<p>They made us wait, but once Messi took to the pitch, it was glorious.  We were heading for kicks...and then Messi was given a free kick....</p><p>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.</p>

Patrick Mahomes and Lebron James celebrate Messi

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is here — and every day we break down the action, the drama, and the stories behind the world's biggest sporting event. The Messi Effect is your daily World Cup podcast covering every match, every group stage result, every knockout round upset, and the storylines that define the tournament. From Lionel Messi's final World Cup chapter to the USA playing on home soil, from England's eternal hope to Brazil's hunger, we cover it all daily for the duration of the tournament.Hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the first World Cup ever staged across three nations simultaneously, this is the most ambitious tournament in FIFA history and we're covering it every single day.Whether you're following the USMNT, rooting for El Tri, watching Messi chase one last trophy, or just want a smart daily briefing on what happened and what it means, this is your showAI is used to assemble stories and assist in the production of this podcast.Unlock an ad-free podcast experience with Caloroga Shark Media! Get all our shows on any player you love, hassle free! For Apple users, hit the banner on your Apple podcasts app. For Spotify or other players, visit caloroga.com/plus. No plug-ins needed! 