By John Knebels, OSV News
Catholic dioceses across the United States are preparing for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, viewing the global tournament as both a major pastoral opportunity and a unique moment of international encounter.
The expanded competition, the largest in FIFA history, will feature 48 teams and 104 matches across the United States, Canada and Mexico. In the US, 11 host cities will welcome matches from 11 June to 19 July, culminating in the championship game at MetLife Stadium near New York City.
Church leaders in host communities are already planning how to engage millions of visitors while highlighting parish life and the Church’s public witness.
Many diocesan preparations are rooted in the Catholic understanding of universality: the word “Catholic” comes from the Greek katholikos, meaning “universal.”
Church leaders also point to Pope Leo XIV’s episcopal motto, “In Illo uno unam” – “In the One, we are one” – as a fitting reflection on unity amid cultural diversity. For many Catholics, the World Cup represents more than sport; it is a visible expression of global communion.
The US portion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in Los Angeles.
