‘A brilliant reprieve, a unifying force’: America falls in love with World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has captivated the United States, drawing packed stadiums and record television viewership across the country. The tournament, held in the US, has been described as a unifying force for multicultural communities at a time of political tension under the Trump administration. A notable result saw the USA defeat Belgium in the round of 16 in Seattle, with Spain also advancing by beating Belgium.