Tickets, travel, politics, the USMNT and more: 100 things to know about the 2026 World Cup - The Athletic

• UK academics, including a professor of Philosophy in Sport, warn that the U.S. government may use the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a political distraction. • The tournament, scheduled to run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, will be hosted across cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

• All Stripes, the LGBTQ+ supporter group for Atlanta United, has partnered with Pride House to ensure the safety and inclusion of LGBTQ+ fans during the 2026 World Cup in Atlanta. • The collaboration aims to provide dedicated venues for visitors to watch matches and engage with LGBTQ+ sports issues, countering human rights concerns raised in a recent travel advisory.

• The Athletic has announced comprehensive coverage plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, utilizing a mix of podcasts, video content, and streaming. • The upcoming tournament will be the largest in history, featuring an expanded 48-team field and spanning 16 host cities across three countries.

• The Netherlands and Uzbekistan will face each other in an international friendly match hosted at Icahn Stadium. • Both teams are utilizing this fixture to refine their strategies and recover from recent defeats in preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

• The Athletic is providing live updates and analysis as the 2026 World Cup approaches its opening game this week. • Historical data highlights the 1954 tournament as the highest-scoring edition with 5.38 goals per game, featuring a notable 7-5 quarter-final between Austria and Switzerland.

• The Netherlands and Uzbekistan will face each other today at Icahn Stadium in New York City for their first-ever international meeting. • This match serves as the final friendly for both nations as they prepare for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

• Pope Leo XIV shared his soccer preferences during a tour of Spain and the Canary Islands, noting he would have likely supported Peru over the U.S. in the World Cup. • The Pope clarified that Peru did not qualify for the current tournament, removing the conflict of interest regarding his former missionary work in the country.

• The Athletic has released a ranking and preview of the teams competing in the 2026 World Cup, analyzing potential favorites and outsiders. • Ivory Coast is highlighted as a team to watch after remaining unbeaten in qualifying, with the goal of advancing past the group stage for the first time.

• U.S. forward Ricardo Pepi faced off against Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara during a match on May 31. • The sporting event took place at the Bank of America Stadium located in Charlotte, North Carolina.

• The FIFA World Cup is set to begin in less than two weeks, hosted across North America and featuring Major League Soccer territories. • National team managers worldwide have faced difficult decisions, resulting in several high-profile players being excluded from their final rosters.

• The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins this week, marking the largest tournament in history with a record 48 teams competing. • A total of 104 matches will be hosted across three North American countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.