With the World Cup, the question arises: Who is the world visiting?

The 2026 World Cup has kicked off, marking the largest tournament in its history, with matches hosted across Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The opening game took place in Mexico's iconic Azteca Stadium, a venue steeped in football history.

Mario Macheco, a vendor in football-crazy Mexico, expressed frustration, stating, "They only left us five games." Meanwhile, in the United States, the World Cup has yet to generate significant emotional engagement. In a sparsely populated fan zone at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on the opening day, the atmosphere was subdued, though organizers hope for increased excitement as the tournament progresses.

The Azteca Stadium, which has witnessed some of football's greatest moments, including the "Game of the Century" in 1970 and World Cup victories for Pelé and Maradona, continues its legacy. On Thursday, it hosted the start of this record-breaking World Cup, with Mexico defeating South Africa 2-0.

Despite the historical significance and the start of the tournament, the emotional impact in the U.S. appears minimal at this early stage. The article notes the contrast between the anticipation in Mexico and the quieter reception in the U.S., suggesting that the full fervor of the event has yet to take hold in American fan culture.

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They only left us five games.