The experience of arriving in the calm surroundings of Kansas City starkly contrasted with the vibrant chaos witnessed in New York during the NBA Finals and Brazil’s match against Morocco. This World Cup showcases an array of contrasts, from FIFA’s relentless commercial pursuits—charging $5 for a water bottle in the media center—to the warm hospitality offered by residents across New York, Kansas City, and Dallas. Meanwhile, the football has been exhilarating, with memorable matches such as DR Congo’s draw against Portugal and England’s victory over Croatia punctuating an action-packed opening week. One can only hope this excitement continues. Ed Aarons
By the end of the opening round, a sporting landscape in the U.S., typically centered around other pastimes, has shifted its focus to football—apologies for the slip, it’s football, not soccer. This transition has at times felt awkward, especially as traditional sports talk shows grapple with international football becoming the leading topic, often featuring commentators who are out of their depth. However, these are merely growing pains. Football is now present in bars and delis, discussed during school pickups, and on commutes home. It’s a beautiful evolution that many have long advocated for. Alexander Abnos
In Texas, I’ve discovered a region—and perhaps a nation—where the World Cup is both everything and nothing. Bars in Houston’s East Downtown district overflow with supporters from Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia; I sat in a stadium in Dallas surrounded by fans sporting “Ronaldo 7” shirts, their local accents unmistakable. Conversely, I attended a Republican party convention with over 5,000 attendees, where the tournament barely registered, and spoke with Uber drivers blissfully unaware of the soccer tournament. In some towns, it felt as if the World Cup was taking place on another planet. This vast country can host a vibrant and engaging World Cup while also allowing it to go unnoticed. Nick Ames
A few days spent in the ever-congested Los Angeles have highlighted the sheer enormity of this World Cup. The city stretches 44 miles from north to south, far exceeding the distance between the two most separated stadiums in Qatar four years ago. Speaking of venues, the impressive SoFi/Los Angeles Stadium resembles a spaceship, featuring a striking 1 million square foot teardrop-shaped canopy designed by American architects. The co-hosts may have faced some challenges recently, but they excel at constructing world-class stadiums. Ben Fisher
Donald Trump’s absence during the U.S. team’s opening match, a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles, was unexpected, but welcomed by FIFA, which feared the media frenzy surrounding the president might overshadow the tournament’s debut in the U.S. Trump has maintained a low profile throughout this World Cup, with reports suggesting that the jeers he received while attending the NBA Finals may have influenced his decision to stay away. If that’s the case, Knicks fans might have inadvertently helped FIFA, although it’s anticipated that Trump will appear at the final in New Jersey to present the trophy. Matt Hughes
The sheer scale of the U.S. has left me astonished. The extensive freeways are endless, and the downtown areas of cities like Tampa, Orlando, and Dallas are largely concrete with little character. Accessibility is limited, with few opportunities for foot traffic. On the topic of scale, the massive screen at the Dallas stadium is simply mind-blowing, creating an immersive cinematic atmosphere as high-level football unfolds below. The most surreal experience? The tornado warning in Kansas City last Saturday evening, accompanied by a loud siren that resonated throughout the streets for an hour. Yes, we opted to stay indoors. David Hytner
What stands out in my World Cup experience? It’s the boastful tales from those who attended matches at the Azteca that irk me a bit—though I’m not envious, I assure you. I’ve been in Atlanta (and Chattanooga), where the press area at the stadium offers free ice cream with sprinkles, cookies, and M&Ms. After South Africa’s draw with Czechia, their manager, Hugo Broos, expressed that the venue didn’t feel like a football stadium. However, I think he misidentified the issue: this stadium is indeed remarkable, located downtown and easily accessible, unlike those dreadful out-of-town venues situated on barren parking lots. The atmosphere is significantly enhanced as a result. Also, the people here are wonderful. Sid Lowe
There’s an insatiable hunger for strikers. The match that first thrilled me in this tournament was Sweden’s overpowering victory over Tunisia, showcasing the dynamic duo of Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres. Their chemistry was timeless, a fresh partnership flourishing on the grandest stage. Just two days later, we witnessed an astonishing sequence of goals—first from Kylian Mbappé, followed by Erling Haaland, and then Lionel Messi, with Harry Kane stepping up the day after. After recent tournaments focused on creative forwards, it’s refreshing to see prolific goalscorers making their mark this time around (sorry, Cristiano). Paul MacInnes
