A fascinating history of the World Cup: best podcasts of the week

Former US soccer player Merritt Mathias, alongside journalists Musa Okwonga and Julio Ricardo Varela, explored the historical intersection of global politics and the World Cup in a recent podcast series. The "football/soccer time-travellers" delved into instances where the sport has been used as a political tool, beginning with reflections on the current World Cup. Their historical analysis commenced with the 1934 tournament hosted in Benito Mussolini's Italy, an event marked by Uruguay's boycott. This examination highlights how international sporting events, particularly the World Cup, have been leveraged by nations to project power and influence on the global stage. The series aims to provide listeners with a deeper understanding of the sport's rich and often complex history, extending beyond the on-field action to encompass its geopolitical dimensions. The podcast, available weekly on YouTube and Spotify, offers a unique perspective on how "the beautiful game" has frequently become a "political football."