In just a few weeks, fans will be going cuckoo–not not for Cocoa Puffs but for a promised legendary soccer championship: the World Cup.
Between June 11 to July 19, summer will kick off with a tournament that ironically concludes the soccer season. “I like Messi,” shares Coach Todd Sheely, the current boys soccer coach at Elkhart High School. Argentina, who Lionel Messi plays for, won their third FIFA World Cup title in 2022, defeating France in Qatar. Their win was “very cool,” in Sheely’s estimation. “It is so great to watch the enthusiasm and pride one has for their country. I love the passion of the fans!”–proving that people really do feed off of one another’s enthusiasm and energy.
Spectators can look forward to following the 12 teams (listed below) slated for this upcoming championship tournament. Sheely highly looks forward to seeing the teams and watching the game with great passion. However, not all teams can become personal fan favorites, but Sheely has a few he’s keeping his eye on: “I like USA, England, Netherlands, and Argentina.” In all, 104 games will be played across the span of 39 days, marking this as one of the longest World Cups ever. Now that a round of 32 has been added, teams must now win eight matches total to be crowned champions.
Historically, this is new. In 1930, the world’s greatest– and now largest–international men’s soccer tournament took place. It was created to stage global championships outside of the Olympics competitions. It started off with a team of 13 and has grown into a massive 48-nation global event that is held every four years. The first-ever game was won by Uruguay. Then, Italy became the first back-to-back champions–led by coach Vittorio Pozzo–in both 1934 and 1938.
For nearly 100 years, the games have continued without pause. An exception was During WWII. The tournament was suspended, causing a cancellation in both 1942 and 1946. Otherwise, the momentum for the sport has only grown. Moreover, a women’s World Cup was established in 1991, with 32 teams as of 2023.
For the 2026 men’s World Cup championship, 46 teams will go head-to-head in 16 cities spanning across three countries: United States, Mexico, and Canada. Mexico City will host the opening match between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, while East Rutherford, New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium will close it out on July 19 as the winners of matches 101 and 102 take the field.
The cities that will be hosting in the U.S. include these: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco-Bay Area, and Seattle. Neighboring Mexico will be hosting in the cities of Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey. And, Canada will have two locations: Toronto and Vancouver.
The first game in the U.S. will be on June 12 as USA v Paraguay compete in Los Angeles Stadium. Four days later–June 16–Argentina v Algeria will face off in Kansas City Stadium. A full schedule can be found on the FIFA World Cup website.
Although there is a fair chance for each team to win, three contenders have been singled out: Brazil, England, and the Netherlands. Sheely has “high hopes” for his teams, as two of them have higher chances of winning. The weight is heavy, but the undisputed talismen makes it look easy. The three standouts who put their heart and soul on the line include Vinicius Junior (Brazil), Harry Kane (England), and Virgil Van Dijk (Netherlands). Still, other very popular players who deliver clutch moments include Lionel Messi (Argentina), Kylian Mbappe (France), and Lamine Yamal (Spain).
Whether a rookie or a veteran of this game, it will be easy to find a place to stream the World Cup and experience the largest sporting event in the world. “I have been to a game in Detroit during the 1994 World Cup,” Sheely touts. Elaborating on the experience, he states that there is always great “enthusiasm” amongst the fans. It will be broadcasted on Fox and FS1 for an all-English translation, while Spanish broadcasts will be on Telemundo and Univero. The World Cup will also be available to watch on Peacock and YouTube.
EHS Soccer Camp: June 9-11
The timing of an EHS Boys Soccer Camp couldn’t be more perfect. From June 9 to 11 (from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.), male youths in grades 3 to 8 can attend a camp hosted by Coach Todd Sheely and EHS soccer players. With only a $25 fee per camper, it will be an affordable opportunity for youths to hone their skills. The camp will be hosted at the EHS Main Campus, 2608 California Rd.
The expectation is to “have fun. It is ALL about fun!” Sheely expresses. Foot skills, small sided play, and team tactics will be the primary focus. Sheely has high hopes that this kick off goes well and he can introduce a new generation to the love of the game. “I love seeing kids achieve their highest aspirations,” he shares. “I had good coaches growing up that I wanted to emulate.”
As the 2026 NIC Coach of the Year, Sheely will undoubtedly accomplish that goal.
