North America will host the world’s largest sporting spectacle this year, and there is no doubt that this year’s event is bound to create new memories.
From June 11 to July 19, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held in 16 cities across North America: 11 cities in the United States, two in Canada, and three in Mexico.
This tournament marks a milestone in many aspects, as not only will 48 nations take part in the World Cup—16 more than in Qatar—but it will also last for 39 days, which makes it the longest World Cup in history.
The 2026 World Cup isn’t just different from its large scale alone. It is the first time ever that three countries organize the event collectively. Also, the total number of matches reaches 104, allowing more fans to participate and see their beloved sport live in person.
Soccer, unlike other major sports played in North America, is not native to the U.S culture. It is always interesting for those who grew up playing and watching this game to attend a World Cup in such a large country, like the United States.
When asked about the event, Riordan Boys Varsity Soccer Coach, Rado Stefonav noted the atmosphere of the tournament; “Our brains memorize special moments. And the atmosphere can amplify everything, especially the intensity and the desire to show skill.”
He also realizes that the extent of the World Cup’s reach can see people from all parts of the world watching the best players represent their country: “It (World Cup) gives different perspectives. It’s the most prestigious tournament in the world and you get to see the best players compete for their nations.”
While the majority of players are open to the idea of having a larger number of teams in the tournament, others are concerned that expansion to 48 nations will weaken the competition level and make it easier for less skillful teams to join.
Because of the nature and scale of the tournament, it is not a surprise that fans all around the world choose to watch the World Cup. In 2022, over 5 billion people tuned in to at least one stage of the world cup, with the final alone pulling in 1.5 billion people. It is expected that this year will be even more popular.
An important part of this viewership is a large demographic of the world. Young people, such as students or youth players, often get involved in the event, watching, playing, and learning about the sport. As evidence of this, Spanish teacher Armando Castillo, discusses the importance of the World Cup and soccer as a whole in student culture, and how his curriculum encourages engaging in the sport.
“The World Cup finals and qualifiers are of extreme importance to many students and incorporating elements of this in the school curriculum dramatically increases the interest of many students to participate more.”
Castillo also mentions the importance of soccer to Spanish speaking countries, which is integral to his class; “in many Spanish speaking countries Futbol/soccer is more akin to religion than a sport. Unlike in the USA, teams are integral parts of the community and can represent, ethnic, religious, geographic and class divisions.”
There is no denying that the most important thing about the World Cup in 2026 is its scale. Matches will be held in 16 cities throughout the region; some of them even will be played locally in the Bay Area! The opening match will take place at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, and the final game will be hosted by MetLife Stadium in New Jersey with a halftime show similar to the one at the Super Bowl. Although the 2026 World Cup isn’t the biggest sporting event in the United States, it might be in position to challenge the Super Bowl some day.
