The 2026 World Cup cleared a major attendance milestone and delivered a string of tightly contested, entertaining games—even as early fears focused on higher prices and tense politics. In cities across the U.S., fans and hosts leaned into a welcome that made t
History was made as the 2026 World Cup reached 3,605,357 fans—surpassing the previous attendance record set during the FIFA World Cup USA 1994.
The tournament also arrived under a heavier cloud than most fans were prepared to carry. The U.S. government was described as using the event as an excuse to settle political scores. while FIFA—along with some local officials and businesses—was criticized for taking advantage of the situation to gouge fans. Ticket and travel costs became part of the worry early on.
Irvine, CA, was not the only place where Americans watched the story unfold. Lawrence. Kansas. stood out for how it tried to make Algeria feel at home. including the Kansas band learning how to play Les Fennecs’ national anthem. In the Boston area. organizers and residents were credited with rolling up the carpets and sharing the party rather than calling the cops on the unruly gathering tied to Scotland’s Tartan Army.
For supporters who feared the event would turn sour, the on-field results became a kind of counterargument. Lionel Messi—described as ageless—produced a hat trick in what was framed as a World Cup moment that left little doubt about his continued impact. The narrative also pointed to what the tournament has drawn from smaller nations: little Cape Verde. with a smaller population than any of the host cities. and Congo both made the knockout rounds. while two-time World Cup champion Uruguay was sent packing.
The tournament, the piece said, became “everything it was intended to be and nothing we feared it would become.”
The size of the competition made the early fears feel plausible. With 48 teams—up from 32—this was described as the largest World Cup in history. For a stretch. it seemed like the mix could turn chaotic. including potential blowouts involving teams such as Curaco (ranked no. 82), Haiti (No. 83), and New Zealand (No. 85).
Foreign fans were also expected, by some, to stay away if they felt unwelcome. That concern was tied to how the U.S. government was characterized—as a bouncer rather than a host—and to how costs were presented as a deterrent. FIFA was criticized for pricing tickets prohibitively expensive. Hotel owners were accused of jacking up rates. New Jersey Transit was cited for trying to hike the price of the train to MetLife Stadium more than 10 times the regular rate.
Instead of a tournament dominated by lopsided games, the group stage produced a different picture. Out of 72 group-stage matches, only nine were blowouts. Many were described as wildly entertaining, with shocks and survival taking center stage.
Cape Verde, playing in its first-ever World Cup, drew mighty Spain and Uruguay. Eloy Room made 15 saves against Ecuador, helping Curacao earn its first-ever point at the World Cup. Bosnia and Herzegovinia staged an upset by tying co-host Canada in the teams’ opener.
Even matches that started in a grind of caution turned into sudden action. Iran and Egypt were described as producing two goals. four yellow cards. a saved penalty. and a bicycle kick clearance in the first half of their game. Congo scored twice against Uzbekistan after the 78th minute to secure its spot in the knockout round.
The race for individual honors stayed close to the top as well. While Messi leads the Golden Boot race, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Ousmane Dembele were said to not be far behind.
What many readers likely found most striking in the reporting was less about stadium drama and more about how hosts behaved once the tournament arrived. The argument was blunt: Americans, collectively, stepped into the role of welcoming visitors rather than treating the event like an inconvenience.
Boston’s reception was captured in a message attributed to the Tartan Army: “Boston, you’ve embraced us like long-lost cousins who turn up announced, drank all your beer, decorated your statues and somehow remained welcome. You are all welcome back to ours to keep this party going.”
U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino offered a parallel impression. Speaking about the reception he encountered. he said: “One of the things that we really like and we learn from you is in the way that you approach life.” He added. “People are very approachable and make you feel comfortable. It’s very welcome.” Pochettino also described what surprised him while traveling: “When you go around America. that for me was a massive surprise. all are different from different state and everything. but you have the same sense of the human being. You always want to welcome people, you make people belong quick to that place.”.
The World Cup’s “special” character was described as extending beyond the matches. Fans take over cities and towns where their teams are staying and playing—infusing them with culture and traditions. Traffic cones. the piece suggested. may never look the same again in Boston. because the disruptions were treated as a chance to expand social worlds.
Americans. in this telling. responded by hopping onto bandwagons and becoming surrogate supporters. then looking for ways to make new friends feel at home. When foreign visitors were awestruck by quirks and unique traditions. Americans were described as offering suggestions instead of getting angry or offended.
Not every part of the tournament was treated kindly. The treatment of Iran’s team was called “abysmal” and labeled the great shame of this World Cup. FIFA was also said to have missed a real opportunity by pricing out so many fans.
Even with those criticisms on the record. the overall message landed on a different balance sheet—one where the soccer mattered. but the reception mattered even more. The reporting closed on the idea that the World Cup has “brought out the best” in the U.S. and that the chance to welcome the world turned out to be met.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
2026 World Cup attendance record FIFA Messi Mbappe Haaland Golden Boot hospitality pricing New Jersey Transit MetLife Stadium Boston Scotland Tartan Army Curacao Cape Verde Congo Uruguay