An Idiot's Guide to the 2026 World Cup
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What is the podcast’s opening summary and who are the hosts?
The Athletic FC.
Hi there and welcome to the Athletic FC podcast with me, Adam Leventhal. So it is finally here. Today marks the start of the 2026 World Cup. But before Mexico kick off the tournament against South Africa on Thursday evening, we're going to tell you everything you need to know about this new expanded 48-team tournament. And joining me in the studio is Keres. Jones, how are you, Keris?
I'm good. I'm excited. It feels a bit sort of strange being so far away from the tournament as it kicks off. The build-up has been there and it feels quite surreal it's actually starting.
Yeah, and I guess we'll start to sort of feel the buzz. And I think that the Mexican fans in particular will bring that atmosphere. Jay Harris is here. pinning his colours to the mast. Are the Netherlands your pick for the tournament?
Not necessarily. I just like the top and I bought it after I went to the last World Cup in Qatar because I spent a lot of time covering the Netherlands at that tournament. Yes. And the name on the back of the shirt is Seedorf. I liked Seedorf when I was growing up. So it just made sense.
Nice, nice. So we've got the first day of the tournament. We've got the opening game. Are there any sort of particular memories of opening games that stick out for you, Keris?
I feel like I'm really going to show my age here because mine just don't go back that far. Like the first tournament that I really have memories of is South Africa in 2010. So again, you know, that game against Mexico, not exactly a classic. That's kind of the first one I remember. Yeah. I have good memories of being in kind of pubs as a student during 2022, but the actual details of the game are quite hazy. So, yeah, mine aren't that detailed.
Excellent. So 2010, that was South Africa, one, Mexico, one. Obviously, we're going to get a replay of that at the Azteca. Yours, Jay?
So there's a temptation to say South Africa just because of the shabbalalala. But I think I've almost seen that too many times on YouTube over the years. So it's not like an authentic memory. I remember 2006, Germany, because Philipp Lahm, who's playing at fullback, scores an absolute screamer. But the first World Cup I have vivid memories of is 2002. And I really liked France, Henry, Zidane, and they lost to Senegal in one of the opening games. And I always sort of remember that as like my introductory World Cup.
You know, you said about sort of showing your age. My fondest memory, Italia 90. Italia 90. What a tournament. And had a huge shock, similar to that Senegal-France game. Cameroon beat Argentina 1-0 at the San Siro. Omambiak scored the goal for Cameroon. So I remember that. I remember watching that game as a kid, everyone. OK, as a kid, a young, young child. So before we explain how this World Cup is going to work, we heard from the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, on Wednesday in his pre-tournament press conference. We were talking about that on yesterday's show. And thank you very much for sending in your questions. We'll come to those in a moment. The Athletics' Jack Lang was in the room and he sent us this.
Hi, this is Jack Lang, football writer at The Athletic. I'm here in Mexico City where it's just starting to rain again after a massive downpour earlier. I was at the Estadio Azteca for Gianni Infantino's opening remarks before the World Cup. You may remember three and a half years ago at Qatar, his infamous speech, today I am migrant worker, today I am... Gay, all of that. Today's effort was less spectacular, probably for better if you're a Cheney and Fantino. He was asked about a few of the issues bubbling away ahead of this World Cup, the ticket prices. He was unrepentant on that dynamic pricing, just part of the modern world, according to him. He was asked about referee Omar Artan, Somali, who hasn't been allowed to travel into the U.S.,
Initially, he said sometimes we have to chill, relax when faced with such issues. Clarified that a bit, saying that he had been working behind the scenes. But obviously, that's not a great look for FIFA or the U.S.,
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