The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicked off at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11. There will be 104 matches hosted in Mexico, United States and Canada, with 48 teams from across the globe competing.
Qatar faced Switzerland in the Bay Area’s first match at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara on June 13, ending in a tie 1-1.
“It was about time for the USA to host the World Cup,” said Santa Clara native Oscar Luna who has watched many of the World Cups over the years.
This is the second World Cup held in the United States, the first being 32 years ago in 1994.
“Many people cannot travel out of the country and go places,” Luna said when it came to experiencing these games. “Now they have the opportunity to do so.”
Santa Clara prepared road detours and closures to improve access to the stadium for the projected 260,000 tourists expected to visit during the World Cup, per the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.
According to NBC Bay Area, the stadium spent $200 million on renovations before the NFL season, completed in August 2025.
Santa Clara native Cassandra De La Hoya said that having the World Cup here could have its ups and downs for the city.
“I’m more of a football person than a soccer person,” De La Hoya said. “Hopefully the city will be ready to host all the players, but I think it could be good and bad for the city because the expenses are going to go up.”
Cities hosting World Cup games have seen significant hotel price surges, with the San Francisco area up 43% according the New York Times.
Luna shared his thoughts about Levi’s Stadium being ready to receive soccer fans.
“I don’t think the stadium is quite ready … there is not much shade and a lot of sun,” Luna said.
Students such as Saul Martinez, 23, electrical engineering major and Leonardo Arcinas, 20, undeclared major said they had not noticed marketing for the competition.
“I only remember we were hosting because I saw one of my friends went to the game,” Martinez said. “Otherwise throughout the streets … I can’t tell we are hosting.”
Other students feel the World Cup’s local impact.
Hayden Lipson, 20, communications major works at Jamba, a fruit smoothie chain near the stadium and said he is proud of the American team, hoping it will win the tournament.
“It gets busy and the traffic can be gnarly,” Lipson said about his workplace. “It has attracted attention to the city, which I love. I love Santa Clara.”
Luna hopes Argentina will win the tournament and acknowledged tournament favorites that could win as well.
“France seems like a big candidate,” Luna said. “If Brazil does well and they play like they are supposed to, I think they can win. Same as Canada. Those are my top three teams.”
Spain has the best odds to win the World Cup according to ESPN, and France trails behind as second most likely.
Santa Clara resident Gian Carlos Algal, originally from Nicaragua, said that he is excited for the World Cup and has watched many of its competitions.
“My favorite was the one in which Brazil was the winner in 2002,” Algal said. “Now I am cheering for Argentina to win.”
“There are many advertisements for the World Cup already in front of the Levi’s Stadium,” Algal said. “Santa Clara is ready for the World Cup.”
