Cup predicament04:35 – USA fit to host tournament?08:09 – Scenario 1 – Iran play at World Cup11:25 – Historical precedents for withdrawals16:40 – Scenario 2 – Iran withdraw from World Cup20:55 – Barca fan’s extreme travel mix-up29:17 – Llantwit Major’s wacky cup run