Podcast
The Away End with Daniel Alarcón and John Green
Hosted by iHeartPodcasts · EN
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.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 30: A Story of Belonging, the Legend of Barry Fuller, and Our Collective World Cup Journey
3w ago00:51:08Tap to summarizeOn 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.
Transcribe →Episode 29: La Furia Roja, the Game that Didn’t Matter and Surprising Innovations in Football
4w ago00:51:45Tap to summarizeOn 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.
Transcribe →Episode 28: Goals That End Dreams, Cape Verde and Whoever Wins the World Cup, Plus the Friends We Made Along the Way
4w ago00:50:09Tap to summarizeOn 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.
Transcribe →Episode 27: New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill Joins The Away End, Self-Celebration and the Everlasting Power of Lionel Messi
Jul 1400:38:20Tap to summarizeOn 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.
Transcribe →Episode 26: The Stars and Stripes, The Pharaohs and Los Cafeteros
Jul 900:49:21Tap to summarizeOn 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.
Transcribe →Episode 25: The Guts and Glory of Cape Verde, Those Who Must Tip the Scales and Other Revelations of Truth and Consequence
Jul 700:57:43Tap to summarizeOn 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.
Transcribe →Episode 24: We Were Wrong About Everything Part 2, USMNT Outlook and the Vozinha Rule
Jul 100:53:52Tap to summarizeOn 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.
Transcribe →Episode 23: Even When You’re Wrong, You Can Still Be Right, Americana Culture with an Achy Breaky Heart Vibe, and Unforgettable Moments
Jun 2400:45:52Tap to summarizeOn 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.
Transcribe →Episode 22: Pochettino's Redemption, Alarcón vs. Jordan and the First Days of the World Cup
Jun 1700:47:52Tap to summarizeOn 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.
Transcribe →Episode 21: World Cup Brackets, Predictions, and an Enigmatic, Beautiful Man
Jun 1000:44:29Tap to summarizeOn 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.
Transcribe →