In his book and through the discussion, Boykoff demonstrated that it is possible to simultaneously treasure the skills and athleticism displayed on the pitch while lamenting their exploitation by malevolent powerbrokers for whom love of the game means nothing next to turning a buck or harvesting prestige.
In a call to action, Boykoff noted: “Back the activists and those in host cities.” This is an opportunity to not just keep our activism on the World Cup, but also as the Olympics arrives in Los Angeles in 2028.
Jules Boykoff on the FIFA Greed Machine
On June 15, just a few days after the 2026 World Cup kicked off, Teaching for Change co-sponsored Busboys and Poets’ Red Card: The 2026 World Cup, Sportswashing, and the FIFA Greed Machine, a conversation between author Jules Boykoff and Dave Zirin.
In his book and through the discussion, Boykoff demonstrated that it is possible to simultaneously treasure the skills and athleticism displayed on the pitch while lamenting their exploitation by malevolent powerbrokers for whom love of the game means nothing next to turning a buck or harvesting prestige.
In a call to action, Boykoff noted: “Back the activists and those in host cities.” This is an opportunity to not just keep our activism on the World Cup, but also as the Olympics arrives in Los Angeles in 2028.
Posted: July 30, 2025