Axios New Orleans

June 11, 2026
Good morning, soccer fans! It's Thursday.
- The FIFA World Cup kicks off today. We've got your cheat sheet below.
Today's weather: Hot and sweaty. "Feels like" temp of 102. Afternoon storms possible.
- Hurricane forecasters are tracking a blob in the Gulf.
🎧 Sounds like: "DNA" by Andrea Bocelli, David Guetta, EJAE and Megan Thee Stallion. It's the official anthem of this year's World Cup.
Today's newsletter is 613 words — a 2.5-minute read.
1 big thing: ⚽️ World Cup for beginners
Soccer's most-watched event on Earth is coming back to the United States for the first time in 32 years, and this time it's bringing 47 countries with it.
Why it matters: For one glorious month, fans around the world stop to watch the same thing, and you'll finally get to be there for it.
- Add in Lionel Messi's likely last dance, and even the most casual fan has reason to tune in.
By the numbers: The 2026 World Cup starts today and runs through July 19 across 16 host cities in the U.S., Mexico and Canada.
- 48 teams (up from 32).
- 104 matches over 39 days.
The favorites: Spain, France and England headline the sportsbooks, with five-time winner Brazil and reigning champ Argentina right behind. Norway is the buzzy dark horse.
State of play: The U.S. team opens its World Cup play tomorrow in Los Angeles. Go deeper.
- BetMGM gives the U.S. roughly a 2.4% chance of winning the trophy.
The intrigue: This World Cup looks different from the ones you remember. The larger field means a brand new round of 32 before the bracket reaches the round of 16.
Flashback: The last time the U.S. hosted in 1994, the World Cup drew 3.58 million fans, still the all-time record. With 40 more matches this year, that record won't survive the summer.
2. 🤑 Tipping expectations differ
Restaurants in some U.S. cities are considering temporarily adding a service charge or 20% auto gratuity while they host World Cup games.
Why it matters: Many international visitors are from countries with far different tipping customs.
What they're saying: "[International visitors] automatically figure that gratuity is looped into the bill," Trey Meyers, director of marketing and communications for the Missouri Restaurant Association, tells Axios.
- "We don't want servers to be slighted by any means just because different cultures are coming into our city," he says.
What's happening in Philly, Kansas City and Atlanta
3. 📺 Watch parties
Several New Orleans spots are hosting World Cup watch parties, including:
- Finn McCool's
- Wrong Iron
- Abita's New Orleans taproom
- The Broadside
- Urban South Brewery
- Felipe's
- Walk-On's
- Prytania Bar
Want to watch at home? Fox and FS1 will have every match in English, and Fox One will stream them. Go deeper.
4. 🏆 FIFA trophy in town
FIFA brought its World Cup trophy tour to metro New Orleans last month.
- During the free event at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, fans were able to take pictures with the trophy, buy merch and get autographs from Brazilian soccer legend José Kléberson.
- See Fox 8's video recap.
5. Fully Dressed: 🏗️ New Elmwood apartments
🏗️ The former Kmart site in Elmwood is being redeveloped into a 251-unit apartment complex called The Francis. (Press release)
🎶 Wilson Phillips and John Waite will headline Uncle Sam Jam this year, officials announced yesterday. (Facebook)
📦 Freedom Intermodal is adding a packaging facility to support Port NOLA and the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad. (Biz New Orleans)
🏛️ "Mega" immigration hearings have begun in New Orleans. Immigration advocates say the hearings lead to increased deportations. (Verite)
A second detainee has died in less than two months at the ICE detention facility in Winnfield. (AP)
🦷 Carlie's son looks like the cutest jack-o-lantern after losing four teeth this month.
🐣 Chelsea is on parental leave.
Tell a soccer fan to subscribe.
Thanks to our editor Jen Burkett.
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