https://explainingoffsides.com/2026/01/27/how-soccer-leads-revolutions-in-iran/https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-27-at-00.07.30.pngScreenshot 2026-01-27 at 00.07.30Iranian women fans in Azadi Stadium, Tehran for their first ever Team Melli match in 2019 versus Cambodia (Nazanin Tabatabaee, Reuters)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-26-at-23.59.48.pngScreenshot 2026-01-26 at 23.59.48Demonstrators on a Tehran bridge during early stages of the anti-regime protests in December 2025 (AFP)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/azmoun-scaled-1.jpgazmoun-scaledSardar Azmoun celebrates after scoring for Team Melli at the 2023 AFC Asian Cup. (Karim Jaafar, AFP)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-26-at-23.42.29.pngScreenshot 2026-01-26 at 23.42.29Team Melli all-time top scorer Ali Daei taking part in the 2022 World Cup draw in Doha, Qatar. He would later boycott the tournament in solidarity with the and suffer harassment from the Iranian government as a result. (Marcio Machado, Getty)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-26-at-23.37.37.pngScreenshot 2026-01-26 at 23.37.37Iranian fan at 2022 World Cup with "Zan, Zindagi, Azadi" (women, life, freedom) written on her hand (Showkat Shafi, Al Jazeera)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-26-at-23.30.55.pngScreenshot 2026-01-26 at 23.30.55Former Iranian star soccer player-turned-activist, Ali Karimi, meets President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier (Thomas Trutschel, Bild)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-26-at-23.21.59.pngScreenshot 2026-01-26 at 23.21.59Women supporters at their first ever Esteghlal FC game in 2022. (Hossein Zohrevand, AFP)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-26-at-23.16.15.pngScreenshot 2026-01-26 at 23.16.15Green Movement protester in Tehran in 2009 (Getty)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/nosrati-karimi_1425600i.jpgnosrati-karimi_1425600iHossein Ka'abi (left) and Ali Karimi (center) in action against South Korea wearing their green wristbands in support of candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi (AP)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-26-at-23.03.14.pngScreenshot 2026-01-26 at 23.03.14Iranian protesters at the 2022 FIFA World Cup (Getty)2026-01-28T02:49:01+00:00monthlyhttps://explainingoffsides.com/2026/01/02/human-trafficking-and-young-athletes-in-senegal-and-west-africa/https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screenshot-2025-12-31-at-16.54.38.pngScreenshot 2025-12-31 at 16.54.38https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screenshot-2025-12-31-at-16.49.12.pngScreenshot 2025-12-31 at 16.49.12https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screenshot-2025-12-31-at-16.40.20.pngScreenshot 2025-12-31 at 16.40.20https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screenshot-2025-12-31-at-16.32.21.pngScreenshot 2025-12-31 at 16.32.21https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/86773441_gettyimages-73166218.jpg_86773441_gettyimages-73166218Al Bangura survived being trafficked and went on to star for Wartford in the Premier League from 2005 to 2009 (Getty Images)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screenshot-2025-12-31-at-16.25.01.pngScreenshot 2025-12-31 at 16.25.01https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screenshot-2025-12-31-at-16.10.22.pngScreenshot 2025-12-31 at 16.10.22https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screenshot-2025-12-31-at-16.04.22.pngScreenshot 2025-12-31 at 16.04.22Players at the Génération Foot academy in Dakar which produced Sadio Mané. Young players like these are particularly susceptible to predatory traffickers (Academie Génération Foot)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screenshot-2025-12-31-at-15.55.19.pngScreenshot 2025-12-31 at 15.55.19Screenshot from documentary where Willy presents the stadium terraces where he slept for 2 months after being extorted (ENDEVR / YouTube)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/pac-academy.jpgpac academy2026-01-27T14:19:11+00:00monthlyhttps://explainingoffsides.com/2026/01/14/from-narco-football-to-rebel-rehabilitation-how-soccer-supports-peace-in-colombia/https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-14-at-12.57.41.pngScreenshot 2026-01-14 at 12.57.41https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/140706195356-colombia.jpg140706195356-colombiahttps://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/gustavo-petro-efe-avion-1024x684-1.jpgPetro considera "una injusticia" y "un insulto" la 'descertificación' de EE.UU. a ColombiaAME503. BOGOTÁ (COLOMBIA), 17/09/2025.