Dr. Rolando Dromundo, political analyst, journalist, and author, discusses the politics behind the FIFA World Cup, FIFA’s power, double standards on sanctions, host-country pressure, public spending, sportswashing, and national identity. The talk also covers Russia, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the role of states, and whether a changing world order could force reform in global sports.Links:[BOOK] State-Building in the Middle of a Geopolitical Struggle: The Cases of Ukraine, Moldova, and Pridnestrovia: https://www.amazon.com/State-Building...Neutrality Studies substack: https://pascallottaz.substack.comMerch: https://neutralitystudies.com/shopDonation: https://neutralitystudies.com/donateTimestamps: 00:00:00 Introduction00:00:51 Politics behind the World Cup00:04:31 FIFA, host countries, and public money00:11:49 Russia, Israel, and double standards00:16:54 FIFA as a private power structure00:26:53 Can FIFA be reformed?00:33:07 Could countries leave FIFA?00:39:44 Football, identity, and nations00:47:00 Multipolarity and future World Cups00:51:18 Final thoughts on FIFA power