The 2026 FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest sports events in the world. This year, the tournament is special because it is played in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It is also the first World Cup with 48 teams, so there are more matches and more fans than ever before.
People from many countries travel to the matches. They wear colourful shirts, wave flags, sing songs, and paint their faces. Every team has its own traditions, and many fans wear funny hats or costumes to support their country.
One of the biggest surprises at this World Cup is the popularity of the Norway fans. After every important victory, thousands of supporters sit on the ground and move together like they are rowing a Viking boat. This celebration is called the Viking Row. Now many football fans around the world know this tradition, and even the Norwegian players join it after matches.
The biggest Norwegian star is Erling Haaland. He is famous for his speed, strength, and powerful shots. Many young fans want his shirt, and he has become one of the most popular players at the tournament. People also like him because he smiles, jokes with fans, and celebrates with his teammates.
Many other football stars are playing, too. Fans love Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and young talents such as Lamine Yamal. Children often wear shirts with the names of their favourite players.
Football fashion is also important. Fans wear football shirts, scarves, caps, and sunglasses. Some supporters dress like famous people from their country’s history. Scottish fans wear traditional kilts, while Norwegian supporters often wear Viking helmets and wave large flags. Bright football boots and colourful team clothes are also very popular this year.
The World Cup is played in many famous cities. Some matches are in New York City, Seattle, Dallas, Toronto, and Mexico City. Fans travel long distances by plane, train, and bus to watch their teams play.
The weather is not always easy for the players. Some matches are played in very hot weather, so players need water breaks to stay healthy. Fans also wear hats, drink lots of water, and look for shade before the matches.
The atmosphere is amazing. Before the matches, fans sing together outside the stadiums. Inside, they clap, cheer, and celebrate every goal. Even people who do not usually watch football enjoy the music, the colours, and the happy feeling. For many people, the World Cup is not only about winning. It is about meeting new friends, learning about different countries, and enjoying football together.
Discussion Questions (Elementary ESL)
- What is special about the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
- Which three countries are hosting the tournament?
- How many teams are playing in this World Cup?
- Why do so many people travel to the World Cup?
- What do football fans wear before the matches?
- What is the Viking Row?
- Which country started the Viking Row celebration?
- Why do many fans like Erling Haaland?
- Which famous football players are mentioned in the text?
- Who is your favourite player? Why?
- What do football fans wear to support their team?
- Which city from the reading would you like to visit? Why?
- Why do some players need water breaks?
- What do fans do when the weather is very hot?
- What is the atmosphere like before and during a match?
- What do supporters do after their team scores a goal?
- Why is the World Cup more than just football?
- Would you like to watch a World Cup match in a stadium? Why or why not?
- Which football tradition from the text do you like the most?
- If you could meet one player from the reading, who would you choose, and what would you ask him?
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| tournament | sports competition |
| supporter | fan |
| teammate | another player in your team |
| celebrate | show happiness after success |
| atmosphere | the feeling in a place |
| costume | special clothes |
| scarf | long piece of cloth for your neck |
| wave a flag | move a flag in the air |
| stadium | place where sports are played |
| popular | liked by many people |
| powerful | very strong |
| tradition | something people do every year or for a long time |
| colourful | having many colours |
| shade | a cool place away from the sun |
| journey | a trip from one place to another |
Fill in the missing word
Use one word. The first letter is given.
- The World Cup is the biggest football t__________ in the world.
- Forty-eight t__________ are playing in the competition.
- Thousands of f__________ travel to watch the matches.
- Many people w__________ their national team’s shirt.
- Supporters w__________ flags before the match begins.
- Some fans p__________ their faces in the colours of their country.
- Every country has its own football t__________.
- Norwegian fans celebrate with the famous Viking R__________.
- The supporters s__________ on the ground after the match.
- They m__________ together like people in a boat.
- Erling Haaland is one of the biggest football s__________.
- He is famous for his s__________ and strong shots.
- He often s__________ after scoring a goal.
- Young fans want to wear his football s__________.
- Many people like him because he j__________ with the fans.
- He c__________ victories with his teammates.
- His t__________ are very happy for him.
- Football fans love the exciting a__________ in the stadium.
- Children often have a favourite football p__________.
- The World Cup brings people from many c__________ together.
Answer Key
- tournament, 2. teams, 3. fans, 4. wear, 5. wave, 6. paint, 7. traditions, 8. Row, 9. sit, 10. move, 11. star, 12. speed, 13. smiles, 14. shirt, 15. jokes, 16. celebrates, 17. teammates, 18. atmosphere, 19. player, 20. countries
Fill in the missing word
Use one word. The first letter is given.
