More than the Score
More than the Score is a BBC World Service podcast that goes beyond the men's football World Cup, exploring the new teams, standout stars, trends, and fandoms shaping the tournament. With 48 teams competing across Mexico, the US, and Canada, the show promises to take listeners deeper, from the group stages to the final. It offers insights that stats don't show, focusing on the human stories and cultural impact of the event.
Episodes
Fury v Joshua: Are superfights worth super-waits?
After more than a decade of talking, Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua - two of the biggest names in boxing - are finally set to meet in the ring this December. But why does the sport take so long to make its superfights - and are they ever worth the wait?More than the Score's John Bennett is joined by the BBC's Ade Adedoyin, boxing journalist Steve Bunce, and former Commonwealth super-welterweight ch
How rugby league found a home in Lebanon
Lebanon might not be the first place you think of when you think of rugby league, but their men's national team, the Cedars, have reached the quarter-finals at the past two World Cups. The team is composed of players from Australia's large Lebanese diaspora, several of whom are leading names in one of the world's top leagues, the NRL. Lebanon's own national federation is working to build the domes
Manchester City: What does the Premier League do now?
An independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of all charges relating to breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations across a nine-year period between 2009 and 2018. During the period in question, City spent around $1.5 billion on transfers and won eight trophies - including three Premier League titles - but the club was found to have artificially inflated revenue through "
How can we fix VAR?
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland’s controversial winner in the recent Manchester derby has reignited the debate over VAR in football.
Should the video assistant referee be scrapped, or can it be improved? How does it work in other countries, and can football learn anything from other sports?
Former Premier League VAR official Graham Scott and CBS Sports analyst Michael Lahoud - a former
Sigrid Haugset and Steve Cummings: How cyclists escape to victory
If you've watched cycling on TV, you've probably seen people racing away from the rest of the pack, or peloton - then struggling alone for mile after mile, before eventually being caught again. It's a hard, risky way to go for the victory, and doesn't often succeed.But what's it like when it does?Sigrid Haugset shocked the cycling world this summer when she rode nearly 90km on her own to win a sta
The World Athletics Championships come to Kenya
Kenya is the second-most successful country in the history of the World Athletics Championships, but none of its 72 gold medals have been won on home soil. But in 2029, the tournament will head to Nairobi - and Africa - for the first time in its history. More than the Score's Lee James talks to BBC Africa's Celestine Karoney and former Boston and Los Angeles Marathon winner Wesley Korir about the
US tennis: Can Ben Shelton's generation claim men's Grand Slam glory?
Ben Shelton's defeat by Alexander Zverev in the US Open final means it's now been 23 years since an American last won a men's Grand Slam singles title. That didn't seem likely when Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi ruled men's tennis - but what does it really say about America's place in the tennis world?More than the Score's Delyth Lloyd talks to former professional player Denis Kudla, who's now a co
Are tennis and influencers a good match?
This year, the US Open gave accreditation to nearly 100 social media influencers and content creators. The tournament sees them as crucial to helping promote tennis to younger audiences - but they've also been accused of disrupting matches. Jessica Pegula and Naomi Osaka are among the players who have complained about crowd behaviour at Flushing Meadows, with umpires having to pause some matches d
Are Schalke back for good?
Schalke are one of the traditional giants of German football, with seven top-flight titles and the UEFA Cup among their list of honours. Their imposing stadium, the Arena AufSchalke, has hosted World Cup games and the Champions League final. But in recent years, the team from the former mining city of Gelsenkirchen have been in the doldrums. They spent four of the past five seasons in German footb
Was an action-packed Wafcon a good sign for African women's football?
