Fans across the United States, Mexico, and Canada have described the 2026 World Cup as a vibrant and unifying experience, despite concerns over high ticket prices, political tensions with the Trump administration, and FIFA's commercialism. The tournament, co-hosted by the three nations, brought joy, love, and hope that outweighed the negatives, according to supporters interviewed by the Guardian.
Boston: Scottish fans and vibrant energy
Moon from Boston noted that the city came alive as the World Cup approached, largely due to the arrival of Scottish fans for the match against Haiti. 'They were a delight, what with their shenanigans of putting cones everywhere, walking around in kilts and carrying bagpipes, jamming with the other buskers on the streets,' she said. Moon attended three games and praised American hospitality, though she criticized the 'extremely expensive ticket prices.' She added that visiting fans were able to separate the administration from the people, acknowledging the 'terrible' political situation in the US.
Guadalajara: A message of people-powered football
Eme Guitron from Guadalajara described a sombre pre-tournament mood due to high ticket prices and FIFA's restrictions on local businesses. However, once the games began, watch parties filled with joy and fun. 'We sent out the message that people, and not institutions, own football,' she said. The highlight for her was the extended celebrations after Colombia beat DR Congo, which lasted for hours and made the city feel 'more Colombian than ever.' She also mentioned Merlin the duck, who became a local sensation in Mexico City.
Vancouver: A flawless experience
Ben Lane from Vancouver praised the first week of the tournament, with perfect weather, successful pedestrianization of Granville Street, and widespread engagement. He attended Egypt vs. New Zealand, calling it a 'bucket-list moment' with flawless public transport, incredible atmosphere, and a winning bet. 'We saw the best of Canada at the tournament: beautiful and welcoming,' he said. Lane also cherished watching his son open his first pack of Panini football stickers.
New York: Host cities too spread out
Kyle from New York, who previously experienced the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, felt that the 2026 host cities were too spread out. Visiting DC, New York, Chicago, and Atlanta, he noted that unless you purposefully sought football-watching locations, the tournament felt like 'a random Tuesday.'
Vancouver: Glad it's over
Eleanor from Vancouver acknowledged that people had a good time, but found the roads and transit messy, with lines at bars at 9am and a beer shortage. She said she was 'glad it is over' and wanted her 'boring city back.'
Mexico City: Wonderful Mexican fans
Oliver Regueiro from Mexico City, who attended matches during the 1986 World Cup, found this year's prices prohibitive but enjoyed the mood in restaurants, bars, and fanfests. He praised Mexican fans for giving a good impression to the world. The best moment for him was watching Mexico vs. England with his English partner and two sons.
Louisiana: A surprising success
W Pfeister from Louisiana attended a fanfest in Philadelphia but skipped games due to inflated ticket prices. Despite FIFA and Donald Trump, he called the World Cup 'a surprising success,' noting the camaraderie and exuberance of fans from Norway, Scotland, and Japan, which reminded him of 'the best of humanity.'
Vancouver: Cynicism gave way to enthusiasm
Allan Castle from Vancouver admitted to initial cynicism about high prices, FIFA's disregard for fans, and Infantino's coziness with the Trump administration. However, he caved and attended two matches, finding the atmosphere in Vancouver superb, well-organized, and with a great vibe. 'The host cities and fans did a hell of a job,' he said.
New York: Success and embarrassment
Wayne H Donner from New York described the World Cup as both a success and an embarrassment: a success for bringing the world's game to national attention, but an embarrassment due to US government dysfunction, visa denials for referees, and ugly politics between President Trump and FIFA President Infantino.
Toronto: The city came alive
Prem from Toronto noted that the city came alive in a way it hadn't for years. Despite few matches, Toronto's multiculturalism made every game feel like a home game. The tournament spurred progress on transit and roadworks. 'Canada is not just a hockey country; this World Cup has proven that definitively,' he said, highlighting the impressive fan marches for Portugal vs. Croatia.
Atlanta: Bagpipes and positive legacy
Anne Landrum from Atlanta praised foreign guests for their politeness and enthusiasm. A friend called a game in Atlanta 'the greatest experience of her life.' She believes the tournament will leave a legacy of US cities hosting large events delightfully. The highlight was watching Scots march through Boston with bagpipes, which got her interested in the games.
Vancouver: Purely a party
Jayden from Vancouver attended five games and described the fan excitement as unforgettable. Seeing Canada play and win in his hometown was a dream. He emphasized that there was no hate for opposing teams or countries, just a party celebrating diversity and joy.
Mexico City: United once again
Rogelio Torres from Mexico City said the country, divided politically for years, became one again during the tournament. He noted a return to great hospitality, with no incidents around games. The highlight was singing the national anthem with his family at the opening ceremony.
California: Electric atmosphere
Allan Timpe from California attended matches in Santa Clara, LA, and Seattle, describing the atmosphere as 'absolutely electric' and unlike anything he had seen at US matches before. Seattle stood out for its noise, standing crowds, and the use of 'Country Roads,' with the stadium's downtown location spilling energy onto the streets.
Boston: Some cities did better than others
Omar Aly from Boston followed Egypt across the tournament. He noticed that cities with downtown stadiums, like Seattle, Vancouver, and Atlanta, had a better vibe than those with suburban venues, like Dallas and Boston. Overall, the tournament exceeded his expectations, though he wished more games were played in Canada and Mexico.
