Photos from espn.com
By Rafaela Fernandes Silva, Staff Writer
10/8/25
ROCKLAND- The 2026 World Cup will take place in June 11 to July 19, 2026 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States in 16 different cities.
The World Cup helps bring everyone together as one country; it's a time when no one has rivalry with anyone. The World Cup helps people leave their differences and come together to cheer on their nation.
The World Cup also helps bring more of the cultural side of each country into communities such as towns, states, and can also bring more events relating to it. The World Cup helps bring students together and brings positivity into any games they are watching. Believe it or not, some people will cheer for their country, bringing patriotism and the love for their nation.
Students who enjoy watching soccer games are very excited to watch the live games, especially in the country they are mostly interested in.
“I will be watching the games live, especially the Brazil games," said freshman Alice de Oliveira.
Students have some favorite players who will be in the World Cup.
Allicy Pegoretti daSilva, a freshman, said that her favorite player is Richarlison, most known as “Pombo” and he plays for Brazil.
Edyvan, a freshman student, also has a player they are looking forward to watching in the World Cup 2026.
“The player that I’m looking forward to is Vinicius Junior,” said freshman Edyvan Borges.
Some students are excited for the World Cup because they can cheer for their nation, and maybe have a chance of winning next year.
Borges said, “ I am excited for the World Cup 2026 because my Cape Verde might be there, it could be, there’s a big chance of Cape Verde being there, and it will be the 1st World Cup that Cape Verde has ever been in."
Borges is very excited for the World Cup, especially because he never saw his country play in the World Cup so for him it's a very important part of his country and its history.
Having the tournament span three different countries is a new develipement, and while some don't like the idea, others don't mind.
de Oliveria said, "For me it doesn’t really matter, but I think it maybe loses the purpose of the World Cup being hosted in one country, it neither benefits nor affects me, but I know it will affect a lot of people."
She added that she believes Mexico will have the best atmosphere of the three host countries..
“It's a Hispanic country and Hispanic countries are known for soccer," de Oliveira said.
Hispanic countries are mostly known for soccer and their amazing abilities, and their atmosphere is very agitated and energizing for anyone who is watching.
There are some opinions regarding better games next year and better performances, Argentina won the last World Cup being in first place, France in second, and Croatia in third.
Borges said, “I’m expecting Brazil to go better than last year is what i’m expecting cuz we lost for another country."
Overall, the World Cup 2026 is not only about the games themselves, but also about uniting people, celebrating cultures, and creating memories that will be remembered for years to come.
The purpose of the World Cup since 1930, the year the championship was created, has been always to show pride, to express themselves, to show patriotism for your country, and to unite people from all around the world, to show difference and to show exclusivity to new generations.
Soccer is now only about showing athletic excellence, but also carrying on the legacy of pride, unity, and passion, and the history that will be remembered long after the final whistle.