How America is shaping the World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is kicking off, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. NPR's Becky Sullivan and Jasmine Garsd join to discuss the massive global scale of the tournament and what makes it so significant.

The US Men's National Team enters the World Cup as underdogs but boasts a strong core of European-based stars like Christian Pulisic. Meanwhile, traditional powerhouses like Spain and France showcase young talents like Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe as the tournament expands to 48 teams.

The upcoming World Cup introduces an American-style halftime show, sparking debate among traditional soccer fans. Meanwhile, political tensions and strict visa policies under the Trump administration present significant travel hurdles for international teams and fans, particularly those from Iran.

As the World Cup approaches, immigrant communities in the US express anxiety over potential ICE presence at games, while fans and players alike criticize FIFA's exorbitant ticket prices. Despite these concerns, excitement builds for classic matchups and the arrival of international teams in host cities.

Host Ayesha Rascoe wraps up the discussion on the World Cup with NPR reporters Becky Sullivan and Jasmine Garsd. She encourages listeners to follow NPR's continued coverage of the tournament.