Foreign Policy Live

The Geopolitics of the World Cup

June 10, 2026·38 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

This week, the largest-ever World Cup will commence. Across the three host countries—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—48 teams will play 104 matches in 16 cities. But it also comes amid a particularly fraught geopolitical backdrop. Not only have the three hosts spent the last year sparring over immigration, trade, and even national sovereignty, but one of them, the United States, is at war with fellow participant Iran. Top soccer expert and Times economics editor Mehreen Khan joins FP Live to explore just how exceptional this World Cup is.  Plus, Ravi shares his read on troubles for China’s solar industry.  Financial Times: Adam Tooze: Wasting China’s solar panel surplus is madness The Economist: China’s world-beating solar industry is in turmoil FP Coverage of the World Cup Bobby Ghosh: Sleeping in Mexico, Playing in America Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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