
World Cup Fever: The grift that keeps on grifting
From Why Are We Like This? by Why Are We Like This?
June 10, 2026 · 49 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the challenges and controversies surrounding the World Cup in the US, featuring guest Kartik Krishnaiyer.
Miami is one host city for this summer’s World Cup, joining others across North America, for what is shaping up to be one of the biggest debacles in the tournament’s history. Woefully underprepared and overpriced, the US has provided no end of friction by suspending visas and travel privileges, exerting pressure on foreign visitors, and using dynamic pricing to price out the average fan. We’re joined by soccer scribe Kartik Krishnaiyer from Beyond the 90 ( Beyondthe90.net ) to discuss how the US has joined a very short list of tinpot dictatorships that have allowed their xenophobia to trump the diplomatic missions of international sporting tournaments, and exactly whose wheels are getting greased this time around. You can also follow Kartik on X.com @kkfla737.
People in this episode
Guest: Kartik Krishnaiyer
Topics covered
- World Cup
- sports diplomacy
- xenophobia
- US politics
- soccer
- international events
Keywords
- World Cup
- Miami
- Kartik Krishnaiyer
- soccer
- xenophobia
- US politics
- international sports
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Beyond the 90
Places: Miami, US
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