Will the 2026 World Cup affect your travel plans in 2026? ⚽️ 🏟🏆

[Buzz Rules]

He tried to explain the fiasco to me - it was my longest haircut appointment to date and I had to skip the straight razor shave …

 

[SnowBeast]

I should of said a limited number of supporters from nations with that reputation could be an issue. Obviously I meant majority of fans of every nation as a whole are awsome people in general. But I will say for some Europeans visiting America for the first time or just the first time beyond WDW/DL, it may be a little of a culture shock. If you visit one of my culture threads, you can see that regional culture in the USA is as diverse as our general population. It should be noted that some Americans are not even aware we are hosting the biggest international tournament in history. I have nothing against the English or our friendly banter. I just think that supporters are going to have to realize that the soccer culture and fandom is still evolving along with its growing passion of the sport. We have a knowledgeable fanbase in general and unfortunately I feel some of the idiots that are ignorant of that will try to purposely egg on some fans just to get a negative reaction. 2026 is America's real last shot to truly grow the game. I'm hoping for the best happy fan moments with international visitors gets the most coverage but fear the negative ones will receive the most headlines and thus turning potential fans away from the sport. England and its fans are most welcome here @SnowBeast . I highly recommend you and your fellow citizens try to experience the best America has to offer its visitors and get to know American culture and its people (not what is just perceived from tv and the internet). As a side note, I do own an England kit along with my USA kit.

Buzz, sorry I’m not being rude, I keep trying to reply to your post but I keep getting some silly error message so I’ll try again when the USA sleeps. Cheers mate

 

[Buzz Rules]

Buzz, sorry I’m not being rude, I keep trying to reply to your post but I keep getting some silly error message so I’ll try again when the USA sleeps. Cheers mate

No worries. It's a holiday weekend here in the USA.

 

[SnowBeast]

No worries. It's a holiday weekend here in the USA.

Holiday weekend? Is that what we call a bank holiday where everybody gets the Monday off work/school? Have a lovely weekend anyway. I’m not sure why but the site is letting me post now but much of the time a write a reply (that takes me an age on an iPhone with sausage fingers) and i click ‘post’ and it either crashes and I lose everything I just typed or it says something like ‘oops this looks like spam’ or some nonsense .

Anyway enjoy your weekend, I’ll be watching my local EFL2 club Chesterfield tomorrow v the mighty Grimsby; not quite Liverpool v Man City but they’re my local team and the fans have the same passion for their teams over here regardless of wether they’re in the lowest leagues or right at the top of the premier league.

I’ve been a lurker on this board for about 15 years and always enjoy your football posts, keep em coming Buzz

 

[Buzz Rules]

Holiday weekend? Is that what we call a bank holiday where everybody gets the Monday off work/school? Have a lovely weekend anyway. I’m not sure why but the site is letting me post now but much of the time a write a reply (that takes me an age on an iPhone with sausage fingers) and i click ‘post’ and it either crashes and I lose everything I just typed or it says something like ‘oops this looks like spam’ or some nonsense .

Anyway enjoy your weekend, I’ll be watching my local EFL2 club Chesterfield tomorrow v the mighty Grimsby; not quite Liverpool v Man City but they’re my local team and the fans have the same passion for their teams over here regardless of wether they’re in the lowest leagues or right at the top of the premier league.

I’ve been a lurker on this board for about 15 years and always enjoy your football posts, keep em coming Buzz

Federal holiday is a Bank holiday. Monday is MLK Day and this year the Presidential Inauguration.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Holiday weekend? Is that what we call a bank holiday where everybody gets the Monday off work/school? Have a lovely weekend anyway. I’m not sure why but the site is letting me post now but much of the time a write a reply (that takes me an age on an iPhone with sausage fingers) and i click ‘post’ and it either crashes and I lose everything I just typed or it says something like ‘oops this looks like spam’ or some nonsense .

Anyway enjoy your weekend, I’ll be watching my local EFL2 club Chesterfield tomorrow v the mighty Grimsby; not quite Liverpool v Man City but they’re my local team and the fans have the same passion for their teams over here regardless of wether they’re in the lowest leagues or right at the top of the premier league.

I’ve been a lurker on this board for about 15 years and always enjoy your football posts, keep em coming Buzz

 

[SnowBeast]

I’ve seen that one before it’s great…it just pokes fun at the sports Chanel’s total saturation of football on subscription tv and the hype they pour onto games between 2 pretty bog average teams. We used to get football over here every Saturday at 3pm and maybe a midweek game on a Tuesday night at 7:45pm; now we get games almost every night but obviously it’s just because that’s where the money is.

How could I forget it’s Trumps welcome back party on Monday, I do love to see those events and it’s now a norm to give full live coverage to them over here on the BBC so I’ll be tuning in.

 

[guy_incognito]

I'm curious @kdonnel , are Atlanta residents excited to be hosting the WC and being the national training center's home city?

I'm an "Atlanta" resident, and I can honestly say that I have never heard anyone even mention it. I only superficially know about it. I am sure the international community is excited, and folks elsewhere like that it's easy to get here.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I'm an "Atlanta" resident, and I can honestly say that I have never heard anyone even mention it. I only superficially know about it. I am sure the international community is excited, and folks elsewhere like that it's easy to get here.

