Two novelists, Daniel Alarcón and John Green, friends since they were teenagers, tackle questions big and small around the World Cup and international football more generally. The only soccer podcast that regularly name checks Toni Morrison, The Away End is about much more than sport: it's about politics, literature and culture, with an eye toward those moments and spaces where our collective love of soccer reveals something unexpected about who we are.
On the 30th and final episode of Season 1 of The Away End, Daniel tells a story of his first international call-up, and how he got the name “Cabeza de Brócoli”. Then John ends the season with the obligatory AFC Wimbledon story about Barry Fuller and how, when things seem bleak and even futile, seeing things to their utter end with ferocious effort creates the most memorable result, no matter the outcome. And for the last time of this 2026 World Cup, your letters bring us home as they always have! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 29 of The Away End, Daniel and John celebrate Spain for their World Cup victory and try to make sense of a miserable game that no one will ever willingly rewatch. They also discuss what they obviously got wrong about the third-place game between England and France -- a game of no consequence that also happened to be the most entertaining match of the tournament. They reveal the winners of The Away End’s Bracket Challenge, and your questions bring us home! If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 28 of The Away End, Daniel and John talk about the semifinal matches, starting with the incredible England vs. Argentina match where Messi, once again did some beautiful things to deliver Argentina to another World Cup final, as Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez were able to get the ball directly through the windows of England’s parked bus. And in a stark contrast, Spain was able to keep the ball away from France as France’s superstar front line was unable to show up. They talk about the players they will miss and preview the Spain vs. Argentina final as we get close to the moment that we’ve all been waiting for! Finally, your letters bring us home! If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 27 of The Away End, New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill joins John and Daniel for a look at how the state’s lead executive is dealing with hosting the world’s biggest sporting event, growing the sport here in the United States, her favorite World Cup moments so far, and who she hopes to see in the final when it comes to New Jersey. Daniel and John talk about the players they will miss and somehow, during this exercise, applaud themselves for being the real heroes of this World Cup even before they preview the Semifinals! And as always, your questions bring us home. If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 26 of The Away End, “To lose is to win a little bit.” As all the host countries have now been eliminated, there are lessons to be learned on how not to gain a tactical advantage. Daniel and John start with their thoughts on the USMNT’s performance against a fired-up Belgian side in the midst of unwelcome interference. Daniel talks about his experience in Bogotá as Colombia was eliminated by Switzerland in an agonizing round of penalty kicks and Egypt couldn't escape the GOAT doing GOAT-like things. Daniel and John preview the quarterfinals and say goodbye to some of the players that they are going to miss. And as always, listener questions and stories bring the spirit of the World Cup into focus. If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 25 of The Away End, the full spectrum of the World Cup is on display. We begin with everyone’s favorite Cape Verdean, Janine de Novais as she joins Daniel and John to talk about how a small country stole the spotlight during this World Cup with their stirring performance in the Round of 32 against Messi and Argentina. She adds some context to help us better understand the “Cabo Verdean Way” and how it now feels be Cape Verdean in light of this performance. Daniel and John then discuss how, once again, corruption was on display for everyone to see as the rules were bent to allow Flo Balogun to play for the USMNT against Belgium. And in an episode full of contradictions, they discuss the ugly Paraguay vs. France, the majesty of the Mexico vs. England and the misery of Spain vs. Portugal. Then a new segment for those of you who are here for the stories, an ode to the players that have made an impact on us that we’ll miss due to elimination. And as always, some listener questions. If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 24 of The Away End, Daniel and John recap what we’ve seen so far and preview what’s to come including the USMNT’s prospects of making it to the Round of 16. They talk about surprises like the South American teams’ performances, Europe looking less dominant than usual, and how the African teams had nine out of ten teams advance to the Knockout Rounds. They discuss their brackets, of course, as well as their best player of the tournament so far, best performances, most disappointing teams, what they’ve loved so much that it shocked them and EVERYTHING they have been wrong about since the last time they were wrong about everything. Finally, we dip into the listener mailbag. If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 23 of The Away End, Daniel and John begin with a discussion of the differences between Messi and Ronaldo, "The Peru Rule", and the things that have made this Tournament brilliant so far. They reveal the wonders of watching teams that are lacking something competing against each other, older goalkeepers and the USMNT! From “class” chants to regretful praise for Mauricio Pochettino and with a little Colombian affection, there are pats on the back all-around for how wrong our predictions have been. Daniel expresses concern and sadness about the performance shift in international football between South America and Europe that this World Cup is revealing, and John offers a case for South American, African and North American teams. Daniel and John end with the things that FIFA can’t take away from us and the guys dive into some listener questions hosted by Daniel’s son, Eliseo. If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 22 of The Away End, The World Cup brings people together, and that includes Daniel, John and Sean who, after many years or maybe just a year apart, find themselves reunited together again! John was watching the USMNT from Norway at 3 AM. Daniel was in Philadelphia's Fan Zone for Cape Verde's already legendary draw against Spain that may be the best