One round of group games remains before the knockout stage begins at the 2026 World Cup, and it’s already delivered plenty. Scoring records, new rule applications, and drama that's matched, maybe even outdone, by what's happening away from the pitch. A peace message left behind in a locker room, national teams hauling their own food supplies across continents. And a climate story that's been building for years showing up in the data. The host cities are hotter than they used to be
A new analysis from Climate Central looked at how host cities have warmed since North America last staged the tournament — Mexico in 1970 and 1986, the US in 1994. The numbers are stark, highlighting extremely hot days have roughly tripled across repeat hosts. Miami and Mexico City have each seen a fivefold jump, going from an average of two extreme-heat days a summer in the 1980s to around 12 in the past decade. In both cities, climate change accounts for the overwhelming majority of that increase, north of 90%. Norway packed its own pantry
Norway's squad reportedly brought 300kg of fish, 116kg of cheese, and 6,000 oranges to their base camp, pushing their total food haul past a tonne. It made the rounds online as a jab at American food, but the team's own explanation is less dramatic: with weeks of unfamiliar conditions ahead, the staff wanted to remove every variable that could affect recovery, sleep, or how players felt heading into matches. Iran's note on the locker room wall
After a scoreless draw against Belgium in Los Angeles, Iran's federation released a handwritten message left behind in their dressing room — a tribute to "Iran['s] ancient and present-day spirit," and gratitude to the fans who'd shown up for them over the two matches. The note closed with a wish for peace and respect among nations. It also carried an unmistakable weight given the timing: the message followed a deadly attack on a girls' school in Minab, which killed more than 160 people on the war's first day. Jordan said thank you with kunafa
Jordan, playing in their first-ever World Cup, left their own mark after facing Algeria in the Bay Area. Staff found the locker room spotless, with a handwritten thank-you note left behind — and, in a nice touch, trays of kunafa for the stadium crew once the team had gone. A small opening for Iran's travel
The US has loosened entry restrictions for Iran's squad, per the Department of Homeland Security, now allowing the team into the country two days ahead of their next fixture rather than arriving at the last minute. They'll still be required to leave the country right after the Seattle match, but it's a real shift from the friction the team has faced since the war broke out.