News:

API Stats: QuotaRequest: 1.02, QuotaUsed: 1.02, QuotaLeft: 48.98, QuotaKeyId: 0, Retry Count: 0

Total - 2

Number: 1 (not part of api)

Title: From Batman to believers: World Cup minnows dream big as draw delivers drama

image:

id: 385513486

publish_date: 2025-12-06 02:06:12

language: en

source_country: us

sourceName: Reuters

link to original: https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/soccer-batman-believers-world-cup-minnows-dream-big-2025-12-06/

text:

Dec 5 (Reuters) - A caped crusader danced in Glasgow, a tiny Caribbean island vowed to conquer the world and a Haitian fan predicted a semi-final run, as the 2026 World Cup draw delivered equal measures of euphoria and ambition for football's underdogs on Friday. Scotland's 28-year wait to return to football's biggest stage exploded into kilted chaos at a Glasgow pub, where one supporter dressed as Batman captured the national mood. Advertisement · Scroll to continueReport Ad "There's nothing better than our nation coming together. Forget Celtic, Rangers, unite the clans. Braveheart McBatman, here we go," shouted the caped crusader as fans sang "No Scotland, No Party." The Tartan Army will face five-time winners Brazil, 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and Haiti in Group C. A rematch with Brazil coming exactly 28 years after Scotland last appeared at a World Cup in 1998 and faced the same opponents in their opening game. But if Scotland's return was joyous, tiny Curacao's debut was nothing short of miraculous. With just over 150,000 residents, the Caribbean island has become one of the smallest countries ever to reach the finals. Advertisement · Scroll to continue "I am so, so very proud. It's like the first time ever - it's like history written. I do not have words," said one emotional fan in Willemstad, the island's capital, as supporters absorbed their Group E draw with four-time champions Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast. SOCCER'S DAVIDS VS GOLIATHS Size, however, hasn't dampened ambition. "We're coming to conquer the whole world. It doesn't matter who we play against, Curacao is coming to the World Cup! Everybody be prepared," declared another jubilant supporter. Haiti's qualification carried deep significance, with fans celebrating despite gang violence forcing them to play "home" fixtures in Curacao. Their 2-0 victory over Nicaragua secured only their second World Cup appearance since 1974. "Once we're determined, I think that we will go so far in that World Cup. Whatever the team we will play, like Brazil or Italy, if we are determined we will beat them. I believe that (it's) good - at least we will play the semi-final," declared fan Exantus Olivier. Ad Break Coming Up NEXT StayNext OffEnglish 180p288p360p480p540p576p720pHD1080pHDAuto (180p) About ConnatixV48787032 About ConnatixV48787032 Continue watchingafter the adVisit Advertiser websiteGO TO PAGE Another fan Lamour Levainceur referenced a gang leader's pledge to lay down arms if Haiti qualified for the World Cup. Armed gangs control almost all of Port-au-Prince and have forced 1.3 million people from their homes. Haiti's French coach Sebastien Migne hasn't even been able to visit the country since his appointment 18 months ago. On Sao Vicente island, Cape Verde residents watched nervously as their Group B draw paired them with former world champions Spain and Uruguay, plus Saudi Arabia. One supporter made the sign of the cross. "So, we have two teams that have won the World Cup, which could be extremely difficult," resident Osvaldo Lima said. "But we are a resilient country, we are fighters, we will fight as equals," he added. Jordan, making their own historic debut, face perhaps the tournament's toughest assignment in Group J alongside defending champions Argentina, Algeria and Austria. "I think this group is one of the toughest in the World Cup. Nevertheless, we hope to be at an appropriate level," said Jordanian citizen Bassel Al-Akour at an Amman cafe. Yet hope springs eternal. Hassan Saadeh was already plotting an upset: "God willing, we'll win, we'll win. If they don't go through as first, we'll go through as second." The 2026 tournament marks the first expanded 48-team World Cup, with six playoff berths still to be filled.