The build-up to the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations was chaotic, with short-notice changes to qualification and even the dates of the tournament itself. But once the action got under way, it was packed with shocks and surprises.Cameroon scored upset wins over Nigeria and Morocco on their way to their first-ever Wafcon title, with star-making performances from the likes of Monique Ngock and Mich
The WPBL and the future of women's baseball
The Women's Professional Baseball League, or WPBL, is the first attempt this century to establish a professional women's baseball competition in the US. Four teams, representing New York, LA, San Francisco and Boston, are facing off in Springfield, Illinois for its inagural title.Can the WPBL follow in the footsteps of what the WNBA and PWHL have done for basketball and ice hockey - and why has ba
Can Jose Mourinho put Real Madrid back on top?
Jose Mourinho has been appointed as manager of Real Madrid for a second time, 14 years after leading them to the La Liga title. The "Special One" has one of the most formidable reputations in world football - but it's been more than a decade since he last won a league title. His last two managerial roles, at Fenerbahce and Benfica, both ended without trophies. More than the Score's John Bennett is
Is Tadej Pogacar unstoppable?
Tadej Pogacar has dominated the Tour de France once again, and now has his sights set on this year's Vuelta a Espana - the only one of cycling's triple crown races he's yet to win. Few would bet against him taking that title too. But how has one man become the dominant force in one of the world's most notoriously gruelling sports - and does anyone have a hope of stopping him?Jonathan Vaughters is
Neeraj Chopra: India's javelin ace aims for Commonwealth gold
In 2018, Neeraj Chopra won javelin gold at the Commonwealth Games. It was the first major senior victory of his career, and he followed it up with gold at the Olympics and World Championships. More than the Score's Lee James talks to Neeraj about the medal that changed his life, and the effect it's had on Indian sport. Neeraj also discusses this year's Commonwealth Games, where he's facing a field
What's next on More than the Score
The World Cup may be over, but there's a whole world of sport to explore - and every week, we'll be doing just that. Search More than the Score wherever you get your BBC podcasts, and follow and subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode.
Wafcon 2026: Can Morocco end Nigeria’s dominance?
After another disrupted build-up, the Women's Africa Cup of Nations returns, just one year on from the last tournament. Now expanded to 16 teams, Wafcon enters a new era. Can Nigeria complete "Mission XI" by claiming an unprecedented 11th continental title? Will hosts Morocco, runners-up in the last two tournaments, finally lift the trophy on home soil? Can South Africa bounce back after a disappo
The Commonwealth Games fights for its future
The Commonwealth Games has arrived in Glasgow, but in a very different format to before. Around 3,000 athletes will compete in 10 sports, six of them including a para-sport element - far fewer than any of the previous editions this century. Glasgow also only took over this year's edition after the intended host, the Australian state of Victoria, pulled out as costs spiralled.So do this year's Game
Is LA ready to welcome the Olympics?
Los Angeles hosted eight games at the World Cup - but in 2028, the city will take on an even bigger test when it welcomes the 2028 Olympics and Paralympic games. Is it ready for sport's other "greatest show on Earth"?More than the Score's John Bennett talks to Libby Rainey, who's reporting on the Olympic preparations for Los Angeles public media organisation LAist. She discusses the political, log
How 'baby boy' Haaland conquered America at the World Cup
Erling Haaland's Norway went out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage - but on social media, he's arguably been the tournament's biggest winner.From shopping for a cowboy hat in Texas to coming home with a taxidermied raccoon, Haaland's American adventures have seen his online following explode, and his fame has now spread into wider US pop culture. But what is it about him that America has
World Cup 2026: Messi, the Muppets and hydration breaks
After six weeks, the FIFA 2026 men's World Cup, held across the United States, Canada and Mexico and featuring a record 48 teams is over. Spain are champions for a second time after beating Argentina 1-0 in extra-time in the final at the New York-New Jersey stadium.More than the Score's Mike McCarthy is joined by the chief football writer at the i paper, Daniel Storey and by CBS Sport's Lisa Carli
Alex Rose: The engineer making athletics history for Samoa
Last September, Alex Rose made athletics history by winning bronze in the men's discus at the World Athletics Championships. It was the first-ever medal at the championships for the Pacific island of Samoa.What made the feat even more remarkable is that Alex isn’t a full-time athlete. He has to fit training around working and travelling as a sales engineer in his native Michigan – meaning he often
World Cup 2026: The rebirth of the New York Cosmos
The New York Cosmos were the original Galacticos, the ultimate glamour club and now they’re back in 2026. Lee James tells the story of the original club, which was founded in the 1970s and featured star players like Pele, before charting their rebirth in 2026.He discovers the impact the Brazilian legend Pele had both on and off the pitch. Hearing from former teammates, including goalkeeper Eddie E
World Cup 2026: Will Messi and Argentina lift the trophy again?
