The Sweeper Podcast
@sweeperpod.bsky.social
🌍 World football podcast telling stories from all 211 FIFA countries & beyond ⭐️ 5* rating from 1,000+ listeners 📧 Enquiries: business@sweeperpod.com
https://linktr.ee/SweeperPod
https://linktr.ee/SweeperPod
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📺 NEW EPISODE 📺
🇸🇰 DAC 1904 v Slovan Bratislava - the most politically charged football match we've ever attended!
🇭🇺 Viktor Orbán's football power play - could it help him win re-election in April?
🇲🇽🇺🇸 Mexican & US teams in Copa Libertadores?
🇨🇳 Minus points for 9/16 Chinese Super League teams
🇸🇰 DAC 1904 v Slovan Bratislava - the most politically charged football match we've ever attended!
🇭🇺 Viktor Orbán's football power play - could it help him win re-election in April?
🇲🇽🇺🇸 Mexican & US teams in Copa Libertadores?
🇨🇳 Minus points for 9/16 Chinese Super League teams
🎙️ NEW BONUS EPISODE 🎙️
We have now made 100 episodes. This is the only one that never aired. And it's out now, exclusively for patrons!
Join us on Patreon for bonus podcasts (including a huge back catalogue) at: patreon.com/sweeperpod
We have now made 100 episodes. This is the only one that never aired. And it's out now, exclusively for patrons!
Join us on Patreon for bonus podcasts (including a huge back catalogue) at: patreon.com/sweeperpod
February 11, 2026 at 8:01 PM
🎙️ NEW BONUS EPISODE 🎙️
We have now made 100 episodes. This is the only one that never aired. And it's out now, exclusively for patrons!
Join us on Patreon for bonus podcasts (including a huge back catalogue) at: patreon.com/sweeperpod
We have now made 100 episodes. This is the only one that never aired. And it's out now, exclusively for patrons!
Join us on Patreon for bonus podcasts (including a huge back catalogue) at: patreon.com/sweeperpod
🇯🇵 Japan's J-League might be the world's only major league without draws (sort of) this season.
As part of its short transitional season from calendar-year to autumn-spring format, drawn matches go to a penalty shootout, with the winner taking two points and the loser getting one point!
As part of its short transitional season from calendar-year to autumn-spring format, drawn matches go to a penalty shootout, with the winner taking two points and the loser getting one point!
February 11, 2026 at 7:59 PM
🇯🇵 Japan's J-League might be the world's only major league without draws (sort of) this season.
As part of its short transitional season from calendar-year to autumn-spring format, drawn matches go to a penalty shootout, with the winner taking two points and the loser getting one point!
As part of its short transitional season from calendar-year to autumn-spring format, drawn matches go to a penalty shootout, with the winner taking two points and the loser getting one point!
🆕 NEW EPISODE: Why is Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán funding football clubs abroad? 🇭🇺💰
Watch/listen on:
🟢 Spotify: bit.ly/Sweeper100Spotify
🍎 Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/Sweeper100Apple
📺 YouTube: bit.ly/Sweeper100YouTube
Watch/listen on:
🟢 Spotify: bit.ly/Sweeper100Spotify
🍎 Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/Sweeper100Apple
📺 YouTube: bit.ly/Sweeper100YouTube
February 11, 2026 at 6:29 PM
🆕 NEW EPISODE: Why is Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán funding football clubs abroad? 🇭🇺💰
Watch/listen on:
🟢 Spotify: bit.ly/Sweeper100Spotify
🍎 Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/Sweeper100Apple
📺 YouTube: bit.ly/Sweeper100YouTube
Watch/listen on:
🟢 Spotify: bit.ly/Sweeper100Spotify
🍎 Apple Podcasts: bit.ly/Sweeper100Apple
📺 YouTube: bit.ly/Sweeper100YouTube
🇸🇲 Meet Murata of San Marino, the worst top-flight team in Europe in the 2025/26 season in terms of points on the board (-2 due to a nine-point deduction for administrative irregularities).
They conceded five goals in the space of 35 minutes last night & have lost eight games in a row!
They conceded five goals in the space of 35 minutes last night & have lost eight games in a row!
February 11, 2026 at 1:21 PM
🇸🇲 Meet Murata of San Marino, the worst top-flight team in Europe in the 2025/26 season in terms of points on the board (-2 due to a nine-point deduction for administrative irregularities).
