Hang around Miami for the next month and it may not be clear which World Cup squad is the home team.

Why it matters: The World Cup, which kicks off today, underscores Miami's global reach and the diasporas that live here.

• Plus, a few international superstars call Miami home, and the fanbases that follow them and their home countries' teams will inevitably infiltrate every corner of the city.

State of play: The first match in Miami is Monday, between Saudi Arabia and Uruguay.

• 97,000 Uruguayan immigrants live in Miami-Dade and Broward counties combined, per the Migration Policy Institute.

The big picture: South Florida is home to some of the largest immigrant communities in the nation, including from countries playing at Hard Rock Stadium.

• More than 181,000 Colombian immigrants live in South Florida, as do more than 163,000 Haitian immigrants — making the region home to the largest diasporas of those two countries.
• And 51,700 Brazilian immigrants live in South Florida, as well as 42,600 Argentinians, per the Institute's 2024 data.

What they're saying: Miami Mayor Eileen Higgins told Axios that the city's diversity makes it the perfect place to host the World Cup.

• "This week is going to be so exciting because I have met so many people that are rooting for four, five, six, seven, eight teams," she said, adding, "maybe their grandmother is from Argentina and their grandfather is from Colombia, but they live in the U.S."
• "There's all these conflicting emotions, but everybody is thrilled and happy."

The intrigue: Argentina's Lionel Messi is playing in his (supposed) last World Cup, as is Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo.

Tell a fan

For those without tickets to the World Cup, the free FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park is being called Miami's "second stadium."

• I got a look inside yesterday for a media preview ahead of its opening on Saturday.

The big picture: For 23 straight days, the Fan Fest will screen matches and offer live musical performances and other entertainment, including jet-pack soccer on Biscayne Bay.

• Miami-Dade County is paying around $14 million to subsidize the festival, the Miami Herald previously reported, part of the roughly $53 million FIFA is receiving from local governments for the tournament.
• The festival grounds encompass all of Bayfront Park. There are four large screens that will broadcast matches, two stages for musical performances, and local food and drink options.

What to expect: Interactive fan activities like a face-painting station and soccer mini games, official FIFA merchandise, and photo opportunities with oversized soccer balls.

• There will also be water stations and cooling fans to help fans deal with the suffocating summer heat. With few shade options, they're gonna need it.

Concession prices: I spotted $12-$14 beers, burgers ranging from $16-$19, and taco two-fers between $12 and $13 from The Wolf of Tacos.

If you go: The Fan Festival runs from June 13 to July 5.

Hours: Gates open about 60 minutes before the first match kickoff, which varies day by day.

• Last entry is approximately 30 minutes after the final match kickoff.
• Festival operations conclude approximately 90 minutes after the final broadcast match.

Full schedule

If you go: Parking is restricted on Biscayne Boulevard for the festival, so try leaving your car farther away and taking the Metromover or walking.

• If you're coming from another part of South Florida, take the Metrorail or Tri-Rail.
• Metromover service will operate until midnight throughout the festival, but on June 23, 25 and 27, Metrorail and Metromover hours will extend until 1am.

What's next: While the festival won't last the whole tournament, the World Cup host committee is also organizing public watch parties for the third-place and championship matches.

Tell a friend

The FIFA World Cup starts today with its biggest edition in history.

Zoom in: Canada, Mexico and the U.S. co-host the 2026 men's tournament, with the largest field in the tournament's 96-year history.

• 48 nations will vie for the beautiful game's most coveted trophy. The tournament includes 104 matches tomorrow through July 19.

How to watch: Games will be broadcast in English on FOX, FS1, and the FOX One app.

• Telemundo will air Spanish-language broadcasts in the U.S. and on Universo, Peacock and the Telemundo app.

What's next: The action begins today with Mexico against South Africa airing at 3pm EST on FOX and Telemundo.

• The U.S. men's national team opens the tournament tomorrow against Paraguay in Los Angeles.

Let's say you've got a rooting interest in the World Cup but tune into soccer only every four years.

• Here's a refresher on the rules of the tournament and what you need to know about this year's World Cup.

The group stage: There are 12 groups of four teams. Each team plays the other three teams in their group.

• A win gets you 3 points, a tie 1 point and a loss no points.
• The top two teams from each group advance to the first single-elimination knockout round. Additionally, the top eight teams from among the third-place teams in each group advance.

The knockout rounds: This year's expanded format means there will be a round of 32 for the first time.

• The winners of those games will advance to the round of 16. That round is followed by the quarterfinals, the semifinals and then the final.

Go deeper

✌️ Miami-Dade County School Board member Steve Gallon III resigned this week after a decade on the board to serve as the District 1 county commissioner. (WLRN)

• Gallon, who won the seat after running unopposed, will succeed Oliver Gilbert III, who is running for Congress.

🤩 Ball & Chain was named one of Esquire's Best Bars in America for 2026. (Esquire)

⚽️ Grails was named the best soccer bar in America by USA Today sports readers.

✈️ Miami-Dade commissioners will weigh two development agreements at Miami Executive Airport that would generate more than $11 million in private investments. (South Florida Business Journal)