The Sweeper Podcast
@sweeperpod.bsky.social
🌍 World football podcast telling stories from all 211 FIFA countries & beyond ⭐️ 5* rating from 1,000+ listeners 📧 Enquiries: [email protected]
https://linktr.ee/SweeperPod
https://linktr.ee/SweeperPod
🇲🇴 The brilliantly named Gorillas of the Universe have won their first-ever match in Macau's Elite League, thrashing Benfica de Macau 7-2!
Macau, a special administrative region of China, was a Portuguese colony up until 1999 - hence the many Portugal-inspired football club names.
Macau, a special administrative region of China, was a Portuguese colony up until 1999 - hence the many Portugal-inspired football club names.
January 17, 2026 at 8:05 PM
🇲🇴 The brilliantly named Gorillas of the Universe have won their first-ever match in Macau's Elite League, thrashing Benfica de Macau 7-2!
Macau, a special administrative region of China, was a Portuguese colony up until 1999 - hence the many Portugal-inspired football club names.
Macau, a special administrative region of China, was a Portuguese colony up until 1999 - hence the many Portugal-inspired football club names.
🇪🇨 Football is the most popular sport on the Galapagos Islands, which belong to Ecuador but are about 1,000km away from the mainland.
It launched a league in 2007, with the winner representing the islands in the Nacional de Ligas Barriales (a national competition for teams from Ecuador's provinces).
It launched a league in 2007, with the winner representing the islands in the Nacional de Ligas Barriales (a national competition for teams from Ecuador's provinces).
January 17, 2026 at 6:49 PM
🇪🇨 Football is the most popular sport on the Galapagos Islands, which belong to Ecuador but are about 1,000km away from the mainland.
It launched a league in 2007, with the winner representing the islands in the Nacional de Ligas Barriales (a national competition for teams from Ecuador's provinces).
It launched a league in 2007, with the winner representing the islands in the Nacional de Ligas Barriales (a national competition for teams from Ecuador's provinces).
✍️ It was a double blog week at Sweeper HQ:
🏟️ Six special future stadiums to look out for
🤯 Europe's five most surprising leagues
To read our blogs, listen to bonus episodes, chat with us on Discord, win shirts & more, join us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweeperpod 🤩
🏟️ Six special future stadiums to look out for
🤯 Europe's five most surprising leagues
To read our blogs, listen to bonus episodes, chat with us on Discord, win shirts & more, join us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweeperpod 🤩
January 17, 2026 at 5:30 PM
✍️ It was a double blog week at Sweeper HQ:
🏟️ Six special future stadiums to look out for
🤯 Europe's five most surprising leagues
To read our blogs, listen to bonus episodes, chat with us on Discord, win shirts & more, join us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweeperpod 🤩
🏟️ Six special future stadiums to look out for
🤯 Europe's five most surprising leagues
To read our blogs, listen to bonus episodes, chat with us on Discord, win shirts & more, join us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweeperpod 🤩
🇨🇭 Swiss underdogs FC Thun will resume their logic-defying 2025/26 Super League campaign this weekend v. Grasshoppers. The key facts:
🆙 Only promoted in the summer
💰 Whole squad worth only €15 million
🏆 Never won a major trophy before
🤯 Somehow top of the table by 3 points!
🆙 Only promoted in the summer
💰 Whole squad worth only €15 million
🏆 Never won a major trophy before
🤯 Somehow top of the table by 3 points!
January 17, 2026 at 12:52 PM
🇨🇭 Swiss underdogs FC Thun will resume their logic-defying 2025/26 Super League campaign this weekend v. Grasshoppers. The key facts:
🆙 Only promoted in the summer
💰 Whole squad worth only €15 million
🏆 Never won a major trophy before
🤯 Somehow top of the table by 3 points!
🆙 Only promoted in the summer
💰 Whole squad worth only €15 million
🏆 Never won a major trophy before
🤯 Somehow top of the table by 3 points!
🇳🇿 Auckland FC of New Zealand are currently the only football club in the world that are top of two top-flight leagues in different football confederations.
