World Cup 2026: Has America Got Football Fever?

The World Cup has been going on for a few weeks now and we are getting closer to knowing who will lift the trophy. With fellow workers USA set to play in the last 32 against Bosnia-Herzegovina, BBC Sport revisits some of the concerns surrounding the World Cup in the US. Will tickets become more expensive? Will the football fever not rise? Is football far behind in America's priorities? We asked some of our reporters if their perceptions had changed.

John Bennett, BBC World Service I landed in New York on the same day as Game 3 of the NBA Finals, so my first week in America covering New York Knicks fever, not the World Cup. There's so much going on in New York that for a while in those early days it felt like the World Cup was just another outing.

Ian Dennis, BBC Radio 5 Live After spending a week with England in Florida before the World Cup, my first impressions were very dim, as there was no World Cup feel at the time. I then flew to New York City, where the success of the New York Knicks winning their first title in 53 years brought the World Cup to the locals.

Liz Conway, BBC Sport I was very wary of how much excitement there would be for the World Cup. In Mexico City, the atmosphere was something I had never experienced before, and many of our leaders mentioned that it would have been great if the entire tournament had just been held in Mexico.

Sam Harris, BBC Sport My first impression was that the World Cup didn't quite come. Early on in New York, it felt like the Knicks' title run was the big deal.

Alex Howell, BBC Sport's England reporter I didn't think it would come out on top because of the other games. That experience has completely changed.

Gary Rose, BBC Sport When I first landed in Los Angeles, there was no interest in the World Cup. There were a few small banners along the freeways and some billboards but it felt like it was just functional promotion.

John Bennett: Slowly you can see how the World Cup captured the imagination in New York. I went to a concert for football fans in Harlem, which was packed the first week.

Ian Dennis: That changed for me in Atlanta. It felt more like the World Cup there.

Liz Conway: My opinion has completely changed. World Cup fever has definitely arrived in America.

Sam Harris: A few weeks later, that idea has completely changed.

Neil Johnston, BBC Sport reporter: I've been to eight games in New Jersey, Philadelphia, Toronto, Boston and Miami.

Alex Howell: In Kansas City, the World Cup is embraced by almost everyone.

Gary Rose: A lot. Someone told me that Americans don't do much for sports support, but when they're on, they get all involved.

John Bennett: I've been mainly in Philadelphia, where at one point there were four games going on at the same time.

Ian Dennis: They're talking about the Scotland fans in Boston.

Sam Harris: The atmosphere varies a lot from city to city.

Gary Rose: I've covered games in Los Angeles, Seattle and Vancouver.

John Bennett: This is my fourth World Cup and I was worried that ticket prices and visa issues for some traveling fans would dampen the atmosphere.

Ian Dennis: Argentina's knockout stages must change!

Liz Conway: The atmosphere has been fantastic.

Alex Howell: The atmosphere in Kansas City has been friendly.

Gary Rose: I covered Euro 2024 and I'd say it's as good as it gets in Germany.

Neil Johnston: Tremendous.

This World Cup is only good with the presence of his fans.