World Cup excitement and concern

**Pippa** (0:00)
From BBC Learning English, this is Learning English from the News, our podcast about the news headlines.

**Georgie** (0:06)
In this program, FIFA Men's World Cup, Excitement and Concern.

**Pippa** (0:16)
Hello, I'm Pippa.

**Georgie** (0:17)
And I'm Georgie.

**Pippa** (0:18)
In this program, we look at one big news story and the vocabulary in the headlines that will help you understand it.

**Georgie** (0:25)
You can find all the vocabulary and headlines from this episode, as well as a worksheet on our website bbclearningenglish.com.

**Pippa** (0:33)
So, let's hear more about this story.

**Georgie** (0:41)
The FIFA Men's World Cup begins tomorrow, and this year, it's bigger than ever. It could also be one of the most controversial ever.

**Pippa** (0:50)
It's the first to be hosted by three nations, Canada, Mexico and the United States, with a record number of teams and matches. 48 teams are taking part, and there'll be over 104 matches.

**Georgie** (1:03)
Many are excited to see world-class players like Messi, Mbappe and Ronaldo on the pitch.

**Pippa** (1:09)
However, there are concerns around the cost of tickets, the impact of international politics and immigration policies, security, extreme heat and sustainability.

**Georgie** (1:19)
Let's have our first headline. This one is from El Pais, a Spanish newspaper. North America put to the test, countdown to an almost ready World Cup.

**Pippa** (1:30)
That headline again from El Pais. North America put to the test, countdown to an almost ready World Cup.

**Georgie** (1:38)
This headline mentions a countdown to the World Cup. Now, a countdown is when you are literally counting down the time until the beginning of something. This is a countdown, for example, five, four, three, two, one.
But we are looking at the expression put to the test.

**Pippa** (1:55)
Yes, if you put something or someone to the test, it means you check if they can succeed in a challenging situation. The key word here is test. So imagine you're testing something to see whether it can do, what it's supposed to.

**Georgie** (2:09)
Yes, now in the case of the World Cup, North America is being put to the test. The rest of the world will see if they are ready to host the huge event with all the transport and security challenges. Remember, there are three host countries, so a lot of traveling is involved.
Forty-eight teams means there are a lot of players and fans coming from around the world.

**Pippa** (2:30)
In the headline, put to the test is used in the passive form. North America is put to the test. Let's hear an example in the active form, Georgie.

**Georgie** (2:39)
Yes, well, I've been wearing my new waterproof jacket a lot lately because it keeps me warm, but I'm waiting for a rainy day so I can really put it to the test. I want to see if it really is waterproof.

**Pippa** (2:54)
We've had put something to the test, check to see whether something can succeed in a challenging situation.

**Georgie** (3:04)
For example, the screaming children put their teachers' patience to the test.

**Pippa** (3:12)
This is Learning English from the News, our podcast about the news headlines. Today, we're talking about controversies surrounding this year's FIFA World Cup.

**Georgie** (3:21)
Simply the greatest event that humanity, that mankind has ever seen. Those are the words of FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who has portrayed this year's Men's World Cup as the most inclusive, welcoming and unifying to date.

**Pippa** (3:36)
But there are concerns about the relations of host country US with other countries. Never before, for instance, has a host country been at war with a participating nation.

**Georgie** (3:46)
Yes, since February, Iran and the US have been at war, but Iran is due to compete in this year's World Cup.

**Pippa** (3:53)
Iran's players and support staff have been told they have to fly in and out of the US on matchdays. Iran has also accused the US of denying visas to some executives and staff.

**Georgie** (4:06)
Let's have our next headline. This one is from NBC, which is a US news organization. FIFA World Cup 2026, the geopolitical tensions at play off the pitch.

**Pippa** (4:17)
That headline again from NBC, FIFA World Cup 2026, the geopolitical tensions at play off the pitch.

**Georgie** (4:26)
This headline is about what's happening off the pitch at the World Cup. Off the pitch means the things happening outside of the game of football. Let's look at this phrase at play.

**Pippa** (4:37)
Yes, in a basic sense, at play means involved or influencing the current situation. So when the headline says the geopolitical tensions at play off the pitch, the headline writer means that besides the game of football, there are other things which may influence events at the World Cup.