Argentina will face Spain in Sunday's World Cup final, after overcoming England in a semi-final that once again showcased their battling spirit - but will Lionel Messi lift the trophy again in New York?Mani Djazmi is joined by South American football expert Tim Vickery and ESPN Argentina's Francisco Canepa to analyse why the Albicelestes are one game away from retaining their title. Francisco shar
World Cup 2026: Spain shock favourites France to reach the final
Spain produced a masterclass in control to beat pre-tournament favourites France 2-0 in Dallas and secure their place in just their second World Cup final. BBC football reporter John Bennett tells Lee James why the performance of the European champions is one of the best he's ever seen at a World Cup. Spanish football journalist Ernest Macia explains why their current midfield, led by Rodri, can
World Cup 2026: Can anyone stop Mbappe’s France?
Mani Djazmi is joined by Loic Tanzi from L’Equipe and Juan Castro from Marca to preview the World Cup semi-final between France and Spain. France are many people’s favourites to win the tournament, while Spain head into the game on the back of a 36-match unbeaten run.Mani also gets an Argentinian perspective from journalist Nicolas Rotnitzsky, who says their semi-final against England is one of th
World Cup 2026: The refugee stars at the World Cup
Nestory Irankunda, Antonio Rudiger and Alphonso Davies represented Australia, Germany and Canada respectively at the World Cup - and all have links to Africa as refugees.Germany defender Antonio Rudiger tells the podcast how his brother was close to being forced into becoming a child soldier in Sierra Leone, and had to hide in a bag of rice to escape. Rudiger also discusses his childhood experienc
A golden age of Italian tennis
Italy has six players inside the men's world top 50 including number one and four-time Grand Slam champion, Jannik Sinner.Jasmine Paolini is flying the flag on the women's side while Sara Errani - one of the most successful doubles players in recent history - is still winning tournaments at the age of 39. The country has also won the last three Davis Cups and won the Billie Jean King Cup back-to-b
World Cup 2026: Norway can surprise England - Olympic great Johannes Klaebo
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo wrote himself into Olympic history earlier this year, by breaking the all-time tally for gold medals won by a Winter Olympian. But this summer, he has been dividing his time between training and travelling back and forth to the US to support Norway at the World Cup.More than the Score’s Lee James has been speaking to the Norwegian icon ahead of his fellow countrymen’s Worl
Ghostwriting: How to tell someone else's story
Athletes' memoirs and autobiographies are among the biggest-selling books around the world each year - but often, the words aren't entirely their own. Many sports stars work with 'ghostwriters' - professional authors who turn their stories into bestselling prose.In November 2025, More than the Score's Lee James and John Bennett talked to Jonathan Northcroft from UK newspaper the Sunday Times, who'
World Cup 2026: Who’s put themselves in the shop window?
Plenty of players have made names for themselves at this World Cup, from goalkeepers like Cape Verde’s Vozinha and Paraguay’s Orlando Gill to New Zealand midfielder Elijah Just. But though they might not have been familiar to fans, the extent of modern scouting means clubs all over the world will already have known about many of them – so how have their heroics at the tournament affected their sta
World Cup 2026: Will there be a new name on the trophy?
