Marcio Machado - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
The World Cup trophy is soccer’s ultimate prize.
Game on! This June 11, the men’s FIFA World Cup will kick off. Held every four years, the soccer tournament is the world’s largest sporting event focused on a single sport. And this summer, matches will take place in the United States for the first time in more than 30 years.
Canada and Mexico will also be home to the competition, marking the first time the World Cup has three host countries. Forty-eight teams will compete, up from 32 in the last tournament.
Matches will span more than five weeks in 16 cities. The first game in the U.S., between the U.S. and Paraguay, will be in Los Angeles, California, on June 12.
Experts estimate that 6 billion people will watch the tournament—about 75 percent of the world’s population. Up to 6.5 million fans will attend in person.
All eyes will be on Christian Pulisic, who will help lead the American team, as well as on soccer legends Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal and Lionel Messi of Argentina. Messi helped his country win the World Cup in 2022. Spain’s teen superstar, Lamine Yamal, is also hoping to dominate. Which nation will bring home the trophy?
—Lisa M. Herrington