The first team are top of Australia's A-League (AFC), while the reserves have made a winning start to the OFC Pro League (OFC).
The first team are top of Australia's A-League (AFC), while the reserves have made a winning start to the OFC Pro League (OFC).
January 17, 2026 at 10:46 AM
🇳🇿 Auckland FC of New Zealand are currently the only football club in the world that are top of two top-flight leagues in different football confederations.
The first team are top of Australia's A-League (AFC), while the reserves have made a winning start to the OFC Pro League (OFC).
The first team are top of Australia's A-League (AFC), while the reserves have made a winning start to the OFC Pro League (OFC).
🇻🇺 The first goal in the history of the OFC Pro League, Oceania’s first-ever fully professional competition, has been scored by Alex Saniel.
The 29-year-old Vanuatuan centre-forward put Vanuatu United 1-0 ahead in the opening game of the inaugural OFC Pro League against Bula FC.
The 29-year-old Vanuatuan centre-forward put Vanuatu United 1-0 ahead in the opening game of the inaugural OFC Pro League against Bula FC.
January 17, 2026 at 3:11 AM
🇻🇺 The first goal in the history of the OFC Pro League, Oceania’s first-ever fully professional competition, has been scored by Alex Saniel.
The 29-year-old Vanuatuan centre-forward put Vanuatu United 1-0 ahead in the opening game of the inaugural OFC Pro League against Bula FC.
The 29-year-old Vanuatuan centre-forward put Vanuatu United 1-0 ahead in the opening game of the inaugural OFC Pro League against Bula FC.
🏴 With St. Johnstone flying high in the Scottish Championship and on course for promotion, the club have launched a beer to honour their coach!
Named Simo's Gold after Finnish boss Simo Valakari, the club-themed lager is produced in collaboration with the Scottish brewery BrewBoard.
Named Simo's Gold after Finnish boss Simo Valakari, the club-themed lager is produced in collaboration with the Scottish brewery BrewBoard.
January 16, 2026 at 6:37 PM
🏴 With St. Johnstone flying high in the Scottish Championship and on course for promotion, the club have launched a beer to honour their coach!
Named Simo's Gold after Finnish boss Simo Valakari, the club-themed lager is produced in collaboration with the Scottish brewery BrewBoard.
Named Simo's Gold after Finnish boss Simo Valakari, the club-themed lager is produced in collaboration with the Scottish brewery BrewBoard.
🇪🇨 In 2023, Venezuelan coach Cesar Farias was suspended for 14 months for hitting two players - including Brian Oyola - during a league game in Ecuador.
In 2026, Cesar Farias has been appointed as the head coach of SC Barcelona, whose squad includes (yes, you guessed it!) Brian Oyola.
In 2026, Cesar Farias has been appointed as the head coach of SC Barcelona, whose squad includes (yes, you guessed it!) Brian Oyola.
January 16, 2026 at 5:11 PM
🇪🇨 In 2023, Venezuelan coach Cesar Farias was suspended for 14 months for hitting two players - including Brian Oyola - during a league game in Ecuador.
In 2026, Cesar Farias has been appointed as the head coach of SC Barcelona, whose squad includes (yes, you guessed it!) Brian Oyola.
In 2026, Cesar Farias has been appointed as the head coach of SC Barcelona, whose squad includes (yes, you guessed it!) Brian Oyola.
