Politics on the pitch: geopolitical tensions shaping the World Cup

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches, hosted jointly by Canada, the United States, and Mexico, the tournament is emerging not just as a sporting spectacle but as a geopolitical flashpoint. In this episode of *The Big Story*, host Devang Desai speaks with political science professor Aaron Ettinger to unpack how global tensions—particularly U.S.-Iran relations, the controversial awarding of a fabricated 'FIFA Peace Prize' to Donald Trump, and the broader politicization of sports under his leadership—are reshaping the World Cup experience. The episode explores how Trump’s use of sports as a tool for political mobilization, from targeting Colin Kaepernick to courting UFC fans, has fractured sports’ traditional role as a unifying force. Meanwhile, economic anxieties around the USMCA trade deal, low hotel bookings in U.S. host cities, and fears of travel restrictions are driving international fans toward Canada and Mexico. The conversation also scrutinizes FIFA’s growing diplomatic ambitions under Gianni Infantino, highlighting the organization’s hypocrisy in allowing Iran to compete despite U.S. travel bans, while excluding Russia and Belarus under different circumstances. Ultimately, the World Cup is less about football and more about power, perception, and the collision of sport with global politics. Key takeaways include: 1) Sports are no longer apolitical—especially under leaders like Trump who weaponize them for electoral gain; 2) The U.S. may be becoming a pariah destination for international fans due to political climate and travel fears; 3) The World Cup could become a diplomatic stage for Canada to assert independence from the U.S. while maintaining economic ties; 4) FIFA’s shift toward global diplomacy risks undermining its credibility, especially when its actions appear inconsistent; and 5) The real story of this World Cup may not be on the pitch, but in the protests, border tensions, and political symbolism that unfold off it. The episode concludes with a sense of anticipation—what will disrupt the expected harmony of a global sporting event in a deeply divided world?