Fans cheer on Portugal, Uzbekistan teams during walks to Houston Stadium ahead of World Cup match

ByABC13 Digital Team KTRK logo
Last updated: Tuesday, June 23, 2026 4:08PM GMT
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HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The FIFA World Cup is here, and Houstonians are expected to swarm fan events and local businesses as the soccer event seizes the summer.

H-Town is hosting seven matches, but fans will have plenty of other things to enjoy in the Bayou City.

ABC13 has live updates to keep all Houstonians, from soccer aficionados to commuters looking to dodge traffic, informed throughout the multi-country event.

For the latest breaking news, weather, and traffic, ABC13 is now live on Disney+. Always on, always under the live tab on Disney+ and everywhere you stream.

KTRK logo
Jun 11, 2026, 7:35 PM

What FIFA World Cup matches will take place in Houston?

H-Town will host seven of the World Cup games. Five of them will take place during the group stage, one of them during the round of 32, and the last during the round of 16. See below for the matches.

  • June 14 - Germany vs. Curacao
  • June 17 - Portugal vs. Congo DR
  • June 20 - Netherlands vs. Sweden
  • June 23 - Portugal vs. Uzbekistan
  • June 26 - Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia

  • June 29 - TBD (round of 32)
  • July 4 - TBD (round of 16)

All the matches will be held at Houston Stadium.

Visit FIFA's website for more information.

KTRK logo
Jun 11, 2026, 9:56 PM

FIFA Fan Festival Houston: What you need to know

FIFA described its fan experience as the ultimate destination for World Cup fans in Houston, and ABC13 got a first look at some of the featured experiences before it opened to the public.

The festival is located just east of downtown Houston, next to Shell Energy Stadium. It will be open every day of the World Cup and is a first-come, first-served venue where fans can watch all the matches for free.

FIFA said there are several experiences fans can partake in at the festival, and since it's taking place in the Houston heat, organizers say there will be misting zones, water stations, and shaded areas.

SEE ALSO: Questions about security ahead of FIFA World Cup in Houston

ByANNE M. PETERSON AP logo
Jun 22, 2026, 4:55 PM GMT

Salah scores and Egypt downs New Zealand 3-1 for a first World Cup victory

Egypt's players danced on the field while their red-clad fans celebrated in the stands. The Pharaohs finally got their first World Cup win.

Mohamed Salah scored the go-ahead goal and Egypt went on to defeat New Zealand 3-1 on Sunday night.

He celebrated his 68th international goal by pumping his fist before he was mobbed by his teammates in the 67th minute. When he was subbed off in the 85th he was treated to a standing ovation by the sellout crowd at BC Place Vancouver.

When it was over, coach Hossam Hassan and an assistant grabbed an Egyptian flag and ran around the field waving it aloft. The fans cheered and sang long after the final whistle.

"I always give my best to the national team," Salah said. "Today I think is a very special day, with our first win in the World Cup."

Egypt moved to the top of the standings in Group G with the win, but was not yet assured of a spot in the knockout round. The Pharaohs will play a deciding game against Iran on Friday in Seattle, needing at least a draw to advance.

Egypt is making its fourth World Cup appearance after missing the field in Qatar four years ago. Salah scored a pair of goals in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Finn Surman put New Zealand in front in the 15th minute with a flying header off a corner kick delivered by Instagram sensation Tim Payne. It was the third international goal for the 6-foot-3 defender who plays for the Portland Timbers in MLS.

Omar Marmoush dropped a free kick off to Salah in the 35th minute but it went just wide and bent into the side netting and Egypt went into the half down 1-0.

"In between the first and the second half, we said it's a no-go, we are not going to leave this pitch unless we claim the victory for ourselves, unless we make everyone proud and happy," Hassan said. "I told them, I told the players, I am not willing to withdraw, I am not willing to go two steps back."

Egypt turned up the pressure coming out of the half and Mostafa Zico broke through with the equalizer, finding space between Surman and Payne for a header that goalkeeper Max Crocombe got a hand on but couldn't stop in the 58th minute. Zico celebrated by gesturing for the fans in the crowd to cheer.

Salah took a back-heel pass from Zico for his goal, which puts him just one away from tying his coach for the national team's all-time scoring lead. Trezeguet's diving header wrapped up scoring for Egypt in the 82nd.

Egypt's Hamdy Fathy was subbed off late in the first half after an apparent injury away from the ball. He was replaced by Ramy Rabia.

In the opener against Belgium, Emam Ashour scored the early goal for Egypt but then Romelu Lukaku subbed into the match and caused chaos in the box, resulting in an own goal for a 1-1 draw.

New Zealand twice took the lead against Iran in their group opener, only to cede it for a 2-2 draw in the end. Elijah Just scored both goals for the All Whites.

New Zealand returns to Vancouver on Friday to face Belgium. The All Whites are still looking for their first World Cup win. But they have not been eliminated yet.

"You just have to believe and be positive," said veteran Chris Wood. "We're still one win away. We can still go in, beat Belgium and go through. I'm not going to lie, it's going to be very tough."

Iran and Belgium played to a scoreless draw earlier in the day in Inglewood, California, giving both teams two straight draws at the tournament.

BySTEPHEN WHYNO AP logo
Jun 22, 2026, 4:55 PM GMT

Pink boots are everywhere at the World Cup as the color becomes a soccer star

Gio Reyna scored an iconic goal to kick off the World Cup for the U.S. Vinícius Junior scored a dazzling one in Brazil's opener. Kylian Mbappé scored twice to become France's career goals leader. Harry Kane got two of his own to tie England's mark as he and his teammates try to bring the elusive trophy home.

