The Explainer Series: The World Cup

Thu May 21 2026 at 06:30 pm to 08:00 pm UTC+10:00

slq Auditorium 1, level 2 | South Brisbane

State Library of Queensland
Publisher/HostState Library of Queensland
The Explainer Series: The World Cup
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The Explainer Series is about making sense of the questions we’re all asking.
About this Event

The World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest sporting event on Earth and it kicks off on 11 June in the USA, Canada and Mexico. It is a spectacle that unites billions of fans, fuels national pride and turns players into icons. But behind the goals and glory is a fascinating story about why this tournament matters so much. From the politics of who gets to host, to the way football brings people together (or drives them apart), we’ll explore what the World Cup tells us about the world - and why we all get swept up in it. Whether you’re a diehard football tragic or just there for the vibe, this is your backstage pass to the global game.

Meet Your Speakers

Dr Lee McGowan is a leading expert in football's histories. He writes about football because he was at best what would be described as an enthusiastic player; he’s just as successful at surfing. At our upcoming Explainer Series event, he's most excited to break down the social development of the FIFA Men’s World Cup.

The Explainer Series

The Explainer Series is a space for thoughtful conversations with people who really know their stuff, sharing insights and context so we can better navigate the big and small questions in our lives.

From international law and cryptocurrency to climate change, gut health and space junk, these talks bring ideas, trends and debates into focus, helping us form our own understanding, guided by curiosity and expertise.

There’s no spin and no hype, just experts helping us think more clearly about the world around us.

The Explainer Series is generously supported by Gina Fairfax AC and Tim Fairfax AC through the Queensland Library Foundation.

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The views expressed by the speakers are their own and the promotion of products/services is not endorsed by State Library.

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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

slq Auditorium 1, level 2, State Library of Queensland, South Brisbane, Australia

Tickets

AUD 15.00

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