They conceded five goals in the space of 35 minutes last night & have lost eight games in a row!
They conceded five goals in the space of 35 minutes last night & have lost eight games in a row!
🇹🇲 Cristiano Ronaldo has not made the trip to Turkmenistan with Al Nassr to face Arkadag in the AFC Champions League 2 today!
Arkadag are from an eponymous smart city, which was built as a cost of around $5 billion by former autocratic leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.
Arkadag are from an eponymous smart city, which was built as a cost of around $5 billion by former autocratic leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.
February 11, 2026 at 10:48 AM
🇹🇲 Cristiano Ronaldo has not made the trip to Turkmenistan with Al Nassr to face Arkadag in the AFC Champions League 2 today!
Arkadag are from an eponymous smart city, which was built as a cost of around $5 billion by former autocratic leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.
Arkadag are from an eponymous smart city, which was built as a cost of around $5 billion by former autocratic leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.
📺 NEW EPISODE 📺
🇸🇰 DAC 1904 v Slovan Bratislava - the most politically charged football match we've ever attended!
🇭🇺 Viktor Orbán's football power play - could it help him win re-election in April?
🇲🇽🇺🇸 Mexican & US teams in Copa Libertadores?
🇨🇳 Minus points for 9/16 Chinese Super League teams
🇸🇰 DAC 1904 v Slovan Bratislava - the most politically charged football match we've ever attended!
🇭🇺 Viktor Orbán's football power play - could it help him win re-election in April?
🇲🇽🇺🇸 Mexican & US teams in Copa Libertadores?
🇨🇳 Minus points for 9/16 Chinese Super League teams
February 10, 2026 at 8:05 PM
📺 NEW EPISODE 📺
🇸🇰 DAC 1904 v Slovan Bratislava - the most politically charged football match we've ever attended!
🇭🇺 Viktor Orbán's football power play - could it help him win re-election in April?
🇲🇽🇺🇸 Mexican & US teams in Copa Libertadores?
🇨🇳 Minus points for 9/16 Chinese Super League teams
🇸🇰 DAC 1904 v Slovan Bratislava - the most politically charged football match we've ever attended!
🇭🇺 Viktor Orbán's football power play - could it help him win re-election in April?
🇲🇽🇺🇸 Mexican & US teams in Copa Libertadores?
🇨🇳 Minus points for 9/16 Chinese Super League teams
🇸🇰🇭🇺 Brand-new episode out NOW for Patreon supporters!
Sign up for exclusive early access patreon.com/sweeperpod
Sign up for exclusive early access patreon.com/sweeperpod
February 10, 2026 at 5:24 PM
🇸🇰🇭🇺 Brand-new episode out NOW for Patreon supporters!
Sign up for exclusive early access patreon.com/sweeperpod
Sign up for exclusive early access patreon.com/sweeperpod
🆕 The island of Bougainville has set a target date of 1 September 2027 to secede from Papua New Guinea and become the world's newest country.
That means the Oceanian football family could eventually have a new member - if the 98% pro-independence vote is ratified by PNG's government.
That means the Oceanian football family could eventually have a new member - if the 98% pro-independence vote is ratified by PNG's government.
February 10, 2026 at 1:26 PM
🆕 The island of Bougainville has set a target date of 1 September 2027 to secede from Papua New Guinea and become the world's newest country.
That means the Oceanian football family could eventually have a new member - if the 98% pro-independence vote is ratified by PNG's government.
That means the Oceanian football family could eventually have a new member - if the 98% pro-independence vote is ratified by PNG's government.
🇻🇺 Vanuatu United had three players sent off in their OFC Pro League match against South Melbourne, in addition to their head coach Lars Hopp.
It has been a chaotic start to the tournament for the German manager, who has already resigned and un-resigned since it got under way!
It has been a chaotic start to the tournament for the German manager, who has already resigned and un-resigned since it got under way!
February 8, 2026 at 5:48 PM
🇻🇺 Vanuatu United had three players sent off in their OFC Pro League match against South Melbourne, in addition to their head coach Lars Hopp.
It has been a chaotic start to the tournament for the German manager, who has already resigned and un-resigned since it got under way!
