FIFA World Cup

The headlines were as predictable as the opening whistle. Another World Cup arrived trailing controversy: immigration crackdowns, militarized security, exorbitant ticket prices, thousand-dollar train rides.

Of all the teams that had a rough run at the World Cup, no one had it worse than Iran. I suppose you could say Italy, because the four-time champion has now missed the past three Cups.

By now, most Americans have probably figured out a few things about the World Cup. First, you’re not going to get tickets and prices aren’t going to drop.

The events will be at Jennings Landing on June 12, 19 and 25; the former College of Saint Rose campus on June 13, and Empire State Plaza on June 20

In a matter of weeks, North America will host one of the world's biggest sporting affairs: the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the Northeast hosting some of the massive men's tournament.Among the 48 teams are the hosts: the United States, Canada and Mexico. Is this the year the Yanks win the championship? They're not big favorites, but compared to the last time the United States hosted the tournament in 1994, the team’s far more prepared.That's what soccer writer, Marist University lecturer and Fishkill, New York’s Leander Schaerlaeckens hones in on in his new book “The Long Game: U.S. Men's Soccer and Its Savage, Four-Decade Journey to the Top, Or Thereabouts”

In Roger Bennett's new book ‘We are the World (Cup): A Personal History of the World’s Greatest Sporting Event’ Bennett traces the power of the World Cup, how a tournament played every four years becomes a shared global story full of unlikely heroes, national identity, and unforgettable moments. The book is both a love letter to soccer and a reflection on why the world cup, which is coming up to the United States, matters so deeply.

As the soccer haters climbed onto their “penalty kicks are stupid” soapboxes after the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup men’s final (and let’s be clear – that final was the greatest single sport anything to have ever occurred anywhere ever) something truly bizarre happened just hours later: the conclusion of the Patriots’ game, in which the Las Vegas Raiders kept their playoff hopes and dreams alive with just three seconds left on the clock because of, well, honestly, there is no real explanation for what happened, other than deeming it the most inexplicable play in any sport, ever.

NBA:In the NBA, Boston topped Phoenix 115-110, Brooklyn won against Denver 110-82, Miami bested Philadelphia 119-108, Chicago beat Milwaukee 87-71,…

Today's panelists are WAMC’s Alan Chartock, Newsman Ray Graf and Political Consultant, Libby Post.Topics include:Elusive Cease-FireIraq…

WAMC's Dr. Alan Chartock discusses the World Cup, Germany and U.S. relations, and terrorism in the Middle East.