While some of the world’s best soccer players will be coming to Philadelphia for the World Cup this summer, some of Philadelphia’s young soccer standouts will be leaving the country for an international tournament of their own.
The Anderson Monarchs’ team of 10- and 11-year-old girls punched its ticket to the Gothia Cup, which is July 12-18 in Gothenburg, Sweden. The Gothia Cup is the largest youth soccer tournament in the world.
The Monarchs pulled off a 2-1 shootout win — their first-ever shootout — over North Philly United in a Montgomery County-based “Meet the World” tournament sponsored by manufacturing firm SKF on April 18. This secured the Monarchs’ position as one of the 16 teams SKF would be sponsoring for the Gothia Cup.
The Anderson Monarchs were created to provide experiences for children “that normally wouldn’t get those opportunities,” coach Steve Bandura said. He added that these opportunities allow the players to grow socially and academically, and he expects an opportunity like this to have a lasting effect on the athletes.
“This is going to be an amazing experience for our girls to get out of South Philly,” he said. “It’s just going to open their eyes and change their perspective on the world, really. And we’re meeting girls from all over on common ground, on the soccer pitch, and I think it’s going to be an incredible experience for them.”
With the sponsorship from SKF, the Monarchs’ entire trip is taken care of. SKF has headquarters in Gothenburg and has been the main sponsor of the Gothia Cup since 2007. Over the years, SKF has brought over 5,000 players to the Gothia Cup, and the qualifying Meet the World tournaments remain their largest corporate social responsibility project, said SKF communications manager Jackie Rahmer.
“It’s more than just a sponsorship for us. It’s an opportunity to celebrate soccer and have kids come together and build friendships across borders,” Rahmer said. “We just think that’s something that’s very special.”
One of the Sweden-bound players, Rosanna Olsen, said she and her teammates are taking advantage of their opportunity by preparing as best as they can. Olsen, Mya Davis-Taylor, and some of their other teammates are using YouTube to learn basic Swedish phrases for the occasion.
And while phrases like “hello” and “goodbye” are harder to learn than Davis-Taylor, a midfielder and goalkeeper, expected, all 30,000 athletes participating in the tournament share one common language, no matter whether they call it soccer or football.
Olsen, a forward, believes that interacting with some members of these 1,900 teams from 75 countries can help with her own knowledge of the game.
“I think I’ll learn new ways of playing, and how their mindset is when they’re playing, and their techniques on shooting the ball and passing the ball and other things like that,” Olsen said.
For players like Olsen, Davis-Taylor, and Aasiyah Ellison, who’s also a goalkeeper and midfielder, this will be their first time leaving the country. And while Davis-Taylor said she’s eager to be on a plane and see the view from the airport, meeting new people and playing soccer is most exciting.
“We get to stay in the same rooms [as our teammates], we get to meet new people, and then instead of just staying with our teammates, we can make new friends with the other people that are there, too,” Davis-Taylor said.
She’ll also get to connect on a deeper level with her own teammates.
Bandura said there’s a natural sense of camaraderie that comes from playing three sports together year-round, but this tournament will create “bonds that are going to be pretty tough to break.”
“You’re in a strange environment, but you’re there together,” Bandura said. “I might be 100 years old when we get back from a whole week with the 13 11-year-old girls, but it’s so worth it. There’s so many benefits to this for them, and I think it’s going to draw them even tighter together as a family long-term, like lifelong.”
The Anderson Monarchs will compete in the Gothia Cup, which runs from July 12-18 in Sweden.Braithwaite Communications
Cali Nichols, the Monarchs’ striker, is looking forward to seeing how her team will connect on the pitch in Sweden and has been preparing for the adrenaline rush of the tournament. But she’s also looking forward to the downtime and exploring a new place.
Femi Awodesu, a former member of the Monarchs’ program, now plays for Helsingborgs IF in Sweden, so Bandura hopes a visit with him is on the agenda.
And for Nichols, seeing all the history of the country is on her personal agenda.
