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The Athletic FC Podcast

An Idiot's Guide to the 2026 World Cup

6/11/202644 min

The 2026 World Cup starts here! Well, in Mexico City as co-hosts Mexico take on South Africa.

Join Adam Leventhal, Jay Harris and Cerys Jones as they give you the lowdown on everything you need to know ahead of the tournament getting underway.

Jack Lang reflects on Gianni Infantino's press conference on the eve of the tournament, while Felipe Cardenas gives us the lowdown on what to expect from Mexico, before we analyse their bright-young hope, Gilberto Mora as part of The Athletic's Stars of Soccer!

Access to all of The...

Clips

Infantino’s “Just Chill” Backlash
From Group Flop To Glory
How 48 Teams Changes Everything
Ice Buckets Beat High-Tech Gadgets
Color-TV Quip & Age Tease

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Cerys Jones· Guest0:00

    [gentle music] The Athletic FC.

  2. Adam Leventhal· Host0:03

    [upbeat music] Hi there, and welcome to The Athletic FC podcast with me, Adam Leventhal. So it is finally here. Today marks the start of the 2026 World Cup, but before Mexico kick off the tournament against South Africa on Thursday evening, we're gonna tell you everything you need to know about this new expanded 48-team tournament. And joining me in the studio is Cerys Jones. How are you, Cerys?

  3. Cerys Jones· Guest0:36

    I'm good. I'm excited.

  4. Adam Leventhal· Host0:38

    Yeah.

  5. Cerys Jones· Guest0:38

    It feels a bit sort of strange being so far away from the tournament as it kicks off.

  6. Adam Leventhal· Host0:42

    Yeah.

  7. Cerys Jones· Guest0:43

    The, the build-up has been there, and it feels quite surreal it's actually starting.

  8. Adam Leventhal· Host0:47

    Yeah. And I guess we'll, we'll start to sort of feel the buzz, and I think that the Mexican fans in particular will, will bring that atmosphere. Uh, Jay Harris is here pinning his colors to the mast. [laughs] Are the, are the Netherlands your pick for the tournament?

  9. Jay Harris· Guest1:02

    Not necessarily. I just like the top, and I bought it after I went to the last World Cup in Qatar- Okay ... 'cause I'd spent a lot of time covering the Netherlands at that tournament.

  10. Adam Leventhal· Host1:10

    Yes.

  11. Jay Harris· Guest1:10

    And, um, the name on the back of the shirt is Seedorf. I liked Seedorf when I was growing up, so it just made sense.

  12. Adam Leventhal· Host1:16

    Nice. Nice. So we've got the first day of the tournament. Um, we've got the opening game. Are there any sort of particular memories of opening games that stick out for you, Cerys?

  13. Cerys Jones· Guest1:26

    Feel like I'm really gonna show my age here- [laughs] ... because mine

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