Every four years, the FIFA World Cup captivates billions, uniting nations in sport while exposing the political and financial forces that power global soccer. The historic 2026 tournament was the first to feature 48 national teams and span three host nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It also came with friction, as disputes over ticket prices, immigration policy, labor, and security made headlines.

This course examines the World Cup as both a cultural spectacle and a billion-dollar global enterprise. We'll trace its history and explore how FIFA works with governments, broadcasters, sponsors, athletes, and host communities to stage an event of extraordinary scale. Guest speakers from inside the sport will offer an insider's postmortem, from the broadcast booth to the locker room. Using 2026 as our central case study, we'll assess its successes and shortcomings, ask who benefited and who bore the costs, and consider what lessons it offers for the 2030 World Cup in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain.