The Athletic FC Podcast — World Cup 2026: Who Has Qualified & Are the Hosts Ready?

Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Guests/Panelists: Jack Pitt-Brooke, Felipe Cardenas, Adam Crafton, Jordan Campbell, Laurie Whitwell

Overview:

This episode dives deep into the build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The panel celebrates the drama of qualifying, digs into the impact of the expanded 48-team format, highlights underdog stories from around the globe, evaluates host readiness (across the US, Mexico, and Canada), and confronts the serious off-field issues around ticketing and accessibility. For fans and followers, the conversation offers rich anecdotes, analysis, and the genuine excitement—and concern—that comes with hosting football’s biggest show.

Key Discussion Points

1. World Cup Fever & the Expanded Format

[01:23–03:13]

• Energy Check:

  • Host Ayo asks Felipe and Jack for their “heatometer” on how they’re feeling ahead of the tournament.
  • Felipe admits skepticism about the 48-team format but says recent qualifiers proved “there’s still plenty of drama.”
  • Quote (Felipe): “I was not on the boat for, with the 48-team World Cup... but this week proved there’s still plenty of drama.” [02:18]

• US Host Hype?

  • Felipe says World Cup fever hasn’t hit the US yet—other sports (NFL, college football, NBA) dominate—for now, it's a “slow push towards June.”
  • Quote (Felipe): “As soon as June rolls around... you’re going to see the host nation, the US, be fully supported... right now I think it’s still a slow push.” [03:16]

2. Home Nation Joy: Scotland, Ireland, Wales

[04:10–07:59]

• Scotland and Ireland’s Drama:

  • Jack describes dramatic qualifying matches for Ireland and Scotland; Ireland’s win over Hungary is called “their greatest football moment for a generation.”
  • Quote (Jack): “If they get there, this will be their first World Cup since 2002. It’s huge for them.” [04:38]

• Unforgettable Scottish Night:

  • Jordan, who was at Hampden, marvels at the drama: three very different, spectacular goals, and the collective relief after “27 years” of close calls.
  • Quote (Jordan): “Three as incredible, momentous goals on the one night... the drama of it was just incredible.” [06:04]

• Fairytale Stuff:

  • Ayo and Jack reflect on Scotland’s return, noting the power of international football to unite and inspire fans well beyond what club football can do.

3. Underdog Triumphs: Curacao, Cape Verde, Uzbekistan, and More

[08:49–11:11]

• Curacao's Historic Qualification:

  • Laurie Whitwell reports pitchside from Kingston; the smallest ever nation to qualify (population ~155,000), Curacao triumphs, while Jamaican coach Steve McClaren resigns in despair after a dramatic VAR decision denies Jamaica.
  • Quote (Laurie): “Curacao... becoming the world’s smallest ever nation to qualify for a World Cup finals. Absolute jubilation.” [09:17]

• Caribbean Growth:

  • Felipe highlights Curacao’s rise—and the emotional intensity in CONCACAF, with several “big” nations missing out (Jamaica to playoffs, Honduras and Costa Rica out).
  • Quote (Felipe): “Curacao... proving that they're a team that, when faced against the teams that are supposed to qualify from CONCACAF, they've proven to know how to face those teams.” [11:23]

4. Debate: Does the 48-Team Format Dilute the Competition?

[13:36–15:07]

• Jack’s Skepticism:
  • Jack’s main concern is structural: with three-team groups, it may drain tension from early rounds. Classic upsets by “big” nations exiting early may be rarer.
  • Quote (Jack): “The group stages will be really boring because ultimately you're playing 72 games so that you can go from 48 teams to 32.” [14:03]

5. Upcoming Playoffs & Cinderella Hopes

[15:07–18:11]

• Last Six Spots:
  • Hosts list the playoff hopefuls: New Caledonia, DR Congo, Bolivia, Iraq, Jamaica, Suriname. Panelists root for underdogs and “good vibes stories.”
  • Quote (Felipe): “Suriname—what a name that would be in the World Cup! For the vibes, it’d be incredible... and Bolivia—they’ve not been to a WC since 1994.” [15:48]
  • Jack singles out Iraq after their dramatic 98th-minute penalty winner.
  • Quote (Jack, after Iraq’s winner): “A really special moment—we’ve been blessed with a lot of really special moments in the last week or two.” [18:05]

6. Controversy: Are European Teams Getting a Raw Deal?

[18:11–19:59]

• Italian Complaints:
  • Gattuso claims it’s “unfair” so many spots go to non-European, lower-ranked Asian or African teams.
  • Quote (Felipe): “What a ridiculous comment from Gattuso... Italy is a bad team. They're a bad team.” [18:55]
  • Jack adds that Italy hasn’t produced world-class attackers since 2006.

