As the United States prepares to host football powerhouse Germany at Soldier Field on Saturday, anticipation builds for their final warm-up match before co-hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The US national team aims to build on their recent 3-2 victory over Senegal last weekend at Charlotte FC’s Bank of America Stadium.
After wrapping up their pre-World Cup fixtures, head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s squad will begin their Group D campaign against Paraguay on 12 June in Los Angeles.
The United States began their final preparations for the World Cup with an emphatic win against African giants Senegal. Goals from Sergiño Dest, Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun secured the team’s first victory since their 5-1 triumph over Uruguay last November.
Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter of Vancouver Whitecaps FC earned praise from coach Pochettino after an impressive 76-minute performance. Meanwhile, Charlotte defender Tim Ream captained the side, and Chicago Fire FC goalkeeper Chris Brady made his senior team debut, replacing Matt Turner of New England Revolution at halftime.
Saturday’s friendly will also serve as Germany’s final test before the World Cup. The four-time world champions defeated Finland 4-0 on Sunday at Mewa Arena in Mainz. VfB Stuttgart striker Deniz Undav netted twice, with additional goals from Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz and Bayern Munich star Jamal Musiala completing the rout.
Germany rested legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who recently returned from international retirement to compete in his fifth World Cup. The Mannschaft will compete in Group E alongside Curaçao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador.
Local Excitement in Central Kalimantan
The World Cup fever has already reached Sampit City in East Kotawaringin Regency, Central Kalimantan. Football fans’ enthusiasm is visible not only in conversations about favourite teams but also in the rising demand for football gear and national team jerseys.
At one of Sampit’s oldest sports stores, Rudi Sport, located in the Pati Rumbih Bus Terminal Complex on MT Haryono Street, the excitement ahead of the world’s biggest football event is palpable.
Rudi Abidinsyah, better known as Coach Rudi, the owner of Rudi Sport, said that every World Cup brings a surge of football passion among the community, directly boosting sports equipment sales.
“Just like in previous World Cups, the excitement among football fans in East Kotawaringin is very strong. They usually look for jerseys of popular teams such as Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Brazil,” Rudi said on Tuesday (2 June 2026).
Established in 1994, Rudi Sport offers a wide range of sports items, including football boots, futsal shoes, jerseys, socks, balls, and sports bags. National team jerseys are priced between Rp100,000 and Rp150,000 each.
According to Rudi, teams with a rich World Cup history remain fan favourites in Sampit. “The most sought-after jerseys are usually from Argentina, Germany, and France. Teams with past world titles always have strong fan bases,” he added.
As both a football coach and founder of Rudi Sport Football School (SSB), established in 2007 and one of the pioneers in East Kotawaringin, Rudi believes every World Cup brings a new story. The emergence of young talents keeps the tournament exciting for fans around the world.
“Every World Cup is unique. New players always emerge, gaining their own fan following. That’s what keeps the World Cup spirit alive and eagerly awaited,” he explained.
Although his favourite team, Italy, failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Rudi remains enthusiastic. “My favourite team is Italy, but since they didn’t make it, I’ll be supporting the Netherlands this year. I’m confident they can win the World Cup,” he said.
Beyond the competition, Rudi hopes the World Cup will inspire positive growth for Indonesian football. He believes the passion generated by the tournament should motivate all parties to help Indonesia one day reach the world’s biggest football stage.
“We hope this World Cup can ignite enthusiasm for Indonesian football. My wish is that in the coming years, our national team will qualify for the World Cup,” he stated.
Rudi also called for greater support for football development in East Kotawaringin, especially for youth training and funding. “Here in Kotim, the challenges are still significant, particularly in football management. Government and sports committee (KONI) support is crucial to improve youth development,” he concluded.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will kick off on 11 June and run until 19 July, featuring 48 participating teams — the largest in tournament history — with matches spread across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Schedule Highlights
Thursday, 11 June
Group A: Mexico vs South Africa, kick-off 23:00 – Mexico City, Mexico
Friday, 12 June
Group A: South Korea vs Czech Republic, kick-off 06:00 – Zapopan, Mexico
Group B: Canada vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, kick-off 23:00 – Toronto, Canada
Saturday, 13 June
Group D: USA vs Paraguay, kick-off 05:00 – Los Angeles, USA
Group B: Qatar vs Switzerland, kick-off 23:00 – Santa Clara, USA
Sunday, 14 June
Group C: Brazil vs Morocco, kick-off 02:00 – New Jersey, USA
Group C: Haiti vs Scotland, kick-off 05:00 – Foxborough, USA
Group D: Australia vs Turkey, kick-off 08:00 – Vancouver, Canada
Group E: Germany vs Curaçao, kick-off 21:00 – Houston, USA
Monday, 15 June
Group F: Netherlands vs Japan, kick-off 00:00 – Arlington, USA
Group E: Ivory Coast vs Ecuador, kick-off 03:00 – Philadelphia, USA
Group F: Sweden vs Tunisia, kick-off 06:00 – Guadalupe, Mexico
Group H: Spain vs Cape Verde, kick-off 20:00 – Atlanta, USA
Group G: Belgium vs Egypt, kick-off 23:00 – Seattle, USA
Tuesday, 16 June
Group H: Saudi Arabia vs Uruguay, kick-off 02:00 – Miami, USA
Group G: Iran vs New Zealand, kick-off 05:00 – Los Angeles, USA
Group I: France vs Senegal, kick-off 23:00 – New Jersey, USA
Wednesday, 17 June
Group I: Iraq vs Norway, kick-off 02:00 – Foxborough, USA
Group J: Argentina vs Algeria, kick-off 05:00 – Kansas City, USA
Group J: Austria vs Jordan, kick-off 08:00 – Santa Clara, USA
Group K: Portugal vs DR Congo, kick-off 21:00 – Houston, USA
Thursday, 18 June
Group L: England vs Croatia, kick-off 00:00 – Arlington, USA
Group L: Ghana vs Panama, kick-off 03:00 – Toronto, Canada
Group K: Uzbekistan vs Colombia, kick-off 06:00 – Mexico City, Mexico
Group A: Czech Republic vs South Africa, kick-off 20:00 – Atlanta, USA
Group B: Switzerland vs Bosnia & Herzegovina, kick-off 23:00 – Los Angeles, USA
Friday, 19 June
Group B: Canada vs Qatar, kick-off 02:00 – Vancouver, Canada
Group A: Mexico vs South Korea, kick-off 05:00 – Zapopan, Mexico
Group D: USA vs Australia, kick-off 23:00 – Seattle, USA
Saturday, 20 June
Group C: Scotland vs Morocco, kick-off 02:00 – Foxborough, USA
Group C: Brazil vs Haiti, kick-off 04:30 – Philadelphia, USA
Group D: Turkey vs Paraguay, kick-off 07:00 – Santa Clara, USA
Group A: Netherlands vs Sweden, kick-off 21:00 – Houston, USA
Sunday, 21 June
Group E: Germany vs Ivory Coast, kick-off 00:00 – Toronto, Canada
Group E: Ecuador vs Curaçao, kick-off 04:00 – Kansas City, USA
Group F: Tunisia vs Japan, kick-off 08:00 – Guadalupe, Mexico
Group H: Spain vs Saudi Arabia, kick-off 20:00 – Atlanta, USA
Group G: Belgium vs Iran, kick-off 23:00 – Los Angeles, USA
The full round of matches, including knockout fixtures, continues through the Round of 32, Round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the grand final on 19 July at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
(Herman)
