Can Soccer Save the World?

In the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal, Gary Lineker scored a goal that almost nobody remembers. That's because it came after Diego Maradona punched the ball into England's net with his fist—the "Hand of God"—and then, minutes later, scored what Lineker still calls the greatest goal ever scored in a football match. Lineker was on the pitch for both. Forty years later, he's almost over it.

That game captures something Lineker returns to throughout this conversation: soccer at its highest level is a stage for joy, corruption, heartbreak, and unexpected humanity, often all at once. Speaking with Pod Save America's Tommy Vietor during the 2026 World Cup, Lineker offers a veteran's perspective on a tournament that has surprised even him.

A tournament that exceeded expectations

Going into the 2026 World Cup, there was global anxiety about holding it in Donald Trump's America—fears about ICE raids, visa restrictions, and travel bans. But once the games started, the conversation shifted. "I think it's been quite joyous at times," Lineker says. "The real joy has probably been the way the fans have celebrated, not just their own victories, but celebrated together and kind of shown a lovely humanity and togetherness."