The Athletic FC Podcast: "A World Cup Divided: Trump and 2026"
Host: The Athletic
Release Date: March 30, 2025

Overview

In this special episode of The Athletic FC Podcast, hosts Ayo Akinwolere and Jesse Marsh delve into the complex intersection of sports and politics surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Panama. The episode explores how President Donald Trump's administration's policies and rhetoric have created a charged geopolitical environment, affecting the participating nations and the tournament's dynamics.

Political Climate and Its Impact on the World Cup

Jesse Marsh introduces the episode by highlighting the tension between the host nations, exacerbated by Trump's policies. The U.S. administration's aggressive stance on tariffs and immigration has not only strained relationships with Canada and Mexico but also set a contentious backdrop for the upcoming World Cup.

Adam Leventhal (timestamp [03:30]) emphasizes the inevitability of sports intertwining with politics, stating, “The interaction is always going to be there. Much has been said over the last three months about Mexico and Canada. The tariffs from the United States is like shifting sand, all of it punctuating another round of whiplash reversal on tariffs against Canada and Mexico.”

He further explains that such political tensions could serve as additional motivation for teams, adding that “sports at times as apolitical. That's never been the case.”

Canada's Resilience and Response

Canada's national team has emerged resilient amidst political turmoil. Jesse Marsh details how Trump's rhetoric, including statements like Canada becoming the "51st state," has been met with strong backlash from Canadian fans and officials.

During a heated match (timestamp [05:35]), Canadian fans in Montreal booed the U.S. national anthem, leading to three fights within the first nine seconds. Despite this, Canada won the Four Nations Tournament final, a victory celebrated by new Prime Minister Mark Carney as a testament to Canadian unity and strength.

Adam Leventhal reflects on the situation, stating, “If I have one message to our president, it's lay off the ridiculous rhetoric about Canada being the 51st state. As an American, I'm ashamed of the arrogance and disregard that we've shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies.”

Mexico’s Rebranding Amid Trump’s Policies

Mexico faces its own challenges in the lead-up to the World Cup. The Trump administration's attempts to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and aggressive immigration policies have cast Mexico in a defensive position on the global stage.

Jesse Marsh discusses Mexico’s efforts to shift its global image, noting, “Mexico have an opportunity to win this Nations League trophy in the final minute... Political view should be out of the game, but it's unavoidable.”

Adam Leventhal adds, “Every time that I turn the TV in the US or anywhere around the world, you hear about Mexico, but you hear about the violence, the drug cartels. And while that's a reality of the country, I think it's the 5 or 7% of what the country is all about.”

Mexico aims to use the World Cup as a platform to showcase its rich culture, history, and modernity, countering negative stereotypes perpetuated by negative political narratives.

Panama's Stand and the Panama Canal Controversy

Panama, another host nation, finds itself in a unique position due to Trump's controversial statements about reclaiming the Panama Canal. Jesse Marsh highlights Panama's strategic role and their response to external pressures.

Adam Leventhal recounts interactions with Panamanian officials and citizens, stating, “The Panama Canal is the Panama Canal. There needs to be a little bit more fact checking regarding the Panama Canal... it's operated by Panamanians.”

Panama’s national team leveraged this tension to boost national pride, with victories over the United States serving as both sporting achievements and political statements. Thierry Henry, closely involved with Panama’s celebrations, underscores the importance of maintaining focus on the sport: “I don't think I've ever seen a separate celebration like this. Definitely something I will always, always remember.”

USA’s Struggle with National Identity in Sports

The U.S. national team grapples with defining its identity amidst political upheaval. Facing internal pressures and external criticisms, the team's journey reflects the broader national struggle.

Jesse Marsh interviews J.T. Batson, CEO of the U.S. Soccer Federation, who emphasizes the organization's commitment to ensuring a successful World Cup despite political distractions. Batson mentions, “We have to build new relationships with new folks in leadership positions across the State Department, across Treasury, across the White House.”

