The Brutal Pressure of Playing The 2026 World Cup On Home Soil

Julie Foudy & Abby Wambach Answer Your Crazy Sports Questions

In this Party People Q&A episode, Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, and Billie Jean King hand the mic over to the listeners and tackle the questions everyone actually wants answered. From the very real challenge of returning to sports in midlife, when your brain remembers one body and your knees remember another, to the eternal mystery of soccer’s offside rule, the trio brings their signature mix of wisdom, honesty, and chaos. Billie shares why strength, patience, and listening to your body matter more than trying to jump back in at full speed, Abby talks about learning new sports and taking ownership of your own growth, and Julie makes a passionate case for why offside keeps soccer beautiful, strategic, and just confusing enough to keep parents yelling from the sidelines. They also get into youth coaching, how kids can build confidence and skill outside of formal training, what makes a women’s sports league worth investing in, and the story behind the Welcome to the Party theme song. Plus: Billie’s iconic red glasses, Julie’s fancy hats, and a reminder that this party belongs to the Party People.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com [partypeoplequestions@gmail.com] Welcome to the Party Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store  [https://welcometotheparty.voila.store%C2%A0] SUBSTACK - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack] Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC

Why 90% of New College Sports Revenue is Planned for Male Athletes

On the 54th anniversary of Title IX, Abby Wambach, Julie Foudy, and Billie Jean King look ahead at the future of women’s sports in a rapidly changing college athletics landscape. Joined by Women’s Sports Foundation President Swin Cash and CEO Danette Leighton, the hosts break down NIL, revenue sharing, the NCAA settlement, collectives, and the growing concern that women’s sports and Olympic programs could be left behind as new money floods the system. Together, they unpack why Title IX still matters as much today as it did in 1972, what’s at stake for girls and women at every level of sport, and how intentional investment, transparency, and advocacy can protect the next generation of athletes and leaders.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@WelcomeToThePartyShow] Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/welcometothepartyshow/?hl=en] TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@welcometothepartyshow] Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com [partypeoplequestions@gmail.com] Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com] Merch - https://welcometotheparty.voila.store [https://welcometotheparty.voila.store]    Keep the Party Going: * Women’s Sports Foundation: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/ [https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/] * Play to Lead Study: https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/articles_and_report/play-to-lead/?_gl=1*1eia117*_gcl_au*MjEwNDczOTczMy4xNzgyMTYzMTIw [https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/articles_and_report/play-to-lead/?_gl=1*1eia117*_gcl_au*MjEwNDczOTczMy4xNzgyMTYzMTIw] * Title IX Resources Department of Education: https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/title-ix-and-sex-discrimination?utm_source=chatgpt.com [https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/title-ix-and-sex-discrimination?utm_source=chatgpt.com]   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Learn more at Levi.com [https://www.levi.com/US/en_US/] -Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes [https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes] -Goodles is available nationwide at Target and Walmart, plus many other major grocery stores and retailers -Learn more about All Free Clear at https://www.all-laundry.com/ [https://www.all-laundry.com/] -Use code "podcast" to get a year of Shipt [https://www.shipt.com/] for only $49 -Use code Welcome to the Party at https://www.omahasteaks.com/ [https://www.omahasteaks.com/] -Head to https://www.quince.com/Welcometotheparty [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbnZ5SWM2UXEwdmZQT18wb3ZpcktPeFdWTV9yZ3xBQ3Jtc0tsMWZadHdzekh1YXdnaVBRXzVvSHBOX0EyNEQzdVZDaVNoM1FYMUVwRkkyamVKYWVSQXJXM0JjT1Fjak1xUlVyb09vRi0zcnB0NjBURC02ejdENGMxM0IwTG1VNC10cFM0bTJqamlpWVVHb0JmNkk1RQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quince.com%2FWelcometotheparty&v=6W7dYY7mWmg] for free shipping and 365-day returns.

Abby & Julie React to USA’s World Cup Win

Abby Wambach and Julie Foudy are coming to you straight from the Welcome to the Party x Airbnb World Cup Watch Party, where the vibes were high, the USA chants were loud, and the party people showed up in full force. After watching the U.S. men’s national team grab another huge World Cup win, Abby and Julie break down what this moment means for the team, why the energy around this tournament feels so special, and whether this group can make a deeper run than ever before. Plus, Abby takes us behind the scenes of one of the most iconic goals in U.S. Soccer history: her legendary 2011 World Cup header against Brazil. From the extra-time chaos to the knee-slide blackout to Megan Rapinoe’s very aggressive celebration jump, Abby tells the full story like only she can. It’s World Cup joy, USA belief, Abby chaos, Julie wisdom, and a whole lot of “Why not us?”   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@WelcomeToThePartyShow] Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/welcometothepartyshow/?hl=en] TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@welcometothepartyshow] Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com]   Keep the Party Going: * Party People, we got MERCH: https://welcometotheparty.voila.store [https://welcometotheparty.voila.store]  Men’s World Cup Schedule: https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/match-schedule-fixtures-results-teams-stadiums [https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/match-schedule-fixtures-results-teams-stadiums] Abby’s INCREDIBLE Goal vs. Brazil in 2011: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B4q6di-3fg 99er’s on David Letterman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEFtvwHVfQU   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Find an Airbnb experience near you at https://www.airbnb.com/experiences [https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes] -Thank you to Apple Card [https://card.apple.com/] -Thank you to Levi's [https://www.levi.com/]

