Celebrate the 2026 world soccer championship… but safely

A world championship in the middle of summer is reason enough to be happy, but you should still protect yourself from bad plays against your safety and your loved ones'.

Overview: The global soccer celebration will take place this year partly here in the United States —in addition to Canada and Mexico— in a bigger format with more teams and more stadiums than ever before in the tournament's history. If you're one of those people that are unable to resist the drama and thrill of a good soccer game, buy your tickets sooner than later or start creating the environment to enjoy this event at home, with friends and family and in the safest way possible.

The last time a world championship took place in North America was 32 years ago, the most recent one in the United States in 1994. This year will be the 23rd championship and for the first time the tournament's format has been expanded to include the national teams of 48 countries. In addition, soccer will be played in 16 cities, 11 of those in the US (Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle), 3 in Mexico (Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey) and 2 in Canada (Toronto and Vancouver).

The 48 participating teams are divided into 12 groups of four. The two best teams of each group along with the eight best teams that came third will qualify for the round of 32. According to the schedule, the two teams that make it to the grand final will face off in the MetLife stadium of East Rutherford, New Jersey, having played no less than eight matches between June 11 and July 19, just a bit over a month.

Although thousands of fans must be planning to travel to the host cities or, if they are lucky, go to the stadium in their city to enjoy the matches in person, the majority will get to experience live soccer from home, via cable or streaming.

We already know that the games are a great reason to gather at home and enjoy together with family and friends, especially during the summer, an ideal season for happiness and joy, though the heat and weather could put a damper on the celebration. But if you're already waiting for guests to watch soccer, make the preparations now to win big with no injuries. As such, safety should already be on your mind.

Before the game

If you're going to have a gathering at home and invite guests, remember first to look up the weather forecast since summer in many parts of the country can come with unpredictable severe weather.

Clear the driveways and garage ahead of time so that people and vehicles can move around safely, and your neighbors' exit won't be blocked. If you are planning to have the party at a pool, check these safety and prevention tips.

If you have children, don't forget to pick up toys and balls from high traffic areas. Be careful with slippery or wet areas that are common in the summer and pick up hoses and other objects from the floor. It's important to get ahead of the possibility that guests will get carried off the field —or to a medical facility— due to a slip or fall.

If you're going to make food, avoid leaving the kitchen or grill unattended while everyone is glued to the screen and, if possible, make one person or more supervise it. According to a 2025 release from State Farm, annually almost 50% of home fires originate in the kitchen.

Always have a lot of alcohol-free options for designated drivers like sodas, water, juice, sparkling water or mocktails. Different options may help remove extra temptations.

If you're going to use a gas or charcoal grill, check the connections and place it on a level surface, away from any flammable object, and never use it in enclosed spaces like a garage or under low ceilings.

During the game

It's possible that guests will ask for your WiFi password to look up game results, check messages or send pictures, but even the most well-meaning guests could unintentionally expose your network to a virus or malware. So, instead of saying no, plan ahead.

Consider setting up beforehand a guest password or enable a guest network to share your internet without giving them access to the main network. Most routers and internet providers offer that functionality.

Game mascots

Cats and dogs can become unsettled with the crowds and noise. Consider keeping them benched: in a separate room away from guests, so that they can remain calm and not get upset among the crowd. And think about their comfort: confirm that your pets aren't too hot or get too dehydrated; place them in a shaded area or somewhere with A/C and have fresh water available for them.

If you're a guest in a house with pets, avoid giving them your food. Some human foods are unsafe for dogs and cats, so your best bet is to ask the owners of the house before giving them something, or you might get a warning.

If you're the owner of the house, fill yourself in on the variety of dangers that pets are surrounded by every day, and help protect them with pet medical insurance so that a sudden ailment doesn't wreck your budget.

During halftime

At halftime, people may go out to buy more food, or to pick up someone. Before letting someone borrow your vehicle, think about your auto insurance and who is covered when your car is being driven.

Remember as well that traffic during summer, near bars, restaurants and stadiums can be intense.

Nearing game's end

Stop offering alcohol some time before the game wraps up, or maybe even sooner, just as they do at stadiums. Have some extra food, coffee and water available around that time. If someone has been drinking and wants to drive home, bust out the "red card" in a friendly fashion.

There are many ways to get home safely, including having a designated driver or using a ride sharing service, if safe to do so. Driving under the effects of alcohol is a serious matter: according to a 2025 publication from the National Highway Traffic Safety (NHTSA), 12,429 people died in 2023 in alcohol-related auto collisions in the U.S., which accounted for about 30% of all traffic deaths for that year.

In addition, party hosts may face legal liability if a guest causes a drunk driving accident after leaving the event. So, it’s important to prioritize the safety of your guests and others on the road.

Overtime

Alcohol is not the only worry. Summer can bring sudden storms, heavy rainfall, lightning and extreme heat waves. Avoid driving during severe storms whenever possible.

If you are the homeowner, check again that there aren't any hazards in the driveways and garage before your guests leave, and that there is good outdoor lighting. If someone gets injured on the premises, you could face an unexpected lawsuit. If you aren't sure about what's covered by your homeowners policy, it would be a good idea to speak with a State Farm agent.

In closing, and before stepping off the field, we would like to inform you of the tentative list of possible teams, stadiums, dates and times of the matches. We hope that it helps you so that you may plan your gatherings, trips and safety strategies ahead of time. And, as always, yay for soccer!

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP DATES, STADIUMS AND MATCHES*

*All dates and times in US Eastern Time Zone and may be subject to change.