defense yet for expanding the tournament even more in the future! And listener questions highlight the remarkable dives of the tournament, the age-old Alarcón vs. Jordan debate and what numbering the players means. If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 21 of The Away End podcast, the road to the long-awaited bracket reveal has come to an end! But first, Daniel and John have a disagreement over what John facetiously dubbed, “one of the greatest moments in World Cup history” that Daniel surmises began with a schoolyard promise between Dibu and El Loco. They discuss some of their most anticipated matches, and listener questions lead them to arrive at the healthy ways to enjoy competition and express national pride during the World Cup. If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 20 of The Away End podcast, Daniel is recovering from a whirlwind weekend that included watching vignettes of the UEFA Champions League final between PSG and Arsenal on his phone's screen as he was being called to make an important speech. A discussion about the USMNT's win over Senegal leads to a discussion about Mauricio Pochettino's questionable approach of dismissing players like Diego Luna from the 26-man roster via email. John gets a vuvuzela and does his Spain deep dive and Daniel tells a musical story about a song sweeter than hummingbird nectar. If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
After Daniel takes a victory lap for his (Arsenal's) finish atop the Premiere League and talks about sharing the joy with his son Eliseo, albeit for different reasons, John, Daniel, and Sean read and discuss several listener questions. Plus a most excellent listener story about being an American in Spain while Spain was winning the World Cup! If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 18 of The Away End, Daniel’s story about watching the Arsenal v. West Ham game and the aftermath leads John to zero in on a major problem with human behavior. In his Brazil deep dive, Daniel introduces us to jogo bonito (The Beautiful Game), talks about his hero Ronaldinho and wonders if Brazil has recovered from the 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup. Plus, John continues to construct the legend of “everyone’s favorite third-tier English soccer team”, AFC Wimbledon. If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Author of the new book, World Cup Fever: A Soccer Journey in Nine Tournaments , Simon Kuper joins The Away End for a discussion about football and the complexity of national identity, the globalization of style at the top of the game and the lower quality of football that expansion of the World Cup could bring. They talk about the intellectual pursuit of the game and the counterpoint that expanding the tournament will lead to an evolution of the game where new countries with national football identities can test themselves against the best in the world. They also explore the collective delusion of winning, the fragility of confidence, the hotel concierge mentality of FIFA and how to enjoy the World Cup in spite of it all. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 16 of The Away End, John has returned from England with something on his heart. After letting it out, he deep dives into the Haitian National Team. And Daniel tells the story of Jorge, his Honduran fixer who created an unexpected, impenetrable forcefield around him that revealed its real power during a walk to the stadium for the final of the Honduran League in the most violent country in Latin America at the time. Featuring Daniel and Jorge on backup vocals - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAmSrU5cHZE If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 15 of The Away End, Daniel begins with a call to action regarding the current, Kafkaesque reality of being a football fan and wishing to attend a World Cup game. Then Daniel's deep dive into the South Korean National Team brings back memories of a long-lost friend, "Hyun" and the crushing return of a symbolic gesture in a brown paper bag. John is fresh off his return from Sierra Leone and shares a lovely story about soccer and social connection at Kissy Psychiatric Hospital and a hopeful story that took place on the six-hour bus ride from Kono to Freetown. Plus, a wonderful listener mailbag segment! If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 14 of The Away End, John and Daniel start with a discussion about the heartbreaking injury of the great Liverpool player, Hugo Ekitike and the implications it has on the World Cup, along with several other poorly-timed injuries, less than two months out from kickoff. Then, Daniel and John give their perspective on gambling and the dilution of the shared experience of sport and the problems that arise as a result. Plus a very special guest joins the show to curate the mailbag segment! If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, tell your friends about The Away End, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 13 of The Away End, Daniel sets the tone with a story of his recent trip to London to see Arsenal play Bournemouth, and the ensuing disappointment and heckling he experienced as a result of his team's loss. John covers this week's deep dive into Germany and explains why he thinks they may not make it too far in the tournament. Then Daniel shares a story about the time he interviewed Lionel Messi during his Barcelona FC days. If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, spread the gospel of The Away End far and wide, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 12 of The Away End, John and Daniel unpack the wins and losses of the final World Cup playoff games and begin to look ahead, now that the 48 World Cup teams are set. Daniel does a deep dive into the Bosnia and Herzegovina National team, and John highlights Ali Al-Hamadi, a star player on the Iraqi team and former member of AFC Wimbledon. If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review wherever you listen, spread the gospel of The Away End far and wide, and email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On Episode 11, Daniel and John dissect the latest in the saga of the AFCON Final aftermath between Senegal and Morocco, John does a deep dive into the English National team, and Daniel recounts the story of when he played an epic football game at a Peruvian prison known as Castro Castro. Finally, Daniel and John read a couple emails from the listener mailbag. If you're enjoying The Away End, we'd love if you rate and review the show, and you can email us at awayendpod@gmail.com . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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