From South Korea to South Africa: World Cup hosts in a state of intoxication – when the euphoria carries you further and further

history

As of: June 19, 2026 • 7:10 a.m

Mexico, the USA and Canada are playing like crazy at their home World Cup and have triggered waves of euphoria in their countries thanks to their strong performances so far. A look at history shows: At the home World Cup, teams are often not only good for surprises. The performance can also have an impact on the country.

All three host countries have a good chance of reaching the round of 16. Mexico has already won the group with a 1-0 win against South Korea. Canada celebrated a 6-0 record win and the USA played so well in a 4-1 win against Paraguay that ticket prices for the remaining US games subsequently skyrocketed. The further the team gets in their own World Cup, the more the whole country gets excited. How has it worked out over the past few years?

1994 – The World Cup that brought professional soccer to the USA

There could be no talk of a World Cup atmosphere in 1994. At that time, soccer was as popular as athletics in the United States. One condition for the World Cup award: The US Soccer Association had to found its own professional league. It was surprising that the US team reached the round of 16 with four points. It ended there after a 0-1 defeat against Brazil. Football then grew in popularity in the USA. In 1996, Major League Soccer (MLS) started its inaugural season.

1998 – A World Cup and a title that unites France

How a title at the domestic World Cup can bring an entire country together was impressively observed at the 1998 tournament in France. President Jacques Chirac saw the country united again. Henry, Zidane, Thuram and Co. successfully represented a new France.

2002 – Surprises at the World Cup in Japan and South Korea

At the 2002 World Cup there were two host countries for the first time: Japan and South Korea wanted to improve their strained relationship after the Japanese colonial era with the first tournament on Asian soil. With the home advantage behind them, the teams also set a sporting exclamation mark: Japan made it to the round of 16. South Korea provided definitive proof that host countries are a force to be reckoned with. The team was only eliminated in the semifinals against Germany.

2006 – Germany, a summer fairy tale

A third place, a summer fairy tale, Germany in a state of emergency. The fear of embarrassment at a World Cup in their own country was great in Germany. With committed performances, the German national team played its way into the hearts of the population in 2006. Meanwhile, she discovered patriotism on the country’s fan miles. The defeat in the semi-final against Italy was bitter, but third place was far beyond expectations.

2010 – Good atmosphere despite being eliminated from the preliminary round in South Africa

South Africa were eliminated from their 2010 World Cup in the preliminary round despite vuvuzela support. Tshabalala raised expectations with a brilliant angle goal in the opening game against Mexico (1-1). However, this did not dampen the mood at the first World Cup on the African continent.

Brazil fails because of the pressure

Before the 2014 World Cup, expectations for the Brazilian team were huge. The whole country was hoping for a sixth title and victory at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Captain Neymar promised in advance: “Our fans can be sure: 23 warriors will tear themselves apart for the Selecao.”

With the loud support of the fans behind them, they won Selecao their group. In the round of 16 against Chile it was almost over. Brazil only progressed on penalties. After a 2-1 win against Colombia, Brazil met Germany. The 1:7 became a national trauma. Too much pressure is sometimes not good either.

2018 – Russia’s surprising offensive football

President Putin did not have very high expectations of the Russian team. Before the 2018 World Cup, he simply expected “that the team would play with dignity, show modern and interesting football and fight until the end.” Russia actually played courageous offensive football and even eliminated Spain in the round of 16. In the quarter-finals it was over against Croatia – but only in a penalty shootout. The Russian team’s performance was a huge surprise.

2022 World Cup puts Qatar on the football map

The fact that Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup was a surprise that was met with criticism around the world. Ever since the contract was awarded, the whole world knew about the small Gulf state. From a sporting perspective, things didn’t go well for Qatar. The team was eliminated in the preliminary round without a point. However, the team was also able to qualify for the 2026 World Cup through sporting means. So perhaps the World Cup was the birth moment for Qatari football.

Mexico’s knockout game at the Aztec Stadium. Soon Canada and the USA will also have football fever?

What happens next for Canada, Mexico and the USA will become clear in the coming weeks. With the win against South Korea, Mexico has secured another game in the Aztec Stadium in the round of 16, which the home fans will definitely see as a good omen. The Canada and USA teams may need a few more wins to sustainably ignite football fever in their countries.