Soccer
Episode 17: Seeking Beauty with Author Simon Kuper
The Away End with Daniel Alarcón and John Green›
May 13, 202648:37
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Episode Notes
Author of the new book, World Cup Fever: A Soccer Journey in Nine Tournaments, Simon Kuper joins The Away End for a discussion about football and the complexity of national identity, the globalization of style at the top of the game and the lower quality of football that expansion of the World Cup could bring. They talk about the intellectual pursuit of the game and the counterpoint that expanding the tournament will lead to an evolution of the game where new countries with national football identities can test themselves against the best in the world. They also explore the collective delusion of winning, the fragility of confidence, the hotel concierge mentality of FIFA and how to enjoy the World Cup in spite of it all.
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"Episode 17: Seeking Beauty with Author Simon Kuper" is an episode of The Away End with Daniel Alarcón and John Green. Runtime 48 min. Published May 13, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.
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Quick FAQ
- When was this episode published?
- May 13, 2026.
- How long is this episode?
- 48 min.
- What podcast is this from?
- The Away End with Daniel Alarcón and John Green. Browse the full back catalog on the show page.
- What does this episode cover?
- The Away End with Daniel Alarcón and John Green covers soccer. This episode runs on the show's regular cadence.
