I'm excited for the World Cup. Soccer is our greatest sport. | Your Turn

The 2026 FIFA soccer World Cup is officially underway. It's the largest version ever of the once-every-four-year tournament that draws billions of eyes.

The cup is featuring a record 48 teams. And making this version of the tournament even more unusual is a three-country venue of the United States, Mexico and Canada.

The first games have already featured stunning play and great goals, with teams facing off from six continents.

But dampening some of fans' joy are ticket costs that have priced many out of a chance to watch their favorite teams and players.

The tournament also is occurring with the backdrop of a Middle Eastern war and a U.S. presidential administration whose foreign policy is unpopular with much of the world and whose border enforcement has thrown up barriers to some fans and teams and barred a referee from entrance.

With so much going on with the World Cup, we asked you, our USA TODAY readers, to give us your take on the tournament.

Below are some of the responses you gave us. For more opportunities to weigh in at usatoday.com/forum, leave us a voicemail at (202) 655-3923 or drop us a note at [email protected].

I'm rooting for Morroco!

I'm excited about the World Cup but wish it were the U.S. women's national team instead. I played as a kid and even made the Olympic development team because we didn't yet have a women's national team!

I like that this tournament's matches are spread around the United States, Canada and Mexico. It gives more opportunity for new fans to watch. Not one area was missed. The matches aren't close together on the calendar, so teams have time to rest.

But I am avoiding all U.S. cities hosting the World Cup because of traffic and ticket prices. I would rather go to Mexico to watch. Specifically, Monterrey. It's one of my favorite cities.

As far as concerns, I am worried about violence and terrorism. The United States is not very well liked at this moment. I lived in Atlanta during the 1996 Summer Olympics, which experienced a terrorist bombing. I pray everything goes smoothly.

My experience with soccer: I started playing when I was 5 years old and quit at 18. Soccer took me around the world by the time I was 16 years old. It taught me mental and physical toughness, agility and to never stay down. It also taught me about other cultures and adaptability. It is the world's greatest sport for a reason. America is late to the party, we have a lot to catch up on.

Who will win the World Cup? I'd say Argentina or Brazil. But I am rooting for Morocco – my number one team because I'm half Moroccan!

— Alexis Hicks, Ohio

Prefer a different kind of 'football'

No, I won't be following the World Cup. I prefer a different kind of "football."

It is too expensive for the average person. And I don’t care about the new three-country venue. Even if I were a fan, I wouldn't go because I'm not interested in big arenas.

As for soccer having any effect on the culture, I don't see any change. It's just another sport to me.

— Joy Harris, California

Rooting for U.S. Going to watch Messi!

Yes, I'm following the World Cup. I'm an avid fan and already have my schedule planned out.

I love that it is in America. I just wish it could be played in one or two places instead of being so spread out. And ticket prices are too high!

I do have tickets to one match. I'm going to watch Lionel Messi and Argentina play Algeria in Kansas City on June 16.

I have played soccer for many decades. Love it, and I'm glad the rest of the United States is catching on. While I'm rooting for the U.S. team, I would say Spain will likely win the cup.

— Dennis Dougherty, Ohio