A fascinating history of the World Cup: best podcasts of the week

The Guardian Culture Monday 08 June 2026, 06:00 UTC By Hollie Richardson and Rachel Aroesti 1 min read

Key Points

Former US soccer player Merritt Mathias looks at times when the beautiful game has been a political football. Plus, a deep dive into who is funding Reform UKFormer US soccer player Merritt Mathias (pictured above) and journalists Musa Okwonga and Julio Ricardo Varela are a fascinating team of “football/soccer time-travellers”. They trace the history of how global power has tried to influence the game and make it political.

Former US soccer player Merritt Mathias looks at times when the beautiful game has been a political football. Plus, a deep dive into who is funding Reform UK

Former US soccer player Merritt Mathias (pictured above) and journalists Musa Okwonga and Julio Ricardo Varela are a fascinating team of “football/soccer time-travellers”. They trace the history of how global power has tried to influence the game and make it political. After setting the scene with musings on this year’s World Cup, they first look at the 1934 tournament in Mussolini’s Italy, which Uruguay boycotted. Hollie Richardson
YouTube and Spotify, episodes weekly

the World Cup (EVENT) US (LOCATION) Merritt Mathias (PERSON) Musa Okwonga (PERSON) Julio Ricardo Varela (PERSON) World Cup (EVENT) Mussolini (PERSON) Italy (LOCATION) Uruguay (LOCATION) Hollie Richardson YouTube (PERSON) Spotify (ORG)

Originally published by The Guardian Culture Read original →

A fascinating history of the World Cup: best podcasts of the week

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