Adam Leventhal observes, “They are a team that right now is searching for their identity and they are feeling pressure and negativity and pessimism from all around them with a little more than a year to figure it out before the World Cup.”

The episode also touches on the potential for the U.S. to reclaim a sense of unity and purpose through the World Cup, despite the ongoing divisive rhetoric.

Visa Issues and Logistical Challenges

One of the significant concerns leading up to the World Cup is the visa process for international visitors. Jesse Marsh and Adam Leventhal discuss how Trump's immigration policies might complicate the influx of fans and participants.

At timestamp [37:17], Adam Leventhal shares, “Whenever I ask people involved in planning this World cup, what's the thing keeping you up at night? They say visas.” The prolonged visa wait times, particularly for countries like Colombia, pose a threat to the economic success anticipated from the tournament.

Jesse Marsh notes the economic implications, explaining that the World Cup's success depends not just on ticket sales but also on the spending of international visitors in host cities.

Cultural and Social Reflections

The podcast also delves into the social and cultural implications of hosting the World Cup amid political tensions. Adam Leventhal discusses the importance of sports as a unifying force, yet acknowledges the challenges of maintaining this unity in a politically charged environment.

Alexi Lalas, a former U.S. international and Trump supporter, provides a contrasting perspective. He advocates for integrating political narratives into sports to reflect societal realities, stating, “International sporting events are nothing new. I actually enjoy that part of it.”

Jesse Marsh highlights the diversity of opinions among stakeholders, emphasizing how political affiliations influence perceptions and interactions within the sports community.

Conclusion: Navigating the Divided Landscape

As the episode concludes, Adam Leventhal and Jesse Marsh reflect on the delicate balance between sports and politics. The 2026 World Cup presents an unprecedented opportunity to showcase not only athletic excellence but also to address and possibly bridge the prevailing political divisions.

Adam Leventhal optimistically states, “I hope it goes away... When we get closer to that day, I mean, things will be better than they are now.”

The hosts underscore the importance of focusing on the unifying power of football, despite the overshadowing political tensions, aiming for a successful and harmonious World Cup that transcends national differences.

Notable Quotes

• Adam Leventhal ([03:30]): “The interaction [between sports and politics] is always going to be there. Much has been said over the last three months about Mexico and Canada. The tariffs from the United States is like shifting sand, all of it punctuating another round of whiplash reversal on tariffs against Canada and Mexico.”

• Adam Leventhal ([05:35]): “If I have one message to our president, it's lay off the ridiculous rhetoric about Canada being the 51st state. As an American, I'm ashamed of the arrogance and disregard that we've shown one of our historically oldest, strongest and most loyal allies.”

• Adam Leventhal ([09:29]): “They [Canadian fans] appreciate that I see the indecency and that I'm willing to speak up about it. And in the end, I hope they understand it's not about me, it's about what I see in the Canadian community and certainly how I feel about our team and our players.”

• Adam Leventhal ([16:21]): “When the World Cup was awarded to the three nations, it genuinely felt like the United States, then Mexico, and way down there, in the polite underbelly is Canada. I don't think that's going to be the case.”

• Adam Leventhal ([25:31]): “This for Mexico is a brand building exercise. This is about repositioning the way the world sees Mexico through the power of a World Cup that has the amplification of power that is not going to come back in the next 40 years to show the country of how it is.”

• Adam Leventhal ([36:17]): “I am not very fond of talking about politics, but it is not nice to listen to that because as I just mentioned, I have this huge opportunity that we're going to share the World Cup and everything, and it's all about mobility.”

Final Thoughts

"A World Cup Divided: Trump and 2026" offers a comprehensive exploration of how political dynamics, particularly under President Trump's administration, are set to influence one of the world's most celebrated sporting events. Through insightful discussions, interviews, and expert analysis, the podcast underscores the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for the host nations, emphasizing the enduring power of football to bridge divides and foster unity.