We’re at the quarter-final stage of the World Cup and four of the eight teams involved have never won football's greatest prize.For Morocco to do so, they must first overcome two-time champions, France, in their quarter-final in Boston. Belgium face 2010 winners Spain. Erling Haaland's Norway must beat 1966 winners England to progress, while Switzerland face holders Argentina. Former Switzerland
World Cup 2026: Soccer's growth in Trump's America
Lee James looks at whether co-hosting the men's Fifa World Cup will take football to another level in the United States.
In many countries around the world, football is the major obsession - but the same can't be said about the US. The NFL, NBA, Major League Baseball and NHL have a longer history and dominate the media coverage, the sponsorship deals and the national conversation.
But has this
World Cup 2026: Can Vancouver hang on to its own team?
As Vancouver hosts the last of its seven games at World Cup 2026, the city now faces a battle to keep its own MLS team.
The Vancouver Whitecaps are for sale and have been linked with a potential relocation to Las Vegas. The Whitecaps say they’ve held serious talks with more than 100 potential interested parties, but no viable offer has emerged that would keep the team in Vancouver.
Lee James s
World Cup 2026: Haaland and Norway sail on as Brazil drought continues
Norway, aided by two goals from Erling Haaland, have reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time with a 2-1 win over Brazil – whose wait for their sixth title will stretch to at least 28 years.Mani Djazmi is joined by Norwegian football journalist Lars Sivertsen and South American football expert Tim Vickery to reflect on what the results mean for both countries…Lars discusses the infl
World Cup 2026: How Mexico fell in love with football
Co-hosts Mexico have won four matches in a row at the World Cup, and are now set to face England at Mexico City’s legendary Azteca Stadium, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.Football is a way of life in Mexico - but did you know a group of Cornish miners helped introduce the sport to the country?Henry Cowling has been investigating the role those miners played in Mexico's footballing
What makes a Grand Slam grand?
The Indian Wells tournament and the Players Championship are often unofficially referred to as the “fifth Grand Slam” and the “fifth major” of tennis and men's golf respectively. But could those nicknames ever become a reality – and who gets to confer that status on them? What makes some tournaments ‘major’, and why do they seem to matter more?BBC golf correspondent Iain Carter talks to More than
World Cup 2026: Is Philadelphia the best host city for fans?
Philadelphia may not have hosted an opening ceremony, and it won’t be the venue for the final, but the city certainly seems to have been one of the big winners of the World Cup.Philadelphia Stadium – AKA Lincoln Financial Field, home of the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles - has been full for games involving the likes of Brazil, France and Ivory Coast. In the first two weeks of the tournament, 250,000 pe
World Cup 2026: USA 94 and a tale of two penalties
The United States have reached the round of 16 at their home World Cup just as they did the last time they hosted the competition in 1994. The USA did so by beating Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 in Santa Clara.
More than the Score's Lee James discusses this year's run with Kerith Gabriel, sports editor for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Lee also reflects on the World Cup 32 years ago with those invol
World Cup 2026: Cape Verde prepare to face Messi's Argentina
Cape Verde, in their debut World Cup, have already drawn with Spain and Uruguay and now they’re set for their biggest test yet, Lionel Messi's defending champions Argentina.Playing ahead of their now famous 40-year-old goalkeeper Vozinha, is Sidny Lopes Cabral, a defender who’s one of several Dutch-born players in a squad that has been taken liberally from the Cape Verdean diaspora.He explains to
World Cup 2026: What next for Germany after Paraguay exit?
Mani Djazmi is joined by German football expert Constantin Eckner and the BBC’s tactics correspondent Umir Irfan to reflect on Germany’s shock defeat against Paraguay at the World Cup.The 2014 world champions haven’t won a knockout game at a World Cup since they lifted the trophy in Brazil, and heading into the Paraguay game they had never lost a World Cup penalty shootout. We discuss what went wr
World Cup 2026: Is the 48-team tournament a success?
