Pep Slams World Cup Prices, Weston McKennie Speaks on USMNT Pressure & Champions League Picks
On this episode of The Cooligans, we unpack Pep Guardiola’s passionate criticism of rising World Cup ticket prices and what it says about the growing commercialization of football. Then, USMNT and Juventus star Weston McKennie joins the show to discuss the national team’s mindset amid recent struggles, their readiness for World Cup pressure, and his ambitions with Juventus. Plus, we preview the Champions League semi-finals, break down every matchup, and make our predictions for who lifts the trophy.
Subscribe to The Cooligans Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Football may be the world’s game, but is it still for the fans? The Cooligans dive into Pep Guardiola’s pointed comments on World Cup ticket prices and his belief that supporters are the heartbeat of the sport. We examine what has gone wrong with the business-first mentality surrounding the tournament and whether football is losing touch with the very people who made it global.
Next, we’re joined by USMNT and Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie for an honest and revealing conversation about the state of the national team. Weston explains why the squad remains confident despite recent concerns, what they need to improve heading into the summer, and how their World Cup experience has better prepared them for the pressure ahead. He also opens up about his goals with Juventus as the season reaches its critical stages.
To close the show, we shift our focus to Europe as we preview both Champions League semi-finals in depth. We break down each matchup, analyze the biggest storylines, and make our predictions for who advances—and ultimately who wins it all. Plus, we debate which club’s supporters would cherish a Champions League triumph the most.
Timestamps: (9:15) – Pep Guardiola speaks out against World Cup ticket pricing (26:15) - Weston Mckennie joins The Cooligans (42:30) – Champions League Semi-Final preview PEP-WC TICKETS 🖥️ Watch this full episode on YouTube Check out all episodes of The Cooligans the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple. co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports. tv