It has been a chaotic start to the tournament for the German manager, who has already resigned and un-resigned since it got under way!
🇲🇻 Scandal in the Maldives, where Club Valencia won their final game of the season 2-0 but still needed relegation rivals Green Streets to lose their last match by 4 goals in order to beat the drop.
To prevent that, Green Streets allegedly forfeited their last match & stayed up with a 3-0 walkover!
To prevent that, Green Streets allegedly forfeited their last match & stayed up with a 3-0 walkover!
February 8, 2026 at 1:30 PM
🇲🇻 Scandal in the Maldives, where Club Valencia won their final game of the season 2-0 but still needed relegation rivals Green Streets to lose their last match by 4 goals in order to beat the drop.
To prevent that, Green Streets allegedly forfeited their last match & stayed up with a 3-0 walkover!
To prevent that, Green Streets allegedly forfeited their last match & stayed up with a 3-0 walkover!
🇸🇻 There is a father v son head coach match-up in El Salvador's Primera División today as 62-year-old Ernesto Corti's Alianza visit Daniel Corti's Hercules!
They are - to the best of our knowledge - the only father and son in charge of top-flight clubs in the same league worldwide!
They are - to the best of our knowledge - the only father and son in charge of top-flight clubs in the same league worldwide!
February 8, 2026 at 11:52 AM
🇸🇻 There is a father v son head coach match-up in El Salvador's Primera División today as 62-year-old Ernesto Corti's Alianza visit Daniel Corti's Hercules!
They are - to the best of our knowledge - the only father and son in charge of top-flight clubs in the same league worldwide!
They are - to the best of our knowledge - the only father and son in charge of top-flight clubs in the same league worldwide!
🇫🇷🇲🇨 Monaco will make the 25km journey along France's south coast to Nice today, in what is Ligue 1's shortest away day outside the capital Paris.
Interestingly, the fixture also involves the only team from outside France's borders: the visitors are based in Monaco but are members of the French FA.
Interestingly, the fixture also involves the only team from outside France's borders: the visitors are based in Monaco but are members of the French FA.
February 8, 2026 at 9:36 AM
🇫🇷🇲🇨 Monaco will make the 25km journey along France's south coast to Nice today, in what is Ligue 1's shortest away day outside the capital Paris.
Interestingly, the fixture also involves the only team from outside France's borders: the visitors are based in Monaco but are members of the French FA.
Interestingly, the fixture also involves the only team from outside France's borders: the visitors are based in Monaco but are members of the French FA.
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 🏴
Located close to the border with England, the Scottish village of Swinton is home to one of the more unique football pitches in the British Isles.
The centre-circle contains a memorial plinth, which dates back to 1769 when the village greenery was still a local marketplace!
Located close to the border with England, the Scottish village of Swinton is home to one of the more unique football pitches in the British Isles.
The centre-circle contains a memorial plinth, which dates back to 1769 when the village greenery was still a local marketplace!
February 7, 2026 at 9:54 PM
𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 🏴
Located close to the border with England, the Scottish village of Swinton is home to one of the more unique football pitches in the British Isles.
The centre-circle contains a memorial plinth, which dates back to 1769 when the village greenery was still a local marketplace!
Located close to the border with England, the Scottish village of Swinton is home to one of the more unique football pitches in the British Isles.
The centre-circle contains a memorial plinth, which dates back to 1769 when the village greenery was still a local marketplace!
🇸🇰 DAC 1904 0-3 Slovan Bratislava
A rather one-sided game on the pitch - although it might not have been had the hosts converted their penalty - but a fascinating one off it with flares, protests & tension between the teams that extends far beyond football.
You’re in for a treat on the next pod! 🔜
A rather one-sided game on the pitch - although it might not have been had the hosts converted their penalty - but a fascinating one off it with flares, protests & tension between the teams that extends far beyond football.
You’re in for a treat on the next pod! 🔜
February 7, 2026 at 7:40 PM
🇸🇰 DAC 1904 0-3 Slovan Bratislava
A rather one-sided game on the pitch - although it might not have been had the hosts converted their penalty - but a fascinating one off it with flares, protests & tension between the teams that extends far beyond football.
You’re in for a treat on the next pod! 🔜
A rather one-sided game on the pitch - although it might not have been had the hosts converted their penalty - but a fascinating one off it with flares, protests & tension between the teams that extends far beyond football.
