The Dark Side of The 2026 World Cup w. Prof. Jules Boykoff

The FIFA World Cup is one of the last events on Earth that can bring billions of people together around a shared experience. Yet as the 2026 World Cup approaches, many fans are asking a difficult question: How safe is the United States? Can we afford these tickets and hotel prices? Dr. Jules Boykoff political scientist, former U.S. Men's National Team player, and author of Red Card: The 2026 World Cup, Sportswashing, and the FIFA Greed Machine joins us to examine the growing tcorruption between FIFA World Cup and the powerful people that control it. Why was Russia was banned while Israel remains in international competition? Gianni Infantino's increasingly close relationship with Donald Trump, and why some World Cup tickets now cost more than $1,000 per match. We also explore concerns surrounding ICE enforcement near stadiums, expanding surveillance technologies, and what hosting the tournament could mean for America's reputation on the world stage. But this conversation isn't about hating soccer. It's about protecting what makes the World Cup special in the first place. Can fans celebrate the beautiful game while holding its leaders accountable? And what would an ideal World Cup actually look like? Whether you're a lifelong football supporter or someone curious about the politics shaping global sports, this conversation will change how you view the biggest tournament on Earth. JOIN OUR WEBSITE MEMBERSHIP! @ https://ansaripodcast.com OR Our Patreon!   / theansaripodcast   *The Debt Clinic*: https://www.mydebtclinic.com/ansari Provision Capital: https://www.provisioncapital.com 00:00 Why Criticize FIFA? 04:46 Was FIFA Less Corrupt in the Past? 06:56 Ad 08:27 Will the World Cup Wreck America's Reputation? 12:35 Russia Banned but not Israel? 17:00 Trump's Fake FIFA "Peace Prize" 20:37 World Cup Crazy Ticket Prices! 23:37 New York Ticket Prices: Is Mamdani a Wizard? 26:30 Gianni Infantino: Who Actually is FIFA's President? 30:53 Ad 31:38 ICE Immigration & The 2026 World Cup Fears 38:13 The World Cup Increases Surveillance? 41:49 Top Teams & Best Players to Watch! 53:44 Middle Eastern Teams! 54:43 Balancing Celebration and Criticism 57:55 What Would an Ideal World Cup Look Like? 01:03:06 Final Thoughts #WorldCup2026 #FIFA #Trump #israel #worldcup Listen on All Audio Platforms: https://tr.ee/JeX-ILYSyj Follow The Ansari Podcast Instagram:   / ansaripodcast   TikTok:   / theansaripodcast   Twitter/X:   / ansaripodcast