The FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11 and will be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Why it matters: More Americans are tuning into soccer ahead of the sport's most prestigious tournament, with hopes that this summer will spark the kind of breakthrough interest the 1994 World Cup did the last time it was played on American soil.

State of play: 37% of people anticipate their interest in soccer will increase over the next 18 months, according to Nielsen data.

Context: Soccer was still foreign to many Americans in 1994. Now, people have local teams they support, like our champion Pittsburgh Riverhounds.

• "People are willing to pay to see soccer," Wake Forest economics professor Todd McFall tells Axios. "They've made soccer a part of their life."

By the numbers: Participation in the sport has also increased.

• Of the 5.6 million high school athletes who played sports in 1993-1994, 7.5% of them played soccer, according to data from the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Zoom out: Much has changed in the U.S. since the tournament took place here 32 years ago.

• Now there are several professional leagues for both men and women, more people playing the game overall, and more ways to watch the sport than ever before.

🏟️ Acrisure Stadium is hosting free fan zones on the field to watch knockout round, quarterfinal and final matches on its massive 96-by-28-foot screen, thanks to a partnership with Visit PA.

📺 The big picture: Acrisure's jumbotron will show six World Cup matches:

• Round of 16 matches on July 4 at 1pm and 5pm; gates open at 11am.
• Round of 16 matches on July 5 at 4pm and 8pm; gates open at 2pm.
• A quarterfinal match on July 9 at 4pm; gates open at 2pm.
• The World Cup Final on July 19 at 3pm; gates open at 2pm.

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🚫 Viva Los Tacos has closed. The Mexican-themed restaurant replaced longtime Oakland staple the Original Hot Dog Shop, aka "The O," which closed in 2020.

• Pittsburghers are now clamoring for "The O" to return. (PennLive)

🏛️ Allegheny County Council President Pat Catena (D-Carnegie) is stepping down as president following uproar over anti-transgender mailers he sent out during a primary race for state House he lost to lawyer Brittany Bloam.

• Catena will remain on council representing District 4, and council will elect a new president at its meeting tonight. (TribLive)

🏘️ Pittsburgh City Planning is considering a bill to remove parking minimums and swap out an inclusionary zoning proposal with a bonus program to encourage, but not mandate, affordable housing development. (Public Source)

🌮 Downtown restaurant Täkō is closing on June 26 for major renovations. The Asian-Mexican fusion spot posted on social media that it will go through a "full revamp and reimagination of the concept." (Instagram)

For one glorious month, fans around the world stop to watch the same thing.

• Add in Lionel Messi's likely last dance and a tournament playing out in your backyard, and even the most casual fan has reason to tune in.

By the numbers: The 2026 World Cup runs June 11 to July 19 across 16 host cities.

• 48 teams (up from 32).
• 104 matches over 39 days.
• Three host countries, a first for the men's tournament.

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, back on the World Cup stage after a 28-year absence, with lethal striker Erling Haaland.

State of play: The U.S. Men's National Team drew Group D with Paraguay, Australia and Turkey, opening June 12 in Los Angeles. Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino runs the show.

• BetMGM gives the U.S. roughly a 2.4% chance of winning the trophy.

How to watch: Fox and FS1 will have every match in English, and Fox One will stream them all. Telemundo and Universo will carry the Spanish broadcast, with Peacock streaming that feed.

World Cup fans can still score tickets to matches in U.S. host cities ahead of next month's kickoff — but many are balking at the prices.

The big picture: FIFA is officially in its "last-minute sales" phase, with some matches showing limited availability and some prices reaching beyond $11,000, per an Axios review.

• The federation is facing backlash for steep ticket costs and its new "dynamic" pricing system, which lets prices fluctuate with demand.

What they're saying: FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended World Cup ticket prices, saying they're charging "market rates" in the U.S. entertainment market.

By the numbers: FIFA has sold more than 5 million tickets for the tournament.

Zoom in: The closest host cities to Pittsburgh are Philadelphia and Toronto, both about a five-hour drive away.

How it works: FIFA will continue to drop tickets in batches through its online portal.

• Tickets to individual matches are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
• StubHub and other resale sites also list tickets, though FIFA has cautioned against purchasing through non-FIFA sites.