World Cup 2026's host cities and venues:
The World Cup finals tournament, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, is about to start. The World Cup is the biggest sporting contest in the world, bigger than the Olympics. It's about football, or soccer to my American friends. The first game is between Mexico and South Africa to be held in Mexico City on 11 June, just under three weeks away. The World Cup final will take place on Sunday, 19 July in New Jersey.
This is the first World Cup that I'm not looking forward to. Normally I get excited about the World Cup, so much so that I buy a Panini football sticker book, organise a World Cup predictions game, and write down all the games in my diary so as not to miss any games. But this time, there's no Panini sticker book, no predictions game, and no diary! There's no World Cup fever in my household.
The reason for my lack of excitement is to do with FIFA, the world's football governing body, and Donald Trump, the American President. There's also the heat factor - footballers will have to play when it's very hot. But Qatar, where the last World Cup was held, had this problem but the World Cup was still a good one.
FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) is a very greedy and even very corrupt organisation. Currently headed by Gianni Infantino, FIFA chases money. Ticket prices for World Cup games, set by FIFA, are exorbitant. Most fans cannot afford to follow their team from the group stages to the final. FIFA prefers corporate sponsors over ordinary fans. FIFA has long wanted to break into the American sports market - hence two World Cup finals staged in America unlike only one World Cup staged in England, the alleged birthplace of football. FIFA's Gianni Infantino came up with the absurd and even grotesque idea of awarding a FIFA Peace Prize to Donald Trump after being snubbed by the Norwegian Nobel Committee to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize. The award was absurd because Donald Trump insisted that his Peace Prize trophy was bigger than the World Cup winner's trophy, and it was grotesque because now Donald Trump's America, along with Benjamin Netanyahu's Israel, is bombing the shit out of Iran.
I get the strong impression Donald Trump in his second administration was going to milk the World Cup for what it's worth. I understand that this is what politicians do when it comes to sporting (and even non-sporting) contests. But I feared that Donald Trump would take it to another level, though perhaps not to the level that Adolf Hitler took the 1936 Olympic Games (but there's still the 2028 Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles to come). Donald Trump initially threatened that certain cities (meaning Democrat-controlled cities like Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco) may be prevented from hosting World Cup games because of concerns over crime! His threat. like many of his threats, never materialised.
For me the World Cup is a festival, a festival of football. Key to this festival are the fans coming from different countries around the world. Sport, like music, can bring people together. But the Trump administration has been sending out very negative messages to football fans from other countries. One of the messages sent early on by the Trump administration was that just because you've been allocated a ticket to see a World Cup game doesn't mean you'll be granted a visa to visit America. Fine. But I get the impression that the Trump administration has put off a lot of football fans visiting America. Hotel bookings in American cities hosting the World Cup - Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle - are down especially when compared to last year's bookings. The Trump administration recently reduced the visa deposit needed for many football fans to visit America for the World Cup. But I suspect ICE will be swarming around American cities hosting World Cup games, particularly their airports and stadiums. Foreign fans, like foreigners generally, don't seem particularly welcome in America, unlike in Canada and Mexico. Will this be the first World Cup in recent times in which many games will be played in half-empty or at least not-full stadiums?
Travelling fans light up a World Cup. They turn the tournament into an international festival of football, plus they're good for local business. African and South American fans are particularly animated, and the Scottish Tartan Army always put on a good show.
Iran have qualified for the World Cup. The country have consistently, and not unreasonably, sought reassurances that its team and fans be safe in America. Donald Trump refused to give such assurances saying it wasn't "appropriate" for Iran to take part in this year's World Cup "for their own life and safety". The American President's response was shameful given that America is a co-host of the World Cup. It's almost as if he's inviting his MAGA mob to commit violence against Iranians visiting America! Donald Trump's World Cup envoy, Paolo Zampolli, even suggested Italy should replace Iran in the World Cup. It seems only Trump-friendly countries can enter Trump's World Cup.
I dread to think what abuse he'll give American footballers will get if they don't do well in the World Cup. Perhaps this World Cup isn't that different to Hitler's Olympics in 1936. Remember Los Angeles is holding the next Olympics at the tail end of Trump's presidency.
