The much-anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off with Mexico vs. South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium on Thursday, June 11. The 2026 World Cup, which will run through July 19, will be jointly hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the United States of America.
NFL World Gets Caught Up in FIFA World Cup Kickoff Excitement
The NFL world was also caught up in the excitement that grips the world every four years during the FIFA World Cup.
Former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson reposted a clip on X celebrating Mexico’s goals at the showcase event with a message of support for the neighbors.
Vamos @miseleccionmxEN 🇲🇽 https://t.co/JIyxrnnSM8
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) June 11, 2026
Johnson further shouted out Los Angeles FC winger Son Heung-Min, whose South Korean team will kick off their World Cup campaign against Czechia in the second game of the tournament.
“My cousin @Sonny7 plays today,” Johnson wrote.
The Houston Texans posted a clip of Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa easily converting field goals, with the caption: “Memo Ochoa making NFL field goals look easy,” the caption read.
Memo Ochoa making NFL field goals look easy 👀 pic.twitter.com/bDVQKLGBsi
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) June 11, 2026
The Texans also posted a clip on X of their players playing soccer on Thursday.
World Cup got us like ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/xniUAE5c6s
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) June 11, 2026
New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson could not hide his excitement as the tournament’s kickoff approached. “WORLD CUP DAY,” Wilson wrote.
Team USA will begin its World Cup campaign with a Group D clash against Paraguay on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium. The two teams are joined in their group by Australia and Turkiye.
NFL Legend Makes Team USA World Cup Prediction
Earlier this week, former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski predicted on the “Up & Adams” show that Team USA would take people by surprise during this edition of the World Cup.
“The boldest take for the World Cup is that I think the USA will do some damage this year,” Gronkowski said. “What’s so great is that it’s bringing so much awareness to the game of soccer, to the United States, to, I would say, the crowd that really doesn’t know too much about the game of soccer.”
MORE: FIFA World Cup 2026 Simulator
“My bold take is that we’re going to go pretty far,” he added. “We’re going to do some damage,” he emphasized. “If we get to the top eight, that’s like the USA winning the World Cup.”
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the first edition with an expanded field of 48 teams and the first to be jointly hosted by three countries.
