On this episode of The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered, Chris Horwedel sits down with Warshan Hussin of Soccer Without Borders for a powerful conversation about soccer, refugee identity, community, trauma, belonging, and the life-changing impact of the beautiful game.

Warshan shares his journey from Iraq to the United States after his family was forced to flee when his father was kidnapped and tortured by Al-Qaeda. After spending several years in Syria, Warshan arrived in Baltimore as a young refugee trying to learn a new language, adapt to a new school system, and understand where he fit in. He explains how Soccer Without Borders became much more than a soccer program — it became a family, a safe place, and the first space where he felt like he could breathe, connect, and simply be a kid again.

The conversation explores how Soccer Without Borders uses soccer as a tool for mentorship, education, emotional support, and community-building for immigrant and refugee youth. Warshan talks about the challenges newcomer families face, from navigating school and bills to building a life in a country where parents and children are often learning the system at the same time. He also explains how SWB coaches provided the kind of support, guidance, and cultural understanding that helped keep him and many others on the right path.

Warshan reflects on becoming a team captain, high school standout, Maryland Player of the Week, college player at Stevenson, coach, staff member, and eventually a member of the Soccer Without Borders Board of Directors. He opens up about the injury that ended his playing path, the difficult period that followed, and how returning to Soccer Without Borders as a coach helped him rediscover purpose by mentoring kids who reminded him of himself.

Chris and Warshan also discuss racism, discrimination, the immigrant experience in America, the power of representation in coaching, and what it means for former participants to return and lead the next generation. Warshan explains why alumni coaches can read the room differently, build trust quickly, and help newcomer youth believe that they can dream beyond survival.

The episode also touches on the World Cup, Iraq’s emotional return to the tournament, the meaning of national anthems, Kylian Mbappé’s historic scoring pace, and why soccer carries such deep cultural importance for nations and communities around the world. Warshan closes by sharing what Soccer Without Borders needs most: support, awareness, volunteers, donations, and people willing to recognize the humanity and potential of every young person who walks through the door.

For more information, check out the Soccer Without Borders website at: https://www.soccerwithoutborders.org/

And if you're interested, consider making a donation: https://secure.qgiv.com/for/soccerwithoutborders

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On this episode of The Beautiful Game: Unfiltered, Chris Horwedel is joined by The New Saints chairman Mike Harris for a wide-ranging conversation about one of the most successful and debated clubs in Welsh football.

The interview centers on TNS’s rise from domestic powerhouse to European regular, beginning with Harris’ documentary, The New Saints: The Road to Europe — The Mike Harris Story, and how it captures both the club’s ambitions and Harris’ personal role in building the project. Chris and Mike discuss the origins of TNS, Harris’ background as an entrepreneur, the sale of Total Network Solutions to BT, and the mindset that has driven him to professionalize a club operating inside the Cymru Premier.

The conversation also explores what makes TNS so dominant, from financial investment and recruitment to structure, standards, staff, and the day-to-day professionalism behind the scenes. Harris is asked about Craig Harrison’s success as manager, the club’s player profile, the challenges of recruiting to the Cymru Premier, and how TNS keeps pushing itself domestically while chasing bigger nights in Europe.

Chris and Mike also dig into the club’s historic Conference League run, Park Hall’s long-term stadium ambitions, UEFA Category 4 requirements, and whether the club can become a regular league-phase European side. The interview goes deeper into the bigger identity questions around TNS: whether they are the best club in Wales, whether they would ever consider entering the English pyramid, and how the club balances its Oswestry and Llansantffraid roots.

The episode closes with a look at the future of Welsh domestic football, TNS’s role in raising standards, the club’s attendance challenges, Mike Harris’ wider football ambitions, and what his legacy at the club may ultimately look like.

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Thought for 7s

0:47 – Chris Horwedel opens The Beautiful Game, Unfiltered with an episode-zero World Cup special, introducing the new soccer podcast and setting up a full group-by-group preview using odds from oddsmakers.

1:49 – Expanded World Cup format explained, including the 48-team field, 12 groups of four, automatic advancement for the top two teams, and the importance of third-place teams in this year’s tournament.

3:54 – Group A preview covers Mexico, South Korea, Czech Republic, and South Africa, with discussion of home-field energy, Mexico’s attacking options, South Korea’s star power, Czech physicality, and South Africa’s defensive foundation.

7:19 – Group B breakdown features Switzerland, Canada, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Qatar, focusing on Switzerland’s reliability, Canada’s host-nation advantage, Bosnia’s veteran quality, and Qatar’s tournament experience.

10:53 – Group C preview looks at Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti, including Brazil’s elite talent, Morocco’s recent tournament pedigree, Scotland’s experienced core, and Haiti’s tough draw.

14:44 – Group D discussion covers the United States, Turkey, Australia, and Paraguay, with Chris examining U.S. pressure at home, Turkey’s young attacking talent, Australia’s structure, and Paraguay’s ability to make the group chaotic.

20:48 – Group E preview features Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, and Curaçao, highlighting Germany’s creativity, Ecuador’s balance, Ivory Coast’s athleticism, and Curaçao’s underdog World Cup story.

25:07 – Group F breakdown covers Japan, Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia, with a focus on Japan’s tactical growth, Sweden’s attack, the Netherlands’ star names, and Tunisia’s ability to stay organized.

29:19 – Group G preview looks at Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand, including Belgium’s transition from its golden generation, Egypt’s balance around Mohamed Salah, Iran’s experience, and New Zealand’s long-shot path.

32:49 – Group H discussion covers Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and Cape Verde, with Spain’s title-contender profile, Uruguay’s intensity, Saudi Arabia’s tournament experience, and Cape Verde’s difficult challenge.

35:43 – Group I preview features France, Norway, Senegal, and Iraq, including France’s tournament favorite status, Kylian Mbappé’s star power, Norway’s attacking talent, Senegal’s balance, and Iraq’s difficult draw.

40:36 – Group J breakdown covers Argentina, Austria, Algeria, and Jordan, with discussion of Argentina’s tournament know-how, Austria’s pressing system, Algeria’s creative talent, and Jordan’s uphill path.

44:34 – Group K preview looks at Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan, focusing on Portugal’s depth beyond Cristiano Ronaldo, Colombia’s attacking quality, Congo’s physical edge, and Uzbekistan’s first-time World Cup story.

49:39 – Group L discussion covers England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama, including England’s attacking talent, Croatia’s tournament experience, Ghana’s dangerous core, and Panama’s veteran group.

53:58 – Chris wraps the group preview by revisiting his boldest tournament angles, notable team futures, player award markets, and World Cup betting storylines from oddsmakers.

55:26 – Final thoughts introduce The Beautiful Game, Unfiltered as a new soccer show, preview upcoming guests, and close the World Cup episode-zero special.

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