Is the USA ready for the World Cup? – Football Weekly podcast

Max Rushden· Host0:00

This is The Guardian. [upbeat music] Hello, and welcome to The Guardian Football Weekly. It's a month until the World Cup, and we're getting lots of questions like, "When are you gonna talk about what's happening in the US?" Well, even if we have covered it a lot in passing, consider this an official start. We're joined by two experts in the US to discuss ticket prices, Iran, visas, ICE, Trump, Gianni, public transport, and general enthusiasm for the tournament. We'll also discuss the US side and their chances, grassroots football. All that on a bonus episode of The Guardian Football Weekly. [upbeat music] On the panel today, Alex Abnos, senior sports editor at The Guardian, our friend from Austin, Texas. Welcome, Alex.

Alex Abnos· Guest0:47

Hello, Max.

Max Rushden· Host0:48

Um, I mean, not from Austin, Texas, but that's when we had our wild times together. Leander Schaerlaeckens, a soccer journalist, author of "The Long Game: US Men's Soccer and Its Savage Four-Decade Journey to the Top," or thereabouts. Uh, and we, we'll get to Leander to whether it's got to the top yet or whether it'll get to the top this summer in a, in a bit. Hey, Leander, how are you?

Leander Schaerlaeckens· Guest1:08

Hi, Max.

Max Rushden· Host1:09

Barry is here as always. Hi, Baz.

Barry Glendenning· Panelist1:12

Hi, Max.

Max Rushden· Host1:13

Uh, as with every major tournament, uh, we have that tricky balance of wanting to enjoy the football, uh, without ignoring the political climate. We've talked about it before. We'll talk about it again, uh, no doubt. I'm gonna start with this email from George, who says, "Hey, Max, Barry, and everyone else. Monday marks one month before the World Cup begins. Usually it feels like there's a lot