2026 World Cup

[ha_banos]

US plus Canada and Mexico hosting the football World Cup this year. With the final in NY/NJ. POTUS even involved along side his other ... interests right now. It will be the self proclaimed best world cup the world has ever seen. He's even got the world cup in there oval office for keeps. Anyways I'm wondering what it's like stateside? Much interest this year? Much pre coverage?

I'm not a football fan. But do like to stay in touch for the ribbing opportunities more than anything. 

Will we see the lizards report from the final as it's in their yard? Got to be a cigar angle somewhere. The winners will probably light up. Again. 

 

[Namisgr11]

It's getting plenty of media coverage here in the States, now that the European club season has finished and we're less than two weeks away from kickoff.  But ticket prices are even worse than 3-banded or Reserva Cubans in work-of-art humidors, and sales are slow. To make matters worse, tourism in our country is way down from levels two to three years ago or historical levels before the pandemic, and lots of foreigners are reluctant or outright against traveling here for the Cup games.  Personally, I don't blame them one bit.

So while the games in Philly at the home of our beloved Eagles are just a half hour's drive from us, the cost is prohibitive, and watching on TV is the sane alternative.
 

[KCCubano]

I am from Kansas City and the first match is set for 6/16 at Arrowhead Stadium. Lots of press around here. The Argentina team arrived over the weekend to much hoopla. City officials estimate there will be 650k visitors for the event. 

[Dadof3]

The US men have had something of a history of failing to live up to any hype the program generates and it will not surprise me if that happens again. Will the US get out of the group stage?  

[ha_banos]

4 hours ago, Dadof3 said:

The US men have had something of a history of failing to live up to any hype the program generates and it will not surprise me if that happens again.  Will the US get out of the group stage?  

Almost even odds to get into the last 32. That's a good start. 😁

[JohnnyO]

I am thinking about going to Houston for Netherlands vs Sweden and Boston for Norway vs France. Flights and hotels are reasonable but the tickets start $800+. In '94 I went to Orlando to watch Mexico vs Ireland. Lots of dudes trying to dump tickets at $100+ in the night clubs. We bought them from a scalper at the stadium $20 each. I get the feeling something similar will happen this time around just a bit pricier. US might get out of the 1st round but that's about it.

[Capn_Jackson]

I won’t be going to any, but Arlington will be absolutely nuts from June to July. I might not make it to many Rangers baseball games during that time either, because I can’t even imagine how parking will be. I’ll catch the Cup on TV, in the air conditioning, with beer that costs $12 a 6-pack, instead of $12 a cup, and that’s still too much.

[Goldeneye]

Toronto and Vancouver are hosting games in Canada and apparently there are a lot of unsold tickets still with complaints about how expensive the are.  There is an exhibition friendly against Uzbekistan in Edmonton tonight that probably would have had over 50,000 attend but we are in the middle of a big rain event so that affect attendance. There were pretty high hopes for Canada to win a game or two, but recent injuries have put a damper on expectations. In Canada I would say the excitement is moderate, but will pick should we actually win our first ever World Cup game.

[VeguerosMAN]

On 6/2/2026 at 2:40 AM, Dadof3 said:

The US men have had something of a history of failing to live up to any hype the program generates and it will not surprise me if that happens again. Will the US get out of the group stage?  

99% they will. Remember for the first time 32 teams will make it out of the group stage...so silly in my opinion. They should just go right into the knock out stage without the group stage with 48 teams, like the March Madness basketball tournament. The group stage has no meaning.  

[JohnnyO]

That Norway vs France has the crummiest seats at $850, field level is $1300+. I read in several forums that Brazil, Russia and Qatar all had $25 tickets available when they hosted the World Cup. 

[VeguerosMAN]

14 hours ago, JohnnyO said:

That Norway vs France has the crummiest seats at $850, field level is $1300+. I read in several forums that Brazil, Russia and Qatar all had $25 tickets available when they hosted the World Cup. 

FIFA and the host nations got TOO GREEDY. 

