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LOS ANGELES — With less than two years to go before the world’s biggest sporting event arrives in Southern California, organizers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup made one message clear: this tournament is meant to involve everyone.
By Earl Heath | Contributing Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES — With less than two years to go before the world’s biggest sporting event arrives in Southern California, organizers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup made one message clear: this tournament is meant to involve everyone.
That theme took center stage recently when the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee gathered at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for a briefing on what fans and residents can expect when the global tournament comes to town. Among those in attendance were Karen Bass, Los Angeles mayor, and James T. Butts, mayor of Inglewood.
“The World Cup is the largest sporting event in the world,” Butts said. “We want everyone to benefit and enjoy.”
Fan Festival at the Coliseum
A centerpiece of that effort will be a five-day FIFA Fan Festival at the Coliseum, running June 11–15, 2026 — the opening stretch of the tournament. The festival will feature live broadcasts of matches, music, food, and cultural programming, creating a communal gathering place for fans who may not attend games in person.
The festival coincides with Team USA’s opening match against Paraguay, scheduled for June 12 at SoFi Stadium, where eight World Cup matches will be played in June and July.
“At 40,000 people per day, the Coliseum fan festival will be among the largest of any World Cup host venue in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico,” organizers said. The historic stadium will also hold a unique distinction as the only venue in North America to host a FIFA Fan Festival in 2026.
“It’s really ambitious — but in the best way,” said Ross McCall, executive director of commercial operations for FIFA. “We’re at an iconic venue where history has been made across so many events. This is going to be a shot broadcast around the world.”
World Spotlight on Los Angeles
Mayor Bass emphasized that the World Cup offers Los Angeles a chance to showcase its people and values — not just its stadiums.
“When the world looks at Los Angeles, they won’t just see venues,” Bass said. “They will see our values, the diversity of our people, the pride in our shared home, and all that our neighborhoods offer. Yes — the moment is big.”
Bass also announced that Los Angeles will host free community celebrations in public parks in every City Council district during the tournament, ensuring residents across the city can take part regardless of income or location.
Fan Zones Across L.A. County
Beyond the Coliseum, the Host Committee is planning nine fan zones across the region over the tournament’s 39 days. These pop-up locations are designed to bring World Cup energy into local neighborhoods, with live match viewings and community-focused programming.
Planned fan zone locations include:
- The Original Farmers Market (June 18–21)
- City of Downey (June 20)
- Union Station and the Plaza de Cultura y Artes (June 25–28)
- Hansen Dam Lake (July 2–5)
- Earvin “Magic” Johnson Park (July 4–5)
- Whittier Narrows (July 9–11)
- Venice Beach (July 11)
- Fairplex (July 14–15 and July 18–19)
- West Harbor (July 14–15 and July 18–19)
Tours and community events will also be fronted by soccer legends Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, and Cobi Jones, all of whom attended the recent announcement.
“The World Cup experience is more than just the game of soccer,” said Jones, a three-time World Cup participant. “It’s an event. And it will fly by faster than you think. You have to remember to take it all in and enjoy it.”
A Historic Tournament
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 104 matches across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — the first time the tournament has been hosted in the U.S. in more than 30 years. Mexico will open the competition on June 11, 2026, with a match in Mexico City, while co-hosts USA and Canada will play their openers the following days in Los Angeles and Toronto.
For Los Angeles, organizers say the goal is clear: make sure the World Cup is not just something people watch, but something communities across the region truly experience.