SHELBYVILLE, Tenn. – The World Cup is one of the greatest sporting events that this world has to offer. A collection of nations from around our great globe all gather together in one generalized location to celebrate not just the beautiful game of soccer, but the differences and similarities that humanity shares with one another. This is a time legends are made and remembered forever. 

During a moment in history where there is rampant division within the United States, the 23rd edition of the World Cup could either be coming at the right time, or one of the worst. On one hand, there have been a number of issues with our own government wrongfully denying entry to legitimate referees, players, and fans in the leadup to the tournament. Most recently, on Monday, border police in Miami denied entry to the 2025 African Referee of the Year, Omar Artan, despite Artan allegedly possessing a travel visa. 

In another example, Iran, who is scheduled to play its group stage matches in the United States, has been told that it must fly in and out of the country on gamedays from Mexico. That is an extraordinary competitive disadvantage, but unsurprisingly, FIFA has deferred to the American government instead of stepping in to do the right thing.

FIFA, the world governing body for the sport of soccer – or football as it’s called almost everywhere else in the world – has the power and authority to pressure a host nation into cooperating with its expressed ideology of “fair play”. In extreme examples, FIFA has shown that they have the power to strip a nation from hosting an event altogether. In 2023, FIFA revoked Indonesia’s host status for the U-20 World Cup after the country expressed opposition to Israel’s participation in the tournament. Whether the reader agrees with Indonesia or not is a separate issue, but what did happen as a result is that FIFA moved the tournament to Argentina instead, much to the dismay of the Indonesian people.

To make one thing clear, no one is advocating for the right to host being stripped away from the United States (Mexico and Canada are also hosting, but 60 of the 44 total matches are being held in the United States, including every match in the knockout stages from the quarterfinals onwards). Rather, what most are advocating for is either the American government act like a good-natured host, or for FIFA to step in and pressure our government to do so. Instead, the leaders of the United States are attempting to make it as difficult as possible for a select group of unsuspecting visiting countries and fans. Unfortunately, as we’ve seen throughout history, politics are never separate from sports.

On the other hand, the build-up to this tournament has brought out the best in each citizen, especially in cities and towns that are hosting various teams. In Lawrence, Kansas, home of the Kansas Jayhawks, the locals have welcomed Algeria with open arms, with some even going as far as committing to root for the Algerians in the tournament (Algeria is in a separate group from the United States). 

As for the actual soccer, the 2026 edition is following up a 2022 World Cup that was one of the best and most exhilarating in recent memory, culminating in a legendary World Cup Final. This year’s tournament has a high bar to clear, but with more teams – 48 instead of the standard 32 – there is now an extra knockout round teams must work through. It all begins on Thursday night with Mexico hosting South Africa at 2:00 p.m. followed by the Czech Republic taking on South Korea at 9:00 p.m.. Both games are in Group A. All games can be seen on Fox, Fox Sports, or Peacock if you prefer spanish commentary.

The United States open the tournament with a matchup against Paraguay at 8:00 p.m. in Los Angeles to kick-start Group D on Friday, following Canada’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina at 2:00 p.m. earlier in the day in Toronto to open Group B.

The betting favorites are France, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, and Argentina, not in that order, but there are other nations with the capabilities of making a deep run. Morocco, who finished in fourth place after making the country’s first-ever World Cup semifinal in 2022, has returned while four-time champion Italy missed out on its second-consecutive World Cup after failing to qualify last year.

What group stage games should you be on the lookout for over the next week? Obviously, the aforementioned host countries tournament openers, but past that, Brazil vs Morocco in New Jersey on Saturday at 5:00 p.m. in Group C is one of the best games of the entire first week. Brazil has won the World Cup more than any other nation – five times – while Morocco is coming off of their aforementioned highest-ever finish in Qatar 2022 as well as having won the Africa Cup of Nations in January earlier this year.

While most would advocate for catching every single match of the tournament, that isn’t feasible for everyone. However, on Tuesday, France, who have reached back-to-back World Cup Finals, opens its tournament against Senegal in Group I at 2:00 p.m. in New Jersey. Senegal is a strong side themselves, coming off a second-place finish in the Africa Cup of Nations against Morocco in January. 

At 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday night, reigning World Champions Argentina and Lionel Messi open their 2026 tournament with a matchup against Algeria in Kansas City. On Wednesday, England opens with Croatia – who finished third in 2022 and second in 2018 – at 3:00 p.m. in Arlington, Texas.

Next Thursday is when the second set of group stage matches begin, so you get exactly one full week of exhilarating World Cup openers. Try to watch every game if you can, but make sure you are seated for the games mentioned above. They should be wonderful openers to what has the potential to be a special World Cup.