The 2026 World Cup is playing out in communities across the country. Journalists from NPR and its member stations are in your city — capturing the excitement and asking the important questions.

South Korea and Czechia face off in Guadalajara on Thursday night, a Group A clash that wraps up the first day of the 2026 World Cup. The Koreans have qualified for every World Cup since 1986, while Czechia is making its first appearance in 20 years.

In a game that saw more red cards than goals, Mexico has won the opening match of the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa.

In 2002, Türkiye seemed as if it was a team on the rise after it finished third at the World Cup in Korea/Japan. Surprisingly, after its 3-2 win over South Korea in that third-place game, Türkiye would not return to the tournament for 24 years.