When we hear the term sportswashing, we often think of Qatar, Saudi Arabia or Russia. But if sport is a tool of soft power, why are Western democracies so often excluded from the conversation?

The episode covers the latest in the relationship between Israel and Somaliland, the results of the Colombian elections, and the new Chinese sanctions on US tech companies. The conversation also delves into the World Cup and its impact on various countries. The conversation covers a range of topics, including difficulties when it come to state recognition, Colombia's foreign policy, and China's sanctions on US tech companies. It also delves into the broader themes of military

Visa complications involving participants in the upcoming 2026 World Cup highlight a fundamental reality of global sport. FIFA can organise a global tournament, but access to it is determined by sovereign states and their border policies.