In a special live edition of WHYY’s Studio 2 broadcast from FIFA’s Fan Festival at Lemon Hill in Philadelphia, hosts Cherri Gregg and Avi Wolfman-Arent explore the atmosphere surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup and its impact on the city and region. Throughout the segment, contributors reflect on the cultural significance of the tournament and the growing excitement as Philadelphia prepares to host matches on soccer’s biggest stage. The closing portion of the video emphasizes how events like Fan Fest bring together families and newcomers to the sport, highlighting soccer’s expanding footprint in the United States. The discussion echoes broader themes found in American Soccer Nation, where Mark C Franek examines the long development of elite men’s soccer in America and the ways in which the modern surge in popularity is rooted in a deep historical foundation.
Visit Mark’s YouTube channel here >
Visit WHYY’s write-up about the event here >
