With the FIFA World Cup 2026™ coming to Seattle, the University of Puget Sound is proud to present a premier roster of faculty and sports experts just 40 minutes away from the action at Lumen Field. Our scholars bring decades of global research and professional experience to the forefront, offering deep insight into the world’s most-watched sporting event. From the physics of soccer ball aerodynamics and the complexities of international relations to the socio-economic impacts on local tourism and labor, our faculty are prepared to provide high-level media commentary and analysis.
As Seattle prepares to host nations including Belgium, Egypt, Australia, Qatar, and the USA, Puget Sound experts can speak to the geopolitical tensions, cultural histories, and regional challenges — such as transportation and housing — that often surround these global mega-events. Whether you’re ready to share your story idea or seeking inspiration, we are here to help. Our experts can provide credibility to your article as you cover the tournament's impact both on and off the pitch.
Seattle Match Schedule (Lumen Field)
- June 15: Group Stage (Match 32)
- June 19: US Men's National Team (Match 52)
- June 24: Group Stage (Match 63)
- June 26: Round of 32 (Match 82)
- July 1: Round of 16 (Match 94)
| EXPERT NAME | DEPARTMENT/ROLE | SPECIALTY | POTENTIAL STORIES |
| Stephanie Cox | Women's Soccer Coach | Olympic Gold Medalist and two-time World Cup veteran with 89 international caps for the U.S. Women’s National Team. Spent a decade with the Seattle Reign. | What it's like to play in a World Cup, plus a tactical perspective on the games. |
| Monica DeHart | Distinguished Professor, Sociology and Anthropology and Director, Global Development Studies | Central America, Latin American politics, migration, economic development, cultural politics, China, China-Latin America, transpacific, identity politics | How the tournament highlights the growing influence of China in Latin America and how these new global partnerships are changing the business of sports. |
| Alexandria Drake | Assistant Professor, Public Health | Public health, health equity, substance use, opioid epidemic, academic-community partnerships | The public health challenges of hosting millions of people in one city and how to prevent the spread of illness. |
| Andrew Gardner | Professor, Sociology and Anthropology | Migration, Arabian Peninsula (Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait), Urbanization, Labor Rights, Pacific Northwest History, Mega-Events Socioeconomic impact | A look at Qatar’s unique soccer culture and what Seattle fans can expect when they welcome Qatari visitors and players to the Pacific Northwest. |
| John Eric Goff | Visiting Assistant Professor, Physics | Sports Physics, Soccer Aerodynamics and Tour de France modeling, Analyzed the aerodynamics of soccer balls used in the World Cup. | A look at how the design of World Cup soccer balls has changed over the years — from the classic black-and-white panels to the high-tech, four-panel Trionda ball being used in 2026. |
| Fred Hamel | Distinguished Professor and Dean, School of Education; Director, MAT Program | Education, Adolescence, International Soccer, Retired Soccer Midfielder who played professionally in the North American Soccer League and Western Soccer Alliance. | What young students can learn about teamwork and leadership by watching the world's best soccer players. |
| Peter Hodum | Professor, Biology and Professor, Environmental Studies and Sciences | Conservation Biology, Avian Ecology, Community-Based Conservation, Ecology, Seabird Ecology And Conservation, Community Outreach, Island Ecology And Conservation | How a massive influx of people and transportation impacts local wildlife and what Seattle can do to protect its natural spaces during the tournament. |
| Chris Kendall | Associate Professor, Politics and Government | International Human Rights Law, Global Governance, Human Rights Enforcement, Democratic Institutions, Rule Of Law, Transitional Justice, International Organizations, Institutional Fragility, Democratic Backsliding, Latin American Politics, Peace Processes, International Law, Nationalism And Internationalism | Understanding international law as athletes and fans travel around the world during the tournament. |
| Nick Kontogeorgopoulos | Distinguished Professor, International Political Economy, and Associate Provost for Community and Global Engagement | International Tourism, Community Development, and Environmental Sustainability | A realistic look at whether hosting millions of fans actually helps local businesses in the long run or if it creates too much strain on the city. |
| Alan Krause | Professor, Business and Leadership | Management, Sustainable Business, Diversity, Interpersonal Relations, Career Development | How the World Cup can encourage local businesses to adopt more eco-friendly and sustainable habits. |
| Brendan Lenctot | Distinguished Professor and Chair, Hispanic Studies | Latin American Studies, Culture Studies, Visual Culture, Nineteenth-Century Studies, Cinema | A look at how Latin American cultures express their deep passion for the game through art and film. |
| Yu Luo | Associate Professor, Sociology & Anthropology, and Suzanne Wilson Barnett Chair in Contemporary China Studies | Asia, Anthropology, Nature Conservation, Tourism, Heritage, Ethnicity, Borderland, Popular Culture | A look at how fans can enjoy the games while also respecting the local environment and traditions of the host city. |
| Mark Martin | Associate Professor, Biology | Microbiology, Genetics, Science Literacy, STEM Outreach | A look at the invisible world of biology (germs and bacteria) when thousands of people gather in one place. |
| Nagore Sedano Naveira | Assistant Professor, Hispanic Studies | Memory Studies, Iberian Cultural And Literary Studies, Basque Studies, Memoirs, Race And Gender Studies, Spanish Civil War, Transitional Justice, Peripheral Nationalism | Explores issues of gender and race in contemporary Spanish culture. |
| Emelie Peine | Professor and Director, International Political Economy | International Political Economy, Global Food Systems, Brazilian Politics and Economics. Lived and worked in Brazil, fluent in Portuguese and available for translations. | The massive effort required to provide food for millions of fans while supporting local farmers and businesses. |
| Melvin Rouse | Associate Professor, Psychology | Hormones And Performance, Reproductive Biology, Studies The Influence Of The Endocrine System On Brain Plasticity, Learning, And Social Behavior | How social cues such as the cheers of a crowd, can affect an athlete's ability to perform. |
| Jason Struna | Associate Professor of Sociology & Anthropology | Warehouse Labor and Logistics, Labor Process Sociology, Social Movements, Labor, Global Political Economy, Sociological Theory, Workplace Automation, Algorithmic Control | How new computer systems and automation are changing the jobs of people working at major sporting venues. |
| Seth Weinberger | Professor and Chair of Politics and Government | Foreign Policy, International Relations, War, Conflict, National/International Security, Constitutional Law | How the game between Egypt and Iran in Seattle acts as a diplomatic stage during a time of high tension between Iran, the U.S., and Israel. |
| Wind Woods | Associate Professor, Theatre Arts | Playwriting, Dramaturgy, Hip Hop Theater, Hip Hop Aesthetics, Black Political And Artistic Practices, Afropessimism | How a soccer match is like a live theater performance, where the players use their bodies to tell a story through wins and losses. |