“Just driving around and seeing all of the monuments that Sweden has, and all of its history, as well as the food,” Nichols said.
Bandura compared the Monarchs’ opportunity to a rabbit in its hole that looks beyond to see the rest of the world. He hopes that similarly, this opportunity will expand his team’s perception.
“I want to explore and see what the whole world looks like,” Ellison said.
It’s been 32 years since the men’s edition of the FIFA World Cup was played on U.S. soil. The long wait culminates this week with Thursday’s tournament kickoff in Mexico City.
On Sunday, Philadelphia will host its first of six scheduled matches between June 14 and a knockout round finale on July 4 at Lincoln Financial Field, which was renamed “Philadelphia Stadium” by FIFA for the duration of the matches here in Philly.
Here’s everything you need to know …
The big picture
According to Visit Philadelphia, the city’s tourism arm, expect an influx of 500,000 visitors flocking into city bars, restaurants, hotels, and businesses throughout the city and surrounding suburbs. However, we’re hearing there are plenty of good Airbnb options to choose from.
But not all of those people have tickets or can afford to attend, with this being the most expensive World Cup ever. FIFA enacted dynamic pricing for the first time, which sent initial ticket prices soaring. And yes, that’s even for games that don’t feature nations that are favorites to win.
Good news for those people: there are a ton of events happening over the course of Philly’s time in the tournament. From bars to beer gardens, watch parties to pickup games, here’s a cheat sheet of what to do around town, whether you’re a native or you just dropped in for a match.
Lincoln Financial Field, known as “Philadelphia Stadium” is all set ahead of the start of Sunday’s World Cup opener in Philadelphia between the Ivory Coast and Ecuador.Kerith Gabriel
So you have a ticket. Congrats.
First thing you should know is that you’re going to find very few people calling Lincoln Financial Field (or the “Linc” as it’s known around here) by FIFA’s official name for the South Philly venue.
There are a host of different ways to get there, but the most efficient and direct path is jumping on SEPTA’s Broad Street Line (Orange Line) and taking it to the last stop, NRG Station. From there, FIFA has signs all over the South Philly sports complex and will have volunteers outside the turnstiles, directing you where to go. Subway trains should be running just fine — a miracle, considering SEPTA workers used World Cup traffic as leverage to potentially go on strike.
Once inside, you’ll see a colorful stadium retrofitted to support large crowds and a field designed with expert care.
Here’s hoping you got your tickets a bit cheaper than the initial asking price. Match prices in Philly and elsewhere have been astronomical.
Crew members make final preparations, including work on a 60-foot-wide screen, for a FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 10, 2026.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Don’t have a ticket? All good.
This section is for those who love the sport but just can’t fathom paying those prices — and affording rent this month. Not to worry, the same passion will be on display in Philly’s Brewerytown neighborhood thanks to the FIFA Fan Festival, the sprawling party taking over Lemon Hill Park. The festival is free to enter and opens June 11, and will last all 39 days of the tournament.
How to register — entry is free but you need to sign up first
What you can bring and what you should leave at home.
When the event will be open each day.
How to get there, and get out.
And what locals are saying about the event.
The festival is a great way to get into the World Cup mood without spending hundreds on a ticket.
Fans are expected to pack the city’s bars and restaurants for the 39 days of the World Cup. Tyger Williams / Staff Photographer
But if you’re looking to get a feel for the city’s soccer pulse without all the crowds, then we have a selection of bars and restaurants that are hosting watch parties, with some electing to stay open as late as 4 a.m. to accommodate soccer fans — so long as the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board permits.
And if you’re looking to get past the basics while celebrating America’s 250th birthday, foodies can consider trying Philly’s 76 most iconic dishes or most essential restaurants. We dare you to try to catch them all like Pokémon.
Going to be in Center City? Check out the mini-soccer pitch in front of City Hall’s Dilworth Park.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Who is playing in Philly and when?
