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The World Cup is starting. Here's what to know and how to watch

2026 FIFA World Cup. **Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images** Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images We've talked about the [astronomical ticket prices](https://www.npr.org/2026/04/01/nx-s1-5770564/fifa-world-cup-ticket-prices). The fragile geopolitics that [almost made Iran withdraw

More than 1 in 3 World Cup matches face dangerous heat risk, NPR analysis finds

2026 World Cup. FIFPRO did not respond to specific questions from NPR about heat safety at the tournament. The reasons for avoiding the heat of the day go beyond protecting player and fan health. Soccer

Fifa 'risking player safety' over heat at World Cup - scientists

2026 World Cup. Heat, thunderstorms and even poor air quality from wildfires are all features of summer across the United States, Canada and Mexico, where the tournament will be held. New analysis from the World

How extreme weather and heat could affect players at World Cup 2026

summer temperatures at the World Cup. Scientists have long cautioned that extreme heat could disrupt sporting events. Last month, [climate experts warned](/sports/2026/5/14/fifa-warned-gruelling-heat-could-impact-quarter-of-world-cup-games) that one in four World Cup games could be played in very

How could extreme weather affect World Cup 2026?

2026? **With just a month to go until the biggest football tournament in the world begins, attention is turning not just to the teams and venues, but to the weather.** Heat, thunderstorms and even poor

The World Cup vs. bugs, germs and heat: Here's the game plan

2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. **Todd Kirkland/FIFA/via Getty Images** Todd Kirkland/FIFA/via Getty Images Millions of people are about to pack stadiums across the U.S., Canada and Mexico for the World Cup, starting June 11. Public health

Senate to start debate on ICE funding. And, Israel and Lebanon agree to ceasefire

2026 in Washington, D.C. Thune was joined by U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AK), U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK), U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) and U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). **Anna

With just days left, the U.S. opening match at the World Cup is still not sold out

summer's World Cup.](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/2683x2683+617+0/resize/100/quality/85/format/jpeg/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fa3%2F61%2Fcefc272b41e6b71e212ff3d73ff5%2Fgettyimages-2269296240.jpg)](https://www.npr.org/2026/04/01/nx-s1-5766547/world-cup-usmnt-portugal-belgium-losses) ### [Soccer Edition](https://www.npr.org/series/g-s1-98388/2026-world-cup-north-america) ### [4 takeaways from the U.S. men's national soccer team's World Cup tune-up games](https://www.npr.org/2026/04/01/nx-s1-5766547/world-cup-usmnt-portugal-belgium-losses) Although numbers fluctuate regularly

Why super-sized and politicised World Cup comes at a cost

2026. "It's obvious when it comes to Fifa competitions, any team, including the supporters and officials of that team, who qualify for a World Cup need to have access to the country, otherwise there