[benfica_77]

7 hours ago, VeguerosMAN said:

FIFA and the host nations got TOO GREEDY 

It's Fifa...host nations don't get a cut of the ticket sales. Fifa has been run by corrupt a$$holes for decades. Bladder was replaced by Infantino who are cut from the same cloth. 

[gormag38]

The media coverage is certainly starting to ramp up....but before that it's been talked about for months about the insane cost of tickets. It's sad that your everyday Joe and Larry can't go to any of the games. Heck, it's that way with most professional sports teams these days. Unless your MLB club is in the midst of a terrible season late in the summer. 

[LizardGizmo]

On 6/1/2026 at 9:29 PM, ha_banos said:

Will we see the lizards report from the final as it's in their yard? Got to be a cigar angle somewhere. The winners will probably light up. Again. 

Great question - I’m sure it will come up at some point, but like you said, probably in relation to any cigars - or inconveniences we will certainly face as the circus comes to town. I like to get the curmudgeons going.

As far as the sports component of it, I decided long ago that we’re better off letting the expert commentators do it. 

[JohnnyO]

On 6/5/2026 at 4:20 AM, LizardGizmo said:

Great question - I’m sure it will come up at some point, but like you said, probably in relation to any cigars - or inconveniences we will certainly face as the circus comes to town. I like to get the curmudgeons going.

As far as the sports component of it, I decided long ago that we’re better off letting the expert commentators do it. 

So you are saying you can get me tickets to the finals? C'mon Giz just get me in the back door. I'll sell popcorn if I have to.

[BG318]

I live near Philly and travel quite frequently to NYC. I'm basically grounded until this is over. It's like an invasion, and it's an unfamiliar feeling. The only thing I care about sports wise (the NBA Finals) is being affected by the increase in football fans. I can't watch the game locally because no one cares about NY sports teams, and getting to NYC is becoming more like a reversed Escape from New York because of the footballers. Atlantic City might be the best option for the finals. Logistically, the $US6 commute options are exponentially higher in price, as are the hotels and restaurants.

To actually answer the question, there is at best moderate interest in the games locally, but an unfamiliar invading force is descending on the area. Maybe I'll post some pictures of traffic if I need more frozen dinners. 

[BrightonCorgi]

We extended bar hours from 2AM to 3AM in consideration of the World Cup. "Boston Stadium" is 17 miles from my house. The circuits I kart race on are down the street from the stadium and we are delaying the summer season until mid-July to avoid traffic. My hunch is that there is more hype than actual enthusiasm for the World Cup.  There are a lot of tourists coming to Boston from Europe and most will watch from local bars. Tickets are expensive and public transportation (commuter rail) to the game is $80 a person. Nothing like fleecing when you can.

My town is about 40% Brazilian so whenever they're playing everything and everyone is focused on that. It's either Brazil or USA to win in our community. Portugal will do as well.

[ha_banos]

It is stunning. Stunning! How much the cost of seeing games or even just getting around to be in the atmosphere is costing and folks are paying. I cannot fathom how they will fill stadiums. Let's see tonight - although this first game is Mexico not US. 

I'll watch, from London, the occasional highlights. But mostly just catch up when convenient by online news. 

Mild interest here personally.

 

[Kaptain Karl]

It’s entertaining on social media seeing Europeans discover why diabetes rates in the South are so high, when they eat out, and how insane heat/humidity is in most states! 

[BrightonCorgi]

Games at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) has around 5% tickets available. Perhaps less.

[El Presidente]

Australia V Turkey 2PM local Sunday. Very time friendly!!!

Indulgencia Double Corona or Fenomeno? 

USA V Paraguay today. Should be a cracker 

 

[ha_banos]

37 minutes ago, El Presidente said:

Australia V Turkey 2PM local Sunday. Very time friendly!!!

Indulgencia Double Corona or Fenomeno? 

USA V Paraguay today. Should be a cracker 

Go Oz! 🇦🇺🦘🐨🪃

[El Presidente]

Good first half by the US 👍

[Dadof3]

Apparently this was the best US World Cup game since 1930. We will see how they look as the competition improves. 

[VeguerosMAN]

32 out of 48 countries will enter the knockout stage. We could see some shocking upsets. Korea and USA could go far in the tournament.