Will ICE agents stay away from the 2026 World Cup?
Americast
BBC
4.3 • 3.1K Ratings
🗓️ 3 May 2026
⏱️ 28 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Controversy continues to surround the build-up to the 2026 World Cup after reports emerged that Trump officials had asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy at the tournament, and that some fans would have to pay more than $100 for a 30-minute journey to games in New Jersey.
The pushback from New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill is in response to what she described as a $48 million safety bill for fans and that she will not “stick New Jersey commuters with that tab for years to come.”
Meanwhile in Texas a row broke out between Houston city officials and Texas Governor Greg Abbott after he threatened to withdraw World Cup safety grants if the city did not promise to cooperate with ICE officials.
In this episode, Justin, Anthony and Marianna discuss the risks to Donald Trump if the event fails to run smoothly, and the real reasons why some Democrats are pushing back against plans for the tournament.
HOSTS: • Justin Webb, Radio 4 Presenter • Anthony Zurcher, North America Correspondent • Marianna Spring, Social Media Investigations Correspondent
GUEST: • Dan Miller, Reporter at POLITICO
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This episode was made by George Dabby with Alix Pickles and Grace Reeve. The technical producer was Stephen Bailey. The series producer is Purvee Pattni. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | BBC Sounds, music, radio, podcasts. |
| 0:07.2 | If you're the person always being asked, what's happening in the news? |
| 0:10.9 | You could do with a podcast wingman. |
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| 0:19.5 | We won't even mind if you try and take the credit yourself. |
| 0:22.4 | Listen to Newscast every day on BBC Sounds. |
| 0:26.2 | The stakes have arguably never been higher for a World Cup. |
| 0:29.6 | It's definitely the most expensive World Cup in history for fans. |
| 0:33.3 | And just after we recorded this episode, FIFA's own resale site listed some tickets to the final for over $2 million. |
| 0:42.8 | But even for fans not paying those sums, Democratic governors are fighting back against the mounting cost of the tournament, saying they would allow their residents to foot the bill. |
| 0:52.3 | And with big questions over safety and the role of ice, |
| 0:55.9 | is this the most political World Cup of all time? Welcome to AmeriCast. |
| 1:03.3 | AmeriCast from BBC News. You hear that sound? Oh, I think when I hear that sound, it reminds me of money. We didn't start this war, |
| 1:12.6 | but under President Trump, we are finishing it. This is a big cover-up, and this administration is engaged |
| 1:18.5 | in it. This guy has Trump arrangement syndrome. I have four words for you. Turn the volume up. |
| 1:30.3 | Hello, it's Justin in the worldwide headquarters of AmeriCast in London, England. |
| 1:33.9 | And it is Mariana, aka Misinformation, sitting next to Justin. |
| 1:37.4 | And it's Anthony across the Atlantic Ocean in Washington, D.C. |
| 1:41.4 | And we've had these comments, haven't we, from one of Donald Trump's envoys, |
| 1:45.5 | Paolo Zampoli, because he asked FIFA to replace Iran with Italy in the World Cup. |
| 1:51.0 | Now, it's quite a big deal because Italy keep not qualifying for the World Cup and other big tournaments. |
... |
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