My first World Cup experience was in my early 20s, living in Stockholm. What I remember most isn’t a single match—it’s the sound of every language pouring into the streets at once. Strangers cheering for teams they had no geographic claim to; camaraderie built without a common word in common. The World Cup does that. It turns language into something you feel before you speak it.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This is the first time three nations have shared the tournament. Forty-eight teams. One hundred plus matches. More teams, more languages! More languages, more connections!
I’m following the Games the same way I follow everything: through language. Here are the teams—and the ICLS programs—that are making noise right now.
Defending champions Argentina hold the #1 spot in FIFA’s current rankings, with Spain at #3. 
Two squads, two distinct accents, one language connecting fans from Buenos Aires to Barcelona to the DMV. For Spanish learners, there is no better immersion environment. And it’s live!
Cheer en Español all verano long!
Brazil is the most successful World Cup nation in history with FIVE TITLES! This squad is built around the pace and technical quality of Vinícius Jr.
Brazil’s fanbase is massive, globally distributed, and deeply invested. Brazilian Portuguese is the language that travels with every one of those fans—and right now, they have plenty to say.
Learn Brazilian Portuguese this summer!
French is one of the official languages of FIFA itself, from Europe to Africa and to North America—it shows up in officiating, press conferences, the quiet negotiations between coaching staffs.
Continue your French Language journey with us.
The United States opened their home World Cup campaign with a dominant 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. England opened Group L last week as a perennial contender with unfinished business. Between the two squads, English-language coverage of this tournament is the deepest, most contested, and most argued-over in the world—the best possible environment for learners at every level.
Germany opened their 2026 campaign with a commanding 7-1 victory over tournament debutants Curaçao in Houston.
German football has historically been synonymous with efficiency and a relentless capacity to arrive at the final when no one expects it. Seven goals in the opening match suggest the 2026 version has something to say early. For German learners, the post-match analysis alone is worth the vocabulary investment.
Duolingo can't cheer with you. Rosetta Stone can't either. We can and we will. Cheer with us in German this summer.
Four years ago, Morocco made history as the first African and Arab team to reach the World Cup semifinals, eliminating Spain and Portugal before narrowly losing to France. They returned to that same energy on June 13—Morocco went ahead against Brazil in the 21st minute through Saibari’s audacious chip over Alisson, dominating early against the five-time champions before settling for a 1-1 draw!
Yallah Morocco!
Start learning Arabic or French at ICLS.
Japan opened Group F with a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Netherlands. Daichi Kamada’s header in the 88th minute leveling the score after the Dutch had led twice, leaving Group F wide open.
Nearly the entire Japanese roster plays club football in Europe, with eight players at German Bundesliga clubs alone—a squad that has beaten Spain and Germany on the same stage and showed against the Netherlands that they will not trail quietly.
Follow Japan on Nippon.com
ICLS is offering a weekend conversational Japanese class for intermediate and advanced learners who haven't lost their Japanese, they've just lost their practice partners and are ready to get back in the game.
Language, like football, is a contact sport—you improve by playing, not watching from the sidelines. The tournament runs through July 19. ICLS language classes start July 6. The timing isn’t a coincidence—it’s an invitation.
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