It’s just a week until the first whistle of the 2026 World Cup. To celebrate, Madeleine Finlay sits down with Ian Sample to discuss the science behind the tournament. It’s set to be one of the hottest World Cups on record and a group of scientists has written to Fifa asking them to reconsider their heat mitigations for players and referees. Dr Oliver Gibson of Brunel University outlines their concerns. Also on the agenda is the huge fossil fuel impact of this tournament, and the impact of VAR on the psychology of referees, and fans. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast

From our sister podcast: Suzy Wrack is joined by Tom Garry, Emily Keogh and Ameé Ruszkai to discuss Manchester City’s FA Cup triumph, England’s huge qualifier against Spain and Jill Scott’s epic Sport Relief challenge. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini, Philippe Auclair and Andy Hunter to discuss the Champions League final and Arne Slot’s Anfield departure. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Mark Langdon, Paul Watson and Ed Aarons as Crystal Palace win the Europa Conference League. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, George Elek and Ali Maxwell after a weekend of EFL playoffs that saw Oli McBurnie take Hull City back to the Premier League for the first time in a decade. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Barney Ronay, Jonathan Wilson and Jacob Steinberg to discuss the final day of the Premier League season. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Archie Rhind-Tutt, Lars Sivertsen and Dan Bardell to discuss Villa’s Europa League success. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Nicky Bandini and Sam Dalling as Manchester City drop points at Bournemouth to hand the Premier League title to Arsenal. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, John Brewin, Dan Bardell and Ewan Murray to discuss Manchester City’s FA Cup win and Celtic’s chaotic title celebrations. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast

The US supreme court demolished the 1965 Voting Rights Act when they ruled in Louisiana v Callais in April that states can’t consider race in redistricting. Southern states from Tennessee to Alabama have rushed to erase majority Black districts, sparking chaos for the midterm elections. Kai Wright talks with Stacey Abrams, voting rights activist and former Georgia house minority leader, about the fallout from the decision, and why, even now, she thinks the way forward is still through engaging more voters to participate in democracy: “They have fractured communities and said we’re going to scatter these seeds. Our job is to grow.”. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast

Max Rushden is joined by Barry Glendenning, Jordan Jarrett-Bryan, Will Unwin and Ewan Murray to discuss the title races in England and Scotland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/footballweeklypod. Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FootballWeeklyPodcast