There’s a reason soccer makes entire cities roar and strangers hug like family. Every FIFA World Cup creates a rush of excitement that feels impossible to ignore. The game is simple — a ball, two goals and millions of hearts beating in sync. Kids play it, adults watch it, and every year more women join the pitch. It is, at its core, a sport without barriers.
Now passion is about to go into overdrive. FIFA expanded the tournament from 32 to 48 teams, opening doors to more nations, more drama and more stories. Meanwhile, fans worldwide have been refreshing feeds non-stop, eager to analyze the results of the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw held on December 5 — the moment that shaped the battles we’ll watch next summer.
Group results — 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw at a glance
Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea
Group B: Canada, Qatar, Switzerland
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland
Group D: USA, Paraguay, Australia
Group E: Germany, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia
Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway
Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria
Group K: Portugal, Uzbekistan, Colombia
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama
A World Cup shared by three nations — and Los Angeles takes center stage
With Mexico, the United States and Canada as hosts, 2026 becomes a North American celebration. More fans will travel, tourism will rise, and the economy is expected to move at full speed.
Los Angeles — tied with Atlanta — will host the most matches, with eight games scheduled at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. As a result, hotels, transportation, restaurants, retail, entertainment, and media activation are already preparing for a global wave of visitors.
This is where the ecosystem wakes up:
FIFA + national federations + 16 organizing committees + sponsors + broadcasters + local government + small businesses.
The business side of soccer officially begins here.
SoFi Stadium: 2026 World Cup matches
Group Stage
June 12, 2026 — USMNT vs Paraguay
June 15, 2026 — Iran vs New Zealand
June 18, 2026 — Switzerland vs Winner of UEFA Playoff A
June 21, 2026 — Belgium vs Iran
June 25, 2026 — USMNT vs Winner of European Playoff C (to be defined March 2026)
Knockout Stage
Round of 32 — June 28, 2026: Runner-ups Group A vs Group B
Round of 32 — July 2, 2026: Group H winner vs Group J runner-up
Quarterfinal — July 10, 2026 in Los Angeles
How local media and business can win with the World Cup
Print and digital connection with Latino audiences has mattered for decades. El Clasificado dba EC Hispanic Media has built a legacy in that arena, recognized as a leader in print magazines and special publications for businesses reaching Spanish-speaking audiences in Southern California. At the same time, the Más Clientes brand expands digital reach, helping advertisers connect with Latino consumers online.
The World Cup draw triggered the launch of Rumbo al Mundial, a special edition featuring calendars, group charts, team guides and collectible posters. These publications become keepsakes — Latinos tape them on walls, share them in WhatsApp chats, carry them into taquerías and barbershops.
CEO Martha de la Torre highlights the cultural connection:
“Rumbo al Mundial provides a powerful and culturally resonant platform to connect with Latino consumers. Hispanic-owned companies and national brands benefit from a publication that people keep and share.”
Advertising, emotion, and the numbers behind the hype
The U.S. may not be the top contender on the field, but it is the world capital of marketing. Fans buy jerseys, screens, beer, food, banners, flights — and brands watch closely.
Portada estimates soccer-driven investment reaching $3.75B USD in 2026, a major leap from previous cycles. Once teams are assigned to host cities, marketing switches to hyper-targeting: Mexican fans in LA, Argentine families in Miami, Brazil supporters everywhere.
Local businesses are gearing up.
“I believe in year-round advertising,” said Tony Kawaguchi, owner of Kawaguchi Law Firm. “Spanish speakers love soccer — and these publications bring calendars, groups, content. It connects.” Many businesses benefit from these publications to attract more customers — from law offices to home services, and even Latino companies that specialize in party and event services.
“Qatar 2022 brought significant revenue, and we expect to surpass it for 2026,” added CFO and Co-Founder Joe Badame.
Beyond business — a World Cup unites offices and cities
Inside newsrooms, a World Cup supplement sparks energy. Different nationalities debate groups, predict goals and share friendly rivalries. On Fridays, national team T-shirts take over the office, informal matches happen after hours, and endless conversations spark about what will happen next based on what already did.
De la Torre captures the feeling:
“Working on a World Cup supplement energizes writers, designers, sales teams and production. It’s something we genuinely love and share.”
And this is just the beginning. Six months of countdown, campaigns, posters, community events and the thrill every fan knows — when the wait becomes part of life.
The schedule is set. The marketing engine is warming up.
