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    The Baylor Lariat
    Home»Opinion

    More than a game: World Cup 2026 unites the world

    Irma PeñaBy Irma PeñaJanuary 20, 2026 Opinion No Comments3 Mins Read
    Irma Peña | LTVN Executive Producer
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    By Irma Peña | LTVN Executive Producer

    It’s 2026, World Cup year, and this one feels different. For the first time, the world is coming to North America, with the tournament hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

    “It’s your world, my world, our world today. And we invite the whole world, whole world to play.” If you watched the 2014 World Cup, you’ve probably heard that song. More than a decade later, those lyrics feel especially true in 2026. The song has lyrics in English, Spanish and Portuguese, showing right away what the World Cup is about: bringing people together.

    There aren’t many things that can unite people from different countries, languages and cultures the way the World Cup does. Politics divides us in many ways, and religion sometimes separates us. Even in our own cities, social differences can feel overwhelming, but as the 2026 World Cup approaches, those differences begin to fade.

    What makes the 2026 World Cup so special is how this “simple” game will take over an entire continent. Fans from every corner of the world will travel to cities across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, filling stadiums, streets and public spaces with one shared purpose.

    During the World Cup, fans who don’t even speak the same language chant, cheer and cry together. Countries with all kinds of problems forget about them, at least for 90 minutes, and unite as one. In 2026, that unity won’t just be on the field; it will be felt in host cities, neighborhoods and homes across North America.

    The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest yet, with more teams, more matches and more people watching. For one month, billions of people will tune in, making it the most powerful televised sporting event. Entire nations will pause to cheer for their teams and strangers will hug each other like family.

    This sense of unity doesn’t stop at national pride. On a global level, the 2026 World Cup highlights connection. Teams consist of players from different backgrounds who speak different languages, but all play with the same goal. A pass, a goal or a win in this tournament goes beyond borders and language barriers, proving that at the end of the day, we are more alike than we think.

    The World Cup is a reminder of home, family and the joy of watching a whole country celebrate the same goal. It proves that when people come together for something they love, differences don’t seem as big.

    It shows that unity is possible. Sometimes, all it takes is 90 minutes, a ball and love for the game. So, in 2026, when you see stadiums across North America full of fans waving flags, singing and cheering, look closely. What you’re really seeing is the World Cup’s power to bring people together, no matter where they come from.

    North America Soccer World Cup
    Irma Peña
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    Irma Peña is a senior from San Pedro Sula, Honduras, majoring in broadcast journalism and minoring in criminal justice. She is excited to be part of the Lariat TV News staff as the Managing Editor. She loves to spend time with family and friends, watch soccer and any rom-com shows or movies. After graduation, she hopes to continue her career as a reporter/multimedia journalist.

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