You’re in for a treat on the next pod! 🔜
🇸🇰 DAC 1904 come from Dunajská Streda, a town in southern Slovakia where three-quarters of the local population identify as Hungarian.
The away Slovan fans have just let off flares in the red, white and blue of the Slovak flag to provoke them, leading the match to be paused due to low visibility!
The away Slovan fans have just let off flares in the red, white and blue of the Slovak flag to provoke them, leading the match to be paused due to low visibility!
February 7, 2026 at 5:38 PM
🇸🇰 DAC 1904 come from Dunajská Streda, a town in southern Slovakia where three-quarters of the local population identify as Hungarian.
The away Slovan fans have just let off flares in the red, white and blue of the Slovak flag to provoke them, leading the match to be paused due to low visibility!
The away Slovan fans have just let off flares in the red, white and blue of the Slovak flag to provoke them, leading the match to be paused due to low visibility!
📍 MOL Aréna, Dunajská Streda 🇸🇰
In Slovakia at a genuinely lovely stadium for DAC 1904 v Slovan Bratislava - a top-of-the-table clash with a geopolitical twist! Full story, of course, on the next podcast episode 🔜
In Slovakia at a genuinely lovely stadium for DAC 1904 v Slovan Bratislava - a top-of-the-table clash with a geopolitical twist! Full story, of course, on the next podcast episode 🔜
February 7, 2026 at 4:30 PM
📍 MOL Aréna, Dunajská Streda 🇸🇰
In Slovakia at a genuinely lovely stadium for DAC 1904 v Slovan Bratislava - a top-of-the-table clash with a geopolitical twist! Full story, of course, on the next podcast episode 🔜
In Slovakia at a genuinely lovely stadium for DAC 1904 v Slovan Bratislava - a top-of-the-table clash with a geopolitical twist! Full story, of course, on the next podcast episode 🔜
🇧🇪 What a turnaround it has been for Sint-Truiden, who have gone from a relegation battle last term to chasing Champions League qualification this season.
After thrashing Westerlo 4-0 last night, they are second & only one point behind leaders Union St. Gilloise, who do however have a game in hand.
After thrashing Westerlo 4-0 last night, they are second & only one point behind leaders Union St. Gilloise, who do however have a game in hand.
February 7, 2026 at 2:50 PM
🇧🇪 What a turnaround it has been for Sint-Truiden, who have gone from a relegation battle last term to chasing Champions League qualification this season.
After thrashing Westerlo 4-0 last night, they are second & only one point behind leaders Union St. Gilloise, who do however have a game in hand.
After thrashing Westerlo 4-0 last night, they are second & only one point behind leaders Union St. Gilloise, who do however have a game in hand.
🇸🇰 A quick pitstop in Bratislava to meet our friends from the Futbalovy VAR podcast before heading to Dunajska Streda for the game 🔜
February 7, 2026 at 1:29 PM
🇸🇰 A quick pitstop in Bratislava to meet our friends from the Futbalovy VAR podcast before heading to Dunajska Streda for the game 🔜
🇯🇴 Doqarah were promoted to Jordan's second tier in 2023, only to be demoted back to the third division for foul play before being reinstated in late 2024.
They were then promoted again in 2025 - this time to the Pro League, where they will play for the first time ever in 2026/27. Rollercoaster!
They were then promoted again in 2025 - this time to the Pro League, where they will play for the first time ever in 2026/27. Rollercoaster!
February 7, 2026 at 11:35 AM
🇯🇴 Doqarah were promoted to Jordan's second tier in 2023, only to be demoted back to the third division for foul play before being reinstated in late 2024.
They were then promoted again in 2025 - this time to the Pro League, where they will play for the first time ever in 2026/27. Rollercoaster!
They were then promoted again in 2025 - this time to the Pro League, where they will play for the first time ever in 2026/27. Rollercoaster!
🇸🇰🏟️ We're on the road today to watch a table-topping clash in Slovakia between challengers DAC 1904 and reigning champions Slovan Bratislava.
DAC 1904 are from the town of Dunajská Streda, which is close to the Hungarian border and has a Hungarian-speaking majority of 75%!