🏆 The OFC Pro League, Oceania's first-ever professional football competition, kicks off this weekend in Auckland, New Zealand!!! 🔜🤩
The eight participating clubs: 🇦🇺 South Melbourne, 🇫🇯 Bula FC, 🇳🇿 Auckland FC, South Island United, 🇵🇬 PNG Hekari, 🇸🇧 Solomon Kings, 🇵🇫 Tahiti United, 🇻🇺 Vanuatu United
The eight participating clubs: 🇦🇺 South Melbourne, 🇫🇯 Bula FC, 🇳🇿 Auckland FC, South Island United, 🇵🇬 PNG Hekari, 🇸🇧 Solomon Kings, 🇵🇫 Tahiti United, 🇻🇺 Vanuatu United
January 16, 2026 at 4:50 PM
🏆 The OFC Pro League, Oceania's first-ever professional football competition, kicks off this weekend in Auckland, New Zealand!!! 🔜🤩
The eight participating clubs: 🇦🇺 South Melbourne, 🇫🇯 Bula FC, 🇳🇿 Auckland FC, South Island United, 🇵🇬 PNG Hekari, 🇸🇧 Solomon Kings, 🇵🇫 Tahiti United, 🇻🇺 Vanuatu United
The eight participating clubs: 🇦🇺 South Melbourne, 🇫🇯 Bula FC, 🇳🇿 Auckland FC, South Island United, 🇵🇬 PNG Hekari, 🇸🇧 Solomon Kings, 🇵🇫 Tahiti United, 🇻🇺 Vanuatu United
🇵🇹 Islanders Marítimo are unbeaten since October & seven points clear as they continue their promotion chase against Lusitania Lourosa this weekend.
With no other Madeiran clubs in their league, they travel a minimum of 900km to the Portuguese mainland for every single away game.
With no other Madeiran clubs in their league, they travel a minimum of 900km to the Portuguese mainland for every single away game.
January 16, 2026 at 2:12 PM
🇵🇹 Islanders Marítimo are unbeaten since October & seven points clear as they continue their promotion chase against Lusitania Lourosa this weekend.
With no other Madeiran clubs in their league, they travel a minimum of 900km to the Portuguese mainland for every single away game.
With no other Madeiran clubs in their league, they travel a minimum of 900km to the Portuguese mainland for every single away game.
❌ National teams kicked out of their confederation for bizarre reasons:
🇳🇺 Niue Island, a former Associate Member, contacted OFC only to be hold they had been removed due to inactivity
🌍 Zanzibar was kicked out by CAF as they realised it was a non-sovereign nation & had been mistakenly admitted
🇳🇺 Niue Island, a former Associate Member, contacted OFC only to be hold they had been removed due to inactivity
🌍 Zanzibar was kicked out by CAF as they realised it was a non-sovereign nation & had been mistakenly admitted
January 16, 2026 at 12:33 PM
❌ National teams kicked out of their confederation for bizarre reasons:
🇳🇺 Niue Island, a former Associate Member, contacted OFC only to be hold they had been removed due to inactivity
🌍 Zanzibar was kicked out by CAF as they realised it was a non-sovereign nation & had been mistakenly admitted
🇳🇺 Niue Island, a former Associate Member, contacted OFC only to be hold they had been removed due to inactivity
🌍 Zanzibar was kicked out by CAF as they realised it was a non-sovereign nation & had been mistakenly admitted
🇸🇿 The 'Old Firm Derby' takes place today - but not as you know it: it's Rangers Shiselweni versus Tabankulu Celtics in Eswatini!
But neither team is expected to win the league as they don't have animals in their name; all but one of the last 21 seasons has been won by a team with an animal name!
But neither team is expected to win the league as they don't have animals in their name; all but one of the last 21 seasons has been won by a team with an animal name!
January 16, 2026 at 11:08 AM
🇸🇿 The 'Old Firm Derby' takes place today - but not as you know it: it's Rangers Shiselweni versus Tabankulu Celtics in Eswatini!
But neither team is expected to win the league as they don't have animals in their name; all but one of the last 21 seasons has been won by a team with an animal name!
But neither team is expected to win the league as they don't have animals in their name; all but one of the last 21 seasons has been won by a team with an animal name!
🇸🇬 The Float, the famous football pitch at Marina Bay in Singapore, has been demolished and is being rebuilt into a 30,000-capacity waterfront venue.
The stadium, whose semicircular grandstand resembles an ancient theatre, will cost $509 million and it set to be completed by 2027.
The stadium, whose semicircular grandstand resembles an ancient theatre, will cost $509 million and it set to be completed by 2027.
