About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of the 48-team format of the 2026 World Cup and its impact on soccer culture in America.

As the 2026 World Cup concludes its final round of group games, it is time to ask whether the new format has delivered or not. Are the levels of the additional teams a problem? Why are the likes of Scotland being left in limbo? And what do the complicated permutations tell us about a changing game? On today’s episode we have Rory Smith in LA, James Horncastle in Miami and Jack Pitt-Brooke in New York. They also discuss whether Miami is replacing LA as football's home in America and whether Lionel Messi has placed David Beckham as the game's king of marketing. P1: (02:04) P2: (28:37) - For this summer's main event, we are offering all new signups to SC Libero, the most important of the least important membership clubs, a two-week free trial. Time it right and that's two bonus episodes and four extended shows without paying a penny. Join now: liberopodcast.com. — Produced by: Tom Bassam Email in via getintouch@liberopodcast.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel @liberopod Join our Discord @Libero Podcast Follow us on X @podcast_libero Follow us on Bluesky @liberopodcast Follow us on Instagram @liberopod Follow us on TikTok @liberopod Follow us on Facebook @liberopod Music: Kid Kodi…

People in this episode

Guests: Rory Smith, James Horncastle, Jack Pitt-Brooke

Topics covered

• World Cup
• soccer
• tournament format
• marketing
• football culture

Sponsors

SC Libero

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: SC Libero, Kid Kodi, Blue Dot Sessions

Places: LA, Miami, New York, Scotland

More episodes of Libero

• World Cup 014 | How We Saw Spain Become Champions Again · July 20, 2026 · 50 min
• World Cup 013 | England Crumble To Set Up Heavyweight Final · July 17, 2026 · 1h 0m
• World Cup 012 | The Tale Of Two Very Different Semi-Finals · July 14, 2026 · 58 min
• World Cup 011 | England, Belgium, France and Switzerland... It's The Revenge Of The Europoors · July 10, 2026 · 52 min
• World Cup 010 | England, Brazil And A Change To Football's Established Order? · July 7, 2026 · 1h 0m
• World Cup 009 | France Are Good, Germany Are Bad. Why? · July 3, 2026 · 56 min

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