The Power and the Glory

Talking Sports Books: Jonathan Wilson on The Power and the Glory — A New History of the World Cup

In the latest episode of Talking Sports Books, host Tim Caple welcomes journalist and author Jonathan Wilson to discuss his sweeping new work, The Power and the Glory: A New History of the World Cup. Few sporting events command global attention like the World Cup. The 2022 edition began with 211 nations attempting to qualify, and for almost a century the tournament has grown into a cultural, political, and emotional force unmatched in world sport. Yet remarkably, as Wilson notes, there has never been a comprehensive, fully contextual history of the competition—until now.

His new book aims to fill that void with fresh interviews, meticulous research, and a narrative that places football’s grandest stage firmly within the wider story of the modern world.

From Chaotic Origins to a Global Stage

Wilson traces the World Cup’s beginnings to 1930, when football had outgrown the Olympics and FIFA launched its own tournament. The inaugural edition in Uruguay was anything but smooth:

• an incomplete stadium

• questionable refereeing

• team physios injuring their own players

And yet, from that shambolic start came an unforgettable final, with Uruguay defeating Argentina 4–2 in a match that signalled the arrival of a new global sporting spectacle.

Those chaotic origins laid the foundation for what the World Cup would become: a tournament capable of shaping identities and rewriting histories. As Wilson points out on the podcast, ask someone to name a moment from Senegalese history and many will cite Pape Bouba Diop’s famous winner against France at the 2002 World Cup—a goal rich in sporting and symbolic meaning.

A Tournament That Mirrors the World

Tim Caple and Jonathan Wilson’s discussion explores how deeply the World Cup is intertwined with global events, national narratives, and political power.

Brazil Steps Onto the World Stage

Wilson highlights the significance of the 1950 World Cup in Brazil:

“That World Cup was seen as Brazil really stepping onto the world stage as a major power.”

Caple adds perspective:

“It’s hard for people to realize that Brazil have not always been a footballing superpower.”

Together, they reveal how a tournament can redefine a nation’s identity.

Tactical Evolution Through Cultural Exchange

Another theme from the conversation is how tactical revolutions often emerge from cross-cultural influences.Wilson notes:

“Every country that wins the World Cup from Italy in 1934 has in some way learned its way to play from Hungary.”

Caple reinforces this with the example of Hungary’s impact on Brazil’s development, pointing to the arrival of coach Dori Kürschner in 1937 as a transformative moment in Brazilian football.

The Political Weight of the World Cup

Politics has long coursed through the tournament’s veins:

• West Germany’s 1954 victory signalled its reintegration into the global community.

• Croatia’s 1998 semi-final run boosted national pride in a newly independent nation.

• The so-called Soccer War of 1969 exposed how football can ignite pre-existing tensions, in this case between El Salvador and Honduras.

More recently, hosting the World Cup has become a potent political tool. Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022 stand as well-known examples of sportswashing, with governments using football to project a polished global image.

Wilson doesn’t shy away from critiquing FIFA either, highlighting past decisions that had long-lasting geopolitical consequences.

The Modern Tournament: Bigger, But Better?

The conversation also turns to the future. Wilson expresses concern about the ongoing expansion of the World Cup:

“It’s not so much a dilution of quality, it’s dilution of spectacle.”

Caple echoes the sentiment, emphasising that diversity—not sheer quantity—is what enriches the tournament:

“I want to see all the things we can’t see. The Africans, the South Americans.”

It’s a reminder that the World Cup’s magic lies not only in its scale, but in the unique cultures, styles, and stories it brings together.

A Definitive History at Last

Throughout The Power and the Glory, Wilson brings together:

• iconic matches and goals

• the great players and coaches

• behind-the-scenes bidding intrigue

• scandals, genius, and tactical revolutions

• the geopolitical forces shaping each tournament

This is more than a sports book—it is a cultural and political history told through football’s most universal event. As Wilson puts it, “The World Cup is a microcosm of global history.”

Listen Now

In this edition of Talking Sports Books, Tim Caple and Jonathan Wilson weave together fascinating stories and sharp insight to illuminate why the World Cup matters—not just to football fans, but to anyone interested in the forces that shape our world.

Subscribe now to explore more stories and insights from the world of football literature.

If you prefer to watch here is another link to the full edition.