Nine teams are coming through Philly, and one, Ivory Coast, has set up its World Cup headquarters just outside the city in Wilmington. The Ivorians are training at the new WSFS Sportsplex, which opened late last year in Chester, and on Monday, their fans brought quite the party.
Here’s the full schedule of the group stage matches in Philly, with guides for all the nations playing here, including what to know about each, how they qualified, and for some, their unique footprint in the city:
On July 4 at 5 p.m., Philly will host one final match, a round of 16 knockout game that has a very slim chance of including the U.S. men’s national team.
Walter Bahr, one of the most celebrated United States soccer players to emerge from Philly, competed on the cinder fields at Newt’s playground in Fishtown on his rise to Team USA fame.Pat Little / AP
Philly’s rich soccer scene and history
Chester is the city that hosts Philly’s professional soccer team, the Philadelphia Union. This club went from being one of the league’s best last season to the bottom of the standings heading into a seven-week break for the World Cup.
However, over the last several weeks, the team has cleaned house in preparation for the return of games on July 22, after:
In the meantime, the team is focused on the World Cup and plans to host a series of watch parties at Union Yards, its beer garden across from the stadium.
Electronic traffic information sign at Spring Garden and N. 21st Street informing people in town for World Cup on where to find information, Tuesday, June 9, 2026.Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer
Players, referees, and fans have been subjected to massive checks, with either full or partial bans on over 70 nations, many with teams competing in the tournament.
Here’s what city officials are saying about the World Cup, and the lengths some city council members are going to educate visitors to know when it comes to concerns around Immigration & Customs Enforcement.
There has been no shortage of opinions about the massive levels of greed surrounding this larger edition of the tournament and the hypocrisy of FIFA by calling their approach to the game “Football for All.”
Experts this week warned World Cup fans traveling around North America to be aware of the these communicable diseases.
Also, know that you can follow the Inquirer’s coverage of all things “football,” “futbol,” “futebol,“ “voetbal,” or soccer right here.
IRVINE, Calif. — The first men’s soccer World Cup on U.S. soil in 32 years kicks off this week, with great anticipation in Philadelphia and nationwide. That’s true for the 26 players of the U.S. team, too, as they seek to make a lasting mark on the tournament and the sport.
Here’s what to know about each of the players whom manager Mauricio Pochettino picked for his squad. They’re listed by position, then in alphabetical order.
U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino.Jonathan Tannenwald
Goalkeepers
Chris Brady
Jersey number: 26 Age: 22 Club: Chicago Fire Hometown: Naperville, Ill. Height and weight: 6-foot-3, 170 pounds Senior national team games (Caps): 1
A clear and understandable third on the depth chart, he was picked to gain experience for what should be more trips to World Cups in the future.
Chris Brady (left) is on the team to get experience for the future.Jonathan Tannenwald
Matt Freese
Number: 24 Age: 27 Club: New York City FC Hometown: Wayne, Pa. Height and weight: 6-3, 194 Caps: 15
His rise through Harvard, the Union, New York FC, and now the national team might be the most underappreciated story of this U.S. squad. Freese made his senior U.S. debut last summer and immediately became Pochettino’s No. 1 netminder. Now, he seems on the cusp of starting at the World Cup, though the manager has repeatedly not committed to naming the starter in advance.
Matt Freese in the U.S. net when the Americans played Paraguay at Subaru Park last November.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Matt Turner
Number: 1 Age: 31 Club: New England Revolution Hometown: Park Ridge, N.J. Height/weight: 6-3, 185 Caps: 54
The starter from the last World Cup until the start of last summer, when the last of a few subpar performances cost him his spot. He’s been better than Freese statistically in MLS this year, but wasn’t as good with the national team in March.
Until a few days ago, we’d have listed him as an outside back who can also play centerback. But he did very well in a more central spot in the two pre-World Cup warmup games. Now, he might take the role again, especially early in the group stage as Chris Richards finishes rehabbing an injury.