DAC 1904 are from the town of Dunajská Streda, which is close to the Hungarian border and has a Hungarian-speaking majority of 75%!
February 7, 2026 at 10:49 AM
🇸🇰🏟️ We're on the road today to watch a table-topping clash in Slovakia between challengers DAC 1904 and reigning champions Slovan Bratislava.
DAC 1904 are from the town of Dunajská Streda, which is close to the Hungarian border and has a Hungarian-speaking majority of 75%!
DAC 1904 are from the town of Dunajská Streda, which is close to the Hungarian border and has a Hungarian-speaking majority of 75%!
🇳🇿 Auckland FC’s winning start to the inaugural OFC Pro League has finally been brought to an end by Solomon Kings, who won emphatically in Papua New Guinea!
The New Zealanders remain seven points clear at the top but their next opponents South Melbourne have two games in hand.
The New Zealanders remain seven points clear at the top but their next opponents South Melbourne have two games in hand.
February 7, 2026 at 8:01 AM
🇳🇿 Auckland FC’s winning start to the inaugural OFC Pro League has finally been brought to an end by Solomon Kings, who won emphatically in Papua New Guinea!
The New Zealanders remain seven points clear at the top but their next opponents South Melbourne have two games in hand.
The New Zealanders remain seven points clear at the top but their next opponents South Melbourne have two games in hand.
✍️ We have a monthly column in World Soccer magazine where we tell a selection of stories from around the football world.
'Sweeper Ultras' on Patreon can read it as part of their membership each month.
Sign up at patreon.com/sweeperpod
'Sweeper Ultras' on Patreon can read it as part of their membership each month.
Sign up at patreon.com/sweeperpod
February 6, 2026 at 9:59 PM
✍️ We have a monthly column in World Soccer magazine where we tell a selection of stories from around the football world.
'Sweeper Ultras' on Patreon can read it as part of their membership each month.
Sign up at patreon.com/sweeperpod
'Sweeper Ultras' on Patreon can read it as part of their membership each month.
Sign up at patreon.com/sweeperpod
🇮🇹📈 Only two of the 262 clubs in the top four tiers of Italian football are still unbeaten in the 2025/26 season:
Serie C Group A: Vicenza (W19 D5)
Serie D Group G: Scafatese (W16 D6)
Serie C Group A: Vicenza (W19 D5)
Serie D Group G: Scafatese (W16 D6)
February 6, 2026 at 8:39 PM
🇮🇹📈 Only two of the 262 clubs in the top four tiers of Italian football are still unbeaten in the 2025/26 season:
Serie C Group A: Vicenza (W19 D5)
Serie D Group G: Scafatese (W16 D6)
Serie C Group A: Vicenza (W19 D5)
Serie D Group G: Scafatese (W16 D6)
🇻🇳🏟️ Vietnam is in the process of building the largest football-specific stadium in the world, the Trong Dong Stadium in the vicinity of Hanoi.
The 135,000-capacity ground, which will be home to the largest retractable roof in the world, is expected to be completed by August 2028.
The 135,000-capacity ground, which will be home to the largest retractable roof in the world, is expected to be completed by August 2028.
February 6, 2026 at 6:00 PM
🇻🇳🏟️ Vietnam is in the process of building the largest football-specific stadium in the world, the Trong Dong Stadium in the vicinity of Hanoi.
The 135,000-capacity ground, which will be home to the largest retractable roof in the world, is expected to be completed by August 2028.
The 135,000-capacity ground, which will be home to the largest retractable roof in the world, is expected to be completed by August 2028.
🇳🇱 Dutch former footballer Caifano Latupeirissa now works as a security guard in a forensic psychiatric clinic, which has its own football team: Jonker Boys.
Comprised of clients & staff, they play in a league. But they always play at home on clinic grounds as away games are not possible.
Comprised of clients & staff, they play in a league. But they always play at home on clinic grounds as away games are not possible.
February 6, 2026 at 5:21 PM
🇳🇱 Dutch former footballer Caifano Latupeirissa now works as a security guard in a forensic psychiatric clinic, which has its own football team: Jonker Boys.
Comprised of clients & staff, they play in a league. But they always play at home on clinic grounds as away games are not possible.
Comprised of clients & staff, they play in a league. But they always play at home on clinic grounds as away games are not possible.