What do they all have in common? Pink, of course.

Of all the colors of the rainbow at the World Cup taking place in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, pink is the star on soccer's biggest stage. Dozens of players are wearing pink boots that stand out against the green grass of the pitch after multiple shoe companies produced them ahead of this tournament with an eye on performance as well as visibility.

Sweden's Yasin Ayari (18) celebrates with Anthony Elanga (11) and Mattias Svanberg (19) after scoring their fifth goal during the World Cup Group F match. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)
Sweden's Yasin Ayari (18) celebrates with Anthony Elanga (11) and Mattias Svanberg (19) after scoring their fifth goal during the World Cup Group F match. (AP Photo/Dolores Ochoa)

"Athletes associate this color with confidence and standing out, and that resonates," Nike Director of Global Footwear Odinga Nimako said.

Nimako pointed to Nike's silver, yellow and blue boots at the 1998 World Cup changing how people saw boots in the sport. Before that, black and white was the standard.

This time, Nike, Adidas, Puma, Skechers and New Balance all came out with pink boots.

Mbappé and Vinícius have the Nike swoosh on his feet, as does Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Norway's Erling Haaland. Reyna, England's Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice, Canada's Jonathan David, Spain's Lamine Yamal and France's Ousmane Dembélé wear Adidas.

Whenever Neymar Jr. plays for Brazil, he's expected to be in Puma pink like American Weston McKennie. U.S. teammate Timothy Weah is among those in New Balance. Kane and Sweden's Anthony Elanga are sporting Skechers at the World Cup.

Skechers Director of Technical Performance Alex Bardini said the inspiration came from the company's headquarters in southern California.

"The colorways reflect the breathtaking palette of an L.A. sunset: warm shades of pink and purple melting into white, with subtle tinges of orange," Bardini said.

From Los Angeles and Vancouver to Guadalajara, Houston, Miami and Boston, long before the World Cup is decided, pink has become a clear winner. When Sweden put up five on Tunisia in Monterrey, Mexico, three came from players in pink boots: two by Yasin Ayari and another in the 84th minute by Mattias Svanberg.

Pink itself does not make players perform any better, but shoe company executives consider it a mindset. Bardini said comfort and performance are at the core of what Skechers does, and Nimako said Nike wants players to feel more aerodynamic.

"That feeling is holistic," Nimako said. "It's the engineering, yes, but it's also how the entire product comes together. When an athlete puts on a Mercurial and it looks fast, feels locked in, and weighs next to nothing, that perception reinforces performance. Everything works together."

ByNoah Key KTRK logo
Jun 21, 2026, 9:24 PM GMT

Elmo declares his support for Team USA in World Cup on social media after NBA Finals controversy

Elmo announced his support for Team USA on social media on Friday after he faced criticism during the NBA Finals.

In a video on his social media account, the famous "Sesame Street" character said he wanted to "set the record straight", stating that he hopes Team USA wins the FIFA World Cup.

Elmo did add that he still loves everybody, telling viewers, "Don't make this a thing."

This video comes after Elmo faced controversy earlier in June during the NBA Finals, when the furry red monster posted on social media that he wished both the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs well in their first matchup.

Elmo's neutral stance drew sharp criticism from Knicks fans online, ABC News reported, with many pointing out that the fictional Sesame Street is located in New York City.

ByDORANY PINEDA and JENNIFER MCDERMOTT AP logo
Jun 22, 2026, 5:48 PM GMT

FIFA hydration breaks have sparked criticism from different groups. But what do they actually do?

For the first time in World Cup history, FIFA is mandating all soccer players take hydration breaks to protect them from the threats of extreme heat. But the new rule has sparked criticism from different groups.

Some experts have warned that this summer's World Cup - co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada - could be the hottest in the tournament's history. In response to concerns about extreme heat, FIFA implemented three-minute hydration breaks midway through each half regardless of temperatures or whether stadiums are enclosed or air-conditioned. But some critics say they're interrupting the game's flow and give coaches a chance to shift momentum in their team's favor, while some scientists have said the breaks are too short to make a significant impact on cooling and rehydration when conditions are sizzling.

FIFA said the mandatory breaks are to "ensure equal conditions for all teams, in all matches," and the rules draw upon the experiences of past tournaments, including the FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. last summer, when temperatures soared.

Athletes pushing themselves physically in hot and humid conditions risk getting what's called exertional heat illness. It happens when the body gets too hot and is accompanied by significant strain on the heart, nerves, muscles, and central nervous system.

Symptoms include muscle cramps, extreme fatigue, impaired performance, headache, irritability, nausea, dizziness, cramping, and dehydration.

The three-minute mandatory hydration breaks are meant to protect players and referees from extreme heat illness and help them maintain their physical performance.

How much time a player needs to recover also varies. "Depending on your body, you might need more or less time. But those kinds of breaks are crucial so that your body isn't just being forced to keep trying to play catch-up... to keep trying to cool you down without any kind of rest or a break," said Bharat Venkat, director of the Heat Lab at the University of California, Los Angeles.

As our planet gets hotter, mandating hydration breaks and changing where, when, and how sports are played will be necessary.

"No matter what sport you play, there's going to be adjustments that have to be made in the face of climate change, " he said.