Will you watch any of the World Cup games?
What country do you think will win the World Cup?
I think Spain will win the World Cup, though Argentina and France may run them close. Japan, Morocco, Senegal and Uruguay are my dark horses for the World Cup. I can't see the three co-hosts, Canada, Mexico and the United States, winning the World Cup - they will do well, especially Canada, if they reach the quarter-finals, the last eight. World Cups tend to be won by established footballing countries that have already won the World Cup, countries like Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, though Italy haven't qualified this time.
I don't think England will win the World Cup partly because it'll be too hot for the English and the team is too dependent on England's captain Harry Kane to score goals. The nightmare scenario for England is an injury to or a loss of form after a long hard season for Harry Kane. Also England has no Leeds United players in their squad. Probably only four Leeds United players are going to the World Cup - Brenden Aaronson for the United States (to be confirmed), Gabriel Gudmondsson for Sweden, Noah Okafor for Switzerland, and Ao Tanaka for Japan.
I very much hope that the greed of FIFA and the opportunism of the American President doesn't spoil the World Cup, but I fear the worst. I'm happy to be proved wrong.
American President Donald Trump being awarded the FIFA Peace Prize by Gianni Infantino, FIFA's President, on 5 December2025:
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22 comments
What can I say? We elected a president who tarnishes everything he touches.
I cannot disagree with you.
Your comment got me thinking. After the World Cup, no matter what country won and lets be fair it's unlikely to be America, Canada and Mexico, can you imagine Trump saying this:
"I want to thank FIFA for trusting us to co-host this World Cup. And I want to thank Canada and Mexico being the perfect co-hosts.
I want to thank the American team, like all other teams from around the world, for putting on a great show."
I maintain that all other American Presidents, both Republican or Democrat, would say something similar to these words, but not Donald Trump. I dread to think what he'll say. His words certainly won't be diplomatic.
@spunkycumfun
Though you did imagine it,
I'm pretty ignorant about the whole thing and had no idea there are so many host cities! I don't mind if it gets less attention than normal, because we already have too many "distractions" going on.
Donald Trump will undoubtedly milk this World Cup for all its worth; it's yet another distraction from the Epstein files.
@bignicktx FIFA specialises in bribes!
He gives this country a black eye.
And more! I find it disgusting as a foreign policy tool that Donald Trump impoverishes people of countries like Iran and Cuba in the hope that its people will rise up against the regime. By the way, I'm not defending the Cuban and Iranian regimes. It's a very cruel foreign policy.
Spain or Argentina. New Jerseyans have a pet peeve with New York being listed as the host, when the stadium is in NJ. That predates FIFA, both footballs teams that play there are the NY Jets and NY Giants. There was some good news about prices. NJ Transit reduced train fares from NY Penn Station to $80, thanks to support from some sponsors.
I heard that some transport fares to American stadiums have been reduced after being hiked. I get the impression the number of foreign fans won't be as high as initially hoped for.
@spunkycumfun immigration crack down discouraged tourism.
@mwants269 That's my impression too. Things aren't as simple as populist politicians like to portray.
Here, immigration numbers are being stemmed but mainly by measures like stopping families of international students entering the country. International students here are one of the biggest export-earners. It's madness.
@bignicktx A bunch of white folks decide to go and spoil the party? You know the ones.
@bignicktx
that was sarcasm wasn't it? Damn, I'm out of practice. Don't get that here much
Both my sons played soccer when they were young. Neither grew up to be a soccer fan, nor was I converted. The games at (somewhat) nearby Arrowhead Stadium are getting a lot of local press, but I have ZERO interest.
It will be interesting to see how Trump's zealousness about border enforcement plays with all these foreigners wanting to enter the country to play and watch. I strongly suspect the dollars will find a way to win out over any other considerations. 🤣
The Trump administration needed and needs to be far more welcoming to foreign fans visiting America. Such fans make a World Cup.
I was in Shibuya the other day and there was a massive statue of a Japanese singer Ado's anime avatar sitting on a soccer ball
I think Japan will do well in this World Cup.
