Episode summary
The World Cup Keeps Getting Bigger | Bloomberg Businessweek
Bloomberg Businessweek Daily
· · 43 min · Hosts: Carol Massar, Tim Stenovec · Guests: Randall Williams, Vanessa Perdomo Maglione, Ed Ludlow, Bailey Lipschultz, Stephen Carroll, Sylvia Kwan
Summary
The show opens on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which starts in Mexico City and expands across the US, Mexico and Canada with 48 teams in 16 cities. The host and the guests argue that the tournament’s scale is historic, but so are the pricing and access questions: ticket costs are far higher than in past World Cups, FIFA is betting that premium demand can fund the sport globally, and the atmosphere could be shaped by political tension and rising fuel costs.
The discussion says Team USA may not be among the favorites, but a strong home showing could still create a breakout moment for soccer in the US. The guests also note that resale markets and last-minute price cuts may affect turnout, especially for families facing steep costs for group-stage matches.
The episode then moves to other big-market stories: SpaceX’s expected $75 billion IPO and the mechanics of allocation, price discovery and retail demand; Europe’s efforts to reverse economic decline through bigger banks, deeper capital markets and looser merger rules; and the way wealth managers are adapting to long-term investing, alternatives and impact-focused portfolios as client priorities shift.
Key takeaways
- The host and the guests say the 2026 World Cup is the biggest ever, with 48 teams across three countries and 16 cities.
- The guests argue that FIFA’s higher ticket prices may squeeze families, even though the revenue helps fund soccer globally.
- The guests say Team USA could do better than expected at home, with a potential run to the quarterfinals if momentum builds.
- The discussion on SpaceX says the IPO is priced at $135 a share for 555.56 million shares, with allocation and first-trade mechanics likely to matter as much as headline demand.
- The Europe segment says leaders are pushing bigger banks, deeper capital markets and looser merger rules to slow the region’s economic decline.
Notable quotes
“This year's games hosted in three countries. You know that. US, Mexico, and Canada across 16 cities, 48 teams competing. Tim, that's the most ever”
“it doesn't have to be so expensive. It really doesn't. And obviously, it hasn't been so expensive in the past World Cups”
“you're talking about FIFA which which is projected to net over $10 billion in revenue”
“the question we're trying to answer is is whether Europe's actually finally going to do something about its economic decline”
“The biggest thing to keep in mind, indications mean everything and nothing. No one is trading shares”
How the episode opens
Bloomberg Audio Studios, podcasts, radio, news. This is Bloomberg Business Week Daily. Reporting from the magazine that helps global leaders stay ahead with insight on the people, companies, and trends shaping today's complex economy.
Plus, global business, finance, and tech news as it happens. The Bloomberg Business Week Daily podcast with Carol Masser and Tim Stenbec on Bloomberg Radio. Well, the most watched sports showdown on Earth.
We're talking about not the Knicks game, but we'll get to that. We're talking about the FIFA World Cup starting today in Mexico City. This year's games hosted in three countries.
You know that. US, Mexico, and Canada across 16 cities, 48 teams competing. Tim, that's the most ever.
It comes as the event is being overshadowed by political tensions, conflicts between the US and Iran, driving up fuel prices, creating economic strain for fans. We've got a great duo joining us that knows a thing or two when it comes to the business of sports.
They know everything about sports. With us is Randle Williams. He's Bloomberg News senior reporter. He's right here in our New York studio. Vanessa Pradomo Magleone. She's Bloomberg News sports business reporter as well in the Bloomberg News Princeton bureau out there. Hello. Hello. both, by the way, co-hosts of the Business of Sports Podcast, which if you're not listening to, shame on you. Download it because it's really good. Thanks.
All right. You're welcome. Uh Randall, I'm going to start with you. You're right here in studio. Um tell us about this is a big deal and we've been talking about it, I feel like, forever. It's getting underway. — It has been a large conversation for many months and years and now we're finally here. We are, as it sits right now, 18 minutes away from uh not tip off, but kickoff.
From the episode’s captions: roughly the first two minutes, lightly cleaned. Keep watching on YouTube →
Topics
- world cup economy
- fifa world cup hosting
- us iran tensions
- fuel prices
- wealthcare
Companies and tickers mentioned
- Ellevest
- SpaceX
- Bloomberg News
- Bloomberg Tech
Watch the episode
Watch “The World Cup Keeps Getting Bigger | Bloomberg Businessweek” on YouTube
Summary, takeaways and quote selection by Octagon. Quotes are short excerpts; the full conversation is in the episode.
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