NPR World Cup Coverage

More than 1 in 3 World Cup matches face dangerously hot, humid weather. Here's how to protect yourself from heat illness.

The World Cup might be less than a week old, but the goal scoring at this year's tourney has been sublime. Argentina's Lionel Messi netted three goals the same day France's Kylian Mbappé scored two.

It's an unusual sight before a World Cup match: Supporters of opposing teams partying together, calling each other "brother," some even hoping for a draw. But fans say they're far from rivals.

The Iraq national men's team hasn't played a World Cup in 40 years; a drought that ends Tuesday night, to the excitement of soccer fans in Dearborn, Michigan, home to a large Iraqi diaspora.

The action inside the stadiums isn't the only thing capturing the attention of international visitors. Turns out, they're discovering the delights of Buc-ee's, Waffle House, Wawa and free soda refills.

The 2026 World Cup is playing out in communities across the country. Journalists from NPR and its member stations are in your city — capturing the excitement and asking the important questions.

Now that the FIFA World Cup is underway in Mexico, Canada and the U.S., the drama has shifted to the fields, where there have been several surprising results heading into the first full week.

Daichi Kamada scored on a header off Koki Ogawa's corner kick in the 88th minute, sending the Samurai Blue fans into a frenzy and giving Japan a 2-2 draw with the Netherlands in their World Cup opener.

Kai Havertz scored two goals as Germany pulled away from World Cup first-timer Curaçao late in the opening half and piled on after that in a 7-1 win in a group match.

The World Cup isn't the only global soccer event of note. Check out the Grannies International Football Tournament.