Fifa World Cup 2026: The favourites, the debutants and the politics

The United States, Canada and Mexico will host the most prestigious football tournament in the world. The holders Argentina will start as one of the favourites along with the likes of Spain, France, and Brazil. There are also some new names with Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan competing in the finals for the first time ever.

Lee James is joined by John Bennett, Isaac Fanin and Mani Djazmi to discuss the issues, both on and off the field, affecting the tournament. We also hear from some of those who will be playing including South Korea captain and former Tottenham Hotspur striker, Son Heung-min and Argentina World Cup winner, Geronimo Rulli.

More than the Score brings you more than the men’s football World Cup - the new teams, standout stars, trends and fandoms shaping the tournament in ways the stats don’t show.

With 48 teams competing across Mexico, the US and Canada, BBC World Service promises to take you deeper - from the group stages to the final. Search for More than the Score wherever you get your BBC podcasts.