States of Play (World Cup 26)

States of Play is a podcast about the FIFA World Cup and the world it reflects in 2026. Through June and July we will look at events as they play out in the U.S, Mexico and Canada, the matches, the teams, the players, and weave them through with the social dynamics, culture and human rights issues that are being played out in parallel.

States of Play (World Cup 26) is a sports podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 15 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts States of Play (World Cup 26), a sports show with 15 episodes published.

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  Episode #15

  EP 16: Argentina special

  Jul 23, 202643 minS1

  What and who is Argentina? A country of 40 million people that define themselves through futbol, a country that has produced two of the greatest players ever, and won the World Cup three times. How does the political turmoil that seems to have been at the heart of its entire existence and economic disarray that it fell into in the 1980s affect the mindset of the people? This episode was recorded just before the World Cup final that brought on hate on Argentina across the world, and conspiracy theories inside the country that they were denied another World Cup. Evan, Jonathan and Piara are joined by a real Argentinian, Diego Murzi, from the University of Sant Maritine, Buenos Aires and Joshua Nadel Professor of History, North Carolina Central University. A podcast from the Fare network

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  Episode #14

  EP 14: The Final! Predictions and thoughts

  Jul 18, 202619 minS1

  The Final is here already as Argentina take on Spain. The team look back at the semis and make their predictions. Will Trump make a big deal of interfering? Will he face boos? And can he resist saying who he wants to win and jinxing them? Features: Evan Whitfield; Jonathan W. Gray; Piara Powar A podcast from the Fare network

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  States of Play (World Cup 26)

  Football talk after the quarter finals

  Jul 13, 202645 min

  Quarter finals done and a lot of talking points to explore. Is VAR our collective hate in this World Cup? Why do referees have their names on their shirts? And why does it feel Argentina are getting a helping hand? Jude Bellingham is the star of the England team. He is a great player but many people, including Ian Wright and Jonathan, doubt that he will ever get the recognition he deserves. A podcast from the Fare network. Features: Evan Whitfield; Prof Jonathan W. Grey; Piara Powar

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  States of Play (World Cup 26)

  EP 12: Political interference - No thanks!

  Jul 11, 202641 min

  The continuing fallout from Balogun and the burning issues of VAR and refereeing. What happens when Donald Trump inserts himself into a big sporting moment as he does twice this summer. Talk that FIFA is corrupt is incorrect but Evan makes a call for change at FIFA after the Trump intervention. Jonathan presents some data on refereeing. Are Argentina getting away with things they shouldn’t be? And the team finish on a discussion of how this tournament has been a good one for the minnows and teams from the global south. A podcast from the Fare network. Features: Evan Whitfield; Professor Jonathan W. Gray; and Piara Powar

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  Episode #11

  250 years of the USA

  Jul 5, 202653 minS1

  Welcome to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of America. Two and a half centuries ago George Washington declared independence from British colonisers. We look at what America is, the idea, the reality, who is in and who is out. And ICE is back with higher targets to meet - 10,000 people were detained in the 5 days upto 1st July. The goalkeeper’s mother who was helped into the U.S by a Chinese businessman, not as was claimed by a Democratic politician. Ahead of Belgium’s clash with the USA comments by Belgian coach Rudi Garcia have caused controversy back home. Jonathan suggests we all read this book: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250251091/howtohideanempire/ Features: Evan Whitfield, Jonathan W. Grey, Piara Powar A podcast by the Fare network Happy Birthday America!

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