Alex Freeman is the son of former Eagles and Packers wide receiver Antonio Freeman.Jonathan Tannenwald
Mark McKenzie
Number: 22 Age: 27 Club: Toulouse, France Hometown: Bear, Del. (though born in the Bronx, N.Y.) Height/weight: 6-0, 183 Caps: 29
Talented, charismatic, humble, and owner of one of the best resumes of any U.S. defender. His path from the Union to Belgium’s Genk to a stalwart of France’s Ligue 1 is the ideal path for a player to follow. Though he’s prone to occasional big mistakes, he also does a lot to make up for them.
Mark McKenzie (center) is one of the best-performing U.S. defenders in Europe.Jonathan Tannenwald
Tim Ream
Number: 13 Age: 38 Club: Charlotte FC Hometown: St. Louis Height/weight: 6-1, 176 Caps: 82
He’s been the captain almost since the start of Pochettino’s tenure in late 2024. Age is catching up to him, but his role in the locker room is unquestioned. If Pochettino sticks with a 3-4-2-1 tactical formation, that will give Ream some cover for having slowed down.
Tim Ream’s experience made him manager Mauricio Pochettino’s choice for captain.Jonathan Tannenwald
Chris Richards
Number: 3 Age: 26 Club: Crystal Palace, England Hometown: Birmingham, Ala. Height/weight: 6-2, 192 Caps: 36
The most irreplaceable player on the back line, his absence from the warmup games due to torn ankle ligaments was crystal clear. He seems close to returning to action, but until he’s officially on the field, U.S. fans will be understandably worried.
It may be impolite to say he’s last on the depth chart at this position, but it’s true — and his performances in the warmup games didn’t help his case to change that. Facing Kai Havertz and Nicolas Jackson is a different level from MLS. If Robinson was picked as insurance against Richards having to withdraw, that’s understandable, but he was Pochettino’s most-criticized choice.
Eleven years ago, he was a fast-rising prospect in the Union and U.S. youth ranks. Only now, though, all this time and five clubs later, has he finally made it to the biggest stage. He still cherishes his Philly area roots, serving on the Union academy’s board.
He’s better as a left wingback in a 3-4-2-1 than as a left back in a 4-2-3-1, especially on defense. Other than that, he was an easy choice to be Antonee Robinson’s backup on that side of the field.
Simply put, a special talent. He’s a havoc-wreaking talent on the right flank, and can pitch in on the left if needed. Dest has also improved his defensive game lately. The 3-4-2-1 setup is perfect for unleashing him.
Sergiño Dest (left) is a dynamic force for the U.S. on the flank.Scott Kinser
Antonee Robinson
Number: 5 Age: 28 Club: Fulham, England Hometown: Liverpool, England Height/weight: 6-0, 152 Caps: 54
Not far from Richards on the irreplaceable ranking. Left back has long been the toughest position for the U.S. to find talent at, but Robinson has had it locked down for five years — at least when he’s healthy. He’s a big presence in the locker room, too.
Antonee Robinson is a key player on the field and in the locker room for the U.S.Jonathan Tannenwald
Joe Scally
Number: 23 Age: 23 Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach, Germany Hometown: Lake Grove, N.Y. Height/weight: 6-0, 174 Caps: 26
For a while, it seemed he wouldn’t make the cut, with Dest and Freeman ahead of him at right wingback. Then he did enough at club level down the stretch of the Bundesliga season to earn the call. It also helps that he can also step in at centerback or defensive midfielder if needed.
He’s officially listed on the roster as a forward, but could play attacking midfield or wingback — and he’s done all three over time. The last of them feels likely in a 3-4-2-1 setup, so that’s why he’s listed here for now. If Pochettino switches to a 4-2-3-1, Weah’s best fit is as a winger instead of an isolated right back. But while that’s for arguing over, his talent, creativity, and pedigree are unquestioned.
