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In 1970, a football legend was born. Inspired by a NASA satellite and motivated by a global television audience, Adidas created an iconic match ball that would leave a lasting legacy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's one of the most challenging and criticised jobs in football; what motivates someone to be a referee? We explore what it takes to be an official at the highest level, and how technology is changing the role of the ref.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Determined to fulfil a boyhood dream of playing international football, Paul Watson went searching for a minnow team that would provide an easy path to a national cap. But in discovering the remote Pacific island of Pohnpei, who's side was dubbed 'the worst in the world', Paul found himself on a new quest: to coach a national football team.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The origin story of the United States Women's National Team, and their historic victory at the first ever Women's World Cup in 1991. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The story of refugee footballer Hakeem al-Araibi, and the global campaign that saved his life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is By Association, human stories from the beautiful game.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the 21st of February 1897, in a cafe in Paris, a football club was born. It was founded on inclusive values, which it still upholds today. This is the story of Red Star, the last romantic football club in France.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it take to be a professional footballer? From childhood dream to playing in a World Cup, former Danish international and Premier League goalkeeper Thomas Sorensen reflects on life in the game and competing at the highest level.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Football is often said to be a universal language. If you can play it, you can communicate with anyone around the world. But as the sport has embedded itself into cultures, so too has the way we write about it and talk about it. From match reports and opinion pieces to radio broadcasts and fan discussions, the words and phrases we use continue to evolve, in order to articulate what we see unfolding in front of us. Football has established a vernacular all of its own. This episode is a special collaboration with The Expressionists podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On January 22 1927, BBC Radio broadcast a football match for the very first time. It was thought that radio coverage would affect match attendance and newspaper sales, but by 1931 the BBC were broadcasting over one hundred games a season. Six years later, they aired the first match on live television. As football has grown, so too has the way we consume the sport. TV coverage now dominates, but radio still plays a crucial role. And at the core of these experiences is the human voice - the football commentator.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was November 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War when an international football tournament was held in Saigon - and Australia's national team was sent to compete.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the world game, football is a reflection of our global society. It has the power to transcend political, religious, cultural and social barriers. But that also means there is still work to do when it comes to representation, equality and inclusion. For gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and non-binary people, being your true self isn’t always easy - and in the football world it can be even harder.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Whether you’re a player on the pitch or a fan in the stands, the highs and lows over the course of a football match test our nerves and pull at our emotions. It’s a unique experience where intense feelings are concentrated and heightened. There’s also a parallel with emotions we experience in our own lives. This is especially felt by those who struggle with mental health issues. But football can often be an outlet and a comfort when we need it most. Aaron Wolfe shares his story of how the game helped him overcome anxiety and depression.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the story of the worlds oldest football trophy and the games first knockout tournament. Before the FA Cup, there was the Youdan Cup. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Association football may be the most popular sport in the world but in many regions the development of the game remains a work in progress. For countries that are still trying to build their own football culture, the very globalisation of the game can sometimes have the opposite effect on local football.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FIFA, football’s world governing body, established in 1904 to oversee the international game. Today, it’s comprised of 211 member associations. That’s more than the United Nations. But of course, there are many nations outside of FIFA. That’s where CONIFA comes in. The Confederation of Independent Football Associations.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In collaboration with The Blizzard - The Football Quarterly, we present 'The Silenced Crowd'. The greatest scandal in British football in the first half of the twentieth century, as a group of players from two of the country’s greatest sides colluded to fix a match. The Silenced Crowd by Richard Fitzpatrick, originally published in Issue 10 of The Blizzard and featured on Episode 40 of The Blizzard Podcast.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's a scene that plays out every weekend around the world during the football season. People flock to their local community clubs to watch, play, coach and volunteer. On this episode we explore why grassroots football is the lifeblood of the game.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever dreamed of creating your own football club? This is the story of some football fans who went several steps further. They created an entire league. Le Ballon, the coolest amateur football league in the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a global sport football is integral to so many cultures around the world and naturally, we see it represented in many different art forms, including film. In this episode we take a look at some of the best (and worst) football films and explore the ways in which the beautiful game is represented on screen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.