The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially on, and the excitement is palpable across continents, from bustling Nairobi to the heart of Columbus, Ohio. With the tournament set to kick off in less than a year, the world’s attention is firmly fixed on the United States, Canada, and Mexico—the trio of hosts for football’s biggest spectacle. But as anticipation builds, so do questions and hopes about what this unprecedented event will mean for fans, teams, and the future of soccer itself.
On August 30, 2025, Nairobi became the stage for a candid exchange between African media and FIFA president Gianni Infantino. The topic? The safety and welcome of African fans traveling to the United States for the World Cup. Concerns were voiced openly: Would African visitors feel like second-class citizens amid ongoing global tensions? Would the tournament truly be a celebration for all, or would some feel left out?
Infantino, fresh off a recent meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump—who now famously keeps a Gold World Cup trophy on his White House desk—sought to reassure. "Everyone will be welcome in North America for the World Cup next year," he declared, addressing a room filled with African journalists and football dignitaries. "I think it is important to clarify this, there is a lot of misconception there." The FIFA chief emphasized unity, urging fans and officials alike to "be positive" about what he promised would be "a great, great celebration of the greatest FIFA World Cup ever."
His reassurances came as more than just talk. Patrice Motsepe, FIFA Vice President and head of the Confederation of African Football, joined Infantino in Nairobi. Motsepe, who’s also the brother-in-law of South Africa’s president Cyril Ramaphosa, highlighted the behind-the-scenes work to ensure smooth entry and participation for African fans. "We are convinced that we meet all the requirements they have and there will be sufficient access to African fans in the World Cup next year," Motsepe insisted. The announcement of travel prohibitions in June—albeit with exemptions for teams and officials—had stoked anxieties. Yet, Motsepe’s confidence was clear: African supporters would not be left behind.
The numbers speak for themselves. At least nine African nations are expected to compete in the expanded 48-team tournament, which runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026, across 11 American cities, with additional matches in Mexico and Canada. Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa are all poised to punch their tickets in October as leaders of their respective qualifying groups, and a tenth African team could still make it via the Intercontinental Play-Offs, set for December 5 at Washington, DC’s Kennedy Center. Tickets for the 104 matches go on sale September 10, and if the recent Month-Long Club World Cup is any indication—where fans from 164 countries attended games in 11 U.S. cities without notable visa issues—there’s reason for optimism.
"The world needs the occasions of unity," Infantino remarked, recalling his conversation with Trump in the White House. The president reportedly told the FIFA leader that the World Cup could not be staged in Los Angeles next year if he hadn’t deployed troops to the city earlier in the month, a testament to the complex intersection of sports and politics in the modern era. Still, Infantino’s message to African fans and the global football community was unwavering: "You will see that there will be a great, great celebration of the greatest FIFA World Cup ever."
Meanwhile, the American soccer scene is buzzing with its own drama and anticipation. On the same day as Infantino’s Nairobi press conference, U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino made a much-publicized appearance on Fox’s Big Noon Kickoff, just ahead of the high-profile Texas vs. Ohio State college football clash. It was Pochettino’s first-ever college football game, and the Argentine was clearly swept up in the pageantry. "First time," he admitted with a grin. "I’m so excited to be here." The atmosphere, host Rob Stone joked, was reminiscent of a Boca Juniors-River Plate derby. Fox, after all, will be broadcasting the 2026 World Cup, and the synergy was impossible to ignore.
Pochettino didn’t shy away from the challenges his team faces. The U.S. men’s national team has endured a rocky stretch: tumbling out of the 2024 Copa América at the group stage, suffering defeats to Panama and Canada in the Concacaf Nations League earlier this year, and finishing as runners-up to Mexico in the 2025 Gold Cup. With only eight matches left before the pre-World Cup camp in June 2026, scrutiny is intensifying. Pochettino’s recent squad selection raised eyebrows—some notable names like Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, and Yunus Musah were left out in favor of MLS-based players. The debate among fans and pundits is fierce.
Yet, Pochettino’s focus is firmly on the future. "The most important (thing) is to arrive in a very good condition and be competitive," he told the Fox panel. "And let these (fans) be very proud of the team and be excited...I think it’s going to be an unbelievable event and I think it’s going to be (important) for USA and soccer and the future of soccer. And only what we want is our fans to enjoy, like they will today." The U.S. team will return to Columbus soon, set to play a friendly against Japan on September 9—a key test as the World Cup draws near.
International cooperation is also on display beyond the pitch. On August 31, U.S. Special Representative for Global Cooperation Paolo Zampolli and U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan Jonathan Henick met with the Uzbekistan national team. The gathering, which included Uzbekistan’s Minister of Sports Adham Ikramov and First Vice-President of the Uzbekistan Football Association Ravshan Ermatov, was as much a celebration as a diplomatic gesture. Zampolli congratulated Uzbekistan on their historic World Cup qualification, framing the 2026 tournament as "not only a sporting event, but also a symbol of friendship, innovation, and close cooperation." The meeting concluded with memorable gifts exchanged, underscoring the spirit of unity and partnership that FIFA and its hosts hope will define the event.
As the world gears up for what promises to be a record-breaking World Cup, questions remain—about logistics, about inclusivity, about the teams’ readiness. But if the words of Infantino, Motsepe, Pochettino, and Zampolli are any indication, organizers and participants alike are determined to make the 2026 FIFA World Cup a true festival of global football—one where every fan, from Africa to Asia to the Americas, feels at home in the stands. The road to June 11, 2026, is paved with challenges, but also with hope and the promise of unforgettable moments on and off the field.
