US opens door to the 2026 World Cup, the biggest event in soccer

"The United States aims to make the finals of the 2026 World Cup, which it is co-hosting with Canada and Mexico, the biggest sporting spectacle on the planet. The draw to determine the 12 groups for the 48 national teamsthe largest number of participants in historywas worthy of Hollywood. Nessun Dorma, the famous aria from the opera Turandot, performed by Andrea Bocelli, opened a gala that also featured performances by Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, and Lauryn Hill, one of the greatest rappers of all time."

"The Village People, with their popular hit YMCA, closed the show. The United States may not know much about soccer [its national team isn't among the favorites], but it certainly knows about show business, a medium in which Donald Trump thrives. The goal is for soccer to definitively seduce the country with the world's largest advertising market, where the most tickets and licensed merchandise are sold."

"With 104 matches scheduled, more than ever before, FIFA expects it to be a highly lucrative tournament with an audience of 2 billion people. The final phase begins on June 11 when Mexico and South Africa will face off at the Azteca Stadium, the venue with the most opening matches. The draw has been seemingly favorable for Spain, one of the favorites, which was placed in Group H alongside Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia and Uruguay."

The United States, co-hosting with Canada and Mexico, aims to stage the 2026 World Cup as the biggest sporting spectacle, leveraging show-business production to attract American audiences. A Hollywood-style draw gala featured Andrea Bocelli, Robbie Williams, Nicole Scherzinger, Lauryn Hill, and The Village People. Organizers expect 104 matches, record participation (48 teams), and a global audience near 2 billion, maximizing ticket and merchandise revenue. The final phase opens June 11 at Mexico's Azteca Stadium. Spain, Argentina, England, and Germany rank among the favorites. The tournament will spotlight stars such as Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe, Haaland, Vinicius Jr., Vitinha, Lamine Yamal, and Doue, while political attention around U.S. President Donald Trump could overwhelm sporting narratives.

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