The Legacy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Latin America

I welcome Dr Pete Watson from the University of Leeds back onto the podcast to discuss the legacy of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Latin American sides. Why have Mexico and Colombia not progressed? Is this the worst Brazil side in a century? Why are Argentina so universally disliked? We address these and many other questions. If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram Check out Chris Lee's three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football

My guest is Robin Ireland, whose book Cutting the Mustard explores how football has evolved in recent decades and its impact on medium-sized clubs like the one he supports, Norwich City. If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram Check out Chris Lee's three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football  

My guest is Karim Zidan, an investigative sports journalist originally from Egypt. We discuss the country's rich football history, including the combustible rivalry between Al Ahly and Zamalek, the impact of the short-lived ultra movement in Egypt, the international side, and groundhopping in the country.  If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram Check out Chris Lee's three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football    

Following his stunning debut, From Beauty to Duty, Martin da Cruz is back with Uruguay, which examines the small Latin American nation's golden age (1918-30). We look at the two epic Olympic triumphs and the first World Cup. If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram Check out Chris Lee's three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football

My guest is Birmingham-born Hijab Shah, whose PhD explores football and radicalism. We look at the big clubs in the region and explore how demographics have influenced West Midlands football, including its multicultural hooligan scene in the 1980s. If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram Check out Chris Lee's three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football

My guest is George Baker, who's been involved with the FC United of Manchester project since the beginning. We learn about how the club got started as a protest to the Manchester United ownership and how the club has grown since in its own right. If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram Check out Chris Lee's three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football  

We're discussing Cold War football today with Alan McDougall and Tony Shaw, who have written a book about the Cold War as told through ten matches. If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram Check out Chris Lee's three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football

We kick off the next series of the Football Travel by Outside Write podcast with a visit to Clapton Community Football Club in East London, where the club was playing a like-minded side from the US, New York International. I caught up with Bernard Vere, a member of Clapton CFC and Nick Platt from New York International to discuss their clubs' ethos and find out what it means to be a 'community club'. If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram Check out Chris Lee's three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football

My guest is Jonathan Wilson, whose latest book, The Power and the Glory: A New History of the World Cup is comprehensive overview of the 22 tournaments to date. We major on the first World Cup in Uruguay, the pivotal Italia '90, the 1980s, USA 1994, and why all 21st century World Cups look the same. If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram Check out Chris Lee's three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism ·      Shades of Green: A Journey into Irish Football  

Dan Williamson joins me for a fourth time to discuss his latest book, 'If I Hadn't Seen Such Riches', which chronicles Manchester United's 1991 Cup Winners' Cup run. This is the last of the current series. I'll be back in the early summer for a one-off World Cup special episode with Jonathan Wilson. Visit Outside Write on Substack for more groundhopping and football history. Follow Outside Write on social media, on Bluesky and Instagram. If you enjoy Outside Write, do please leave a review. Check out Chris Lee's three books: ·      Origin Stories: The Pioneers Who Took Football to the World ·      The Defiant: A History of Football Against Fascism