Lee James is joined by African football commentator Mark Gleeson, South American football expert Tim Vickery and Daniel Storey, chief football writer for the i Newspaper, to assess whether the biggest World Cup has been a success. They discuss whether the tournament has lacked jeopardy, what has led to nine African teams reaching the knockout stage and whether the World Cup will now expand again t
Are sport and fashion closer than ever?
Back in January, Naomi Osaka turned heads at tennis's Australian Open when she took to the court for her first-round match wearing a long, flowing outfit - accompanied by a custom hat and parasol - inspired by reading her daughter a story about jellyfish. Created with sports brand Nike and designer Robert Wun, it further cemented four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka's reputation as one of sport's m
World Cup 2026: Canada has caught football fever - Christine Sinclair
Canada’s Christine Sinclair is the all-time record goal scorer in international football, with 190 goals. She played in a Women’s World Cup on home soil in 2015 and was part of the team, which won Olympic gold in 2021.Sinclair joins the BBC’s Lee James to discuss the impact co-hosting the men’s World Cup is having on the sport in Canada. She believes the nation has caught football fever and the lo
World Cup 2026: Curacao's Eloy Room on his 'perfect game'
Curacao goalkeeper, Eloy Room, made 15 saves in his side's goalless draw with Ecuador - a new record for a keeper who kept a clean sheet in a 90-minute match at the World Cup. Remarkably, his performance came just days after conceding seven to Germany in their opening match of the tournament. The 37-year-old tells Mani Djazmi how he, and the team, recovered from that loss and why his display in Ka
World Cup 2026: Is Canada a soccer nation now?
Lee James is in Toronto to find out how soccer is gripping Canada, with the men’s team winning their first ever World Cup match and on the brink of reaching the knock-out stages.Soccer is now the highest participation sport in the country according to Canada Soccer and there are almost one million registered players, in 1,200 clubs across Canada. The sport has surpassed Ice hockey and all other sp
World Cup 2026: Messi makes history
Lionel Messi is now the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, after getting two goals for Argentina against Austria - two days before his 39th birthday. Messi's tally now stands at 18 goals, but what is the secret behind his longevity - and can he now be called the greatest footballer ever?The BBC’s Mani Djazmi is joined by South American football expert Tim Vickery, who analyses how Messi has adap
World Cup 2026: A stadium fit for a final?
The New York-New Jersey Stadium - usually known as the MetLife Stadium - will host this year's World Cup final on 19 July. It's best known as the home of the NFL's two New York teams, the Giants and the Jets, and concerns have been raised about its suitability for football's biggest game. France and Arsenal defender William Saliba is among the critics - he said the pitch "wasn't great" and "more l
Ellie Bouttell: The British boxer who found herself in China
When Ellie Bouttell was 15, she moved from England to live with her dad in Beijing. The decision shaped her life in ways she could never have imagined.Back in January, Ellie spoke to More than the Score's Ade Adedoyin about how she went from a "difficult" adolescence in the English Midlands to graduating from the University of Cambridge, before taking her most unexpected step: becoming a professio
World Cup 2026: Why Haiti v Brazil is more than just another game
Haiti's second game at World Cup 2026 sees them face the tournament's most famous team: Brazil. After losing their opening match to Scotland, Haiti need a result - but, as More than the Score's Mani Djazmi hears, plenty of Haitians might be rooting for Brazil instead.
Journalist Pierre Richard Midy explains how the history of football in Haiti is intertwined with the Brazilian team – to the exte
World Cup 2026: Are hydration breaks here to stay?
