
Simon Rofe
Professor of Sports Diplomacy and Management at Leeds Beckett University's Carnegie School of Sport; world-leading expert and co-founder of the field of sports diplomacy.
1
APPEARANCES
1
PODCASTS
012
DEC 30
JAN 6
JAN 13
JAN 20
JAN 27
FEB 3
FEB 10
FEB 17
FEB 24
MAR 3
MAR 10
MAR 17
MAR 24
MAR 31
APR 7
APR 14
APR 21
APR 28
MAY 5
MAY 12
MAY 19
MAY 26
JUN 2
JUN 9
JUN 16
JUN 23
JUN 30
JUL 7
JUL 14
JUL 21
JUL 28
AUG 4
AUG 11
AUG 18
AUG 25
SEP 1
SEP 8
SEP 15
SEP 22
SEP 29
OCT 6
OCT 13
OCT 20
OCT 27
NOV 3
NOV 10
NOV 17
NOV 24
DEC 1
DEC 8
DEC 15
DEC 22
DEC 29
JAN 5
JAN 12
JAN 19
JAN 26
FEB 2
FEB 9
FEB 16
FEB 23
MAR 2
MAR 9
MAR 16
MAR 23
MAR 30
APR 6
APR 13
APR 20
APR 27
MAY 4
MAY 11
MAY 18
MAY 25
JUN 1
JUN 8
JUN 15
JUN 22
JUN 29
JUL 6
JUL 13
JUL 20
JUL 27
AUG 3
AUG 10
AUG 17
AUG 24
AUG 31
SEP 7
SEP 14
SEP 21
SEP 28
OCT 5
OCT 12
OCT 19
OCT 26
Jun 22, 2026
Scholars’ Circle – Politics Around World Cup Games – June 21, 2026
6:45
7:01
7:09
7:18

Doug BeckerHOST
So what do you see are the interests of all three hosts, and in particular of Canada and Mexico, at co-hosting this with a country like the United States that's always going to cast the largest shadow and have the most important role and be the largest of the hosts?

Simon RofeGUEST
The interesting dynamics of this three way relationship, which, as you say, the United States dominates in many ways in its geopolitics.

Simon RofeGUEST
But in terms of the number of games that are being held, almost three quarters of the games are being held within the borders of the United States.

Simon RofeGUEST
This puts a particular emphasis on a lead partner where FIFA have had co-hosted events previously.
37 MINS LATER