- Many football s__________ wear colourful scarves and caps.
- Some fans wear funny c__________ to support their country.
- Scottish fans wear traditional k__________.
- Norwegian fans sometimes wear Viking h__________.
- Many supporters w__________ large national flags.
- Bright football b__________ are popular this year.
- The World Cup is played in many famous c__________.
- Fans often t__________ long distances to watch their team.
- Many people go by p__________ because the countries are very big.
- Some supporters also travel by t__________.
- The w__________ can be very hot during some matches.
- Players sometimes need w__________ breaks.
- Fans wear h__________ to protect themselves from the sun.
- They drink lots of w__________ during the day.
- Many people look for s__________ before the match.
- The a__________ inside the stadium is exciting.
- Fans s__________ together before the match.
- They c__________ and celebrate every goal.
- The World Cup helps people make new f__________.
- Football brings people together from different c__________.
Key:
- supporters, 2. costumes, 3. kilts, 4. helmets, 5. wave, 6. boots, 7. cities, 8. travel, 9. plane, 10. train, 11. weather, 12. water, 13. hats, 14. water, 15. shade, 16. atmosphere, 17. sing, 18. cheer, 19. friends, 20. countries
Who am I?
Read the descriptions and guess the football player.
(Elementary–Pre-Intermediate ESL)
1.
I am a tall striker with blond hair. I am very strong and score many goals. I play for Manchester City and for the Norway national team. Fans like me because I work hard and score exciting goals.
Who am I? ______________________
2.
I am a small player with dark hair. Many people say I am one of the greatest footballers ever. I play for Inter Miami and for Argentina. Fans love my amazing dribbling and my humble personality.
Who am I? ______________________
3.
I am very fast and dangerous in front of goal. I play for Real Madrid and for France. Fans enjoy my speed and spectacular finishes.
Who am I? ______________________
4.
I have curly hair and wear the number 10 for my country. I play for Barcelona and for Spain. I am still very young, but many people think I can become one of the world’s best players.
Who am I? ______________________
5.
I am a Brazilian winger with quick feet and many tricks. I play for Real Madrid and for Brazil. Fans love my exciting style and beautiful goals.
Who am I? ______________________
6.
I am an English midfielder. I am tall, strong, and very good at passing the ball. I play for Real Madrid and for England. Fans like my energy and leadership.
Who am I? ______________________
7.
I am an attacking midfielder from Germany. I play for Bayern Munich and for Germany. I am famous for my creativity and clever passes.
Who am I? ______________________
8.
I am an experienced striker from England. I play for Bayern Munich and I am the captain of the England national team. Fans admire me because I score many goals and always help my teammates.
Who am I? ______________________
9.
I am a winger from Egypt. I have curly hair and a beard. I play for Liverpool and for Egypt. Fans love my speed, goals, and kind personality.
Who am I? ______________________
10.
I am a goalkeeper from Italy. I am very tall and make fantastic saves. I play for Paris Saint-Germain and for the Italy national team. Fans respect me because I stay calm in difficult matches.
Who am I? ______________________
Key
- Erling Haaland
- Lionel Messi
- Kylian Mbappé
- Lamine Yamal
- Vinícius Júnior
- Jude Bellingham
- Jamal Musiala
- Harry Kane
- Mohamed Salah
- Gianluigi Donnarumma
Football Vocabulary (English–Hungarian)
Player Positions
| English | Magyar |
|---|---|
| goalkeeper | kapus |
| defender | védő |
| centre-back | középhátvéd |
| full-back | szélsőhátvéd |
| left-back | balhátvéd |
| right-back | jobbhátvéd |
| wing-back | támadó szélsőhátvéd |
| midfielder | középpályás |
| central midfielder | középső középpályás |
| defensive midfielder | védekező középpályás |
| attacking midfielder | támadó középpályás |
| winger | szélső támadó |
| left winger | balszélső |
| right winger | jobbszélső |
| striker | csatár |
| centre forward | középcsatár |
| substitute | cserejátékos |
| captain | csapatkapitány |
| coach / manager | edző |
Football Actions
| English | Magyar |
|---|---|
| score a goal | gólt szerez |
