Table of Contents
- ESPN FC
- The Gary Neville Podcast
- The Athletic Football Podcast
- The Fozcast
- That Peter Crouch Podcast
- The Scuffed Soccer Podcast
- Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast
- Extra Time
- The Call Up
- Recap: The best soccer podcasts in 2023
Whether you’re new to the sport or a die-hard fan of a team, searching for the best soccer podcasts is a great way to learn more about the beautiful game.
Thankfully, there are so many excellent podcasts out there, and soccer fans are truly spoiled for choice when it comes to listening options.
With that in mind, here are nine of the best soccer podcasts that the Soccer Knowledge Hub team listen to throughout the season!
ESPN FC
Although the main focus of the ESPN FC podcast is the English Premier League, ESPN FC is an excellent podcast for those who are interested in European soccer more generally.
The likes of Gabriele Marcotti, Sid Lowe, and Mark Ogden all contribute to discussions on ESPN FC, and we love the insightful topics covered by the hosts.
If you’re just getting into soccer, ESPN FC is a great podcast to begin with, as the hosts chat about soccer in a relaxed way while offering great insight into the game. A great one to get started with!
Listen to ESPN FC here.
The Gary Neville Podcast
During his playing career, Gary Neville was an accomplished full back and achieved impressive honors during his time at Manchester United. Since retiring, Gary has worked as a pundit and soccer journalist and is extremely opinionated on all matters relating to soccer!
One of the best things about the Gary Neville podcast is that he talks openly and candidly about soccer and doesn’t shy away from controversy. This is what has made him popular with many English soccer fans in the days since his retirement from the professional game.
Gary is often joined by legendary English broadcaster Martin Tyler on the show and the two dig deep into some of the biggest soccer topics of the day.
Listen to The Gary Neville Podcast here.
The Athletic Football Podcast
Although The Athletic runs several podcasts, their flagship show is the simply named The Athletic Football Podcast. The Athletic writers come together to discuss everything related to soccer, and you hear from experts and club correspondents when news breaks about specific teams and leagues.
While you need to sign up for a subscription to read the articles shared on The Athletic, the football podcast is free to listen to wherever you usually get your podcasts.
It’s another good choice for anyone who is new to soccer and is looking to get a more rounded understanding of the beautiful game in soccer. In other words, it’s the perfect podcast for soccer newbies!
Listen to The Athletic Football podcast here.
Are you keen to learn more about a subscription to The Athletic? Check out our recent review, where we help you decide if a subscription to The Athletic is worth it.
The Fozcast
Former England goalkeeper Ben Foster runs The Fozcast, an excellent podcast that takes a less-than-serious look at European soccer. Ben invites guests to join him behind the mic each week and introduces listeners to some behind-the-scenes topics, lifting the lid on what it’s really like to play in the English Premier League.
Ben and his guests discuss a huge number of topics, ranging from players’ salaries to infamous fall-outs on and off the field (The Fozcast’s coverage of the Cristiano Ronaldo affair has been amazing!).
Another thing we love about the Fozcast is that Ben is really into cycling, and he often discusses his trials and tribulations out on the road. He also covers other sports – including boxing – making this so much more than just another soccer podcast!
Listen to The Fozcast here.
That Peter Crouch Podcast
Peter Crouch is a former England international, but he is commonly known as one of the nicest (and funniest) guys in English soccer! He hosts That Peter Crouch Podcast alongside Chris Stark, and the pair have amazing chemistry on the show.
This is undoubtedly one of the best soccer podcasts out there, and the way that Peter Crouch tells stories about his former colleagues is absolutely hilarious. You can’t help but like him after listening to an hour of his musings on the beautiful game!
That Peter Crouch Podcast has cult-like status in the UK and is a great option if you’re keen to learn more about what life as a professional soccer player is really like.
Listen to That Peter Crouch Podcast here.
The Scuffed Soccer Podcast
While the above pods are focused mainly on European soccer, The Scuffed Soccer Podcast is all about soccer in the United States. Adam Belz and Greg Velasquez launched the podcast after the USMNT failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, and they’ve come a long way since!
It’s the best place to learn all about soccer from the American viewpoint, and the hosts dedicate a lot of time and attention to the US men’s and women’s national teams. Away from international duty, they share their thoughts and predictions about the goings-on in MLS, as well as keeping track of US players abroad.
Ultimately – The Scuffed Soccer Podcast is the number one option for all US-based soccer fans, and the SKH team can’t recommend it highly enough!
Listen to The Scuffed Soccer Podcast here.
Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast
Alexi Lalas needs very little introduction. His State of the Union Podcast is all about soccer from the US perspective, diving into the international game while tracking American soccer stars who are making a big impact in some of the world’s most popular leagues.
Nothing is off the table as far as Alexi Lalas is concerned, and he dives into topics in his usual forthright and commanding manner – it makes for excellent listening!
Alexi is regularly joined by David Mosse and hosts guests, including Stu Holden and other current and former professionals. It’s another great podcast for all US soccer fans.
Listen to Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union here.
Extra Time
If you follow a soccer team in MLS, you need to tune into the Extra Time podcast. Hosted by Andrew Wiebe, David Gass, and Matt Doyle, Extra Time provides the lowdown on everything you need to know about Major League Soccer throughout the season.
The guys regularly welcome coaches, players, and analysts on the show, offering you excellent insight into the goings-on in the league’s franchises and what you can expect during the upcoming soccer game week.
New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday, and during the off-season, the hosts focus on international soccer from the US perspective. Another great option if you’re just getting into soccer in the United States.
Listen to the Extra Time podcast here.
The Call Up
Last but certainly not least is The Call Up, another US-based soccer podcast with an MLS focus. Hosts Jillian Sakovits and Susannah Collins offer insight and insider information regarding everything MLS.
The two hosts are close friends, and the chemistry between them is great, making this a super easy listen as you look to catch up on everything that’s been happening in MLS recently.
You can jump in and out of both Extra Time and The Call Up, and they’re undoubtedly the best options for any serious MLS fans who don’t want to miss any of the action throughout the soccer season.
Listen to The Call Up here.
Recap: The best soccer podcasts in 2023
So, there you have it – nine of the best soccer podcasts to listen to in 2023. The above shows are perfect for learning about European soccer, as well as soccer in the United States.
Be sure to tune into the shows to get a feel for each of the hosts before deciding which you’d like to subscribe to in order to keep up to date with all the latest soccer news and developments throughout the season.