97.9 The Hill’s Deborah Stroman and Brighton McConnell talk on Friday, June 26, about the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup for men’s soccer and how — so far — the tournament has been a major success. With fans from the participating countries streaming into North America to watch their teams compete, there have been many stories and examples of celebrating culture that are educational, inspiring and exciting. Plus, the U.S. men’s national team has played well enough to have American fans dreaming about the possibilities of going deep into the tournament on home soil.

Dr. Deborah Stroman — who is a consulting professor for UNC and Virginia, sports businesswoman, former basketball player, and columnist — chats with 97.9 The Hill’s Brighton McConnell each week about headlines from the world of sports. Covering both local and national stories, Stroman specializes in connecting the on-field product to the impact of sports on business, culture and society. Listen to their past conversations on Chapelboro, Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

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June 20, 2026
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