Will Antoine Griezmann make it to the 2026 World Cup with France? We analyze statistics, current events, and his role with Les Bleus on their way to the most important tournament on the planet.
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WHAT WILL THE EXCITEMENT BE LIKE IN THE STREETS DURING THE 2026 WORLD CUP?
When a World Cup kicks off, the streets are transformed: honking horns, jerseys everywhere, hugs between strangers, and giant screens on every corner. For the 2026 World Cup, the first with 48 teams and three host countries, unprecedented euphoria is expected. From the markets of Mexico to the plazas of Canada and the avenues of the United States, the football celebration won't be confined to the stadiums. The streets will be the true stage where millions will experience, shout, sing, and suffer through every match. Get ready for an avalanche of color, culture, and football like never before.
Street Atmosphere: The Soul of Every World Cup
World Cups aren't just played on the pitch; they're also experienced intensely in the streets. And if football history has taught us anything, it's that host cities become true carnivals of emotion. From organized fan groups to people setting up their TVs on the sidewalk, anything goes when the passion is real.
A Global Phenomenon with Local Flavor
During Brazil 2014, more than 3 million people gathered in public spaces to watch matches. In Russia 2018, Moscow saw more than 250,000 people in fan zones on a single day. And in Qatar 2022, despite the restrictions, there were caravans of fans dancing and singing through the streets of Souq Waqif.
Mexico City expects more than 1 million people in public areas during each phase.
In Los Angeles, massive events are planned for Venice Beach and central plazas.
Toronto will have 4K screens in plazas and parallel cultural festivals.
It is estimated that at least 15 million people will experience the World Cup in the streets.
In non-host cities, there will also be spontaneous street parties organized by local communities.
The party outside the stadiums
Although the stadiums take center stage, the true soul of the World Cup is outside: in the Fan Fests, markets, bars, plazas, and decorated avenues. And for 2026, organizers and local governments are investing heavily in creating unique experiences off the pitch.
Unique experiences in each country
Mexico: The streets of the Historic Center, Chapultepec, and areas like La Minerva in Guadalajara will be filled with mariachis, papel picado (cut-paper decorations), traditional foods, and giant screens. Mexican passion will infect even the most neutral.
USA: From New York to San Francisco, multicultural festivals are being prepared with live shows, food trucks, batucadas, and even freestyle soccer exhibitions. Times Square will be a visual spectacle of lights, goals, and flags.
Canada: Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal will fuse their cultural diversity with soccer. There will be parties for Latin, Asian, and African communities with music, drums, and traditional food. Yes, the World Cup is also a place for dancing.
The three countries will have official "Celebration Zones" with security, food, and entertainment.
Local artists will be integrated to create a vibrant atmosphere in each city during the matches.
There will be 4K screens in public squares and live streaming with surround sound.
Active participation from influencers, football legends, and cultural ambassadors is expected.
Thousands of volunteers will help organize orderly and colorful street events.
Fun fact: According to FIFA data, more than 60% of those attending Fan Fests or street zones don't have access to any stadiums… but they experience the World Cup with the same intensity. Because the street vibrates, sings, and celebrates just as much, or even more, than the stands.
Collective Passion, the Driving Force of the Celebration
What makes the emotion in the streets unique is the shared passion. People who don't know each other hug each other after a goal, cry together after an elimination, or shout to the sky when their team advances. That collective emotional connection is part of what makes football the most beautiful sport on the planet.
Unity, Identity, and Cultural Expression
The 2026 World Cup promises unforgettable moments: caravans of Latin fans traveling down avenues in New York, makeshift pitches in Canadian squares, grandmothers in Monterrey painted in the tricolor, and children in Los Angeles kicking a ball around with friends from all over the world. The street becomes a living stage where every emotion is amplified.
It is expected that more than 40% of spectators will experience matches in public areas.
More than 70 migrant communities will organize their own celebrations in the U.S.
In Mexico, cultural corridors will be activated to combine soccer and traditions.
In Canada, there will be themed food festivals depending on the day's matches.
Social media will reflect the street joy in real time with millions of clips and live streams.
In the end, the most beautiful thing about street excitement is its spontaneity. It doesn't matter if your team wins or loses, if you're alone or with others, if you're at home or traveling. During the World Cup, you only have to step outside to feel that the whole world beats to the same rhythm: the rhythm of football.
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