In this episode, Priyanash interviews David Goldblatt, a renowned football writer and academic, to explore the political, cultural, and economic dimensions of the World Cup and football's role in society. They discuss the legacy of recent tournaments, FIFA's organizational challenges, and the potential for reform and resistance within the sport. 

David Goldblatt is a writer, journalist and academic. He has written four previous major books on football, including the masterful The Ball is Round and most recently, Injury Time: Football in a State of Emergency (Mudlark, 2025). His journalism and books have received multiple awards. David also teaches academic courses on the history and political economy of global football. Before the start of this World Cup, David taught a four-week online course on the history and politics of the tournament for Equator.

Chapters

01:10 The political legacy of recent World Cups

02:23 Mexico's contribution and democratic resilience

03:47 The US, Qatar, and Brazil's World Cup experiences

06:01 Football's ability to foster solidarity and resistance

07:36 Entertainment and goals in modern international football

12:32 The influence of political regimes on World Cup stories

14:53 The future of FIFA and organizational reform

16:57 FIFA's leadership and the legacy of corruption

23:54 FIFA's response to climate crisis and sustainability

25:49 Hydration breaks and commercialization in football

29:35 The cultural significance of the English team

36:45 Changes in English national identity and patriotism

40:03 The Premier League's financial and political evolution

44:52 The global economic impact of football

50:00 The future of grassroots football and global development

51:14 Hope and resistance in football's future

Keywords: Football, World Cup, FIFA, sports politics, football reform, global football, football culture, sports governance, climate crisis and sports

Hosts in this episode: Priyansh

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