- Fotografía cedida por la Presidencia de Colombia de su mandatario, Gustavo Petro, durante una alocución este miércoles, en Bogotá (Colombia). Petro consideró "una injusticia" y "un insulto" la decisión del Gobierno estadounidense de retirar a su país de la lista de naciones que cumplieron en los últimos doce meses en la lucha contra el narcotráfico, sanción llamada comúnmente 'descertificación'. EFE/ Presidencia de Colombia /SOLO USO EDITORIAL/ NO VENTAS/ SOLO DISPONIBLE PARA ILUSTRAR LA NOTICIA QUE ACOMPAÑA (CRÉDITO OBLIGATORIO)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-14-at-12.51.02.pngScreenshot 2026-01-14 at 12.51.02https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-14-at-12.45.08-1.pngScreenshot 2026-01-14 at 12.45.08Children playing at a Colombianitos activity (Fundación Colombianitos)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-14-at-12.45.08.pngScreenshot 2026-01-14 at 12.45.08https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-14-at-12.37.29.pngScreenshot 2026-01-14 at 12.37.29https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/w640xh480_gettyimages-451394926.jpgw640xh480_GettyImages-451394926James Rodríguez scoring a stunning volley against Uruguay at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. FIFA would later select this strike as the best goal of 2014. (Julian Finney, Getty Images)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-14-at-12.28.09.pngScreenshot 2026-01-14 at 12.28.09President Santos (left) and FARC official Timoleon Jimenez (right) in Havana, Cuba holding copies of their historic peace agreement (Getty Images)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/screenshot-2026-01-14-at-12.23.02.pngScreenshot 2026-01-14 at 12.23.02President Santos (center-right) pictured at a Colombia game in 2013 (César Carrión, SIG)2026-01-15T00:36:04+00:00monthlyhttps://explainingoffsides.com/2025/12/15/how-climate-change-is-threatening-spanish-soccer/https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screenshot-2025-12-13-at-11.06.01.pngScreenshot 2025-12-13 at 11.06.01King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia during their hostile visit to Paiporta where local residents shouted “Murderers!” and “Get out!” while pelting the royal family with mud (Getty Images)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/gettyimages-2186486804-scaled-1.jpgGettyImages-2186486804-scaledhttps://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/image011.pngimage011Satellite imagery showing the flooding devastation in Valencia (NASA)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1109364359px2a7362.jpg1109364359PX2A7362Serge Gnabry, pictured here speaking to children at a community center in Côte d'Ivoire, has been outspoken about the affects of climate change on young people in marginalized communities (Common Goal)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screenshot-2025-12-12-at-22.13.15.pngScreenshot 2025-12-12 at 22.13.15Valencia CF players and fans in Estadio Mestalla during a minute of silence prior to their November , 2025 match against Réal Betis (Pablo Morano / Reuters)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img-20241030-wa0022401730299957582401130x0-adjust_middle.jpgIMG-20241030-WA0022@1730299957582@1130x0-adjust_middleThe home stadium of local Valencian club Discóbolo La Torre A.C underwater and destroyed by the 2024 Spanish Floods (Futboleras)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screenshot-2025-12-12-at-22.04.47.pngScreenshot 2025-12-12 at 22.04.47Football for Future founder Elliot Arthur-Worsop presenting the Pitches in Peril report at Climate Week NYC, September 23, 2025 (Football for Future)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screenshot-2025-12-12-at-21.55.28.pngScreenshot 2025-12-12 at 21.55.28Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham douses himself in water during a