World Cup
World Cup 2026
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway, and you can follow the latest tournament news and analysis right here.
We will be live every minute of every day for the next six weeks. Get involved by chatting with us here or by emailing live@theathletic.com.
The Austrians are here! This is Christian. He was part of our Language of Soccer project for the tournament and he and his friends — known as the Red Hot Austrian Fans on account of their suits — touched down in New York on Friday.
Say hello if you come across the guys in the wild; a more friendly fanbase you could not wish to meet.
A fantastic result for the USMNT, who have beaten Paraguay 4-1 in their tournament opener.
A Damián Bobadilla own goal, a Folarin Balogun double and a brilliant Gio Reyna finish gave Mauricio Pochettino's team a near-perfect start to the World Cup.
Christian Pulisic went off at half-time after picking up a knock but said he is confident it's not a serious injury.
Follow live reaction to that game with our dedicated live coverage here.
I have just experienced the full-force of rainy season in Guadalajara. A huge storm knocked out power to large parts of my neighborhood — they're liable to arrive in the evening as temperatures cool.
With matches all kicking off at 8pm local time, it could be chaos if one lands — remember there is a hefty delay if lighting is spotted in the area. If last night’s South Korea vs Czech Republic game had occurred last night, we’d be looking at a potential two-hour delay.
Anyway, after the power was knocked out for the final 20 minutes of the USMNT game, can anyone tell me the score?
On the day that both the Canadian and United States men's soccer teams opened their World Cup campaigns, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau opted to attend the U.S. game in Inglewood, California, rather than watch his native Canada.
Trudeau, 54, was not in attendance to watch his countrymen fight back to a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Canada's World Cup opener as a host nation in Toronto. Instead, he chose to support his girlfriend, Katy Perry, as the 41-year-old pop star performed in the opening ceremony before the match against Paraguay.
During the first half, Trudeau and Perry were seen sitting together in one of the luxury suites at SoFi Stadium as the Americans raced out to a 3-0 lead behind two goals from striker Folarin Balogun and a Paraguayan own goal.
The Canadian game kicked off in Toronto at 3 p.m. ET, while the United States began play at 9 p.m. ET (6 p.m. local time) in Southern California.
Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau looking on at Los Angeles Stadium for USA-Paraguay pic.twitter.com/ifhytFbdc0
The United States leads Paraguay 3-0 after a sensational start to its 2026 World Cup campaign in Los Angeles.
The U.S. raced out of the blocks and took the lead when Weston McKennie’s cross was turned into the Paraguay net by midfielder Damián Bobadilla.
Monaco striker Folarin Balogun then added the second goal, and a third in first-half stoppage time to cap a perfect opening half.
Read our coverage of the match here
The Democratic Republic of Congo team caught the eye as they arrived at their training camp in Houston.
Honouring their nickname 'The Leopards', the players wore tailored leopard print suits and also sported styled leopard bags.
The country is participating in a first World Cup in 52 years, and begin their campaign against Portugal on Wednesday.
Lively scene at a watch party in Oakland, California, at the home of the Pioneer League’s Oakland Ballers.
Opening ceremony done. Anthems sung. Now it's time for the USA to make their mark on this tournament. They take on Paraguay in Inglewood.
Be sure to follow along with our coverage of the action here
I was walking on the street outside NYT headquarters in my Lionel Messi Argentina shirt which has the third star.
I survived some semi-aggressive heckling from some Brazil fans, who are excited for their game vs. Morocco tomorrow
Very cool to see such a packed watch party at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a massive venue in its own right in downtown LA.
World Cup fever has, in true LA fashion, arrived not a moment too soon.
At a sports bar in suburban Dallas, someone brought a Vuvuzela and gets cheers every time she blows it.
Slowly becoming a soccer country.
At the local sports shop in Santa Clara, they sold out of the Mexico shirts yesterday.
This picture was taken during DR Congo open training at their camp in Houston. Turns out there isn't really a story behind the clown mask – this man is just…eccentric!
The expression 'comité de freinage' or 'braking committee' is a slang term originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It refers to a group of friends or supporters who gather to 'brake' (slow down) or unwind. Can't say that the mask really conveys that…
I was pretty gobsmacked to see this sign in San Francisco exclude the words FIFA World Cup.
It read like a high school poster.
Scan the QR code and you'll receive train times for the upcoming games but you wouldn't know it.
I'm heading to Castro to follow the game at the local Pride House and people are more interested in Friday night open-air cinema at Dolores Park.
For the record, they’re playing The Princess Bride.
Let's just say World Cup fever is yet to hit the Bay Area. ‘Oh you're here for the sailing!’ said one local.
This opening act is…something. Sort of a "where is everybody?" vibe.
Why are so few people actually participating?
We're approaching our third (THIRD) opening ceremony of this tournament! Lets see what our writer are saying about the vibe there at the moment
This week has been a slow burner World Cup fever in New York City – but with Brazil in town ahead of tomorrow’s meeting with Morocco, the atmosphere was starting to build nicely… until, that is, the mother of all storms just hit Manhattan, thunder, lightning and biblical rain bursting the bubble and sending everyone dashing for shelter.
Let’s hope there is no such wash-out in 24 hours time.
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