Workers are making their final preparations for MetLife Stadium and other venues to host World Cup games. Yet, just days away from the tournament's kickoff in Mexico City, the event does not fully feel real in the United States, particularly in New York, the host city for the final.
Organizational Beginnings
Organizationally, the 2026 World Cup began on 13 June 2018, when then-FIFA general secretary Fatma Samoura instructed delegates to vote in Moscow. However, mere days before the opener, the tournament's presence remains subtle.
Players' Perspectives
Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie, likely key midfielders for the US men's national team, were 19 when their country was named co-host. McKennie noted that the tournament started to feel real after his club season finished with Juventus. Adams, a Bournemouth player, remarked that it might hit him when training properly begins. They spoke at US Soccer's roster reveal event at Pier 17 in Manhattan, where players were announced with fanfare.
Christian Pulisic said he felt the World Cup on the horizon but truly sensed it upon joining the team and experiencing fan support. Gio Reyna observed that players on the bubble were very nervous in the last month before the roster deadline. Defender Miles Robinson admitted that even after assembling, the moment hasn't fully sunk in, suggesting it might hit during the first game or even after the tournament.
Commercial and Cultural Context
In a country where soccer's international game is often treated like the Olympics, the World Cup competes with NBA playoffs, hockey, and baseball. Commercial sponsors provide the most visible signs, with signage at hardware stores and plush mascots in pharmacies. US captain Tim Ream noted that branding across the country has made it more real in recent weeks.
The challenge for players is balancing anticipation with day-to-day focus. Without a lengthy qualification process, the usual markers are absent. As Leander Schaerlaeckens, author of The Long Game, observes, the World Cup's arrival is a gradual realization for many.
