100 Days to World Cup 2026: The Soccer Parent's Complete Guide
100 Days. 48 Teams. And the Biggest Soccer Party in History Is Happening Right Here.
This week marks 100 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off — and if you're a soccer family in the United States, this is the moment your kid has been unknowingly training for their whole life. The world's biggest sporting event is coming to American soil for the first time since 1994, and this version is unlike anything the sport has ever seen.
Whether you're thinking about attending a match, planning a watch party in the living room, or just trying to explain to your 10-year-old why everyone at school is suddenly losing their mind over soccer, here's everything you need to know right now.
The Numbers Are Staggering
This isn't your parents' World Cup. FIFA expanded the tournament from 32 to 48 teams for 2026, meaning more nations, more upsets, more underdog stories, and way more soccer. The group stage alone will feature 104 matches spread across three host countries — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — with the US carrying the lion's share at 11 host cities.
The opening match kicks off on June 11 when Mexico hosts South Africa in Mexico City. The final takes place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on July 19. That's five and a half weeks of the best soccer on the planet, playing out in cities you can actually drive to.
Where Is the USMNT Playing?
Here's the news every American soccer family is going to want to pin to their fridge: the US Men's National Team will play all three of their group stage matches on the West Coast.
- June 12 — USMNT opener at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
- June 19 — USMNT vs. Group opponent at Lumen Field, Seattle
- June 25 — USMNT group finale, back at SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles
The US drew a manageable but serious group: Australia, Paraguay, and the winner of a UEFA playoff involving Turkey, Romania, Slovakia, and Kosovo (that result comes in late March). No cupcakes, but no Brazils either. This is a group the USMNT can — and should — get out of. Then the knockout rounds begin, and anything is possible on home soil.
Who Are the Teams to Watch?
ESPN's power rankings, released this week at the 100-day mark, have Spain sitting at the top spot — and honestly, it's not a debate. La Roja won the last two Copa América tournaments (both of them), qualified first among all nations back in March 2025, and have the most complete squad in the world right now. They're the team to beat.
France checks in at number two, powered by Kylian Mbappé on a mission to finally win a World Cup after the heartbreak of the 2022 final shootout loss. Brazil is always dangerous. Germany is resurgent. Argentina comes in as defending champions with Messi playing what will almost certainly be his final World Cup.
And then there's the USMNT. On home soil. With a young, hungry squad that has been building toward this exact moment for years. No pressure.
The Fan Experience Is Going to Be Incredible
US Soccer just announced a wave of nationwide events as part of the 100-day countdown. "Soccer Forward Fests" will pop up in cities across the country throughout the tournament — free public events with live match screenings, player appearances, youth clinics, and community celebrations. Send-off matches for the USMNT in Atlanta, Charlotte, and Chicago will feature Night Before Parties and Block Parties, open to fans of all ages.
Even if you're not attending a match in person, this tournament is going to be everywhere. Every pub, every park, every youth soccer sideline in America is going to be talking about it from June through July.
Why This Moment Matters for Youth Soccer
Here's something worth telling your young player: the last time the World Cup came to the US in 1994, it sparked a generation. Youth soccer registration in America exploded in the years that followed. The sport went from a niche hobby to a cultural fixture. That's what a home World Cup does.
Now it's happening again — and the sport is in a completely different place. MLS is legitimate. The women's game is dominant on the world stage. American players are starring in the top leagues in Europe. Your kid is growing up in the most soccer-rich era in US history, and the biggest event the sport has to offer is about to show up in their backyard.
Use this. Watch matches together. Learn the teams. Talk about the players. Let your child see what the game looks like at its absolute highest level — and let them dream a little.
11 US Host Cities — A Quick Cheat Sheet
Planning to attend? Here's where the action happens on American soil:
- Los Angeles — SoFi Stadium (USMNT group stage)
- Seattle — Lumen Field (USMNT group stage)
- New York/New Jersey — MetLife Stadium (hosts the Final)
- Dallas — AT&T Stadium
- San Francisco Bay Area — Levi's Stadium
- Atlanta — Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Miami — Hard Rock Stadium
- Boston — Gillette Stadium
- Philadelphia — Lincoln Financial Field
- Kansas City — Arrowhead Stadium
- Houston — NRG Stadium
New York and Los Angeles drew some of the biggest nations in the world — if you can only pick one city to visit, either of those will guarantee you elite matchups.
How to Prepare Your Household for World Cup Summer
You've got exactly 100 days. Here's your family action plan:
- Download the FIFA app — it's the best way to track schedules, scores, and get notified about ticket releases
- Pick a second team — choose a country your family has heritage in, or just pick one you love and adopt them
- Watch qualifying now — the final playoff spots are being decided in late March; it's a great way to get invested early
- Check local fan events — many host cities and major metros will have free public viewing zones throughout the tournament
- Talk to your kids about the players — show them Messi, Mbappé, Pedri. Show them what elite looks like and let it fuel their next training session
The World Cup has a way of creating soccer fans out of people who swore they didn't care about soccer. By July, your whole neighborhood will be watching. Might as well get a head start.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs June 11 through July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. USMNT group stage matches are June 12, 19, and 25 — all in Los Angeles and Seattle.