<p>The hype around the <strong>FIFA men’s World Cup</strong> is at a fever pitch, with the possibility of a surprise winner from an expanded 48-team field hanging in the air. But could next year’s <strong>Women’s World Cup</strong> in <strong>Brazil </strong>prove to be even more unpredictable?</p><br><p>Hosts <strong>Meg Linehan </strong>and <strong>Tamerra Griffin </strong>are joined by <strong><em>The Athletic</em>’s Melanie Anzidei</strong> to look at the countries that already qualified for the 2027 tournament as well those who might be facing off in an intercontinental playoff. They also discuss whether <strong>Marta</strong> might suspend her retirement to help Brazil lift the trophy at home and why <strong>Mexico</strong> could be a dark horse contender.</p><br><p>______________</p><p>HOST: Meg Linehan, Tamerra Griffin</p><p>GUEST: Melanie Anzidei</p><p>This podcast was produced by The Athletic.</p><p>______________</p><br><p>Referenced on the show:</p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7348666/2026/06/10/red-card-uswnt-brazil-history-rivalry/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Red-card clash the latest in a fierce USWNT-Brazil rivalry: ‘A team that broke our hearts’</a></p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7354416/2026/06/14/soccer-in-mexico-womens-soccer-world-cup-investment/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Soccer in Mexico: Increased investment, the most-watched league and Women’s World Cup dreams</a></p><br><p>______________</p><p>Get in touch:&nbsp;<a href="mailto:[email protected]" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠</a></p><p>Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime</p><p>Subscribe to our Youtube channel: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@theathleticfulltime" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a></p><p>Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/newsletters/full-time/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠⁠here⁠⁠</a></p><p>Visit the Yahoo Women's Sports hub <a href="https://sports.yahoo.com/womens-sports/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">⁠⁠here</a></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>