World Cup Countdown Begins in Mexico on June 11
The countdown to the World Cup is down to one month, and the tournament opens in Mexico on June 11. It was awarded to the United States, Canada and Mexico eight years ago, and the scale of that staging is already shaping how the event is being covered.
Ulises Ruiz captures the start
Ulises Ruiz’s image caption puts the opening date and place at the center of the story: June 11 in Mexico. That date starts a tournament spread across three countries, which has pushed The Athletic’s reporters to prepare for work in all corners of the host nations from every angle.
That same build-up has been filtered through unusually personal reactions. Lukas Weese said he felt “An overwhelming sense of curiosity.” Asli Pelit said, “Is the World Cup really happening?” and added, “If I did not work in the industry, I genuinely would not know the United States is about to host the biggest sporting event in history.”
The Athletic reporters react
Pelit said she saw a countdown clock inside The Shops of Columbus Circle in New York City, but she had yet to see meaningful signs that the World Cup is a month away in the city. Matt Slater pointed to ticket prices, saying World Cup costs had reminded him that Americans are rich enough to pay $300 to watch students in crash helmets play a version of rugby. Gianni Infantino put that price point even more bluntly: “Americans are so rich they will pay $300 (£408) to watch students in crash helmets play a version of rugby.”
Matt Mathews said, “Today I feel worried, excited, trepidatious, joyful, engaged… so overall, mixed.” Melanie Anzidei, who is based in East Rutherford, said, “Like it’s finally here.” She added that “it feels like my neighborhood is preparing to host a really, really big party and we’re at the stage where we’re making sure our home is perfect for when guests arrive.”
Three countries, one opening
Paul Tenorio, Jack Pitt-Brooke and Joshua Kloke were also asked for their feelings about the tournament, underlining how broad the reporting effort is becoming before the first ball is kicked. The tournament’s footprint across the United States, Canada and Mexico is already changing the way the buildup looks on the ground, from New York City to East Rutherford.
For readers tracking the tournament from afar, the practical marker is simple: one month remains before the World Cup begins in Mexico on June 11. The countdown now moves from anticipation to coverage, with the opening date fixed and the reporters assigned to chase the event across three host countries.