7. Nigeria’s Pain and Africa’s New Order

[20:05–24:38]

• Nigeria’s Absence:

  • Ayo vents as Nigeria misses second consecutive WC despite huge talent. He blames organizational chaos, coach carousel, and federation issues more than talent.
  • Quote (Ayo): “This is stuff we’ve seen for over the last 30 years. The biggest issue: Nigeria fundamentally don’t have a philosophy. I don’t know what the Nigerian style of play is.” [20:14]

• Diaspora Dilemma:

  • Felipe and Ayo discuss lost talent to European nations (e.g., Bukayo Saka), but Felipe insists Nigeria “still have enough quality to be at a World Cup.”
  • Quote (Felipe): “Even without those players, they have enough quality to be at a World Cup, and so you can only point the finger at them.” [24:38]

• International Football’s Magic:

  • Jack highlights the “purity” of national teams compared with club football—coaches can’t buy solutions; adaptability matters most.
  • Quote (Jack): “International football has this amazing kind of unviability to it. It has this purity to it... magical competitiveness.” [23:02]

8. England: Can They Go All the Way?

[28:11–30:15]

• Impressive Form:
  • England’s run: 8 qualifying wins, no goals conceded. Jack praises the experienced spine and robust defense; main worry is keeping stars fit (esp. Kane) during the actual tournament.
  • Quote (Jack): “Pickford's been playing in goal for years. John Stones... Declan Rice... If [Harry Kane] can do that, I think he'll be one of the best players at the World Cup.” [28:32]/[29:31]

9. USMNT: Talent, Momentum and Identity

[30:15–35:27]

• Team Mood:

  • Felipe shares his viral press conference exchange with Pochettino.
  • US just beat Uruguay 5-1 with a largely second-string lineup, suggesting depth and cohesion.
  • Quote (Felipe): “I think that proves that the US is finally at a point where I think they know who their strongest players are, they know the depth that they have and they're going to be well supported next summer, Without a doubt.” [32:29]

• Emerging Players:

  • Felipe spotlights Sebastian Berhalter, son of the (now-former) national team coach, after he scored and assisted; US side “coming together” and determined to “really make history.”
  • Quote (Felipe): “The mood is much better today, honestly. I think... an unbeaten run... has turned the tide.” [34:51]

10. Is North America Ready to Host? Ticketing & Immigration Concerns

[37:27–50:58]

• Cristiano Ronaldo & Geopolitics:

  • Adam Crafton recaps Ronaldo’s recent high-profile visit to the US and entanglements with global politics, as well as legal shadows keeping him away for a decade, until this week.
  • Quote (Adam): “He brings a cachet... probably, maybe Donald Trump aside, the most famous man in the room.” [37:48]

• Ticket Pricing Outrage:

  • Adam explains FIFA’s “dynamic pricing” for tickets (“an unknown cost”), resulting in the most expensive World Cup for fans. No organized opposition in the US so far, but confusion and frustration for fans worldwide.
  • Quote (Adam): “You’re going to get more and more of these price jumps after the games are confirmed… the only real voice has been the new mayor of New York City.” [42:25]

• Access and Exclusion:

  • Felipe and Adam stress how confusing and expensive the ticket process is, especially for fans from smaller nations and South America. Immigration/visa policy remains a huge challenge:
  • Quote (Adam): “Haiti qualified last night. They are subject to a travel ban from the United States… Haiti are going to be in a World Cup and their fans, I don’t think are going to be able... most of them aren’t going to be able to come.” [47:06]
  • Even with expedited “FIFA Pass” visas, barriers remain, raising questions about who will be able to attend and whether the event will feel truly global.

• Who Is This World Cup For?

  • Adam’s theory: there may be little political will in the US for a truly international fan experience. With so many people already in the country, they could fill venues even if few foreign fans come.
  • Quote (Adam): “A tournament largely for people already in the United States... You could sell out this tournament without that many people actually coming.” [50:04]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jordan Campbell on Scotland:
  “I don’t think I’ve ever seen three as incredible, momentous goals on the one night. Three completely different goals as well. But on such a big occasion... the drama of it was just incredible.” [06:04]

• Laurie Whitwell on Curacao:
  “Curacao... becoming the world’s smallest ever nation to qualify for a World Cup finals. Absolute jubilation for those guys. Yeah. They’ll be at the World Cup finals for the first time in their history.” [09:17]

• Ayo on Nigeria’s Woes:
  “All I can say is Nigeria will forever be known as the country that has the best kits, but yet we don’t win anything. All I’ve got to hold on to right now is Afcon. Don’t do me dirty, boys.” [21:54]

• Felipe on Expanded World Cup:
  “Getting more of those teams, giving them opportunities to get to World Cup, is what makes the World Cup special.” [18:55]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Topic | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|------------| | Host introductions and opening theme | 01:23 | | World Cup fever levels, US readiness | 02:18–04:10| | Scotland, Ireland, Wales qualifying drama | 04:10–08:49| | Curacao’s historic qualification | 08:49–11:11| | Expanded format debate (pros & cons) | 13:36–15:07| | Playoff hopefuls & underdog support | 15:07–18:11| | European vs. global qualification fairness | 18:11–19:59| | Nigeria’s absence and African landscape | 20:05–24:38| | England’s prospects and key players | 28:11–30:15| | USMNT’s form and emerging talents | 30:15–35:27| | Cristiano Ronaldo, FIFA, and geopolitics | 37:27–42:06| | Ticket pricing, accessibility, and visas | 42:06–50:58|

Tone & Takeaways

The episode balances celebration (underdog triumphs, emotional qualifications) with realism (doubts about expanded format, access, and host logistics). There’s authentic nostalgia and hope for football’s global magic—tempered by concern that this World Cup may be less international in the stands than on the field, and far more expensive for all. The mood is passionate and candid, with sharp analysis and plenty of humor, particularly from Ayo and Felipe.

Bottom line:
This episode delivers a panoramic, honest preview of the 2026 World Cup: the stories, the skepticism, the inclusion of new nations, and the disruptive challenges facing football’s greatest show on its biggest stage yet.