The 2026 FIFA World Cup tournament begins today in Canada, Mexico, and the United States. Between now and July 19, 48 national teams will play 104 matches across 16 cities in the three countries. Watching games might inspire questions about the game itself, players, and countries competing for this year’s title. Whether you have a preschooler or high school soccer player, I’ve curated this list of free World Cup activities for all ages to inspire learning beyond the field.
World Cup Activities for All Ages
For the first time since 1994, the World Cup is being held in the United States. Whether you live near one 11 host cities, are a fan of the game, or are new to soccer (or futbol), the World Cup can serve as an incredible teachable moment. Use the excitement and news to keep kids learning in fun ways this summer.
Below you’ll find free age-appropriate World Cup activities for all ages from The US Soccer Foundation, PBS Learning Media, and more. The list includes great resources that are perfect as summer learning plus lots of high-quality video content produced by trusted names in education.
World Cup Activities for Preschoolers
Learn How to Play Soccer
Soccer is the most popular game in the world and for kids who want to learn how to play, this video from KidVision, is a great way to start. Your preschooler will be World Cup ready thanks to Penny and PBS’ KidVision who will introduce them to a coach, a team, warmups, and how the game is played in this 8:30 minute video. Best for grades PreK-K
Learn About Country Flags and Their Symbols
Chances are your child can recognize the flag of the United States but what about other countries’ flags and their symbols? Watt and his friends learn from the City Island Flag how the symbols on flags have meaning in this 3-minute animated video. Best for grades PreK-2
Learn About Cultures Around the World with PBS Kids!
As soccer fans unite worldwide, PBS Kids has a fun collection of short educational videos that share cultures around the world with preschoolers. Learning through food, dance, and stories help inspire global citizenship in the youngest ages. Best for grades PreK-2
Read Picture Books About Soccer
Julie Yeros, the creator of Globe Trottin’ Kids has put together a fantastic list of picture books for soccer loving kids on her World Cup Activities for Kids post. It also features soccer games and world flag printables plus fun ideas for using them during the opening and closing World Cup ceremonies.
World Cup Activities for Elementary Ages
The Science of a Soccer Ball Kick with DragonflyTV
How do soccer players kick the ball the length of the field? Dana from DragonflyTV seeks to find the answer to that question in this 6-minute video that explores: If your legs are bigger, can you always kick the ball farther? Spoiler: Just having a big leg doesn’t send the ball across the field. This video explains why a combination of leg mass and speed is needed for the most effective kick and provides two things to try to improve soccer kicks. Best for grades 3-8
Printable Activities from FIFA Toronto
As one of the host cities, FIFA Toronto has put together a 28 page printable PDF full of creative and engaging activities that integrate health, PE, math, language arts, visual arts, and personal planning. Designed for grades K-6, there are World Cup activities for all ages.
- Kindergarten- Grade 2: A playful introduction to soccer with coloring pages and easy-to-follow activities like draw your team jersey, math with soccer balls, and coloring mascots.
- Grades 3-5: Interactive games to stimulate creativity from writing cheers for your favorite team to developing math skills and learning good habits. I really liked the creativity and open-endedness of the activities that include Create Your Own Cheer and Soccer Shopping Challenge that provides a clothing shop price list and a $2,500 budget to dress 18 players on the team.
- Grades 6-8: Dive deeper into the world of soccer with advanced challenges, goal-setting activities, and problem-solving tactics. The Quick Kick Quiz is designed to test knowledge of the game, math word problems, and figuring out soccer themed words using emojis.
The free downloadable PDF allows you to print out the whole activity booklet or specific sections. Best for grades K-8
What is Sports Physiology? with Science Trek
Knowing how to be able to play and move safely while avoiding injury is important when playing soccer. This video teaches kids about the role of sports physiologists and how these scientists work to improve athlete performance to keep them healthy. Best for grades K-5
US Soccer Foundation’s Activity Workbook
This fun free activity booklet features World Cup activities for all ages. The various activities get kids moving by teaching soccer fundamentals like skills, player positions, formations, and styles of play. Additional activities go beyond game play to help kids learn about the confederations, traditions, iconic players, and global fan culture.
Printable activities include:
- Create Your Soccer Passport– Personalize your passport while building soccer skills, practicing self-care, and exploring soccer playing countries and culture
- Soccer Themed Bingo– Get kids moving and practicing soccer skills as they follow prompts in each square to achieve bingo
- Learn About Soccer Countries– Cut out flashcards to learn about soccer teams around the world
- Create Your Own Soccer Team– create a team after learning soccer fundamentals
- Learn Soccer Laws– Explore laws of the game with activities
At the start of each section, there are helpful instructions about on how each activity works. Each activity is targeted at either ages 8 and up or ages 7 and below. Younger children can participate in activities geared toward big kids with some support from parents or caregivers. The free downloadable PDF allows you to print out the whole activity booklet or specific sections. Best for grades K-5
Teaching About the World Cup Through Food with PBS Learning Media
One of the best ways to teach about different countries is through food. With Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan competing in their very first World Cup this summer, learning about their match day meals is a perfect way to explore culture, geography, and community.
This 2-minute video from PBS Learning Media helps elementary ages explore Cabo Verde, Curaçao, Jordan, and Uzbekistan through national dishes that bring fans together, both on a special game day and year-round. After watching, check out the Relish collection to learn about more dishes that tell the story of who we are and where we come from. Best for grades K-5
World Cup Activities for Middle and High Schoolers
How to Curve a Soccer Ball Backward Using Science with Physics Girl
World Cup players are experts at executing free kicks that curve through the air. Physics Girl takes to the field to explore an aerodynamic phenomenon called the Magnus effect that explains curve balls in soccer and other sports in this 3-minute video. Best for grades 6-12
Explore the Challenges of Creating Walking, Soccer-Playing Robots with NOVA
Middle and high school students who are fascinated by sci-fi and engineering will enjoy this excerpt from NOVA scienceNOW that explores the challenges of creating a humanoid robot that can walk and play soccer. Join New York Times columnist, David Pogue, on a visit to a laboratory that studies how people walk using sensors and an optical motion capture system. Learn why developing soccer playing robots help engineers tackle challenges in robotics such as robot vision, autonomous decision making, and bipedal walking. Best for grades 6-12
Remembering Pelé’s Legacy and Global Impact on Soccer with PBS News Hour
Brazilian soccer player Pelé is a legend who was the face of the game for decades. Well known for having shaped soccer into the “beautiful game,” this 8-minute video from PBS News Hour looks back at his incredible legacy. Best for grades 6-12
Meet Hani Haybe: Founder of Street Soccer Twin Cities with Muslim Sheroes of Minnesota
If you have a skill, why not share it with others! That’s exactly what Hani Haybe did when she founded Street Soccer Twin Cities. Her organization offers East African youth an outlet to connect through a shared passion of soccer. Best for grades 6-12
The 2014 World Cup Was a Win for American Soccer Despite U.S. Loss with PBS News Hour
How well the United States does in World Cup competition may not matter when it comes to gaining new fans. In 2014, 22 million people watched the match against Belgium on a workday. This shows that regardless of how the US men’s team does this year, World Cup matches always have the power to attract new fans to the sport. Best for grades 6-12
This post was inspired by an email from PBS LearningMedia. All opinions are my own and no compensation was received for this content.
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