Fifa has introduced mandatory hydration breaks for this World Cup, essentially splitting the games into four quarters. The mandatory three-minute drinks stoppage at all 104 games has been introduced to help players cope with the stifling heat and humidity levels in Mexico, Canada and the United States. It has been criticised for allowing coaches to make tactical changes while broadcasters can - an
World Cup 2026: Son Heung-min - South Korea’s football icon
South Korea's Son Heung-min is an icon and the captain of his national team, with the former Tottenham Hotspur forward holding the record for the most goals by an Asian player in both Premier League and UEFA Champions League history.Son tells Lee James it’s “crazy” and a “dream come true” to be playing in a fourth World Cup and is hoping the team can inspire the next generation.He also reflects on
World Cup 2026: Iliman Ndiaye - Senegal’s goal is to win World Cup 2026
Senegal and Morocco are widely viewed as Africa’s strongest sides at this World Cup. The BBC’s Isaac Fanin is in Los Angeles, while Lee James and John Bennett are in New York; they reflect on being at Morocco’s opening game against Brazil, and on the recent Afcon final between the two sides.Isaac has also spoken at length to Senegal and Everton midfielder Iliman Ndiaye, who tells him the team “nev
World Cup 2026: Iran face New Zealand after months of uncertainty
After months of uncertainty, and doubts over whether they would participate in the World Cup, Iran get under way against New Zealand in Los Angeles. The team has faced visa problems and had to relocate their base camp to Mexico.The BBC’s Mani Djazmi discusses the issues around the team and their participation with Shahin Rahmani, a former football journalist and editor in Iran, who for the last 20
World Cup 2026: Mauricio Pochettino's USA join the party
More Than The Score joins football fans across the United States as the hosts record a comfortable win in their World Cup opener against Paraguay.The United States joined co-hosts Mexico and Canada in hosting their first match of the tournament, recording a comfortable 4-1 victory at the Los Angeles Stadium.Lee James joins a watch along in a New York bar, while Isaac Fanin gauged the reaction of f
Aston Moore: Do coaches get better with age?
Last year, the Caribbean island nation of Curacao qualified for the Fifa men's World Cup for the first time in their history - led by 78-year-old manager Dick Advocaat. He's now set to become the oldest man to ever coach at the finals, when he leads Curacao out against four-time world champions Germany.That got us thinking about how much experience matters for coaches. Does having decades of knowl
World Cup 2026: Canada’s Jonathan Osorio ready for Bosnia on his birthday
The BBC’s Lee James and John Bennett are in New York City, where they discover excitement for the World Cup 2026 is starting to build, albeit slowly, against the backdrop of the New York Knicks run in the NBA Finals.They reflect on Mexico winning their opening match before turning their attention to another of the co-hosts, Canada.We hear Lee’s extended interview with Jonathan Osorio. The midfiel
World Cup 2026: South Africa’s captain and Mexico’s ‘curse’
The 2026 FIFA World Cup gets underway with hosts Mexico taking on South Africa in the opening match at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. Expected to play a crucial role is South Africa's captain and goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, whose performances over the past two years have established him as one of Africa's leading players. He spoke to Isaac Fanin about the rise of African goalkeepers and
World Cup 2026: Which of USA, Canada and Mexico will perform best?
USA, Canada and Mexico are co-hosting the biggest ever World Cup, but which nation will go furthest in the tournament?The BBC’s Mani Djazmi is joined by CONCACAF football expert Jon Arnold to assess the co-hosts chances. We also hear from Canada manager Jesse Marsch, Former USA captain Marcelo Balboa and Mexican journalist Ricardo Otero.Marsch tells us he believes his side can make history in a ho
World Cup 2026: Uzbekistan - Asia's 'heartbreak' team finally reach the World Cup
Uzbekistan are set to finally make their World Cup debut as an independent nation - after years of near misses.
More than the Score's Mani Djazmi speaks to Jaloliddin Masharipov, a winger who's been part of the Uzbekistan team for more than a decade, about how the team is getting ready for its big moment, and their star player - Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov. Jaloliddin's also looking for
World Cup 2026: Will Africa win its first title?
