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Do you live in a World Cup host city? We’d love to hear your stories | World Cup 2026


It’s not long now. In just two months’ time the planet will turn its attention to the Estadio Azteca – the only stadium that has hosted two World Cup finals – for the first match of the 2026 edition. The game between Mexico and South Africa on 11 June will kick off the biggest World Cup in history: 48 teams playing 104 matches over 39 days in 16 host cities. If you live in one of those cities, we want to hear from you.

This will be a diverse tournament, with a different feel and vibe across the various countries and venues. The atmosphere in Vancouver will not be the same as in Miami or Guadalajara. Kansas City will offer something different from Toronto and Mexico City. With that in mind, we want to know what the mood is like in your home city before the tournament begins.

Is there a buzz? Are people talking about the tournament? Are businesses gearing up for an influx of fans from around the world? Is the mood one of excitement, exhaustion, apathy or anxiety that the sporting action will be overshadowed by geopolitics? Whether you are a diehard fan, a casual observer, a business owner or someone who wants to avoid the whole thing, let us know what the atmosphere is like in your city.

We’d really appreciate your submissions and, if you are able, please give us your contact details so we are able to contact you directly. It would be helpful to know whether you would feel comfortable sending us short video posts before and during the World Cup too.

The full list of host cities is: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey; Toronto and Vancouver; and Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Atlanta, Miami, Boston, Philadelphia and New York/New Jersey.

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