Home Writing Video Audio Substack Live Events About Contact

World Cup 2026: Substack & Podcast

Bridging my experience in business and policy reporting with my love for the World Cup, I started a Substack newsletter about the 2026 World Cup—and have now developed it into a podcast. 

America's Cup is about the lead-up to the tournament, exploring how the world's favorite sporting event will meet America's own vision for it. I'm considering the intersection between what the world has come to expect from its beloved tournament, and how this unique moment in U.S. politics, culture, and society—with its draconian policy and geopolitical tensions (including with America's own co-hosts)—may shape next year's iteration of it. I'm reporting on topics including economics, infrastructure, tourism, climate, cultural and social impacts, and much more, on national and local levels.

Podcast episodes

Newsletter posts

America's Cup •

Did Zohran Mamdani get FIFA to tweak its ticket pricing model?

In a video where he demonstrated a terrible English accent but some impressive ball skills, leading New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani took to social media this week to announce a new petition. Aligned with his affordability-centered campaign, “Game Over Greed,” calls for FIFA to ame…

In a video where he demonstrated a terrible English accent but some impressive ball skills, leading New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani took to social media this week to announce a new petit...
America's Cup •

The World Cup may start before you get your visa to attend it

Morocco is the first African team to qualify for the World Cup, sealing their place this week. It’s just as well they did so with time to spare, because Moroccans set on traveling to the U.S. to cheer on the Atlas Lions will have to wait an estimated six months for a visitor visa.Still, that wait time could be a lot worse.On the lower end of the wait scale, citizens of Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay (which have all sealed their spots) have wait times of less than three months.But citizens of Ec...
America's Cup •

Why this will be the most carbon-intensive World Cup ever ✈️

Last week, I did an extremely rough calculation of the “travel burdens” teams and fans will encounter in 2026. Given most travel will realistically be via air, these will also translate into climate burdens.According to a report called “FIFA’s Climate Blind Spot,” co-written by three organizations (Scientists for Global Responsibility, the Environmental Defense Fund, and Cool Down), 2026 will not only be the most carbon-emitting World Cup in history, but even more so than the two to follow: Spai...
America's Cup •

"We're still so, so far away": a former U.S. player assesses the state of soccer in America

In a relatively rare feat, U.S. veteran midfielder Tab Ramos played in three consecutive World Cups: 1990, at home in 1994, and 1998. He played in Spain’s La Liga for Real Betis, before becoming the first-ever player to sign a contract…

In a relatively rare feat, U.S. veteran midfielder Tab Ramos played in three consecutive World Cups: 1990, at home in 1994, and 1998. He played in Spain’s La Liga for Real Betis, before becoming the first-ever player to sign a contract…
America's Cup •

What does a host city director do, anyway? Philadelphia's exec explains it all

Each World Cup host city has a director—sometimes called a CEO, or president, or similar title denoting the big man or woman on campus. But what exactly do they do?Meg Kane (no relation to Harry, as far as I know) is the executive for Philadelphia. Kane took the time to chat with me for a wide-ranging conversation about…

Each World Cup host city has a director—sometimes called a CEO, or president, or similar title denoting the big man or woman on campus. But what exactly do they do?

Meg Kane (...
America's Cup •

Most World Cups are not profitable. These economists say the U.S. can buck that trend

For 2014, Brazil spent approximately $15 billion on its World Cup, having to build and significantly renovate a number of stadiums. It had very little return, with some estimates at 2.5% of the investment figure.For 2022, Qatar blew Brazil out of the water, spending an estimated $220 billion, and probably generating about…

For 2014, Brazil spent approximately $15 billion on its World Cup, having to build and significantly renovate a number of stadiums. It had very little return, with some estim...
America's Cup •

Taylor Swift, The Sopranos, and Waffle House: 9 notable things the host city directors said

On Monday, 11 of the 16 host city directors congregated in New York City for a press event of panels and Q&As. I went along and heard as they discussed logistics and legacy, took questions about ticket price…

On Monday, 11 of the 16 host city directors congregated in New York City for a press event of panels and Q&As. I went along and heard as they discussed logistics and legacy, took questions about ticket price…
America's Cup •

This is the world’s sport. But in 2026, it’s America’s Cup

When you consider the biggest athletic events on the planet, nothing else comes close to the FIFA World Cup. A billion and a half people—a fifth of the world—watched the thriller of a 2022 final that crowned Argentina over France. America thinks it knows big, but an average group-stage match draws in 175 million viewers. That’s multiple Super Bowls a day, if we’re being generous to Super Bowls.There is an understood routine to how the quadrennial event goes: fan zones and free-flowing beer. Cult...