Number: 2 (not part of api)

Title: Coast-to-coast cheers as US fans react to 2026 World Cup draw

image:

id: 385547572

publish_date: 2025-12-06 00:47:52

language: en

source_country: us

sourceName: Reuters

link to original: https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/coast-to-coast-cheers-us-fans-react-2026-world-cup-draw-2025-12-06/

text:

LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK, Dec 5 (Reuters) - From a Hollywood-style watch party in Los Angeles to a packed fan zone in New York's Times Square, U.S. soccer fans reacted with pride, anticipation and nerves on Friday as the 2026 World Cup draw set the stage for next summer's expanded tournament. In downtown Los Angeles, soccer legends, coaches and city officials gathered to mark the city's role as one of the key hosts of the first 48-team World Cup. Thousands of miles away in New York, fans erupted with cheers and occasional boos as groups were revealed on giant screens. Advertisement · Scroll to continueReport Ad Former U.S. women's national team star Mia Hamm said the draw - which confirmed co-hosts United States will open against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12 - had turned long-building anticipation into something more tangible. "To bring the World Cup back to North America and show how much the sport has grown, it's going to be amazing," Hamm told Reuters at the Los Angeles watch party. "Now that we know who we're facing, the excitement really starts." LA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney highlighted the global stars expected to take the field, from icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to Spain's teenage standout Lamine Yamal. Advertisement · Scroll to continue "Watching Messi in what could be his final World Cup is going to be incredible," Vanney said. Fox Sports analyst Warren Barton said Los Angeles' gleaming SoFi Stadium would be a fitting stage for the U.S. to launch their campaign under the bright lights. "LA loves a show, and this is the biggest show in the world," Barton said. 'IT'S A VIBE' In Times Square, 13-year-old Christian Reyes, still in his kit after playing in a youth tournament on a mini pitch laid out beneath the billboards, said the draw made the World Cup feel close. "I'm really thankful being here because it's really competitive and a lot of great teams and players are here," said Reyes, who plays for Blau Weiss Gottschee in Queens and was backing Brazil to lift the trophy. His father, Marlon, had divided loyalties but said the U.S. men's national team would be his priority. Ad Break Coming Up NEXT StayNext OffEnglish 180p288p360p480p540p576p720pHD1080pHDAuto (180p) About ConnatixV48787032 About ConnatixV48787032 Continue watchingafter the adVisit Advertiser websiteGO TO PAGE Coach Dennis Cobbina, watching with a group of youth players, said the size and diversity of the Times Square crowd reflected what the World Cup means to the United States. "Obviously I'm rooting for the United States," he said. "It's just a vibe - the culture, seeing so many people around the world being united just by a soccer ball - that's what I love about the World Cup." LA WILDFIRE RECOVERY Back in Los Angeles, officials framed the tournament as both a celebration and an investment in the city's future. Sam Lagana, stadium voice for the LA Rams football team, said the city's international diversity makes it an ideal host, while LA Scores co-directors Amy O'Dowd and Erika Wilson noted that local children will serve as player escorts, calling the experience "something they'll hold onto forever." LA Tourism CEO Adam Burke also noted that the World Cup will help support economic recovery in communities affected by last January's wildfires by attracting visitors to the region. "The matches are great, tourism is great. It's the legacy that this event leaves behind that is the most important to us," said Kathryn Schloessman, head of the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee. As the final groups appeared on screens on both coasts, fans in Los Angeles and New York shared a similar sentiment: with the draw complete and the countdown underway, the World Cup has already begun to reshape how Americans see their place in the global game.

Data:

{"data":{"offset":0,"number":20,"available":2,"news":[{"id":385513486,"title":"From Batman to believers: World Cup minnows dream big as draw delivers drama","text":"Dec 5 (Reuters) - A caped crusader danced in Glasgow, a tiny Caribbean island vowed to conquer the world and a Haitian fan predicted a semi-final run, as the 2026 World Cup draw delivered equal measures of euphoria and ambition for football's underdogs on Friday.\n\nScotland's 28-year wait to return to football's biggest stage exploded into kilted chaos at a Glasgow pub, where one supporter dressed as Batman captured the national mood.\n\nAdvertisement · Scroll to continueReport Ad\n\n\"There's nothing better than our nation coming together. Forget Celtic, Rangers, unite the clans. Braveheart McBatman, here we go,\" shouted the caped crusader as fans sang \"No Scotland, No Party.\"\n\nThe Tartan Army will face five-time winners Brazil, 2022 semi-finalists Morocco and Haiti in Group C. A rematch with Brazil coming exactly 28 years after Scotland last appeared at a World Cup in 1998 and faced the same opponents in their opening game.\n\nBut if Scotland's return was joyous, tiny Curacao's debut was nothing short of miraculous. With just over 150,000 residents, the Caribbean island has become one of the smallest countries ever to reach the finals.\n\nAdvertisement · Scroll to continue\n\n\"I am so, so very proud. It's like the first time ever - it's like history written. I do not have words,\" said one emotional fan in Willemstad, the island's capital, as supporters absorbed their Group E draw with four-time champions Germany, Ecuador and Ivory Coast.\n\nSOCCER'S DAVIDS VS GOLIATHS\n\nSize, however, hasn't dampened ambition. \"We're coming to conquer the whole world. It doesn't matter who we play against, Curacao is coming to the World Cup! Everybody be prepared,\" declared another jubilant supporter.\n\nHaiti's qualification carried deep significance, with fans celebrating despite gang violence forcing them to play \"home\" fixtures in Curacao. Their 2-0 victory over Nicaragua secured only their second World Cup appearance since 1974.\n\n\"Once we're determined, I think that we will go so far in that World Cup. Whatever the team we will play, like Brazil or Italy, if we are determined we will beat them. I believe that (it's) good - at least we will play the semi-final,\" declared fan Exantus Olivier.\n\nAd Break Coming Up \n\n NEXT StayNext\n\nOffEnglish \n\n 180p288p360p480p540p576p720pHD1080pHDAuto (180p) \n\nAbout ConnatixV48787032 \nAbout ConnatixV48787032 \n\nContinue watchingafter the adVisit Advertiser websiteGO TO PAGE\n\nAnother fan Lamour Levainceur referenced a gang leader's pledge to lay down arms if Haiti qualified for the World Cup.\n\nArmed gangs control almost all of Port-au-Prince and have forced 1.3 million people from their homes. Haiti's French coach Sebastien Migne hasn't even been able to visit the country since his appointment 18 months ago.\n\nOn Sao Vicente island, Cape Verde residents watched nervously as their Group B draw paired them with former world champions Spain and Uruguay, plus Saudi Arabia. One supporter made the sign of the cross.\n\n\"So, we have two teams that have won the World Cup, which could be extremely difficult,\" resident Osvaldo Lima said.\n\n\"But we are a resilient country, we are fighters, we will fight as equals,\" he added.\n\nJordan, making their own historic debut, face perhaps the tournament's toughest assignment in Group J alongside defending champions Argentina, Algeria and Austria.\n\n\"I think this group is one of the toughest in the World Cup. Nevertheless, we hope to be at an appropriate level,\" said Jordanian citizen Bassel Al-Akour at an Amman cafe.\n\nYet hope springs eternal. Hassan Saadeh was already plotting an upset: \"God willing, we'll win, we'll win. If they don't go through as first, we'll go through as second.\"\n\nThe 2026 tournament marks the first expanded 48-team World Cup, with six playoff berths still to be filled.\n\n","url":"https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/soccer-batman-believers-world-cup-minnows-dream-big-2025-12-06/","image":"https://www.reuters.com/resizer/v2/MLGLINYZBJLPVGTAIHPQNQ6MMM.jpg?auth=6f79ff83aee84d2e280c2f345cbccce9766db2ef21d40d4def3210744762223c&height=1005&width=1920&quality=80&smart=true","video":null,"publish_date":"2025-12-06 02:06:12","author":"Reuters","authors":["Reuters"],"language":"en","category":"sports","source_country":"us","sentiment":0.413,"sourceName":"Reuters"},{"id":385547572,"title":"Coast-to-coast cheers as US fans react to 2026 World Cup draw","text":"LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK, Dec 5 (Reuters) - From a Hollywood-style watch party in Los Angeles to a packed fan zone in New York's Times Square, U.S. soccer fans reacted with pride, anticipation and nerves on Friday as the 2026 World Cup draw set the stage for next summer's expanded tournament.