Im sure Ill watch some of it, but yes, Im quite embarrassed about the way the orange orangutan sitting on the US throne has ruined the event (now Im embarrassed for insulting the poor orangutans). Two years ago, my plan was to actually attend one or 2 games. With those prizes, that plan was out the window. I do feel bad for México and Canada, but I hope FIFA fails this time around.
It would be great if either Mexico and Canada win the World Cup though I can't see that happening.
Well, to be honest, spectator sports have never really been my thing, and football exists for me almost like a universe crossing mine at right angles: completely separate and strangely distant. My husband is equally uninterested, so I probably won’t follow much of what happens during the tournament.
The exact opposite is true of “my dearest friend”: you know perfectly well who I mean, who is an absolutely devoted football fanatic. And now that you tell me Scotland will be playing, I can already predict that from June 11th to July 19th his entire emotional life will revolve around the World Cup. The only chance of seeing him will be if I visit at hours when there is no match on television, because he gathers with his three closest friends to watch the games together. And at this stage of life I no longer feel any desire to be “the woman serving the beers”… though, admittedly, I have played that role before.
As for FIFA’s “Cup of Peace”, it strikes me as one of the more ridiculous spectacles of this young century, the sort of grandiose stupidity one might imagine being presented to Nero or Caligula. It reflects rather poorly both on those who award it and on those eager to receive it… but then again, to each their own.
Still, even if football itself leaves me completely cold, I genuinely enjoy seeing so many people happy, excited, and emotionally invested in something together. A little collective joy and enthusiasm are always welcome in this world.
Scotland did well to qualify. I can't see them doing that well in the tournament though. They've been drawn in a tough group which includes Brazil.
@spunkycumfun
BRAZIL! Thanks for the info, because at least two weeks after a Scottish defeat he won't be interested in sex again. I'm in for a boring summer... That said, my family will have a great time mooching off us at our house on the Costa Blanca, but I won't have my dear Scottish friend as readily available as I'd hoped... damn football!
@AuraAviatik6 I suggest you don't get a Brazilian if Brazil beat Scotland!
I love the world cup! Although I'm not that big a football fan. It's probably cos I grew up watching it. But! Like you, I'm not subscribing to watch it. The greed is making this really, really ugly. They're not even hiding it anymore. The football season has grown longer year after year, and now they're even more teams, which for participating reasons, is great. But they just want more games.
Some of the French, Spanish and English players have t stopped playing for a few years running now. I understand they get paid tons of dollars for it, but still.
The key factors stopping me from watching is definitely the blatant disregard for fans opinion. Sad to see.
P.S. Sorry, I'm really disjointed cos it's damn early for me as I type this. My brain hasn't really started yet.... I'm usually a bit more coherent ?
There are 48 teams in this World Cup, that's about a quarter of all countries of the world represented! More teams, more games, more money!
I know there will be a lot of interesting World Cup games although I won't be watching. And when doesn't the FELON milk anything and everything he can to get what he wants..
I hope you enjoy a wonderful weekend my friend..
I would just like Donald Trump, or The felon as you rightly call him, would take a long golfing holiday while the World Cup is on.
England and Scotland both playing games near me. Not going to game, ridiculous cost, but will be going downtown to soak up the atmosphere.
It should be a great atmosphere to savour. Ticket prices are ridiculously expensive.
When my daughter played soccer, we watched the world cup. i used to watch because of this guy, Tim Howard. he was an amazing player
I remember Tim Howard. He was a very good goalkeeper; he spent a lot of his time playing for Everton here.
A friend of a friend was his teacher.
@seems6666 Tim Howard won't be playing for America but Leeds United's Brendan Aaranson will probably be playing for the US.
Since some games are near me. I am going to a game. This is a big deal sports world so it special
I'm envious of you seeing a World Cup game. I've never been to a World Cup game.
@spunkycumfun curaçao and Ivory Coast. So not a big game.. but a big event
@LT121969 Curaçao, with a population of about 160,000. are the smallest country ever to qualify for the World Cup. I suspect their team will be made up Dutch players with some familial connection to the island.
Ivory Coast, known as The Elephants, will have some very vibrant fans singing and dancing at the game.
I think it will be a good game. Ivory Coast will be strong favourites so a possible upset may be on the cards.