EPISODE · Jun 12, 2026 · 24 MIN
World Cup politics, with the Financial Times' Simon Kuper
from GZERO World with Ian Bremmer · host Ian Bremmer, Simon Kuper
The World Cup descends on North America this week, bringing with it billions of viewers, billions of dollars, and no shortage of political controversy. But according World Cup Fever author Simon Kuper, none of that is new - the tournament has always reflected the world around it. On GZERO World, Kuper and Ian Bremmer discuss how national teams have become flashpoints in debates over immigration and identity, why FIFA remains one of the world's most powerful and least accountable organizations, how Iran's World Cup campaign could become a geopolitical spectacle, and what the tournament reveals about nationalism, belonging, and power in the modern world. Yet for all the politics, money, and controversy surrounding the tournament, Kuper argues the World Cup remains one of the few events capable of captivating entire countries and bringing billions of people together. The result is a tournament that reflects the hopes, divisions, and identities of the nations watching it. Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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What this episode covers
The World Cup is the planet's biggest sporting event, and the most political one. This year, it will also be the most profitable spectacle of all time. Sports writer Simon Kuper joins Ian Bremmer to discuss how soccer became a stage for nationalism, identity, power, and profit.
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World Cup politics, with the Financial Times' Simon Kuper
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