Podcast: On the growing World Cup anticipation with just one year to go

We discussed the 2026 World Cup on the latest episode of 'The Goal.' (Erin Chang/Getty Images)

The latest guest on New England Soccer Journal’s “The Goal” podcast is NESJ contributor and longtime pro soccer reporter Frank Dell’Apa.

In less than one year, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States, including scheduled games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass. 

It will be the first World Cup with 48 participating teams, an increase from the previous 32. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and it will also be the first time since 1994 that the United States will host a World Cup. 

Dell’Apa, who has covered numerous World Cups, joined hosts Matt Langone and Matt Doherty to discuss the enormous anticipation of having the World Cup return to the U.S., what the vibe could be like in New England and beyond, and the state of the United States Men’s National Team as it prepares for the event.

Here are some highlights from our discussion:

On where U.S soccer stands one year from the World Cup:

Dell’Apa: “There’s just a ton of questions with this team. I think they’ll be ready to go when the time comes. It’s a hugely expanded field — they could be placed in a favorable group — but there’s still a long way to go and a lot of stuff to be done.”

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On what the World Cup could do in terms of growing the sport in the United States:

Dell’Apa: “Where this is going to take us, I don’t know, because you’re already at a pretty good level. I don’t really know where this would take us. I think there’s a ton of investment now. Maybe there will be more investment, but it won’t be as noticeable, I don’t think.”

On the what the excitement level will be in New England and across the country:

Dell’Apa: “The world kind of just stops, everybody watches, they pay attention. The vibe will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen for any sporting event. It was like that in ‘94, you just couldn’t describe it.”

On reasonable expectations in the World Cup for the U.S:

Dell’Apa: “There will be a round of 32, then a round of 16. So it’s like if you get to the round of 32, that’s like the round of 16. It’s a bloated World Cup, so if the U.S. played five games, that’d be great.”

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