Wrapped in paradox: Most inclusive tournament in terms of countries participating yet many excluded

Haxie Meyers-Belkin welcomes Jules Boykoff, a Professor at the Pacific University of Oregon, former professional football player, and author specializing in football politics. Their discussion focuses on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is described as representing a profound paradox. While the tournament is characterized as the largest and most inclusive in terms of the number of participating countries, it simultaneously involves the exclusion of many others, creating a contradictory dynamic within the global event.