Team USA 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.