The Global Story: World Cup 2026: The most political of all time?

The Global Story: World Cup 2026: The most political of all time?

Politics, power and money have always been part of international sporting competitions, and football (or soccer) is no exception.

However, this year’s World Cup faces new challenges. The United States is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico, and its relationship with its neighbours has at times been rocky. Two countries at war with each other – the US and Iran – have never played in the same competition before. Some fans are anxious about travelling to games at a time of high tension. And the cost of attending the event has led some to ask whether this World Cup is really worth it.

Mehreen Khan, economics editor of The Times of London and a lifelong fan of the sport, joins us to discuss what this World Cup could mean for a divided world.

The Global Story brings clarity to politics, business and foreign policy in a time of connection and disruption. For more episodes, just search 'The Global Story' wherever you get your BBC Podcasts.

Producers: Cat Farnsworth and Aron Keller

Executive producer: James Shield

Mix: Travis Evans

Senior news editor: China Collins

Photo: FIFA World Cup on display in Toronto. Credit: Kevin Sousa/ Imagn Images

Denne episoden er hentet fra en åpen RSS-feed og er ikke publisert av Podme. Den kan derfor inneholde annonser.

Episoder(273)

The Happy Pod: Inviting strangers round for dinner

The Happy Pod: Inviting strangers round for dinner

When Nidhi and Vik moved to Northern Ireland, they came up with an unusual way to make new friends - hosting dinner parties made up of strangers. Now the couple, originally from India, have connected ...

11 Jul 26min

US demands Iran guarantee Strait of Hormuz is open

US demands Iran guarantee Strait of Hormuz is open

The US demands a public guarantee from Iran that the Strait of Hormuz is open and that ships will not be targeted as they pass through, to ensure that talks can move forward. President Trump says bot...

11 Jul 27min

At least 12 dead in Spanish wildfires

At least 12 dead in Spanish wildfires

Fire crews in Almeria battle one of Spain's deadliest blazes where several tourists, unable to flee from the rapidly spreading fire, have been among the victims. Hot conditions in Southern Europe are ...

10 Jul 28min

US and Iran trade blows as Khamenei is buried

US and Iran trade blows as Khamenei is buried

Ayatollah Khamenei - Iran's former supreme leader who was killed by US-Israeli strikes - has been laid to rest as fighting continues over control of the Strait of Hormuz. We speak to the BBC's Lyse Do...

10 Jul 26min

US and Iran trade strikes in Gulf

US and Iran trade strikes in Gulf

The US has carried out a second wave of airstrikes on Iran after Tehran attacked tankers in the Strait of Hormuz earlier in the week. The perimeter of Iran's main nuclear plant, at Bushehr, was report...

9 Jul 30min

ICC says war crimes committed in Sudan

ICC says war crimes committed in Sudan

The International Criminal Court says it has "concrete evidence" the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces committed crimes against humanity in Darfur during Sudan's civil war. The RSF says the scale of t...

9 Jul 28min

Trump says ceasefire with Iran is 'over'

Trump says ceasefire with Iran is 'over'

President Trump says the ceasefire agreement with Iran is "over", blasting the country's leadership as "scum" and "cuckoo" after fresh exchanges of fire. Mr Trump has warned the US will hit Iran 'hard...

8 Jul 31min

US strikes Iran after accusing Tehran of targeting shipping

US strikes Iran after accusing Tehran of targeting shipping

The US carries out strikes in Iran, in retaliation for what it says is renewed Iranian targeting of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has condemned the attacks. Also: the French far-...

8 Jul 30min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden-usa
fotballpodden-2
aftenpodden
popradet
forklart
stopp-verden
det-store-bildet
rss-gukild-johaug
hanna-de-heldige
rss-ness
nokon-ma-ga
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
dine-penger-pengeradet
aftenbla-bla
rss-utenrikskomiteen-med-bogen-og-grasvik
ta-dokumentar
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
e24-podden
rss-espen-lee-usensurert