This episode explores how soccer and the World Cup connect with geopolitics, international relations, and global influence. Dr. Gonzalo Bravo talks with Andrés Martínez, the co-director of The Great Game Lab at Arizona State University, where he also serves as a special advisor to the university president. His work explores the global convergence of sport, media, and geopolitics. Previously he served as editorial page editor of the Los Angeles Times and assistant editorial page editor at The New York Times, where he was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. He is the author of The Great Game: A Tale of Two Footballs and America’s Quest to Conquer Global Sport, published in early April this year.

This episode features an in-depth discussion on the planning, logistics, and science that drive successful mega sporting events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Dr. Gonzalo Bravo talks with John Terry, Vice President of Events at U.S. Soccer Federation. He oversees coordination of event operations for U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Team matches, including venue operations, field/turf management, security, and facility operations. He earned both his Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Sport Management from West Virginia University.

This episode features a discussion on how innovation and artificial intelligence are shaping the future of fairness and decision-making during the World Cup. Dr. Gonzalo Bravo talks with Juan Jose “Cheche” Vidal, a pioneer in the application of technology in the FIFA World Cup. He served as Vice President for Technology during the USA 1994 World Cup. A former NCAA and Olympian soccer player, he attended Boston University on athletic scholarship, earning a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in Biomechanics and Technology Applied to Sports.