FIFA World Cup: 48 teams, 16 cities, 39 days
The 2026 World Cup is the biggest ever with 48 teams, 3 host countries, 16 cities, and 39 days of games including up to 6 matches per day.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup: Scale, Controversies, and Trump's PR Machine
At 30:55 · chapter starts 30:20
The 2026 World Cup is a record-setter: 48 teams, three host countries (the US, Mexico, and Canada), 16 cities, and 39 days of competition with up to six games per day at peak. But the hosts have a long list of grievances. ICE will be deployed at venues under the banner of fighting counterfeit merchandise and human trafficking — a framing Tommy and Ben dismiss as cover for immigration intimidation. The Iranian team has been forced to base itself in Mexico and commute to US games. Somalia's African Referee of the Year, Omar Artan, was denied entry at Miami Airport. Haitian fans were denied visas. African journalists have struggled to get credentials. FIFA's own financial model, which Tommy explains through his conversation with Rahm Emanuel (who turned down hosting games in Chicago as mayor), extracts ticketing, broadcasting, sponsorship, concessions, and parking revenue while leaving host cities to pay for transportation, security, and even free Fan Fests. Several cities have cancelled their Fan Fests because they can't afford them. FIFA chief Gianni Infantino, meanwhile, gave Trump a FIFA Peace Prize. Ben predicts this is a dry run for Trump inserting himself into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics [1] — Tommy Vietor "The top African referee was denied entry at Miami airport. Haitian fans were turned away. Iranian players must commute from Mexico for thei…" 34:10 .
The World Cup's Dark Side: Visas Denied, Referee Turned Away, Iran Forced to Commute
The top African referee was denied entry at Miami airport. Haitian fans were turned away. Iranian players must commute from Mexico for their US games. Somalia's African Referee of the Year was rejected, seemingly for his nationality. The World Cup is supposed to showcase America — instead, it's showcasing casual racism and petty geopolitics.
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