January 15, 2026 at 9:12 PM
🇸🇬 The Float, the famous football pitch at Marina Bay in Singapore, has been demolished and is being rebuilt into a 30,000-capacity waterfront venue.
The stadium, whose semicircular grandstand resembles an ancient theatre, will cost $509 million and it set to be completed by 2027.
The stadium, whose semicircular grandstand resembles an ancient theatre, will cost $509 million and it set to be completed by 2027.
✍️ NEW BLOG ✍️
Which European countries have produced the biggest football surprises in the 2025/26 season?
We've picked our top five (excluding the 12 summer leagues) and made our case why!
To read the blog, simply join us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweeperpod!
Which European countries have produced the biggest football surprises in the 2025/26 season?
We've picked our top five (excluding the 12 summer leagues) and made our case why!
To read the blog, simply join us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweeperpod!
January 15, 2026 at 7:51 PM
✍️ NEW BLOG ✍️
Which European countries have produced the biggest football surprises in the 2025/26 season?
We've picked our top five (excluding the 12 summer leagues) and made our case why!
To read the blog, simply join us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweeperpod!
Which European countries have produced the biggest football surprises in the 2025/26 season?
We've picked our top five (excluding the 12 summer leagues) and made our case why!
To read the blog, simply join us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweeperpod!
🇳🇪 There is a football club in Niger's second tier who have an almost identical logo to French club Marseille - the only difference being it is upside down!
Wombeye FC, who are based in the city of Maradi in the south of the country, were relegated from the Nigerien Super League last season.
Wombeye FC, who are based in the city of Maradi in the south of the country, were relegated from the Nigerien Super League last season.
January 15, 2026 at 7:05 PM
🇳🇪 There is a football club in Niger's second tier who have an almost identical logo to French club Marseille - the only difference being it is upside down!
Wombeye FC, who are based in the city of Maradi in the south of the country, were relegated from the Nigerien Super League last season.
Wombeye FC, who are based in the city of Maradi in the south of the country, were relegated from the Nigerien Super League last season.
🇫🇷 Imagine telling a football fan from the pandemic season these four teams would be top of the following tiers of French football in 2026:
1⃣ Ligue 1: Lens (then second tier)
3⃣ National: Rouen (then fourth tier)
4⃣ National 2: Bordeaux (then first tier)
7⃣ Régional 2 Corse: Ajaccio (then second tier)
1⃣ Ligue 1: Lens (then second tier)
3⃣ National: Rouen (then fourth tier)
4⃣ National 2: Bordeaux (then first tier)
7⃣ Régional 2 Corse: Ajaccio (then second tier)
January 15, 2026 at 5:13 PM
🇫🇷 Imagine telling a football fan from the pandemic season these four teams would be top of the following tiers of French football in 2026:
1⃣ Ligue 1: Lens (then second tier)
3⃣ National: Rouen (then fourth tier)
4⃣ National 2: Bordeaux (then first tier)
7⃣ Régional 2 Corse: Ajaccio (then second tier)
1⃣ Ligue 1: Lens (then second tier)
3⃣ National: Rouen (then fourth tier)
4⃣ National 2: Bordeaux (then first tier)
7⃣ Régional 2 Corse: Ajaccio (then second tier)
🏆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴...𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲!
Featuring clubs whose names include the word 'Mighty':
🇨🇳 Cangzhou Mighty Lions (recently dissolved), 🇬🇭 Mighty Iron Breakers, 🇮🇳 Mighty Young Joe-Goalorious Mothers, 🇱🇷 Mighty Barrolle, 🇲🇼 Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, 🇳🇦 Mighty Gunners, 🇸🇱 Mighty Blackpool, 🇿🇦 Mighty Eagles
Featuring clubs whose names include the word 'Mighty':
🇨🇳 Cangzhou Mighty Lions (recently dissolved), 🇬🇭 Mighty Iron Breakers, 🇮🇳 Mighty Young Joe-Goalorious Mothers, 🇱🇷 Mighty Barrolle, 🇲🇼 Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, 🇳🇦 Mighty Gunners, 🇸🇱 Mighty Blackpool, 🇿🇦 Mighty Eagles
January 15, 2026 at 4:31 PM
🏆 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴...𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘆 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲!
