About this episode

This episode discusses the significance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and its potential impact on American sports culture.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here — on American soil for the first time since 1994.And the U.S. Men’s National Team may be on the verge of something historic.In this episode, Matt Robison sits down with acclaimed soccer journalist and author Leander Schaerlaeckens (The Guardian, The Ringer) to explore why this World Cup matters far beyond sports. From Christian Pulisic and America’s “golden generation” to FIFA politics, ticket controversies, Donald Trump, and the future of soccer in the United States, this conversation explains why the biggest event on Earth could reshape American sports for decades.Leander is the author of The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts, one of the most insightful books ever written about the rise of American soccer.TIMESTAMPS00:00 Why the World Cup may be the biggest human event on Earth04:15 Meet Leander Schaerlaeckens and The Long Game05:00 Why the World Cup matters even if you don't follow soccer07:00 How global the World Cup really is09:00 Messi, Ronaldo, and the final chapter of two legends10:40 Spain, France, England, and the favorites to watch12:00 Political controversies surrounding the 2026…

People in this episode

Host: Matt Robison

Guest: Leander Schaerlaeckens

Topics covered

• 2026 FIFA World Cup
• American soccer
• FIFA politics
• sports history
• ticket controversies

Keywords

• 2026 World Cup
• soccer
• FIFA
• American sports
• Leander Schaerlaeckens

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Guardian, The Ringer

Books & works: The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage Four-Decade Journey to the Top, or Thereabouts

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