How the World Cup Explains the World
The World Cup is a unique event that brings people together from around the world, despite the complexities and controversies surrounding it. The tournament has become a reflection of the world's shift towards globalization and interdependence, with players and fans from different countries and backgrounds coming together. The 2026 World Cup, in particular, is seen as a display of a gentler form of nationalism, with fans showing pride and loyalty to their countries in a positive and respectful way.
- ▪International soccer has become a global industry, with venture capital and oil money pouring into clubs around the world.
- ▪The World Cup is a rare event where players and fans put aside their club loyalties and come together to represent their countries.
- ▪The tournament has been used as a platform for political and social issues, but ultimately, it is the spectacle and excitement of the game that brings people together.
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Radio AtlanticHow the World Cup Explains the WorldPostcolonialism. Global interdependence. Perhaps even a healthy kind of nationalism in 2026?By Hanna RosinHannah Peters / FIFA / GettyJune 25, 2026, 10 AM ET ShareSave Listen−1.0x+Seek0:0032:22Subscribe here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Overcast | Pocket CastsIn the past two decades, international soccer has gotten a glow-up of sorts. Venture capital and oil money have poured into clubs all around the world. The United Arab Emirates owns a dozen clubs in the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia owns a handful. Players come from all around the globe, and get traded, like stocks, for profit.
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