Featuring clubs whose names include the word 'Mighty':
🇨🇳 Cangzhou Mighty Lions (recently dissolved), 🇬🇭 Mighty Iron Breakers, 🇮🇳 Mighty Young Joe-Goalorious Mothers, 🇱🇷 Mighty Barrolle, 🇲🇼 Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, 🇳🇦 Mighty Gunners, 🇸🇱 Mighty Blackpool, 🇿🇦 Mighty Eagles
Featuring clubs whose names include the word 'Mighty':
🇨🇳 Cangzhou Mighty Lions (recently dissolved), 🇬🇭 Mighty Iron Breakers, 🇮🇳 Mighty Young Joe-Goalorious Mothers, 🇱🇷 Mighty Barrolle, 🇲🇼 Mighty Mukuru Wanderers, 🇳🇦 Mighty Gunners, 🇸🇱 Mighty Blackpool, 🇿🇦 Mighty Eagles
🇫🇯 The shirts of Bula FC, the Fijian representative in the OFC Pro League, have been manufactured by their striker Roy Krishna's company, RK21.
There cannot be all that many cases around the football world of a current player supplying the kits for a professional club!
There cannot be all that many cases around the football world of a current player supplying the kits for a professional club!
January 15, 2026 at 2:50 PM
🇫🇯 The shirts of Bula FC, the Fijian representative in the OFC Pro League, have been manufactured by their striker Roy Krishna's company, RK21.
There cannot be all that many cases around the football world of a current player supplying the kits for a professional club!
There cannot be all that many cases around the football world of a current player supplying the kits for a professional club!
🇵🇹 What a nightmare week it has been for Sporting Braga, who have lost in both Portuguese cup competitions in the space of only five days!
They were first beaten by 10-man Vitória in the Taça da Liga final, before suffering a defeat to third-tier AD Fafe in the Taça de Portugal quarter-finals.
They were first beaten by 10-man Vitória in the Taça da Liga final, before suffering a defeat to third-tier AD Fafe in the Taça de Portugal quarter-finals.
January 15, 2026 at 1:21 PM
🇵🇹 What a nightmare week it has been for Sporting Braga, who have lost in both Portuguese cup competitions in the space of only five days!
They were first beaten by 10-man Vitória in the Taça da Liga final, before suffering a defeat to third-tier AD Fafe in the Taça de Portugal quarter-finals.
They were first beaten by 10-man Vitória in the Taça da Liga final, before suffering a defeat to third-tier AD Fafe in the Taça de Portugal quarter-finals.
🇨🇭 Attention Football Manager fans: Third-tier Swiss football club FC Schaffhausen are advertising for a Chief Executive Officer on LinkedIn!
Your mission: Stop the club, which was relegated from the Challenge League last season, from slipping further and get them in the promotion race!
Your mission: Stop the club, which was relegated from the Challenge League last season, from slipping further and get them in the promotion race!
January 15, 2026 at 11:32 AM
🇨🇭 Attention Football Manager fans: Third-tier Swiss football club FC Schaffhausen are advertising for a Chief Executive Officer on LinkedIn!
Your mission: Stop the club, which was relegated from the Challenge League last season, from slipping further and get them in the promotion race!
Your mission: Stop the club, which was relegated from the Challenge League last season, from slipping further and get them in the promotion race!
🇪🇸 What an insane defeat for Real Madrid, who have been eliminated from a second competition in the space of a week - this time the Copa del Rey.
Their conquerors are none other than lowly Albacete, who have spent this season so far battling against relegation from Spain‘s second tier! Wow!
Their conquerors are none other than lowly Albacete, who have spent this season so far battling against relegation from Spain‘s second tier! Wow!
January 14, 2026 at 10:50 PM
🇪🇸 What an insane defeat for Real Madrid, who have been eliminated from a second competition in the space of a week - this time the Copa del Rey.
