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On to the knockout round: 4 takeaways from the FIFA World Cup so far
By Becky Sullivan | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 28, 2026
· 6 min read
(Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The worries before the World Cup were many. There were the visa wait times, the ticket prices, anxieties over hotel rooms and public transit, and countless battles between FIFA and local organizing committees.
Now, with the group stag...
Key takeaway But overall, the stadiums have been full, even for matchups that seemed lackluster on paper: nearly 70,000 people packed into stadiums to see games like Cape Verde-Saudi Arabia, Algeria-Jordan and Bosnia and Herzegovina-Qatar.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
As the FIFA World Cup moves into its knockout round, Los Angeles residents can take pride in the tournament's overall success, despite initial worries about logistics and attendance. The fact that stadiums have been full, even for less prominent matchups, bodes well for the city's ability to host large international events. While some local businesses may not have seen the expected boost in tourism, the tournament has still brought a significant influx of visitors to the region, with fans from around the world descending on North American cities. As the tournament progresses, Angelenos can expect to see more excitement and energy in the city, particularly if the US team advances. The success of the World Cup also sets a positive precedent for future large-scale events in Los Angeles, showcasing the city's capacity to accommodate and entertain international crowds.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 28, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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What is this story about? (Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The worries before the World Cup were many. There were the visa wait times, the ticket prices, anxieties over hotel rooms and public transit, and countless battles between FIFA and local organizing committees.
Now, with the group stag...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 28, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Becky Sullivan | NPR at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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