Argentina forward Lionel Messi, sitting, takes a break with teammates during practice for the FIFA World Cup soccer Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/)

World Cup is on! Each day ahead of the tournament’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will highlight an insight or moment that showcases just how grand the world’s biggest sporting spectacle has become — even beyond the expanded field of this year’s global event.

Reigning World Cup champion Argentina arrived in Kansas City on Sunday to begin p reparing for its title defense, which starts with a match against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the NFL's Chiefs.

National teams are unveiling their provisional 2026 World Cup rosters ahead of FIFA's June 2 deadline. See the official squads announced so far.

Preparations are underway at Jordan-Hare Stadium as Argentina and Iceland get set to make their final World Cup tune-up on the Plains. For decades, Auburn’s grounds crew has had a routine built around football.

How Jordan qualified for the 2026 World Cup. Home and away wins over Palestine and Oman, alongside draws against Kuwait and Group B winners South Korea, saw the Jordanians secure