All articles tagged with #world cup 2026
With 106 days until kickoff, 11 U.S. World Cup host cities remain awaiting formal awards for $625 million in federal security funding, hindered by an administrative delay amid a partial government shutdown and FEMA delays that risk complicating security preparations for the event.
As World Cup 2026 approaches, a FEMA/DHS security grant program funding freeze jeopardizes security planning and Fan Fest prep in US host cities, leaving staffing gaps and prompting concerns that some cities may withdraw from hosting games.
A partial U.S. government shutdown has left $625 million in DHS security funding for 11 World Cup 2026 host cities unfunded, risking security planning and large fan events as kickoff nears. Local officials say they haven’t received the funds, forcing tough budgeting decisions and possibly canceling or scaling back fan festivals and related events in cities like Miami, Kansas City, and New Jersey. ICE funding remains intact, but the looming deadlines—roughly 100 days to kickoff and about a month to finalize fan fest plans—mean preparations could be severely affected without timely federal support.
NY/NJ's official FIFA Fan Fest at Liberty State Park has been canceled four months before the 2026 World Cup, as Gov. Mikie Sherrill pivots to a region-wide program of smaller watch parties and community events; ticket refunds are in process, and there will be no official NY/NJ Fan Fest, though other World Cup viewing experiences (Queens fan zone and NYC venues) will proceed as non-FIFA events.
Kansas City used a concerted mix of heavy soccer investment, centralized location, and infamous "KC kind" hospitality to land three top-seeded World Cup base camps for 2026 (Argentina at Sporting KC, the Netherlands at Sporting KC’s partner facility, England securing a Kansas City site), aided by FIFA rules that favor teams near group-stage games. The bid relied on extensive tours, private experiences, and strong local partnerships, with the effort aimed at transforming KC into the base-camp capital of the world and boosting the region’s profile.
MLS unveiled a 34-game 2026 schedule. With the World Cup in North America looming, the league will pause for nearly two months and resume July 17, before the Final. Fox will air a World Cup‑driven doubleheader two days before the Final: Atlanta United at Nashville SC (8 p.m. ET on Fox) and LA Galaxy vs. LAFC (10:30 p.m. ET on FS1). Apple TV remains the exclusive home for all MLS games through 2028-29 with no Season Pass paywall, while Fox continues as a key exposure partner under the current rights arrangement.
Measles has surged in Jalisco, Mexico, prompting Guadalajara to require masks in seven neighborhoods’ schools for 30 days as health authorities push vaccination campaigns ahead of the World Cup 2026 hosted across Mexico, the US and Canada; officials warn outbreaks could spread with World Cup crowds, amid a global measles resurgence and WHO noting re-established transmission in the UK.
Colombian star James Rodríguez signed a short-term deal with Minnesota United, delivering a high-profile, low-risk addition that could boost playmaking and league attention ahead of the 2026 World Cup; not a designated player, the move is budget-friendly with a potential post-World Cup option, but questions linger about fit in Minnesota's system and cold-weather conditions.
Colombia captain James Rodríguez is finalizing a non-designated-player deal to join Minnesota United in MLS, after time as a free agent and training in Colombia; the move aims to keep him match-ready for the 2026 World Cup and bolster Minnesota's attack and set-piece capabilities under coach Cameron Knowles.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter endorsed a proposed fan boycott of the 2026 World Cup in the United States, aligning with Mark Pieth’s criticism of U.S. governance; the calls add to concerns about the U.S. as a co-host with Canada and Mexico, amid travel bans and immigration enforcement affecting fans from several qualifying countries.
St. Pauli president Oke Goettlich, a member of the DFB executive, urged opening a discussion about boycotting the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., citing immigration-enforcement concerns and human-rights issues. The idea drew swift criticism from DFB and DFL leaders as ill-timed, while Goettlich said any boycott would target governments, not people, and called for dialogue with U.S. civil society; some supporters, like Sepp Blatter and Mark Pieth, expressed sympathy with questioning the tournament.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter endorsed Mark Pieth's suggestion that fans should not travel to the 2026 World Cup in the United States, citing security concerns and domestic controversies surrounding immigration; the tournament will be hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico.
FIFA said more than 500 million ticket requests were filed during the month-long window for the 2026 World Cup, with random draws planned to assign tickets for all 104 matches in February; about 2 million tickets had already been sold and 4–5 million remain, signaling oversubscription. The most requested matches included Colombia-Portugal, Mexico-Korea Republic, the final and the opener, while high prices and a robust resale market have drawn scrutiny. A final sales phase in spring remains possible as the tournament runs June 11–July 19 across 16 host cities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Motorola has teased a FIFA World Cup 2026-themed Razr flip phone, likely a cosmetic update of the Razr 2025, with an official reveal scheduled for January 6. The device features World Cup branding and a new look but no major hardware changes, serving as a special edition for football fans and collectors.
The article highlights exciting cultural and sporting events in 2026, including the expanded World Cup featuring African and Caribbean teams, vibrant Caribbean festivals like Antigua Carnival and literary festivals, the unveiling of Barack Obama's community-focused presidential library in Chicago, and notable book, film, TV, and music releases, with a special focus on Black culture and achievements.