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Everything You Need to Know About the World Cup

Jun 6, 2026

Summary

Host Natalie Kitroeff and soccer correspondent Tarek Fatah preview the 2026 World Cup, discussing its expansion to 48 teams across the US, Canada, and Mexico. They analyze potential dark horses like the USA and Norway, while highlighting favorites such as Spain and France. The episode also covers the final appearances of legends Messi and Ronaldo, alongside the controversy surrounding exorbitant ticket prices and dynamic pricing strategies.

Topics discussed

Intro: Scott Pelley news and World Cup preview Guest intro: Tarek Panja's soccer history Format changes: 48 teams and 3 host nations New qualifiers: Curacao, Jordan, and DR Congo Dark horses: USA, Ecuador, Norway, and Brazil Favorites: Spain, France, and England Legends' final runs: Messi, Ronaldo, and Modric Ticket price controversy and fan backlash The global atmosphere and fan pilgrimage Outro and credits
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