The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be more than a sports story. With matches across the U.S., Mexico and Canada, AP is approaching the tournament as a global news event with sports, politics, business, immigration, travel and culture all intersecting.
Josh Hoffner, AP’s director of Global Sports, said AP’s strength lies in its footprint across all U.S. host cities, along with teams in Mexico and Canada.
“We are uniquely positioned to cover it in a really authoritative way,” Hoffner said.
AP will cover every match, but the plan goes beyond scores and game stories. The newsroom is built to respond to what audiences are talking about in real time, from ticket prices and fan travel costs to security questions, immigration enforcement, political reaction and major social moments.
That means coordination across Sports, Washington, U.S. News, video, photo, graphics and global teams.
Actionable recommendations
Plan beyond match coverage. Treat the World Cup as a news, culture and business story.
Watch the public conversation closely and be ready to explain what audiences are discussing.
Use AP’s coverage plans in Newsroom to plan packages and publishing schedules.
Questions for leaders
Are we covering the World Cup only as a sports event, or as a broader audience opportunity?
Which local issues could connect our audience to the tournament?
Plan beyond match coverage. Treat the World Cup as a news, culture and business story.
Watch the public conversation closely and be ready to explain what audiences are discussing.
Use AP’s coverage plans in Newsroom to plan packages and publishing schedules.
Questions for leaders
Are we covering the World Cup only as a sports event, or as a broader audience opportunity?
Which local issues could connect our audience to the tournament?