The level of international football is at an all-time high. Quietly acknowledged, this nearly justifies the expansion of the World Cup to its current size. Curaçao managed to catch Germany on an off day—just as Scotland did during the last Euros—but overall, even the so-called underdogs are well-coached, prepared, and physically formidable. Cape Verde stands as a prime example. Haiti was fiercely competitive against Scotland, while Norway’s match against Iraq was much closer than the score indicated. Saudi Arabia also displayed strength. Debates may arise about how elite teams compare to historical World Cup powerhouses, but the standard has undeniably risen among the lower-ranked teams. No match can be taken for granted. Ewan Murray
In New York/New Jersey and Philadelphia, where I’ve been covering matches, there’s a noticeable lack of atmosphere outside the stadiums indicating the World Cup’s presence. On the day South Africa played Czechia in Atlanta, New Yorkers were more preoccupied with the Knicks’ ticker-tape parade celebrating their first NBA title in 53 years. New York is undeniably Knicks territory. However, I was surprised to see Ecuador, a nation of just 18 million, bring over 60,000 supporters to Philadelphia Stadium for their 1-0 defeat to Côte d’Ivoire, creating a home-game atmosphere. Osasu Obayiuwana
Following this World Cup feels like attempting to consume an enormous, multi-layered, and extravagantly topped super-sandwich with one hand, while a team of sous chefs continually adds more to it, making it impossible to ever see the end. We knew the travel and heat would be relentless in this vast, hot country, but the intensity has manifested in other ways as well, particularly through the overwhelming American assault on the senses. The number of matches has been dizzying and utterly addictive. The stadiums have been impressive, with SoFi Stadium standing out as the best of its kind globally. A pleasant surprise about America during this World Cup is how vibrant it remains, even if some feel frustrated by Donald Trump or wish to apologize for his behavior in office. Despite its flaws, the U.S. continues to be a remarkably diverse nation of immigrants. Even a compromised FIFA World Cup night can showcase the best of this place. Barney Ronay
It appears there were more than 32 deserving qualifiers for each World Cup, though 48 may be slightly excessive. It’s no wonder the World Cup concept is more enjoyable when it primarily focuses on football rather than being overshadowed by commercial interests. I’m still struggling to find a way to maintain the flow of games and the credibility of matches, considering the frequent three-minute pauses seen in each half. It seems that just as a match gains momentum, there’s a need to pause for whistles. It shouldn’t turn into a four-quarter format. Jeff Rueter
The expanded format has diminished the stakes in the initial group matches, given that third place in eight of the twelve groups advances to the knockout rounds. Additionally, the ambiguity surrounding the progression criteria—will it require four points and a good goal difference or will three points suffice?—has undermined the traditional excitement of World Cup predictions. Is this a fair trade-off if it reduces the number of meaningless matches at the end of the group stage? We’ll revisit this question in a week. Jack Snape
The midwestern charm of Kansas City serves as a reminder that the U.S. is more than what is portrayed in the media. The extreme weather can be challenging; last Saturday brought sweltering heat and humidity during the day, followed by tornado warnings in the evening. It’s difficult to avoid meat here, as chicken seems to be the vegetarian option. Are people engaged with football? The interest is varied. The U.S. men’s national team’s opening game was on in our hotel lobby, while a group of Americans were watching baseball on another screen, occasionally checking the score. Yet, I also met a Chelsea supporter during the Mexico versus South Korea match, showcasing genuine football knowledge. Jacob Steinberg
The quality of football has been impressive, far more open than I initially feared (though we’ll see if this continues into the knockout stages), featuring standout performances from top players and teams, alongside unexpected surprises that keep things intriguing. Off the pitch, the atmosphere has been chaotic. Mexico appears slightly overwhelmed by the enormity of the World Cup, implementing work-from-home policies to ease traffic on match days, while the stadiums’ wifi and media facilities have left much to be desired. The food is delightful, while the coffee is somewhat lackluster. Jet lag is challenging, and the weather has been much wetter than I anticipated. Jonathan Wilson
