Saturday, June 06, 2026

Special Edition: World Cup in America — What to Know

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The World Cup begins next week, and this time, it’s happening across North America.

Longtime soccer writer Leander Schaerlaeckens explains what makes this tournament so massive, what it means for soccer in America, and how far the U.S. men’s team has come.

Plus, we discuss the controversies surrounding the tournament — from high costs to global tensions.

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Guest: Leander Schaerlaeckens

Leander Schaerlaeckens is a long-time soccer writer and has worked for ESPN, FOX Sports, and Yahoo Sports, among others, covering the United States men’s national team at three World Cups.

He currently writes about soccer for The Guardian and The Ringer. He teaches journalism and sports communication at Marist University.

Born in the Netherlands and raised in Belgium, he went to college in London and Washington, D.C. He lives in New York’s Hudson Valley with his wife, son, and their mutt/squirrel-murderer, Eleanor Roosevelt.

Check out Leander Schaerlaeckens’ book, The Long Game.

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