Half a century on from Pele's infamous prophecy that an African nation would win the World Cup before the year 2000, could the continent finally deliver its first World Cup in 2026?The BBC’s Lee James is joined by the former Democratic Republic of Congo captain Gabriel Zakuani and the former Sierra Leone captain Steven Caulker to discuss the hopes of the ten African sides competing in the tourname
World Cup 2026: The favourites, the debutants and the politics
The United States, Canada and Mexico will host the most prestigious football tournament in the world. The holders Argentina will start as one of the favourites along with the likes of Spain, France, and Brazil. There are also some new names with Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan competing in the finals for the first time ever.Lee James is joined by John Bennett, Isaac Fanin and Mani Djazm
How Kei Kamara made history in the MLS and Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone striker Kei Kamara has announced his retirement from football aged 41, after a 20-year playing career that saw him go from child refugee to one of Major League Soccer’s most popular players. More than the Score’s Lee James hears his story, from memories of growing up amid civil war in Sierra Leone to a football career that took him all across the USA, as well as a spell in the Premier
Jordan Cowan: The camera behind ice skating's viral hits
Figure skating was the social media hit of the Winter Olympics, with stars like Alyssa Liu becoming globally famous over the course of the Games. But it wasn't just the skaters going viral - fans' eyes were also drawn to Jordan Cowan, a cameraman in a sparkling white suit, who took to the ice after routines to capture the emotion and atmosphere like never before.Formerly a competitive skater himse
New York Knicks reach the NBA Finals for first time in 27 years
The New York Knicks are in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years after they swept aside the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals. They'll face either defending champions Oklahoma City Thunder, or Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio Spurs, for the NBA title.The likes of Spike Lee, Timothée Chalamet, Anne Hathaway and Larry David are expected to take their seats on Madison Square
Can the Unity Cup put Indian football in the spotlight?
India will take part in the Unity Cup, an invitational four-nation tournament in London. Joining them will be Nigeria, Jamaica and Zimbabwe. The event, launched in 2002, is designed as a celebration of communities with a large diaspora in the city. Football in India has endured a difficult period, however. The Indian Super League was shortened after starting late. There's a lack of quality foreig
VAR: Inside one of football's most controversial jobs
Video assistant referees - or VAR - are among the most scrutinised figures in football. Decisions made using the technology have seemingly played huge roles in title races across Europe, and it once again looks set to be a major talking point at the upcoming men's World Cup. But what's it like to do the job itself?Back in November, John Bennett talked to the former referee Graham Scott, who spent
Scott Dixon: From New Zealand to the Indianapolis 500
New Zealander Scott Dixon has spent more than two decades as one of the biggest names in IndyCar racing. He's been crowned the overall IndyCar series champion six times, and, aged 45, is still one of the sport's leading drivers. His achievements in the US have made him a national hero in New Zealand - in 2025, he was made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and he's twice been na
Aaron Rai: From Wolverhampton to major champion
Aaron Rai wasn't one of the favourites for this year's US PGA tournament - the second of the sport's four men's majors. But on the final day of the championship, the Englishman slowly emerged from a huge pack of contenders to top the leaderboard. Showing no nerves, he held off the likes of Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas to take his first major title, finishing three shots clear of the fi
From Wrexham to F1: Is reality TV changing sport?
