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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Hollie Richardson and Rachel Aroesti

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

Merritt Mathias looks at moments when football has become embroiled in politics.
Tackling the issues … Merritt Mathias looks at moments when football has become embroiled in politics. Photograph: Sean M Haffey/Getty Images

Pick of the week
Our Copa

Former US soccer player Merritt Mathias (pictured above) and journalists Musa Okwonga and Julio Ricardo Varela are a fascinating team of “football/soccer time-travellers”. They trace the history of how global power has tried to influence the game and make it political. After setting the scene with musings on this year’s World Cup, they first look at the 1934 tournament in Mussolini’s Italy, which Uruguay boycotted. Hollie Richardson
YouTube and Spotify, episodes weekly

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