match played in the hot July heat in the United States https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/screenshot-2025-12-12-at-21.47.32.pngScreenshot 2025-12-12 at 21.47.32Dried-up section of Sau Reservoir in Catalonia revealing sunken boat. (Fred Pleitgen / CNN)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/skynews-bosnia-jablanica_6706074.jpgskynews-bosnia-jablanica_6706074Rescue teams search for survivors in Jablanica, Bosnia. Weeks before the Valencia deluge, __ people died in Bosnia from flooding2025-12-19T18:58:01+00:00monthlyhttps://explainingoffsides.com/about/https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/screenshot-2025-11-02-at-00.09.02.pngScreenshot 2025-11-02 at 00.09.02https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/dark-blue-background-in-the-same-color-as-the-logo.pngdark-blue-background-in-the-same-color-as-the-logohttps://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/1751551063234.jpeg17515510632342025-12-16T18:38:39+00:00weekly0.6https://explainingoffsides.com/2025/12/01/from-democratic-revolutionaries-to-far-right-partisans-how-brazils-national-team-lost-its-soul/https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/vinicius-junior-brazil-dancing-world-cup-south-korea-12522.jpgVinicius Junior Brazil dancing World Cup South Korea 12522https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/screenshot-2025-11-28-at-19.41.40.pngScreenshot 2025-11-28 at 19.41.40https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/screenshot-2025-11-28-at-19.38.13.pngScreenshot 2025-11-28 at 19.38.13https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img-20221022-wa0026.jpgIMG-20221022-WA0026https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/screenshot-2025-11-28-at-19.24.29.pngScreenshot 2025-11-28 at 19.24.29https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/endrick.jpegendrickhttps://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/brazil-loss.jpgbrazil losshttps://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/screenshot-2025-11-28-at-18.05.01.pngScreenshot 2025-11-28 at 18.05.01https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/dia-15-vote-900x483-1.jpegDia-15-Vote-900x483Sócrates in 1982 playing Corinthians with "Vote on the 15th" (Dia 15 Vote) imprinted on his jersey before the nation's first post-coup multi-party elections (Corinthians)https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/corinthians-900x631-1.jpgCorinthians-900x631Corinthians team members in 1983 unfurling a large banner that reads “Win or lose, but always with democracy" (Ganhar ou perder mas sempre com democracia)2025-12-01T03:11:06+00:00monthlyhttps://explainingoffsides.com/2025/11/14/the-progressives-guide-to-supporting-team-usa-in-trumps-america/https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/250613-los-angeles-protest-crowd-ac-524p-56d830.webp250613-los-angeles-protest-crowd-ac-524p-56d830https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/p4j7qz2d6s371-1.jpgp4j7qz2d6s371https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/screenshot-2025-11-13-at-23.01.35.pngScreenshot 2025-11-13 at 23.01.35https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/p4j7qz2d6s371.jpgp4j7qz2d6s371https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/screenshot-2025-11-13-at-22.43.04.pngScreenshot 2025-11-13 at 22.43.04https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/screenshot-2025-11-13-at-22.25.36.pngScreenshot 2025-11-13 at 22.25.36https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/mcbride-blood-1.jpgmcbride bloodhttps://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/global.190.1.jpgglobal.190.1https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/mcbride-blood.jpgmcbride bloodhttps://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/screenshot-2025-11-13-at-22.14.21.pngScreenshot 2025-11-13 at 22.14.212025-11-14T15:46:29+00:00monthlyhttps://explainingoffsides.com/2025/11/02/kicking-off-the-explaining-offsides-blog/https://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/original-logo-symbol.pngOriginal Logo Symbolhttps://explainingoffsides.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/original-logo.pngOriginal Logo2025-11-02T04:22:08+00:00monthlyhttps://explainingoffsides.comdaily1.02026-01-28T02:49:01+00:00