Los Angeles marks 30 days to World Cup – SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, U.S. – May 12, 2026 Former basketball player Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson speaks during an event marking 30 days until the start of the World Cup. REUTERS/Daniel Cole
Basketball legend Magic Johnson has rallied football fans across the globe to choose Los Angeles as their preferred destination for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, describing the city as the “sports capital of the world.”
Speaking during a “30 Days to FIFA World Cup 2026” event held at SoFi Stadium on Tuesday, the former NBA superstar said Los Angeles was preparing to offer visitors much more than football matches during the global tournament.
“The world game is coming to the greatest city in the world,” Johnson declared at the ceremony, which was organised to promote both the World Cup and Los Angeles’ reputation as a major global sporting and entertainment centre.
Johnson, a five-time NBA champion and three-time Most Valuable Player, noted that the city was entering a historic sporting era, with the World Cup, the NFL Super Bowl and the 2028 Summer Olympics all scheduled within the next few years.
Los Angeles will stage eight World Cup matches involving teams such as the United States, Paraguay, Iran, New Zealand, Switzerland, Bosnia, Belgium and Turkey.
The 2026 tournament, which will be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature an expanded 48-team format across 16 host cities in North America.
According to Kathryn Schloessman, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission and head of the local host committee, supporters can expect a “giant soccer carnival” across the city throughout the competition.
Organisers also stressed the availability of affordable transportation, highlighting stadium transit fares costing as little as $1.75 — a sharp contrast to transportation and event pricing concerns raised in some East Coast host cities.
Despite the excitement surrounding the tournament, debate has continued over the World Cup’s economic and social impact. Critics have expressed fears about rising housing costs, pressure on public services, homelessness and the financial burden on taxpayers.
Los Angeles is also scheduled to host the U.S. opening ceremony of the World Cup on June 12, with pop star Katy Perry expected to headline the entertainment programme. The event follows opening celebrations in Mexico City and Toronto, reflecting the tournament’s tri-nation hosting arrangement.
Although internationally recognised for franchises such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, the city has also enjoyed a rich football culture through the LA Galaxy, which previously attracted stars such as David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Steven Gerrard.
To further boost excitement ahead of the tournament, the Los Angeles World Cup committee has enlisted celebrities including Snoop Dogg, Eva Longoria and Will Ferrell as community ambassadors.