As the 2026 World Cup begins this week, several international coaches and directors in Kentucky are gearing up to watch their home teams far from their roots. Though they live in the Bluegrass now, they’ll still be cheering on their native countries and continents with pride and feeling the excitement and energy of the tournament.
Woodford Youth Soccer Association Assistant League Commissioner Clive Weller from Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, England, is hoping the Three Lions will advance to the quarterfinals but says, “England have had excellent individuals in the past and failed to win these tournaments.” He added that England’s head coach has been using a different approach when it comes to this year’s tournament. “Thomas Tuchel has made quite a few unpopular decisions with the team selection, but he has opted for team bonding and performance over individual ability.”
Skillability Soccer Training’s Executive Director Thuto Nhlekisana hails from Botswana, and although his home country didn’t make it into the tournament, he will still be supporting the qualifying African nations. “The dream is to see one of them win it! South Africa is always a fun team to watch. They will surprise a lot of people,” said Nhlekisana.
As a Scottish native living in Owensboro, Coaching Director Andrew Livingston said he will try to attend one of Scotland’s games as the Scots haven’t qualified for the World Cup in decades. “The Scottish National team has been making some fantastic progression over the last few years. It’s also been 28 years since Scotland last qualified so safe to say I’ll enjoy this one a little more than usual!” Livingston exclaimed.
In Botswana, when the tournament is underway, Nhlekisana says the nation is laser-focused on it. “In Botswana when the World Cup is on, it is all that people talk about. World Cup fever is everywhere nonstop. When games are on, everybody is watching. It’s like the country comes to a standstill.”
Coach Weller said England has that same energy around the tournament. “In England, the country will watch the games in the pub, which will be packed and will be passionate. Every game is watched and discussed. When the World cup was in Japan in 2002, I worked in London and games were at 6 am, so fans piled into pubs and bars at 6 am to watch the games before going to work.”
The World Cup brings enthusiasm and passion to the biggest stage in sports while also connecting many different cultures and people. Livingston, originally from Hamilton, Scotland, said, “I think the World Cup is a cool reminder about how big this world is. It’s brilliant we have a global sport loved and played by so many.”
Nhlekisana plans to go to the South Africa versus Czechia match in Atlanta to support the Bafana Bafana and will be taking it all in. “The World Cup means everything to me. One of the reasons why I fell in love with is sport when I was a kid. Brings people together like nothing else.”
World Cup matches start Thursday, June 11, and games will run through the month into July, with the Final set for July 19. The U.S. will host matches in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle. Games will be broadcast on FOX, FS1, Telemundo and Universo.
And although Weller won’t be attending any World Cup matches, he will still be rooting on his home team knowing that this tournament is special. As many soccer fans do, he lives by and is proud to proclaim, “Football is LIFE!”