Spaceship Stadiums, Ronaldo Mania and $5 Water: Inside the World Cup’s First Week
After a whirlwind opening seven days, Guardian correspondents stationed across the United States have offered a vivid, at times contradictory, snapshot of what the 2026 World Cup looks and feels like on the ground.
Football First — and It’s Been Good
On the pitch, the opening round delivered. England’s win over Croatia and DR Congo’s draw against Portugal headlined what Guardian writer Ed Aarons described as a thrilling first week. Whether the quality holds throughout the group stage remains to be seen, but early signs have been promising for neutrals. You can follow all the action and live standings as the tournament progresses.
A Country of Contrasts
Off the pitch, the picture is more complicated. The United States is simply enormous, and correspondents have found that World Cup fever is anything but uniform. In Houston and Dallas, bars have been packed with Mexico, Brazil and Colombia supporters, and Nick Ames noted more fans wearing a