ESL WORKSHEET - FIFA World Cup 2026

LESSON PLAN FOR ENGLISH TEACHERS

THE WORLD CUP COMES

TO NORTH AMERICA

LinguaHouse

May 29, 2026

Mixed Levels: Pre-intermediate (A2-B1) and Intermediate (B1-B2)
Type of language: English for Teenagers
Tags: Celebrities and Historical Figures; Celebrations and Special Events; Sport and Fitness; Agreeing and Disagreeing; Developing an Argument; Challenges; Hobby; Giving Opinions; Speaking; Vocabulary Lesson; 10-12 Years Old; 13-15 Years Old; 16-18 Years Old; 18+ Years Old
Publication date: 05/29/2026

This news-style lesson introduces students to the FIFA World Cup 2026. Students learn what the World Cup is, where and when it will take place, which teams are in some of the groups, and which key players fans may watch. The lesson focuses on soccer vocabulary and collocations, listening/reading for numbers and details, and speaking about sport and opinions. There is also an extension task with four short opinions about soccer, presented as a gap-fill and “listen to check” activity. (by Sophie Wilde)

• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English (L3).
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in American English (L4).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English (L3).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in American English (L4).
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio 1 in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio 2 in American English.
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English (L3).
• CLICK HERE to download the student’s worksheet in British English (L4).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English (L3).
• CLICK HERE to download the teacher’s lesson plan in British English (L4).
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio 1 in British English.
• CLICK HERE to download/listen to the audio 2 in British English.

AUDIO TRANSCRIPTS

Audio 1 - Task 4
Speaker: FIFA World Cup 2026
Soccer’s biggest tournament returns!
The FIFA World Cup is the biggest international soccer tournament in the world. National teams from different countries play against each other to become world champions. The tournament happens every four years.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be special because 48 teams will play for the first time. The tournament will take place in three countries: Canada, Mexico and the United States. It starts on June 11, 2026 and finishes with the final on July 19, 2026.
There will be 12 groups, with four teams in each group. In Group A, Mexico will play South Africa, Korea Republic and Czechia. In Group B, Canada will play Qatar, Switzerland and Bosnia and Herzegovina. In Group D, the United States will play Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye.
Fans are excited to watch famous players. Argentina may have Lionel Messi, France have Kylian Mbappé, Portugal have Cristiano Ronaldo, England have Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, and the USA have Christian Pulisic. Brazil fans may watch Vinícius Júnior and Neymar, while Canada fans will look for Alphonso Davies.
Some group matches look very exciting. Brazil will play Morocco and Scotland. France will play Senegal and Norway. Portugal will play Colombia. England plays Croatia.
Millions of fans will watch the matches in stadiums, on TV and online. Every team wants to reach the final, lift the trophy and become world champion.

Audio 2 - Task 6 (L4: B1-B2)
Speaker 1: I love soccer because it brings people together. During the World Cup, my family watches the matches at home. We wear our team shirts, eat snacks and shout when someone scores a goal. I am excited about the 2026 World Cup because 48 teams will play. I want to watch Argentina, France and Brazil. I also hope a smaller team surprises everyone.
Speaker 2: I like big soccer matches, but I don’t watch soccer every weekend. For me, the World Cup is different because it feels special. People talk about it at school, at work and online. I am interested in the 2026 tournament because Canada, Mexico and the United States are hosting it together.
Speaker 3: I know many people love soccer, but I dislike it. The matches are often too long for me, and sometimes the score is 0–0. I think that can be boring. I don’t enjoy listening to people shout at the TV. However, I might watch one match with friends because I like the atmosphere.
Speaker 4: I hate soccer fever. Before a big tournament, soccer is everywhere: on TV, online, in shops and in conversations. It is difficult to escape. I don’t mind sports, but I don’t want to hear about soccer every day. Still, I think the World Cup can be good for cities because fans travel, meet people and spend money.

Adapted from: https://www.linguahouse.com/esl-lesson-plans/english-for-teenagers/the-world-cup-comes-to-north-america. Accessed on June 1, 2026. LinguaHouse.com © 2008–2026. All rights reserved.