# #1807 What the World Cup Exposes: Identity, Colonialism, and Racism in 2026

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/best-of-the-left-leftist-perspectives-on-progressive-politics-news-culture-economics-and-democracy-457587/1807-what-the-world-cup-exposes-identity-colonialism-and-racism-in-2026
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/best-of-the-left-leftist-perspectives-on-progressive-politics-news-culture-economics-and-democracy-457587/1807-what-the-world-cup-exposes-identity-colonialism-and-racism-in-2026.md
Podcast: [Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy](https://stenobird.com/podcast/best-of-the-left-leftist-perspectives-on-progressive-politics-news-culture-economics-and-democracy-457587)
Published: 2026-07-07T10:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.bestoftheleft.com/1807
Audio file: https://pdrl.fm/829673/pscrb.fm/rss/p/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/hippiesympathizer/1807_Ball_Is_Life.mp3?dest-id=22784
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Duration seconds: 13060

## Resource

Air Date: 7/7/2026 Today we use the 2026 World Cup to pull everything that runs under the game up into the light. Nearly a quarter of the players are representing a country other than the one they were born in, praised as national heroes when they score but scorned as foreigners when they lose. The history of colonialism built the machinery that turns immigrants into targets, and the results are playing out live around this year's tournament, in the towns that throw their arms open and the borders that slam shut, in who a country will claim and who it leaves outside. Full Show Notes Transcript Be part of the show! Leave a voice message , message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Join our Discord community ! TOP TAKES KP 1: Always Root for the Underdog - Pop Culture Detective - Air Date 7-1-26 KP 2: Colonial Wars Played On The Pitch - AJ+ - Air Date 6-21-26 KP 3: How the U.S. and France Ruined Haiti - Bianca Graulau - Air Date 8-14-25 KP 4: Who Gets To Enjoy The World Cup? - AJ+ - Air Date 6-19-26 KP 5: US Soccer Star Shows MAGA's Racism With Zero Effort - Rick Strom - Air Date 6-23-26 KP 6: How Colonialism Created Mbappe and Zidane, Explained - Uncivilized - Air Date 7-12-24 KP 7: Iran's World Cup Team Divides the Diaspora in the US | DW Reporter - DW News - Air Date 6-26-26 KP 8: Keep My Culture Out Your Mouth! - PissedMagistus - Air Date 6-27-26 (00:59:27) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR The World Cup Exposes How Racism Is a Tool, Not a Belief My commentaries on YouTube - Share them! DEEPER DIVES (01:11:20) SECTION A: COLONIALISM'S LONG GAME A1: Colonialism Never Ended – I…

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