Enjoyed delivering research talks on the 2026 World Cup at Georgia Tech and University of Georgia this week. Special thanks to Kirk Bowman (GT) and @casmudde.bsky.social (UGA) for the invitation and top notch hospitality.

Today we will have the third lecture in the GT-UGA Soccer and Politics Lecture Series, which I co-organize with my friend Kirk Bowman at Georgia Tech. The speaker is @abeissel.bsky.social (Miami University, OH), who is working on various research projects related to the MAGA World Cup.

📣 NEW PUB 📣 with Ryan King-White in Soccer & Society Journal. We examine the 2026 FIFA World Cup intra-city competitive bid process, focusing on the urban politics and governance strategies of two major US cities: Cincinnati, Ohio and Baltimore, Maryland. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Our new book is out today! We’re pleased to announce the release of our new edited book: Critical Perspectives on the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Events, Issues, Controversies (Routledge).

Gianni Infantino and Donald Trump appear to enjoy a "great friendship", with the FIFA president invited to the U.S. President's inauguration. Apart from the Instagram posts and gushing statements, what does this sporting political bromance mean for the 2026 World Cup? 🔗nyti.ms/4geZ6d7

Interesting. Very interested in learning the details of this deal.

FIFA have given the Saudi bid for 2034 the same 4.1/5 score for its stadiums - despite eight not yet built - as they gave to the Canada-Mexico-USA bid for 2026, all of which are built, many of which are world leading NFL stadia. I mean, how? www.nytimes.com/athletic/595...

The 'keep politics out of sports' crowd is awfully silent that last few days.