The World Cup takes me from the fog-shrouded streets of Newfoundland to a sports bar in Edmonton.

In St John’s, I discover a place shaped by fishing, Irish heritage and the spirit celebrated in Come From Away. In Edmonton, the tournament feels more distant. The games are on, but hockey still dominates the screens.

Then I meet Iraj.

Born in Iran and raised in Canada, he’s working behind the bar when a casual chat turns into one of the most fascinating conversations of the journey so far. We talk about immigration, identity, technology, politics, belonging, free speech and what it means to call a country home.

We don’t agree on everything. That’s what makes it interesting.

Along the way there are iceberg beers, towns called Dildo, a frantic attempt to follow England’s opening match from 35,000 feet, and more evidence that the best stories often arrive when you’re not looking for them.

#Canada #Newfoundland #Edmonton #ImmigrationDebate #IdentityAndBelonging #IranianCanadian #TravelStories #SportsBarConversations #WorldCupJourney #HumanStories #CulturalExchange #ConversationNotCommentary #RoadTripPodcast #FanCulture #PeopleOfTheWorld

Host: Rob Shaw Cameron
FAN48: @Fan48Pod
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