This week, we asked readers for their opinions on the 2026 FIFA World Cup currently underway in several cities in the host nations of the United States, Canada and Mexico.

 

“I’ve been rooting for Argentina. Last night was a great game. They tied it up and (Lionel) Messi scored another goal and they won; it was a tough game. It was good to see. Argentina vs. the U.S. would be a great match. No, I wasn’t able to go [and attend as a spectator]; it was very expensive. It’s crazy! It’s, like, $800 is the cheapest ticket you can get. I just watch it in my house.”

Anthony Lopez,

Norwood

 

“The energy of the World Cup is undeniable, but will it result in funding and equity in PSAL [Public Schools Athletic League] teams in New York City DOE [Department of Education] schools? Will this translate into both girls’ and boys’ soccer teams in every school that can host them? Will there be an effort made to address payments for coaches, equitable access to fields, investment in local parks? My students ask why PSAL rations out teams. They are being told to wait, and why [are they] pushed to play for other schools when their campus can have girls’ and boys’ soccer? We have momentum with the World Cup. I hope it will spark some conversations that will lead to investment for sports in our schools.”

Aixa Rodriguez,

Fordham

 

“I love the World Cup and enjoy watching it with friends. Overall, the fans, the competition, and seeing teams like Egypt play brings so much inspiration, but heads of state need to stay out of the game entirely. FIFA should focus on soccer and people and take Amnesty International’s human rights reporting seriously. FIFA should keep the spirit of the sport above politics and out of reach of the soft power of elites. Most importantly, arbitrary and capricious referees should never impact results.”

Daniel Falcone,

Manhattan

 

“I think it’s a very exciting event because it happens every four years as far as the World Cup is concerned. I really like it when I get a chance to watch it. There’s not really one team I’m rooting for to be honest. I’m supportive of any country, I wanted this country to win of course but any country that plays great soccer, because these guys work hard. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top.”

Wolf Garner,

Brooklyn via Tremont

 

“I just watched a couple of matches and then I watched the Americans against Belgium. I think the stuff that’s going on around politics has overshadowed the excitement and enthusiasm for it. I think that’s in the background, and what he [U.S. President Donald Trump] did about the American’s [Folarin Balogun] red card [that Balogun picked up in the game against Bosnia-Herzegovina i.e. Trump reportedly asked FIFA to reconsider the decision regarding the red card for Balogun and the player’s related Belgium game suspension], I think he should stay the hell out of it. That’s politics. This is sports and it should be separate.”

Walter Pofeldt,

Schuylerville

“I think the World Cup is showing how united people are regardless of where they come from. The problem is not the unification of people; the World Cup has brought so many people from all over the world together. Politics aside, it has made them cheer for the same teams. A perfect example is Mexico, Mexico has really united a lot of people to cheer for them and now everyone who was cheering for Mexico is now cheering for Norway, because they are upset that England won.”

Irene Estrada,

Pelham Gardens

(former Conservative Party mayoral candidate and Bronx Community Board 11 member)

 

Highlights | USA 1-4 Belgium | FIFA World Cup 2026™ Video courtesy of FIFA via YouTube

Editor’s Note: FIFA did allow Balogun to play finally in the game against Belgium but despite lining out for the U.S., the visitors won the game 4-1 in what has been widely regarded as an emphatic win, a moral victory, and one which has further fueled the debate around sportsmanship and alleged favoritism by FIFA. There was further controversy over a referee’s decision to disallow an Egyptian goal in the Egypt v Argentina game, which saw Argentina emerge victorious, despite the fact that a similarly controversial Argentinian goal was allowed during the same game. 

 

It’s not the first time a lack of consistency by FIFA officials has caused controversy. France’s Thierry Henry’s famous “handball” (x 2) resulted in a 2-1 win for France in the second leg of a 2009 FIFA World Cup qualifier over Ireland, denying the latter a place in the following year’s World Cup, to the dismay of an entire nation.

 

Incidentally, Henry, who is a commentator for the 2026 World Cup, said he doesn’t believe Balogun should have been red carded in the game against Bosnia Herzegovina, but added that the decision should have been made on the playing field, and not after the fact. He emphasized that he disagreed with the manner in which the red card decision was later reversed and the timing of same but reiterated that he believes it shouldn’t have been a red card to begin with. Others disagree with his take.

   

On the wider debate about the status of U.S. Soccer, listen to American TV host Kevin Frazier’s no-holes barred take on the matter here.

 

*Síle Moloney contributed to this article.