Why Messi is Proving the Haters Wrong

Men’s World Cup fever has officially taken over the party. Abby and Julie break down the start of what feels like the biggest Men’s World Cup yet, from the USMNT’s electric opening win and the power of playing on home soil, to Messi making history, Marta still owning the record books, and the global fan chaos that makes this tournament so magical. Plus, they catch up on the latest across women’s sports: Serena and Venus reuniting at Wimbledon, Wimbledon increasing prize money, the WNBA expanding to a 50-game season, the Indiana Fever quieting the drama with wins, the Commissioner’s Cup heating up, USWNT-Brazil fallout, and major PWHL movement with Hilary Knight heading to Detroit. It’s Men’s World Cup obsession, women’s sports headlines, and a reminder that sports might just be the great unifier we need right now.   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.youtube.com/@WelcomeToThePartyShow] Instagram — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/welcometothepartyshow/?hl=en] TikTok — ⁠@welcometothepartyshow⁠ [https://www.tiktok.com/@welcometothepartyshow] Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com]   Keep the Party Going: * We’ve got Welcome to the Party MERCH!! https://welcometotheparty.voila.store/ [https://welcometotheparty.voila.store/] * The PWHL Award Winners: https://www.thepwhl.com/en/awards [https://www.thepwhl.com/en/awards] * The WNBA Commissioner Cup Standings:https://www.wnba.com/standings/commissioners-cup [https://www.wnba.com/standings/commissioners-cup] * Follow Freddy the German Tourist: https://x.com/FreddyLA7?lang=en [https://x.com/FreddyLA7?lang=en] * The World Cup 15: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZn4EZ9PjdS/ [https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZn4EZ9PjdS/] * Follow Cape Verde Goalie: Vozinha:https://www.instagram.com/vozinha1/ [https://www.instagram.com/vozinha1/] * Boston Loves Their Scots: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZl0_zltP_2/ [https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZl0_zltP_2/]   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Use code "podcast" to get a year of Shipt for only $49 -Pick up a bottle of all® free clear detergent for your next laundry day -Sign up and get 10% off at http://betterhelp.com/welcometotheparty [http://betterhelp.com/welcometotheparty] -Apple Card is reliable, straightforward, and built to keep up. Apply in the Wallet app on your iPhone today -This Father’s Day, give your dad something meaningful. Go to www.remento.co [https://www.remento.co/] and use code WELCOME to save $20 through Father’s Day

Charlotte North Opens Up About USA Women's Lacrosse

Women’s lacrosse is having a major moment, and Charlotte North is one of the biggest reasons why. This week on Welcome to the Party, Abby and Julie sit down with Charlotte North, two-time Tewaaraton Award winner, national champion, Team USA world champion, Boston Guard captain, broadcaster, entrepreneur, and one of the most electric players in the game. Charlotte breaks down why lacrosse is growing faster than ever, what the new Women’s Lacrosse League means for the future of the sport, and why the 2028 Olympics could be a total game-changer for women’s lacrosse. Before Charlotte joins the party, Abby and Julie get into the World Cup fever taking over the country, the emotional power of sports to bring people together, Abby’s new role as unofficial USMNT lucky charm, and a special lacrosse-themed Party Starter covering the Olympics, pro leagues, NCAA dynasties, and the Indigenous history of “the creator’s game.” Plus: two-point goals, stick-drop celebrations, Whitney Houston vocals, and the very important question: when are Abby and Julie playing lacrosse?   Follow @welcometothepartyshow on: YouTube — @welcometothepartyshow Instagram — @welcometothepartyshow TikTok — @welcometothepartyshow Email — partypeoplequestions@gmail.com [partypeoplequestions@gmail.com] Substack - https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com [https://welcometothepartyshow.substack.com]   Keep the Party Going: Follow Freddy the German World Cup Fan: https://x.com/FreddyLA7/ [https://x.com/FreddyLA7/status/2066668812456313264/photo/1] Follow https://www.instagram.com/niniandthebrain/ [https://www.instagram.com/niniandthebrain/] Women’s Lacrosse League Schedule: https://thewll.com/schedule [https://thewll.com/schedule] Follow Women’s Lacrosse League: https://www.instagram.com/wll [https://www.instagram.com/wll]  Follow Charlotte North: https://www.instagram.com/charlottenorth8/ [https://www.instagram.com/charlottenorth8/]   Thank you to our sponsors: -Ally’s got you covered. Ally Bank, Member FDIC -Find a host or co-host at https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes [https://www.airbnb.com/host/homes] -Shop SKIMS Fits Everybody collection at https://skims.com/ [https://skims.com/]