Do you think you will tune in or give the sport a chance when the event arrives? The WC video I posted in the thread earlier gives a great outline of the tournament and structure.

 

[guy_incognito]

Do you think you will tune in or give the sport a chance when the event arrives? The WC video I posted in the thread earlier gives a great outline of the tournament and structure.

Nah, please don't get offended, but I don't enjoy soccer at all. But that's okay because you'll never compete for a ticket with me.
My wife played soccer in college, and once she quit playing in adult leagues, and our kids grew out of it... I retired completely from the game. Now, if the Cornhole Championships come to town... look out!

 

[Buzz Rules]

Nah, please don't get offended, but I don't enjoy soccer at all. But that's okay because you'll never compete for a ticket with me.
My wife played soccer in college, and once she quit playing in adult leagues, and our kids grew out of it... I retired completely from the game. Now, if the Cornhole Championships come to town... look out!

Not offended in the slightest. I just think the fanfests that will happen in every part of the country might interest you when the event takes place.

 

[sam_gordon]

The World Cup is bigger than the Olympics and so will the fanbase visiting. The Gold Cup, Nations League, and Copa America tournaments held here are much smaller in terms of size and competition. Don't forget, it's a month long tournament with fanfests, activities, and hundreds of thousands of global fans visiting (some to America for the first time).

While WC is bigger than the Olympics, it's also spread out (in this case across three countries), whereas the Olympics are generally in a MUCH smaller area.

Once they get down to the quarters and semis, much less the final, it will be more condensed, but also fewer teams.

 

[Buzz Rules]

While WC is bigger than the Olympics, it's also spread out (in this case across three countries), whereas the Olympics are generally in a MUCH smaller area.

Once they get down to the quarters and semis, much less the final, it will be more condensed, but also fewer teams.

But the festivities will still take place until the tournament ends. Then the countdown to the summer Olympics will start.

 

[sam_gordon]

But the festivities will still take place until the tournament ends. Then the countdown to the summer Olympics will start.

So? Let's say LA is just hosting pool play, no knockout. Are you trying to tell me LA will a) still have "festivities" around games based elsewhere in the country* AND B) the fans who came over and had their team knocked out will STAY in LA to attend the "festivities" until the end of the tournament?

*I'm sure there will be watch parties of probably the semi's and final, but I'm referring to the fan fest and other things fans would go to.

People don't go to an area because of a "countdown" to Olympics. They're going to go to the Olympics.

My point is while the WC might bring in more fans/watched by more (however you want to define "bigger"), because it's so spread out, a given area isn't as influenced by the fans/tourism like the Olympics.

 

[FastPasser.]

It won’t affect my travel plans because I’m just north of Atlanta. But I won’t be going to any of the games. I haven’t heard any mention of it.

As an avid sports fan of a number of sports, soccer just doesn’t appeal to me. And I’m originally from Europe.

 

[Buzz Rules]

So? Let's say LA is just hosting pool play, no knockout. Are you trying to tell me LA will a) still have "festivities" around games based elsewhere in the country* AND B) the fans who came over and had their team knocked out will STAY in LA to attend the "festivities" until the end of the tournament?

*I'm sure there will be watch parties of probably the semi's and final, but I'm referring to the fan fest and other things fans would go to.

People don't go to an area because of a "countdown" to Olympics. They're going to go to the Olympics.

My point is while the WC might bring in more fans/watched by more (however you want to define "bigger"), because it's so spread out, a given area isn't as influenced by the fans/tourism like the Olympics.

I'm saying watch parties will still be attended in conjunction with the increased tourism that international fans will still be providing.

 

[AussieFan8]

My point is while the WC might bring in more fans/watched by more (however you want to define "bigger"), because it's so spread out, a given area isn't as influenced by the fans/tourism like the Olympics.

This may be the case in larger cities, but they are anticipating some pretty significant impacts to KC based on the expected influx of tourism. The college I work at has been having conversations all year about how to manage things, with the possibility of all or some summer classes going virtual so that students and employees don't have to work around the increased traffic and issues. There will be a great need for parking for all of the activities, and we may be providing space for that as well. Road construction has ramped up considerably here to ensure all highways are open and available. I have heard hotels will be full for about a 200 mile radius.

 

[sam_gordon]

This may be the case in larger cities, but they are anticipating some pretty significant impacts to KC based on the expected influx of tourism. The college I work at has been having conversations all year about how to manage things, with the possibility of all or some summer classes going virtual so that students and employees don't have to work around the increased traffic and issues. There will be a great need for parking for all of the activities, and we may be providing space for that as well. Road construction has ramped up considerably here to ensure all highways are open and available. I have heard hotels will be full for about a 200 mile radius.

Is KC hosting some knockout rounds in addition to group stage?

 

[sam_gordon]

I'm saying watch parties will still be attended in conjunction with the increased tourism that international fans will still be providing.

So you're a fan from say Kenya. The group stage is in LA. You arrange to go to the group stage, and Kenya is knocked out. You're going to stick around in LA for the watch parties for the next three weeks?

Or let's say you're from France. Group stage is LA. Their knockout match is in KC. Are you going to stay in LA because that's where the watch party is?

 

[AussieFan8]

Is KC hosting some knockout rounds in addition to group stage?

Yes, we've got a round of 32 and a quarter final.