How Soccer Explains the World: Franklin Foer Previews the 2026 World Cup

In this episode of the Brian Kilmeade Show, host Brian Kilmeade welcomes author Franklin Foer to discuss the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—the first time the tournament spans three nations. Foer, author of *How Soccer Explains the World: An Unlikely Theory of Globalization*, reflects on the cultural, political, and national identity dimensions of soccer, using examples like Iran’s potential absence and the symbolic role of the national team as a secular expression of nationalism. The conversation turns to the U.S. men’s national team, with concerns about their readiness despite having elite players like Christian Pulisic and a top-tier coach, Mauricio Pochettino. Foer and Kilmeade debate structural issues in American soccer development, including the lack of deep domestic roots among players who are raised abroad and the lingering European snobbery toward American soccer. They also discuss the significance of the World Cup as a global spectacle, the importance of fan access and fair ticket pricing, and the role of the U.S. president and his family in elevating the sport’s profile. The episode closes with reflections on the legacy of icons like Pelé and the evolving identity of American soccer, emphasizing the need for a distinct national character on the pitch.