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Courtesy of Roger Bennett. Getty. Jason Speakman/MH Illustration

6 min read

THERE’S NO ONE one better qualified to explain what the World Cup means—and what it demands of you, the fan—than Roger Bennett. The British-born, New York-based founder and host of the Men in Blazers podcast has spent more than a decade building a cult following among American soccer fans, wielding equal parts wit, erudition, and fervor to convert the uninitiated. His podcast, launched in 2011, became the go-to guide for a generation of fans learning to love the beautiful game. His book, We Are the World (Cup): A Personal History of the World’s Greatest Sporting Event , is a fun but powerful read on why this tournament matters so much. His wish: “When the whistle goes, and the ball is kicked, may you experience that sense of anticipation, hope, and possibility.…