Tim Weah (left) is the son of Liberian soccer legend George Weah, but has now carved out his own career in the world’s game.Jonathan Tannenwald
Central/defensive midfielders
Tyler Adams
Number: 4 Age: 27 Club: Bournemouth, England Hometown: Wappingers Falls, N.Y. Height/weight: 5-9, 159 Caps: 54
No longer the official captain, but the unofficial one for years. On the field, on camera, and in the locker room, the U.S. doesn’t have a better leader. Unfortunately, as we’re about to get into, a lack of depth at this position puts him in a tricky spot. Can he avoid yellow cards in the first two games so he isn’t suspended for the big finale against Turkey’s stars?
Although Tyler Adams (left) isn’t officially the U.S. captain anymore, he remains one of the team’s biggest leaders.Jonathan Tannenwald
Sebastian Berhalter
Number: 14 Age: 25 Club: Vancouver Whitecaps Hometown: Columbus, Ohio (born in London, England) Height/weight: 5-9, 154 Caps: 13
He’s another unlikely success story, but the son of former U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter earned his spot. Sebastian helped the Vancouver Whitecaps reach last year’s MLS Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup finals, and with the national team combines hard work with great skill at set pieces. In fact, he might be the best at them on the roster. Could that earn him a starting spot next to Adams?
The veteran was so far out of Pochettino’s picture that he went on vacation at the start of the September FIFA window. Then the manager suddenly needed him, and Roldan answered the call. It immediately felt like he’d never left, and he hasn’t left since then.
It isn’t his fault that this is the end of the depth chart. Will Pochettino regret not bringing Tanner Tessmann or Aidan Morris, both of whose talents merited inclusion? World Cups have a habit of nailing managers on the biggest risk they take. Jürgen Klinsmann learned it the hard way by leaving Landon Donovan home in 2014, and Gregg Berhalter bet a lot on benching Gio Reyna in 2022.
Cristian Roldan (center) has been a familiar face to U.S. fans for years.Jonathan Tannenwald
Attacking midfielders
Brenden Aaronson
Number: 11 Age: 25 Club: Leeds United, England Hometown: Medford, N.J. Height/weight: 5-10, 150 Caps: 58
Making his second straight World Cup team makes him the standard-bearer for Philadelphia on soccer’s global stage. So does earning a stalwart role at one of England’s most historic clubs, even if the first priority has been just staying in the Premier League. He’s happy to embrace being a role model for everyone back home, and now has the added emotional boost of a new wedding ring.
He’s a near-lock as a starter, but where will he play? The obvious answer of on the field can’t be enough. Will he be an attacking midfielder, the role he probably fits best, but potentially exposing the lack of depth behind him? Or will Pochettino slot McKennie next to Adams to try to get another playmaker on the field, and hope it doesn’t unbalance things?
He isn’t officially Captain America, but he knows better than anyone that that’s his unofficial designation. It took much of his decade-long national team career to become comfortable in that spotlight, and it still doesn’t always fit him easily. But he also knows better than anyone that if he delivers when it counts at the World Cup, he can carry his country to greatness.
Christian Pulisic remains the biggest star on the U.S. men’s team.Jonathan Tannenwald
Gio Reyna
Number: 7 Age: 23 Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach, Germany Hometown: Bedford, N.Y. (born in Sunderland, England) Height/weight: 6-1, 174 Caps: 38
For all his talent — and it’s up there with Pulisic — he only just did enough for club and country to make this squad. If he comes off the bench as expected, he might not have much time in games to make an impact. There will be real pressure to deliver.
His raw talent isn’t in question. Whether he can show it at a World Cup might be. Pochettino clearly likes Tillman, giving him lots of playing time. But things don’t always work right when he and McKennie are on the field. If Berhalter goes next to Adams and McKennie starts, Tillman might be relegated to a supersub — and have to compete with all the other candidates for minutes.
Malik Tillman has a lot of skill, but we’ll see how he shows it in the World Cup.Jonathan Tannenwald
Alejandro Zendejas
Number: 26 Age: 28 Club: Club América, Mexico Hometown: Juárez, Mexico and El Paso, Texas Height/weight: 5-6, 146 Caps: 14
He gets two hometowns because he grew up on both sides of the border, carrying the dreams of being a child of immigrants. The world’s game opened doors, and he charged through them from FC Dallas’ youth academy to Mexico’s Club America. Add a mix of skill and graft on the field, and you get a popular pick for this team.
