Episode 76: The 2026 World Cup Became Too Big to Ignore
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Episode 76: The 2026 World Cup Became Too Big to Ignore
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Episode 76: The 2026 World Cup Became Too Big to Ignore
After a two-week break, Rice on the Radio returns with something a little different: a World Cup episode.
The 2026 World Cup has taken over the sports conversation. The United States had the stage, the crowd, the ratings and the chance to make a real run at home—but Belgium ended that dream with a 4–1 knockout-round win.
Ian breaks down why the U.S. exit is both progress and a missed opportunity, why the Balogun controversy became one of the strangest stories of the tournament, and why a record American soccer audience makes the loss sting even more.
Friend of the show Danny joins during halftime of USA-Belgium to give a real soccer fan’s view of the tournament, the U.S. team, Haaland, Messi, Mbappé and the remaining contenders.
Then Ian reacts to the second half, the U.S. elimination, Argentina’s wild comeback, Norway’s Haaland-led run, and a quarterfinal field featuring France, Morocco, Spain, Belgium, Norway, England, Argentina and Switzerland.
This is not Rice on the Radio becoming a full-time soccer podcast.
Probably.
But this World Cup deserved an episode.
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