‘Excited but wary’: fans in the 16 host cities share their hopes and fears before the World Cup

The 2026 World Cup features 104 matches in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico and the USA, from Vancouver to Mexico City and San Francisco to Boston. Before, throughout and after the tournament we’ll be hearing from fans in those cities about their experiences – some shared and some different – in our “My World Cup” series. Here some of our correspondents share their first thoughts. Atlanta I’m much less excited than in 1994, when the World Cup was held in the US. It feels like an event for the rich now. It would cost $2,000 for me to go to a group stage match with my wife and two kids. None of those games is worth that, and the knockout stages will cost significantly more. If I’m just watching on TV, it might as well be on the other side of the world, which is a shame because 1994 had an amazing impact on me as a 14-year-old. I wish my kids and the city could experience that excitement. In 1994, fewer people in the US were aware of the tournament, but fewer Americans will get to experience it live this time. Most people in Atlanta are apathetic about the World Cup. People who care are disenchanted by ticket prices; those who don’t are not even talking about it. The news cycle does not offer any oxygen for it – except to remind everyone about the price gouging. I hope Fifa loses it shirt on it and people do not travel to the US or pay the exorbitant ticket prices. I also hope the expanded format backfires and people don’t tune in to the first round. …