World Cup 2026: Everything a Newcomer Needs to Know

Fanish answers the questions every first-time fan is Googling.

Rules & Gameplay

What is offside in soccer?

A player is offside if they're closer to the opponent's goal than both the ball and the second-to-last defender when a pass is made. Think of it like cherry-picking in basketball, you can't camp by the goal.

Attending a Game

What to wear to a World Cup game

Wear the colors of the team you're supporting. US colors are white and navy blue. Jerseys are ideal but not required. Comfortable shoes are essential, you'll be on your feet.

About the Tournament

USA vs Paraguay 2026: everything you need to know

The USA opens World Cup 2026 against Paraguay on June 11 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Kickoff is 9 PM ET. The US qualifies automatically as a host nation.

How does the World Cup format work?

48 teams split into 12 groups of 4. Each team plays 3 group matches. Top 2 from each group plus 8 best third-place teams advance to a knockout round of 32, then it's single elimination to the final.

Who are the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup?

France, Brazil, Argentina (defending champions), England, and Spain are top contenders. The United States and Mexico have home-field advantage. Any of the 48 teams can surprise.

Watching & Following

How to follow the World Cup if you can't watch every game

Follow @getfanish on Instagram and TikTok for daily recaps. Use the Fanish app for match-specific updates. You don't need to watch every game, follow the US matches and the knockout rounds.

About Fanish

What is Fanish?

Fanish is an AI-powered sports sidekick app for people who don't follow soccer but want to enjoy the 2026 World Cup. Pick your match, get caught up in 10 minutes. Free at fanish.app.

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Fanish gives you all of this, personalized to your match, updated in real-time, with player profiles and conversation starters.

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