If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off starting on Thursday, June 11, with matchplay stretching until Sunday, July 19 with the championship final match. For the 23rd edition of the international soccer tournament, all … Read more
Waymo, the Alphabet subsidiary offering robotaxi rides in 11 US metros right now, says it’s ready for the FIFA World Cup. Match attendees can catch driverless rides to six of the 16 North American venues: stadiums in Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The sprawling football event, expected to attract … Read more
BBVA Stadium also transformed daily practices such as waste management. The challenge was not only to separate waste, but also to ensure that all suppliers for everything from food to cleaning products operate under sustainable criteria. Club de Futbol Monterrey began incorporating environmental conditions into its vendor contracts, from recyclable packaging to reusable or compostable … Read more
Even before the first whistle blows, the 2026 World Cup—taking place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico—already has winners and losers away from the field. Specifically, at the border, at passport control, in consular offices, and at US airports. Here, amidst denied visas, prolonged checks, and contested entries, … Read more
The design of the official ball of the 2026 World Cup could become a determining factor in the scores of the 104 matches that will be played during the tournament. According to new research, the ball known as the “Trionda” is the first in the history of the men’s World Cup to be made with … Read more
More than 5 million fans are expected to attend the 2026 FIFA World Cup taking place this summer across 16 venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The stakes are high—and not merely on the pitch. Experts have warned that heightened terrorism concerns linked to the war in Iran could be used by the … Read more
When you tune in to the 2026 World Cup, you’ll get a peek at something you probably haven’t seen before: an up-close live feed at what’s happening on the field from the referee’s perspective. Broadcasts will incorporate a point-of-view captured feet away from the action by a tiny camera attached to the official’s headset, sitting … Read more
The FIFA Men’s World Cup is almost here, and this one will be the biggest ever. The tournament is hosted by three countries: Mexico, Canada, and the US. The games will be played in stadiums across all three. This World Cup is huge, competition-wise, as it is the first to include 48 teams in the … Read more
Slowly but surely, artificial intelligence is finding its way into sports. The latest venue? This year’s World Cup, where Google will be partnering with the defending champions Argentina to showcase Gemini on and off the pitch. The agreement with the Argentine Football Association (AFA) makes Gemini the main global sponsor of the national team. As … Read more
Jordan vs. Algeria isn’t a soul-stirring World Cup matchup for most soccer fans. They’re the 63rd and 29th best teams in the world, according to FIFA rankings. The game will be played at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (officially called Levi’s Stadium) in Santa Clara, yet both nations’ diaspora are more heavily concentrated on … Read more