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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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The Knicks finally gave New York the parade. Now baseball has brought the city right back to reality.

Episode 75 of Rice on the Radio gets back into Major League Baseball with the Yankees and Mets moving in very different directions after the Knicks championship high.

The Yankees are still good, still dangerous, and still in the championship conversation, but Aaron Judge being hurt changes the entire feel of the season. Ian breaks down the Yankees’ first real stress test, Ben Rice becoming a legitimate breakout story, Cam Schlittler looking like homegrown front-line pitching, the veteran stability from Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger, and Gerrit Cole, and why the deadline priority should be a trustworthy late-inning bullpen arm.

Then it’s Mets time.

The rotation is a disaster, the roster feels clunky, and the David Stearns honeymoon is over. The Mets still have bright spots — Juan Soto is still Juan Soto, Carson Benge and A.J. Ewing look like real pieces, Nolan McLean and Christian Scott have shown flashes, and Francisco Lindor’s return helps — but this season is slipping fast.

The Knicks set the standard. The Yankees are trying to chase it. The Mets are trying to figure out what comes next.

Tell someone you love them and spread good energy.

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The New York Knicks are NBA champions.

Episode 74 is the one I never knew if I’d actually get to make. After 53 years, the Knicks finally won it all, and this episode is about more than just a trophy. It’s about redemption.

Jalen Brunson became the King of New York and Finals MVP. Karl-Anthony Towns changed the way his entire career will be talked about. OG Anunoby gave Knicks fans a play that belongs forever in franchise lore. Mikal Bridges made “fuck them picks” age beautifully. Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, Landry Shamet, Jose Alvarado, Leon Rose, Mike Brown — everybody gets their moment.

We also get into Game 4’s impossible comeback, Game 5 in Atlantic City, the Wemby poll, why the Knicks were too tough to be rattled, and why this championship feels like the beginning of something, not the end.

The Knicks are champions. Build the statue. Go Knicks.

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