The Athletic FC Podcast World Cup 2026: Who has qualified + are the hosts ready?
19 snips
Nov 19, 2025 Join football experts Jack Pitt-Brooke, Felipe Cardenas, and Adam Crafton as they dive into the World Cup 2026 landscape. Jack analyzes the nerves surrounding Home Nations and highlights Scotland's dramatic moments. Felipe shares insights on the U.S. team's growth and the impact of South American fans. Adam discusses FIFA ticketing challenges and geopolitical implications for host cities. The conversation brims with excitement about underdog nations like Curaçao and the potential for memorable moments at next year's tournament.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
48-Team Format Still Produced Drama
- Felipe Cardenas says the 48-team World Cup feels like an experiment but still delivered huge drama in qualifying.
- He expects U.S. interest to surge only once the tournament nears kick-off in June 2026.
Home Nations’ Dramatic Qualifiers
- Jack Pitt-Brooke and others described Ireland and Scotland's late wins as generational moments for fans.
- They highlighted dramatic late goals and hat-tricks that reignited national pride.
Curaçao’s Historic Qualification
- Laurie Whitwell reported from Kingston as Curaçao qualified, becoming the smallest nation to reach a World Cup.
- The match ended nil-nil and erupted into pitch invasions and jubilant celebrations for Curaçao.