Jules Boykoff on World Cup and ‘Sportswashing’

https://media.blubrry.com/counterspin/content.blubrry.com/counterspin/CounterSpin260515.mp3 Right-click here to download this episode (“Save link as…”). FIFA, the governing body of association football, concocted a “FIFA Peace Prize”—described as recognizing “individuals for exceptional contributions to peace and unity”—in order to award it to Donald Trump. Alongside revelations of deep-seated corruption—collusion, bribery—involving official bodies and executives, and now ticket prices for this year’s World Cup being called not just excessive but “extortionate,” you might say more folks are “following” football (or soccer) these days, but not necessarily as fans. OR Books (2026) Sports has always been a big part of news media, but typically segregated into its own section on stats and personalities, ignoring the economic, social and environmental impacts sports have always had. Think about cities enticed into building new arenas with promises of jobs and commerce that never arrive. Or whole communities uprooted for temporary “Olympic Villages.” Jules Boykoff has been following the relationships of sport and society for years now; he’s a former professional soccer player himself, as well as a critic and writer, now teaching political science at Pacific University. He’s author of a number of books, including What Are the Olympics For? (Bristol University Press, 2024). He joins us to discuss his latest: Red Card: The 2026 World Cup, Sportswashing and the FIFA Greed Machine, out now from OR Books. https://media.blubrry.com/counterspin/content.blubrry.com/counterspin/CounterSpin260515Boykoff.mp3   Plus Janine Jackson takes a quick look back at recent press. https://media.blubrry.com/counterspin/content.blubrry.com/counterspin/CounterSpin260515Banter.mp3   Featured Image: Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok