Can 2026 Do for Soccer What the Dream Team Did for Basketball?

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming — and New York and New Jersey are at the center of it.In this episode of Finance of Football, Michael LoRé and Asli Pelit speak with Alex Lasry, CEO of the New York–New Jersey World Cup Host Committee, about what it takes to deliver the biggest sporting event in history.Lasry draws on experience spanning the Obama White House, NBA ownership with the Milwaukee Bucks, and U.S. tourism leadership to explain the scale of coordination required across two states, multiple transit systems, security agencies, and FIFA itself. From transportation and safety to fan festivals and economic impact, the episode breaks down how public-private partnerships underpin the tournament.The conversation also tackles accessibility and cost, including the decision to charge for FIFA Fan Fest entry and how host cities are trying to balance security, crowd management, and inclusion. Looking beyond 2026, Lasry outlines the legacy he hopes the World Cup will leave — expanding grassroots access to football, driving long-term tourism and investment, and inspiring a new generation of American players.The episode closes with a new World Cup Update segment, examining how geopolitics and global tensions could shape the road to 2026.The World Cup is coming.How it’s remembered is still being decided.---For more, follow Asli and Michael on InstagramAsli - @brefootcontessaMichael - @michale.loreAnd follow the show…On Instagram - @financeoffootballpodOn Facebook - /financeoffootball---The Finance of Football, a Frequency Machine Podcast, is…Written, Hosted, and Produced by Asli Pelit and Michael LoRéEditing and Sound Design by Ryan HammondMixing and Mastering by Julian KwasneskiExecutive Produced by Ryan Hammond,  Stacey Book and Avi Glijansky---Check out more of Frequency Machine’s podcasts - including Undercover Sports, a show about the wildest sports conspiracy theories, at frequencymachine.comSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.