Many see the rivalry between France and Senegal as a result of colonial heritage. But at the same time, European teams are more African than ever.

© Vincent Alban for The New York Times

To comply with a FIFA prohibition on branding, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey was renamed “New York New Jersey Stadium.” New Jerseyans were not surprised.

© Vincent Alban for The New York Times

At its first game in Los Angeles, the men’s national team drew spectators who weren’t coming for the soccer, but rather to protest the regime in Tehran.

© Gabriela Bhaskar/The New York Times

The war had stirred doubts about the team’s participation in the tournament. It is set to play New Zealand in a Los Angeles area stadium on Monday.

© Andre Penner/Associated Press

John Sorochan, a turf scientist at the University of Tennessee, has led the yearslong, multimillion-dollar effort to develop perfect playing fields for the 2026 World Cup.

Every match must be played on natural grass that gives players as consistent a surface as possible, no matter the venue. Cue the years of sod studies.

Thanks to immigrants and the internet, Americans gained entry to a universe beyond our borders.