| shoot | kapura lő |
| pass the ball | passzol |
| cross the ball | beadja a labdát |
| dribble | cselez |
| tackle | szerel |
| save | véd (kapus) |
| catch the ball | elkapja a labdát |
| head the ball | fejel |
| kick the ball | megrúgja a labdát |
| celebrate | ünnepel |
| defend | védekezik |
| attack | támad |
| control the ball | átveszi / irányítja a labdát |
| win the ball | labdát szerez |
| lose the ball | labdát veszít |
| keep possession | megtartja a labdát |
| make a run | befut, üres területre mozog |
Football Skills
| English | Magyar |
|---|---|
| speed | gyorsaság |
| strength | erő |
| stamina | állóképesség |
| balance | egyensúly |
| technique | technika |
| ball control | labdakezelés |
| passing | passzjáték |
| finishing | helyzetkihasználás |
| shooting | lövőkészség |
| dribbling | cselezés |
| heading | fejjáték |
| vision | játékintelligencia, helyzetfelismerés |
| creativity | kreativitás |
| leadership | vezetői képesség |
| teamwork | csapatmunka |
Match Vocabulary
| English | Magyar |
|---|---|
| match | mérkőzés |
| game | meccs |
| tournament | torna |
| competition | verseny |
| World Cup | világbajnokság |
| national team | válogatott |
| club | klub |
| league | bajnokság |
| group stage | csoportkör |
| knockout stage | kieséses szakasz |
| final | döntő |
| semi-final | elődöntő |
| quarter-final | negyeddöntő |
| extra time | hosszabbítás |
| penalty shoot-out | tizenegyespárbaj |
| referee | játékvezető |
| assistant referee | partjelző |
| VAR | videóbíró |
Stadium and Fans
| English | Magyar |
|---|---|
| stadium | stadion |
| crowd | tömeg, közönség |
| supporters | szurkolók |
| fans | rajongók |
| atmosphere | hangulat |
| cheer | éljenez |
| chant | rigmust skandál |
| wave a flag | zászlót lenget |
| scarf | sál |
| shirt / jersey | mez |
| football boots | futballcipő |
| helmet | sisak |
| costume | jelmez |
| face paint | arcfestés |
Common Football Expressions
| English | Magyar |
|---|---|
| score a hat-trick | három gólt szerez egy meccsen |
| keep a clean sheet | kapott gól nélkül zár |
| make a save | nagy védést mutat be |
| man of the match | a mérkőzés legjobb játékosa |
| own goal | öngól |
| equaliser | egyenlítő gól |
| winning goal | győztes gól |
| opening goal | első gól |
| injury time | hosszabbítás (ráadásidő) |
| free kick | szabadrúgás |
| penalty | tizenegyes |
| corner kick | szögletrúgás |
| throw-in | bedobás |
| offside | les |
| yellow card | sárga lap |
| red card | piros lap |
| foul | szabálytalanság |
| draw | döntetlen |
| victory | győzelem |
| defeat | vereség |
Translate into English
- Erling Haaland Norvégia csatára, és a világ egyik legjobb gólszerzője.
- Lionel Messi nagyszerűen cselez, és nagyon pontosan passzol.
- Kylian Mbappé gyorsabb, mint sok más támadó.
- Lamine Yamal nagyon fiatal, de már a spanyol válogatott egyik legfontosabb játékosa.
- Vinícius Júnior gyakran lefutja a védőket, majd beadja a labdát.
- Jude Bellingham középpályás, aki jól támad és jól védekezik is.
- Harry Kane gyakran gólt szerez, de a csapattársainak is sok gólpasszt ad.
- Mohamed Salah kedvenc játékosa sok liverpooli szurkolónak, mert mindig keményen dolgozik a csapatért.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma sok nehéz lövést kivéd, ezért a szurkolók nagyon tisztelik.
- A világbajnokságon a stadionok tele vannak szurkolókkal, akik énekelnek, zászlókat lengetnek és fantasztikus hangulatot teremtenek.
Key
- Erling Haaland is Norway’s striker, and he is one of the best goalscorers in the world.
- Lionel Messi dribbles brilliantly and passes the ball very accurately.
- Kylian Mbappé is faster than many other forwards.
- Lamine Yamal is very young, but he is already one of the most important players in the Spanish national team.
- Vinícius Júnior often runs past defenders and then crosses the ball.
- Jude Bellingham is a midfielder who attacks well and defends well, too.
- Harry Kane often scores goals, but he also gives many assists to his teammates.
- Mohamed Salah is the favourite player of many Liverpool supporters because he always works hard for his team.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma saves many difficult shots, so the fans respect him very much.
- At the World Cup, the stadiums are full of supporters who sing, wave flags, and create a fantastic atmosphere.