Alejandro Zendejas autographing a fan’s American flag during the U.S. team’s open practice a few days ago.Jonathan Tannenawld
Forwards
Folarin Balogun
Number: 20 Age: 24 Club: AS Monaco, France Hometown: London, England Height/weight: 5-10, 161 Caps: 27
He was recruited in 2023 with all the pomp of a college football team chasing a star quarterback. Though injuries since then limited his appearances, he has shown overall why U.S. Soccer was right to push for him. Now the biggest payoff moment of all has arrived.
The last and most controversial cut from the 2022 World Cup team, he has finally made it four years later. He put in a terrific amount of work in that time, including having to overcome a move from FC Dallas to Germany’s Augsburg that didn’t work out. But he was always strong with the national team, scoring big goals and hustling all over the field. Like Zendejas, a lot of U.S. fans will root for him in particular.
Ricardo Pepi (right) and Folarin Balogun (left) running together during a U.S. practice.Jonathan Tannenawld
Haji Wright
Number: 19 Age: 28 Club: Coventry City, England Hometown: Los Angeles Height/weight: 6-3, 174 Caps: 20
The last player to score a goal for the U.S. men at a World Cup, and the first formally listed as a striker to do so in 20 years. At club level, he was a key player for Coventry this season to help the Sky Blues earn promotion back to the Premier League after 25 years in lower leagues. Though he’s third on this U.S. depth chart, his size and speed should ensure he gets on the field.
A crowd packed with thousands of cheering fans, the 60-foot-wide screen playing the latest fiery matchup, and dozens upon dozens of food vendors await the FIFA Fan Festival, the cheapest and most immersive way to enjoy the 2026 World Cup in Philadelphia.
Starting Thursday, the Fan Festival opens daily to 15,000 fans, for free, to roam the million square feet of festival grounds that have transformed quaint Lemon Hill into an almost unrecognizable extravaganza of global soccer.
Here’s what you need to know before you go:
Watching the game
The main spectacle is the 60-foot screen that takes over the main stage in Lemon Hill, where the majority of fans will congregate to watch the match. But, throughout the festival are multiple smaller screens playing the game, so fans don’t miss a moment when they roam for food, fun, or the bathroom.
“Even if you’re not a soccer fan, you can still come out and have a great time,” said Michael DelBene, executive producer of FIFA Fan Festival for Philadelphia Soccer 2026. “You can come and listen to music or eat delicious food, or shop.”
The festival is intended for fans of all ages and promises to be kid and family friendly.
Amenities
Crew members make final preparations, including work on a 60-foot-wide screen, for a FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 10, 2026.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
The Fan Festival delivers what many large-scale music festivals offer, with ways to enjoy the main attraction while also having side activities to keep you busy during a lull.
Food and drink
More than 80 local food trucks will serve up meals based on dishes from the many cultures across Philadelphia and, of course, the city’s very own, like cheesesteaks, pretzels, and more.
Outside of food trucks, there will also be vendors selling beverage basics, such as water, soda, and beer, to the small bites like tacos and sandwiches. Pricing varies. Some vendors have beer and beverage prices at $10 or less. Many will also sell food menu items in the $15 to $25 range.
A Michelob Ultra beer garden will welcome those 21 and over to a variety of brews, and the Coca-Cola corner has all the tasty carbonated beverages a fan could ask for.
No outside food or beverage are permitted besides a reusable water bottle that can be filled at hydration stations. For a full list of what you can’t bring, visit phillyfwc26.com/fifa-fan-fest.
Live music
Throughout the festival, more than 50 live acts will grace the stage at Lemon Hill, including the opening night concert with headliner Luis Fonsi of Despacito fame. Festival showrunner DelBene said that while they’ll kick off the event with one of the biggest global artists, many local Philadelphia musicians and acts will rotate through the 39-day event.