Their conquerors are none other than lowly Albacete, who have spent this season so far battling against relegation from Spain‘s second tier! Wow!
Their conquerors are none other than lowly Albacete, who have spent this season so far battling against relegation from Spain‘s second tier! Wow!
🇳🇱 What is happening at Ajax?! The Dutch record champions have been emphatically eliminated from the KNVB Beker by AZ in the round of 16.
The 6-0 margin of defeat means it is the Amsterdam club’s biggest loss in the competition for almost 100 years - since losing 7-0 to Enschedese Boys in 1927!
The 6-0 margin of defeat means it is the Amsterdam club’s biggest loss in the competition for almost 100 years - since losing 7-0 to Enschedese Boys in 1927!
January 14, 2026 at 10:25 PM
🇳🇱 What is happening at Ajax?! The Dutch record champions have been emphatically eliminated from the KNVB Beker by AZ in the round of 16.
The 6-0 margin of defeat means it is the Amsterdam club’s biggest loss in the competition for almost 100 years - since losing 7-0 to Enschedese Boys in 1927!
The 6-0 margin of defeat means it is the Amsterdam club’s biggest loss in the competition for almost 100 years - since losing 7-0 to Enschedese Boys in 1927!
✍️ NEW BLOG ✍️
Which stadiums under construction around the world boast the most unique designs & characteristics in football?
From Kyrgyzstan to Gibraltar, we’ve picked out six of our favourites that you should know about!
To read the blog, simply join us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweeperpod!
Which stadiums under construction around the world boast the most unique designs & characteristics in football?
From Kyrgyzstan to Gibraltar, we’ve picked out six of our favourites that you should know about!
To read the blog, simply join us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweeperpod!
January 14, 2026 at 7:36 PM
✍️ NEW BLOG ✍️
Which stadiums under construction around the world boast the most unique designs & characteristics in football?
From Kyrgyzstan to Gibraltar, we’ve picked out six of our favourites that you should know about!
To read the blog, simply join us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweeperpod!
Which stadiums under construction around the world boast the most unique designs & characteristics in football?
From Kyrgyzstan to Gibraltar, we’ve picked out six of our favourites that you should know about!
To read the blog, simply join us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweeperpod!
🇬🇷 AEK Athens have been knocked out of the Greek Cup in the quarter-final by nine-man OFI Crete, who have set up a clash with high-flying Levadiakos!
AEK also drew their previous game in the league with Aris, dropping from first to third! Tough start to the year!
AEK also drew their previous game in the league with Aris, dropping from first to third! Tough start to the year!
January 14, 2026 at 6:55 PM
🇬🇷 AEK Athens have been knocked out of the Greek Cup in the quarter-final by nine-man OFI Crete, who have set up a clash with high-flying Levadiakos!
AEK also drew their previous game in the league with Aris, dropping from first to third! Tough start to the year!
AEK also drew their previous game in the league with Aris, dropping from first to third! Tough start to the year!
🇹🇷 It is a tough time to be a fan from the Turkish city of Adana:
🔵 Adana Demirspor: Bottom of the second tier, -28 points due to huge deduction & on course for a second relegation in a row
🟠 Adanaspor: Bottom of the third tier, one point all season & on course for a second relegation in a row.
🔵 Adana Demirspor: Bottom of the second tier, -28 points due to huge deduction & on course for a second relegation in a row
🟠 Adanaspor: Bottom of the third tier, one point all season & on course for a second relegation in a row.
January 14, 2026 at 6:38 PM
🇹🇷 It is a tough time to be a fan from the Turkish city of Adana:
🔵 Adana Demirspor: Bottom of the second tier, -28 points due to huge deduction & on course for a second relegation in a row
🟠 Adanaspor: Bottom of the third tier, one point all season & on course for a second relegation in a row.
🔵 Adana Demirspor: Bottom of the second tier, -28 points due to huge deduction & on course for a second relegation in a row
🟠 Adanaspor: Bottom of the third tier, one point all season & on course for a second relegation in a row.