How America is shaping the World Cup

Summary of How America is shaping the World Cup

by NPR

21m•June 7, 2026
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Overview of How America Is Shaping the World Cup

This NPR Sunday Story episode is a primer on the World Cup as it kicks off in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, with a focus on why the tournament matters globally, what’s different about this edition, and how politics, immigration policy, and commercialization are shaping the experience for fans and teams. Hosts Aisha Roscoe, Becky Sullivan, and Jasmine Gars(t) discuss the U.S. team’s chances, the biggest contenders, the expanded 48-team format, Shakira’s return, and the tensions around visas, ICE, and expensive ticket prices.

Why the World Cup Matters

The biggest sporting event in the world

  • The World Cup is described as the most-watched sporting event on the planet, with the final drawing far more viewers than the Super Bowl.
  • Unlike many sports tournaments, the World Cup has years of buildup through international qualification, which amplifies global anticipation.
  • For much of the world, soccer is more than a game:
    • It functions like a cultural institution or “unofficial religion.”
    • It can also be a path to social mobility and economic opportunity.

A truly global audience

  • The tournament draws attention across:
    • Europe
    • South America
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • North America

What’s New in This Tournament

Three-country hosting

  • This is the first World Cup co-hosted by three nations: the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
  • The joint-host format reflects FIFA’s push toward using existing stadiums and infrastructure across multiple countries.
  • Match locations are spread widely:
    • 11 U.S. cities
    • 2 Canadian cities
    • 3 Mexican cities

Expanded field

  • The tournament expands from 32 teams to 48 for the first time.
  • That creates space for more countries to qualify, including several first-time entrants and nations that rarely make the tournament.

First-time and rare entrants

  • First-time World Cup teams mentioned include:
    • Uzbekistan
    • Curaçao
    • Cabo Verde
    • Jordan
  • Returning but infrequent teams include:
    • Scotland
    • Iraq

Team USA: Hopes and Realistic Expectations

A talented but still underdog squad

  • The U.S. remains below the traditional soccer powers of:
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • France
    • Spain
    • England
  • A realistic goal for the U.S. is reaching the quarterfinals, which would match its best modern-era finish.

Key American players

  • Christian Pulisic — the top attacking star and main goal scorer
  • Tyler Adams — central midfielder, described as part of the team’s “heart and soul”
  • Weston McKennie — another core midfielder and leader
  • The team is considered especially promising because many players have developed in elite European club systems.

Teams to Watch

Spain

  • Viewed as one of the strongest teams in the tournament.
  • Young, energetic, and in excellent form.
  • Notable star: Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-old phenom often compared to Messi.

France

  • Also a major favorite.
  • Praised for its depth and system, where one player can be swapped out and the team still functions at a high level.
  • Notable star: Kylian Mbappé.

Argentina and Morocco

  • One guest is especially excited to see Argentina, highlighting it as a classic heavyweight clash.
  • Morocco is also mentioned as a team to watch after a strong previous World Cup run.

Politics, Immigration, and Fan Access

Visa delays and travel restrictions

  • The timing of the tournament overlaps with stricter U.S. immigration and visa policies.
  • Some countries participating in the World Cup are affected by travel bans or restrictions, including:
    • Iran
    • Haiti
    • Senegal (partial restrictions mentioned)
  • Even where no formal ban exists, visa processing delays remain a major obstacle.

Iran as a case study

  • Iranian fans cannot travel from Iran to the U.S. for the matches.
  • Iran will play some games in Los Angeles, but the team will be based in Mexico and fly into the U.S. only for matches.
  • The discussion notes that this is a disadvantage for Iran, though the team itself is considered strong.

Immigration fear among U.S. communities

  • Jasmine Gars notes that many immigrant communities are worried about:
    • ICE presence
    • raids near stadiums
    • general fear around attending public events
  • DHS has said it will have a presence similar to other international events, and there are indications there will not be ICE raids at games.
  • Still, the climate has made many communities cautious about attending sporting events.

FIFA, Tickets, and Commercialization

Ticket prices are a major criticism

  • FIFA is criticized for making tickets extremely expensive, especially for marquee matches.
  • Even players on the U.S. team reportedly found it difficult to afford tickets for all the friends and family who wanted to attend.
  • The issue reflects a broader trend of premium pricing in major entertainment and sports events.

Soccer’s democratic spirit vs. exclusion

  • One of the episode’s key critiques is that soccer is traditionally a highly accessible sport:
    • You can play it almost anywhere with a ball and some space.
  • But the World Cup’s pricing model risks excluding the very communities and fans who make the sport so global and vibrant.

Music, Spectacle, and Cultural Packaging

Shakira returns

  • Shakira is back in the World Cup orbit after her massive 2010 hit “Waka Waka.”
  • The hosts note that FIFA seems to keep her “on speed dial.”

First-ever World Cup halftime show

  • This tournament will feature the first halftime show in World Cup history.
  • The change is seen as part of FIFA’s effort to make the event more appealing to an American audience.
  • Traditional fans are split:
    • Some see it as an Americanization of soccer.
    • Others are excited by the added spectacle.

Main Takeaways

  • The World Cup is a uniquely global event, and the 2026 version is especially ambitious because it spans three countries and includes 48 teams.
  • The U.S. team has real talent and home-field advantage, but it remains a long shot compared with the world’s elite teams.
  • Immigration policy, visa bottlenecks, and fears of enforcement activity are shaping who can attend and enjoy the games.
  • FIFA’s ticket pricing and entertainment decisions show how commercial and American-style the event is becoming.
  • Despite the controversies, the episode frames the World Cup as a moment of shared excitement, cultural unity, and major civic energy across North America.