Haxie Meyers-Belkin is pleased to welcome Jules Boykoff, Professor at the Pacific University of Oregon, former professional football player and author on the politics of football. The 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a profound paradox. It is the largest and most inclusive tournament in football history in terms of participating nations, yet it is unfolding amid policies and conditions that exclude many of the very people who make the global game meaningful. Visa restrictions, high ticket prices, immigration enforcement concerns, and geopolitical tensions have transformed what might otherwise be a celebration of sport into one of the most politically charged World Cups in recent memory.
Wrapped in paradox: Most inclusive tournament in terms of countries participating yet many excluded
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Story Timeline
Fri 07:48 - Al Jazeera
Netherlands’ World Cup 2026 team preview: Players to watch, group, squad
Sat 08:05 - Al Jazeera English
Senegal’s World Cup 2026 team preview: Players to watch, group, squad list
Sat 11:44 - Fox News
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Sun 11:01 - Al Jazeera English
From AFCON to World Cup 2026: How Morocco became a football powerhouse
Sun 15:28 - Al Jazeera English
Germany World Cup 2026 team preview: Players to watch, group and squad list
Mon 11:16 - Al Jazeera English
England World Cup 2026 team preview: Players to watch, group and squad list
Mon 15:24 - BBC Headlines
World Cup: Every squad as they are announced
Tue 04:00 - Euronews
Boston: A travel guide to the 2026 World Cup host city
Tue 07:16 - Die Welt
To make more money – Fifa decides to hold the World Cup without players
Tue 08:39 - Al Jazeera English
France World Cup 2026 preview: Players to watch, group matches and squad
Tue 11:57 - Al Jazeera English
What are the FIFA World Cup 2026 squads for all 48 teams?
Tue 16:02 - Fox News
2026 NBA Finals preview: New York Knicks vs San Antonio Spurs best bets for series, MVP player props
Tue 19:59 - France 24
2026 World Cup: Are US stadiums unprepared? Viral Senegal ball bounce clip sparks pitch fears
Wed 04:00 - Euronews
San Francisco Bay Area: A travel guide to the 2026 World Cup host
Wed 04:30 - Euronews
Seattle: A travel guide to the 2026 World Cup host city
Wed 06:02 - Euronews
You can’t miss these: Best World Cup 2026 squad announcement videos
Wed 07:15 - Al Jazeera English
Unfancied Brazil will stay sharp at the World Cup, Casemiro says
Wed 09:21 - Euronews
2026 World Cup fuels tourism boom in North America with Canada in the lead
Wed 10:44 - Al Jazeera English
Morocco World Cup 2026 preview: Players to watch, group and squad list
Wed 15:31 - Al Jazeera English
Which World Cup 2026 stadiums will host matches in US, Canada and Mexico?
Thu 08:18 - DW Top
2026 World Cup: 6 things you need to know
Thu 08:18 - DW All
2026 World Cup: 6 things you need to know
Thu 08:38 - Al Jazeera
World Cup 2026: What are the key dates from the opening match to the final?
Thu 10:29 - Al Jazeera
Mehdi Taremi: Iran’s journey to the 2026 World Cup
Thu 11:18 - Al Jazeera English
Quiz: World Cup 2026 – player and team records, key statistics
Thu 12:55 - Die Welt
How the DFB wants to bring the 2042 World Cup to Germany
Thu 15:57 - France 24
Mexico set for unprecedented third turn as World Cup host
Fri 09:33 - Al Jazeera English
FIFA World Cup 2026 talking points: NFL-style half-time show, kits and more
Sat 04:00 - Euronews
Vancouver: A travel guide to the 2026 World Cup host city
Sat 05:00 - Euronews
Philadelphia: A travel guide to the 2026 World Cup host city
Sun 04:00 - Euronews
Toronto: A travel guide to the 2026 World Cup host city
Sun 05:00 - Euronews
Guadalajara: A travel guide to the 2026 World Cup host city
Sun 12:33 - Al Jazeera English
World Cup 2026 in numbers: Key statistical goals, titles and age records
Sun 15:51 - Euronews
2026 World Cup: five key facts about FIFA's biggest ever tournament
Mon 06:40 - Euronews
Watch: Forget the football—the money game behind the 2026 World Cup
Mon 09:43 - DW All
So much is wrong with the 2026 World Cup
Mon 09:43 - DW Top
So much is wrong with the 2026 World Cup
Mon 09:43 - DW Top
What is wrong with the 2026 World Cup
Mon 09:43 - DW All
What is wrong with the 2026 World Cup
Tue 10:19 - DW All
Will Ebola have an impact on the World Cup?
Tue 10:19 - DW Top
Will Ebola have an impact on the World Cup?
Wed 09:03 - France 24
High ticket prices shroud 2026 FIFA World Cup in controversy
Wed 13:57 - France 24
2026 World Cup set to be the most expensive ever
Wed 19:51 - Euronews
Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, says fans 'should chill' about ref denied US entry
Wed 20:48 - France 24
Fact-checking claims that Senegal’s football team were treated like ‘criminals’ at US airport
Wed 22:26 - France 24
Infantino defends World Cup ticket prices, dismisses referee US entry dispute
Thu 05:21 - France 24
Football and politics collide as World Cup kicks off in shadow of war, travel bans
Thu 09:22 - France 24
World Cup 2026: Immigrant fans, workers face ICE fears
Thu 12:46 - France 24
FIFA World Cup: Politics and business threaten football ‘spirit’, expert says
Thu 12:58 - France 24
FIFA World Cup: Politics and business threaten football ‘spirit’, expert says
Fri 07:43 - Euronews
Did Shakira use a body double at the 2026 World Cup opening ceremony?