The Soccernomics Podcast

Epizodes

• World Cup Predictions: On the Pitch and Off 11.06.2026 30min

  The World Cup is here, and we're here to preview it all. Stefan has done a mind-boggling 20,000 simulations of the tournament, and yet somehow there is still no scenario where Haiti wins it all. We also talk into the political backdrop, with Ashish and Stefan talking about their recent piece for The Economist, about how this could be the last World Cup. Link below:https://www.economist.com/by-invitation/2026/06/08/this-may-just-be-the-last-world-cup
• Why Does Little Western Europe Rule International Soccer? 09.06.2026 32min

  When Simon and Stefan first wrote Soccernomics, they predicted that the US, Japan, Australia, Turkey and Iraq were destiened to become the kings of the sport. That turned out to be wrong...well, so far at least. Instead, ove the last five World Cups, Argentina is the only non-European team to have finished in the top three. So what's behind Europe's (specifically Western Europe's) domination of the game?
• Why the Transfer Market is a Form of Human Trafficking (Part 2) 04.06.2026 17min

  Part two of our discussion from Tuesday, we discuss antitrust, player unions the differences between player unions in Europe and the US, and compare the transfer system to the NIL in American college sports.
• Why the Transfer Market is a Form of Human Trafficking (Part 1) 02.06.2026 25min

  Today we're talking football's transfer market - a topic Stefan is so passionate about, we've had to split it into two parts. In this one, he makes the case for why world football's transfer market is a form of human trafficking. Hear him out before you dismiss it as hyperbole...
• Game Theory: The Hidden Science Behind Penalty Shootouts 28.05.2026 30min

  Every World Cup has at least one memorable penalty shootout. And this weekend's Champions League Final in Budapest between PSG and Arsenal might as well. Is there a science behind the drama? We unpack it all in today's episode, where we also learn about Ashish's childhood goalkeeping exploits, and how Simon almost helped the Netherlands to World Cup glory in 2010.
• Do People Jump Off Buildings When Their Teams Lose? 26.05.2026 22min

  Trigger warning: This episode contains discussion of suicide.It's an eternal story told about soccer - that when Brazil gets knocked out of World Cups, Brazilians jump off apartment buildings. But is it really true? And could football actually be saving lives rather than leading to an increase in suicides? Need help?If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 in the U.S. and Canada to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Call 116 123 or NHS 111 in the UK.
• Why England Never Win - But Might Be Getting Closer 21.05.2026 32min

  We all know the story. Incredible hype around England at a World Cup or European Championship, and then inevitable letdown. 60 years of hurt. But since 2018, England has actually done a lot better. Is England finally going to get over the hump? Or were recent tournaments actually missed opportunities? We discuss the expectations around England, and whether they've been realistic given the economic and societal dynamics shaping the team. 
• What is Soccernomics? 19.05.2026 28min

  What is Soccernomics? In our first episode we discuss how Simon and Stefan first met, the debate over Football v Soccer, and how fans have the power to take back this summer's World Cup from Donald Trump.
• Introducing: The Soccernomics Podcast 18.05.2026 1min

  Get ready for the World Cup through the lens of Soccernomics. It's a New York Times Bestseller, but it's also a way of looking at the game that uncovers its hidden truths. Featuring Simon Kuper, Stefan Szymanski and Ashish Malhotra.