\n\nIn downtown Los Angeles, soccer legends, coaches and city officials gathered to mark the city's role as one of the key hosts of the first 48-team World Cup. Thousands of miles away in New York, fans erupted with cheers and occasional boos as groups were revealed on giant screens.\n\nAdvertisement · Scroll to continueReport Ad\n\nFormer U.S. women's national team star Mia Hamm said the draw - which confirmed co-hosts United States will open against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12 - had turned long-building anticipation into something more tangible.\n\n\"To bring the World Cup back to North America and show how much the sport has grown, it's going to be amazing,\" Hamm told Reuters at the Los Angeles watch party.\n\n\"Now that we know who we're facing, the excitement really starts.\"\n\nLA Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney highlighted the global stars expected to take the field, from icons Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to Spain's teenage standout Lamine Yamal.\n\nAdvertisement · Scroll to continue\n\n\"Watching Messi in what could be his final World Cup is going to be incredible,\" Vanney said.\n\nFox Sports analyst Warren Barton said Los Angeles' gleaming SoFi Stadium would be a fitting stage for the U.S. to launch their campaign under the bright lights.\n\n\"LA loves a show, and this is the biggest show in the world,\" Barton said.\n\n'IT'S A VIBE'\n\nIn Times Square, 13-year-old Christian Reyes, still in his kit after playing in a youth tournament on a mini pitch laid out beneath the billboards, said the draw made the World Cup feel close.\n\n\"I'm really thankful being here because it's really competitive and a lot of great teams and players are here,\" said Reyes, who plays for Blau Weiss Gottschee in Queens and was backing Brazil to lift the trophy.\n\nHis father, Marlon, had divided loyalties but said the U.S. men's national team would be his priority.\n\nAd Break Coming Up \n\n NEXT StayNext\n\nOffEnglish \n\n 180p288p360p480p540p576p720pHD1080pHDAuto (180p) \n\nAbout ConnatixV48787032 \nAbout ConnatixV48787032 \n\nContinue watchingafter the adVisit Advertiser websiteGO TO PAGE\n\nCoach Dennis Cobbina, watching with a group of youth players, said the size and diversity of the Times Square crowd reflected what the World Cup means to the United States.\n\n\"Obviously I'm rooting for the United States,\" he said. \"It's just a vibe - the culture, seeing so many people around the world being united just by a soccer ball - that's what I love about the World Cup.\"\n\nLA WILDFIRE RECOVERY\n\nBack in Los Angeles, officials framed the tournament as both a celebration and an investment in the city's future.\n\nSam Lagana, stadium voice for the LA Rams football team, said the city's international diversity makes it an ideal host, while LA Scores co-directors Amy O'Dowd and Erika Wilson noted that local children will serve as player escorts, calling the experience \"something they'll hold onto forever.\"\n\nLA Tourism CEO Adam Burke also noted that the World Cup will help support economic recovery in communities affected by last January's wildfires by attracting visitors to the region.\n\n\"The matches are great, tourism is great. It's the legacy that this event leaves behind that is the most important to us,\" said Kathryn Schloessman, head of the Los Angeles World Cup Host Committee.\n\nAs the final groups appeared on screens on both coasts, fans in Los Angeles and New York shared a similar sentiment: with the draw complete and the countdown underway, the World Cup has already begun to reshape how Americans see their place in the global game.\n\n","url":"https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/coast-to-coast-cheers-us-fans-react-2026-world-cup-draw-2025-12-06/","image":"https://www.reuters.com/resizer/v2/RHRRES7GGFKJTLW5K6YOSDLXMA.jpg?auth=98842b645591a42a1e2276918d1bae828ed8ae5a868a7b4bba0bc4fb32bf4501&height=1005&width=1920&quality=80&smart=true","video":null,"publish_date":"2025-12-06 00:47:52","author":"Reuters","authors":["Reuters"],"language":"en","category":"sports","source_country":"us","sentiment":0.56,"sourceName":"Reuters"}],"QuotaRequest":"1.02","QuotaUsed":"1.02","QuotaLeft":"48.98","QuotaKeyId":0,"retryCount":0}}