⚽️ Youth soccer boom

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The FIFA World Cup kicks off June 11, to be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada — including in Dallas and Houston — the first time in 32 years the U.S. will serve as a host nation.

Why it matters: More Americans are tuning into soccer ahead of the sport's most prestigious tournament, and youth soccer clubs hope the tournament spurs a rise in participation.

Context: Austin and many cities nationwide now have professional teams. Some fans have also started watching leagues from other countries.

• Youth participation has also increased alongside the sport's popularity.

By the numbers: As of 2024-25, more than 49,000 Texas high school students played soccer, per data from the National Federation of State High School Associations.

• That's a nearly 31% jump from a decade earlier.

What they're saying: Youth soccer has boomed in popularity at West Austin Youth Association (WAYA), according to Laney Ramirez, the organization's athletic director.

• "Our soccer program is one of our biggest leagues today," Ramirez tells Axios, which she attributes to a growing interest in soccer in the U.S. and the accessibility of the sport for kids.
• Enrollment for their spring and fall soccer leagues increased from 400 kids per season to 700 since she joined the group in 2019.

Zoom in: The city of Austin offers youth soccer leagues for ages 3-12 in the fall and spring, and a number of organizations offer soccer leagues and camps.

What's next: WAYA's soccer summer camps are nearly filled up, which Ramirez attributes to the World Cup and a growing interest in women's sports.

• "It's getting bigger, and a lot of girls are starting to play more soccer," Ramirez adds.

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For five glorious weeks, fans around the world stop to watch the same thing.

By the numbers: The 2026 tournament includes:

• 48 teams (up from 32).
• 104 matches over 39 days.
• Three host countries, a first for the men's tournament.

The favorites: Spain, France and England headline the sportsbooks, with five-time winner Brazil and reigning champ Argentina right behind.

• Norway is the buzzy dark horse, back on the World Cup stage after a 28-year absence, with lethal striker Erling Haaland.

State of play: The U.S. Men's National Team drew Group D with Paraguay, Australia and Turkey, opening June 12 in Los Angeles. The roster was announced last week.

• BetMGM gives the U.S. roughly a 2.4% chance of winning the trophy.

The intrigue: This World Cup looks different from the ones you remember.

• The larger field means a brand new round of 32 before the bracket reaches the round of 16.

Stunning stat: The prize pool totals $727 million, with $50 million going to the winner. Every team pockets at least $10.5 million just for booking the trip.

More fun facts

Two people who were injured in last month's shooting spree have been released from the hospital. (CBS Austin)

🚒 Austin Fire Department Battalion and Safety Chief Eddie Martinez has watched both of his children — Alex Martinez and Ava Martinez — become Austin firefighters. (KVUE)

🚌 CapMetro riders will no longer be able to enter buses through the rear doors, a policy introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic. (KXAN)

Hybrid work changed what companies need from their offices, but their portfolios still aren’t catching up.

The background: JLL’s new guide explores how coordinated workplace strategy can uncover growth opportunities, attract talent and create long-term advantage.

Get the guide.

The World Cup isn't coming to Austin, but there are plenty of places to watch with friends.

What's happening: We've rounded up some of the best bars and watch parties around town for soccer fans looking to soak up the World Cup atmosphere.

Zoom in: Austin FC will host watch parties at Auditorium Shores on June 11 and 12, showing the opening matches featuring Mexico (June 11), Canada (June 12), and the United States (June 12) on large-scale screens.

• Then, Inn Cahoots will become Austin FC's hub for all things World Cup, featuring 100 matches through July 19.
• Haymaker is the unofficial headquarters for the Austin chapter of American Outlaws, supporting the U.S. National Team, and they'll host a World Cup pregame party on June 12, noon-5pm, before the U.S. vs. Paraguay match.
• Kelly's Pub says it will be open for every match, with drink specials throughout the tournament.
• Little Woodrow's locations across Austin — Parmer Lane, Southpark Meadows, Tech Ridge, West Sixth Street, Burnet Road and the Domain — will show every match.

Pro tip: You can watch the action from home on Fox 7 Austin (KTBC).

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The World Cup will kick off in Mexico City and end in New Jersey, putting years of planning to the test.

The big picture: Mexico is preparing to host the World Cup for a record third time — and the tournament is already reshaping the capital.

Zoom in: Our Dallas colleague Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi visited Mexico City to see how preparations are shaping up. Signs of the tournament are everywhere.

Vibe check: Buildings and underpasses in tourist areas have had soccer-adjacent advertisements for weeks. One museum has 15,000 pieces of soccer memorabilia.

• A massive soccer ball sculpture and replica World Cup trophy greet visitors at Benito Juárez International Airport.

Yes, but: Some residents are wary of the World Cup, saying they can't afford tickets and that the city won't be ready in time for the opening match.

• The airport remains an active construction site. Azteca Stadium is facing issues with box seats and concerns about sinking.
• Many families have also been displaced because of the city's short-term rental boom, a tour guide tells Axios.

Go deeper

Market shifts move quickly, and workspace strategy can determine whether companies stay ahead or react too late.

An expert take: JLL’s latest guide examines how integrated portfolio planning can create flexibility to support long-term growth.

Read the report.

Thanks to Astrid Galván and Bob Gee for editing this newsletter.

🤫 Asher secretly hopes his soccer-loving 6-year-old turns out to be not particularly good so he doesn't have to drive him to tournaments across Texas as he grows up.

❤️ Nicole loves looking at her niece and nephew's youth soccer portraits on her fridge.

Congrats to our Friday news quiz winner Karthik Srinivasan! Karthik enjoys watching his daughter dance at Synergy Dance Company and his son play soccer with FC Westlake.

The answers: Mayes Middleton won the Republican runoff for Texas attorney general; Coco and Bear are the names of Austin Mayor Kirk Watson's new bulldogs; state Rep. Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) is now the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor.