Trump's World Cup: More matches, higher prices, fewer foreigners

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of racism and greed on the upcoming World Cup, contrasting it with historical events and experiences.

Can blatant racism and shameless greed ruin the World Cup? Fans of the beautiful game and its history can take solace in the opening match at Mexico City's storied Azteca Stadium, the only venue to already host two World Cup finals. It's a stark contrast with the build-up in the United States, a host nation that's barred Somalia's African referee of the year despite accreditation and a valid visa, refused entry to fans and support staff from a host of nations, imposed short stay restrictions on Iran's team, which will have to plane-hop between LA and new base camp Tiujana, while FIFA's president counts the cash from both a bloated 48-team tournament and ticket prices that are out of this world. Read more Somali referee banned by US from World Cup to officiate European Super Cup, UEFA says When is it too much? Each World Cup is a snapshot of its time: 1978 in junta-ruled Argentina , 1998 and France feting its black-blanc-beurre multiracial heroes, 2014 and the social unrest of post-commodities boom Brazil . FRANCE 24's François Picard had the privilege of covering the last time the World Cup was in the United States, in 1994: the highs and lows of Diego Maradona , Bulgaria's shock…

People in this episode

Host: François Picard

Topics covered

• World Cup
• racism
• sports politics
• FIFA
• international relations
• fan experience

Keywords

• World Cup
• FIFA
• racism
• sports
• ticket prices
• international fans
• referee
• Mexico City
• Azteca Stadium

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: FIFA

Places: United States, Somalia, Iran, Mexico City, Azteca Stadium

More episodes of The Debate

• Has France failed its children? Outrage over murder of 11-year-old Lyhanna · June 10, 2026 · 44 min
• Unbreakable Kim? China's Xi visits Russia-backed North Korean leader · June 9, 2026 · 44 min
• Who calls the shots? Trump tries to rein in Netanyahu, salvage Iran deal · June 8, 2026 · 42 min
• Cancer breakthroughs: Does a string of advances signal turning point? · June 4, 2026 · 43 min
• Can Europe own its digital destiny? EU unveils tech sovereignty roadmap · June 3, 2026 · 43 min
• The Macron method: How to deal with Putin's Russia? · June 2, 2026 · 43 min