Welcome to Wrexham and Formula 1: Drive to Survive are among the wave of sporting reality TV shows that have become global hits over the past decade. They've also had a major influence on the teams and sports they feature, with Wrexham now targeting a place in the Premier League, while F1 has soared in popularity in markets such as the US.But why have behind-the-scenes shows like these become so p
Jada Tati: From World Skate Games to a Miss Namibia semi-finalist
Jada Tati was part of Namibia's junior inline hockey women's team, which beat the USA in 2022 to win the country’s first title at the World Skate Games. Inline hockey is similar to ice hockey, but played with roller skates rather than blades.Sophia Hartley is joined by BBC World Service Newsday presenter Isaac Fanin, who spoke to Jada about why she's since retired from the sport and how she's usin
Unai Emery: the Europa League maestro
Spanish football manager Unai Emery has won four Europa League titles - can he win a fifth with Aston Villa? Emery led Sevilla to three Europa League titles in a row between 2014 and 2016 before winning it again with Villareal in 2021. So why is he so successful in European Football's second tier competition?As he prepares to lead a side in a 6th Europa League final, Delyth Lloyd is joined by the
Madina Okot: From Kenya to the WNBA
Last month, Madina Okot was picked 13th in the WNBA Draft - the earliest any Kenyan player has been selected in the competition's history. She was chosen by the Atlanta Dream after an impressive college career, even though she only took up basketball six years ago.
She's also not had a straightforward route to the top level of the sport, with multiple rejections along the way, and faced a battle
What's it like to be an interim football manager?
Interim managers have played a big part in this Premier League season. Tottenham Hotspur’s decision to appoint Igor Tudor until the end of the campaign went badly wrong, with the Croatian sacked after just seven games. Calum McFarlane is set to lead Chelsea out for the FA Cup final, having been called up from his role as the club's under-23 manager following the sacking of Liam Rosenior. After bei
Haiti: The World Cup team who can't play at home
Haiti has been a country in turmoil for more than a decade. A devastating earthquake triggered a humanitarian crisis in 2010, and many areas are under the control of violent criminal gangs. Its national football teams cannot currently play games at home - but this summer, the Haitian men's team will compete at the Fifa World Cup for the first time since 1974. Haiti also reached the finals of the w
Russ Anber: How to train a boxing champion
Russ Anber is one of the most distinguished names in boxing. In a career spanning more than 45 years as a trainer and cut-man, he's worked with some of the sport's biggest names, including heavyweight great Oleksandr Usyk, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Roy Jones Jr. He's also written a new memoir, Russ Anber: Unrivaled, in which he reflects on more than four decades of working in one of sport's most pres
Should the world’s best women’s rugby union players use smaller balls?
England fly-half Zoe Harrison says the introduction of smaller balls for this autumn's WXV Global Series is "the worst decision someone has ever made". Size 4.5 balls - about 3% smaller, but the same weight as a regulation size five - will be used for the tournament in September and October.Delyth Lloyd is also joined by the BBC’s Rugby reporter Sara Orchard and England World Cup winner Danielle
Does coverage of women's sport focus on personality over performance?
Over the past three years, women's basketball has become one of the most watched and talked-about sports in the USA. Around 1.5 million viewers tuned in to this year's WNBA draft, where the Dallas Wings made Azzi Fudd the number one pick. However, much of the media coverage of the draft focused more on Fudd's relationship with the Wings' star player, Paige Bueckers, than on Fudd's attributes as a
Fabio Wardley: From white collar boxing to world champion
Fabio Wardley’s journey to the top of the heavyweight boxing reads like a Hollywood movie script. Having been part of Ipswich Town's academy as a teenager, he discovered boxing in his 20's. He had four white collar fights before deciding to turn professional. White collar is a form of boxing where people in professional careers with no prior boxing experience train to compete in amateur matches,
What next for LIV Golf and Saudi investment in sport?
The launch of LIV Golf in 2022, backed by Saudi Arabia's powerful Public Investment Fund (PIF), sent shockwaves through the world of sport. Many of golf's biggest names, such as Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, signed up to LIV, and were rewarded with hugely lucrative prize money - while others, including Rory McIlroy, fiercely criticised the new competition.However, LIV's big spend
Can stats pick out the EFL Championship play-off winner?
Four teams are set to battle it out for a place in the Premier League via the Championship play-offs. It's the teams that finished between third and sixth in the second tier at the end of the regular season. Hull City and Millwall face each other over two legs. The winner of that one facing the winner of the semi-final between Middlesbrough and Southampton in a decider at Wembley. The winner of th