“It’s a really cool juxtaposition of global talent and the juxtaposition of local talent and culture,” DelBene said.
Crew members make final preparations, including work on a 60-foot-wide screen, for a FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 10, 2026.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Shopping and giveaways
The Philadelphia Festival Marketplace will showcase the best artisans and makers the region has to offer with distinctive soccer swag, accessories, jewelry, original artwork, and more.
Philly’s fan festival will also host the largest World Cup retail space across all 11 U.S. host cities. Sitting at 10,000 square feet, the Fanatics World Cup shop has everything a soccer fan needs for official tournament gear.
Outside of shopping, many sponsors have built elaborate exhibits with interactive games and chances to win giveaways. Some of those sponsors include Kia, Bank of America, and The Home Depot.
Accessibility
ADA-accessible ramps are located throughout the festival and accessible public transportation is available entering and departing the venue. A golf-cart shuttle will also be available from the welcome center.
Attendees have access to nursing stations, sensory booths, prayer booths, and meditation booths. ASL interpreters will be present throughout the event. Any questions can be directed to the welcome center booth or to staff with shirts.
Inclement weather
The festival will run rain or shine and will be canceled in case of any dangerous weather (thunder, lightning, high winds, or very high temperatures.)
Getting around
Crew members make final preparations, including work on a 60-foot-wide screen, for a FIFA Fan Fest at Lemon Hill in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 10, 2026.Jose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
No matter what else happens at the World Cup’s FIFA Fan Festival events Thursday and Friday on Fairmount Park’s Lemon Hill, expect hot times.
After setting four high temperature records since April, two more could fall this week in Philadelphia as a very warm June picks up steam and the mercury heads to the mid-90s on both days, while the atmosphere turns to soup.
“It’s going to be very uncomfortable,” said Bob Oravec, senior branch forecaster at the Weather Prediction Center in College Park, Md.
The National Weather Service in Mount Holly said heat indexes could reach 103 on Thursday and 105 on Friday in the city, and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health has declared a heat emergency.
With the increase in water vapor and an approaching front, thunderstorms also could pop up, and festival organizers are well aware of the potential at what will be a “rain-or-shine event,” said Philadelphia Soccer 2026 spokesperson Melissa Ferdinand.
Conditions are due to improve on the weekend, with lower humidity and just an outside chance of showers during the Sunday night match between Ecuador and Ivory Coast in South Philly.
When the fan festival gets underway at 2 p.m. Thursday, chances are excellent that Philly will be chasing a record, with a Friday encore. The all-time high for both Thursday and Friday in Philly is 95 degrees.
Thunderstorms are possible both afternoons, with about a 15% chance that they reach severe status — with wind gusts near 60 mph — according to the Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Okla.
Soccer matches will be televised throughout the festival, including Sunday’s game in Philly, and in the event of severe weather, the screens will carry evacuation orders, along with announcements and text communications, Ferdinand said. “Our highest priority is the safety of our guests,” she said in an email.
On Saturday, conditions should improve markedly, with daytime highs several degrees lower and the mugginess backing off. On Sunday, temperatures are expected to climb back to the low and mid-90s, but the humidity should not approach the Thursday and Friday levels.
The weather outlook for Sunday’s game
Temperatures around game time are forecast to be in the upper 80s with comfortable humidity and a breeze under 10 mph.
The only caution flag would be the chance of a shower, said Mike Lee, a meteorologist at the weather service office in Mount Holly, but “it looks like it’s going to be on the hit-or-miss side of things.”
It should be comfortable for the fans, but upper 80s would not be a cool dip in the pool for the players, who can run six miles or more during a match — no home run trots in soccer. Throughout the tournament, heat and humidity certainly are going to be players, said Ryan Calsbeek, a runner and Dartmouth College biological sciences professor.
He allowed that running this week was an ordeal. Granted, it got up to only 85 degrees where he lives in New Hampshire, but it was the first warm shot of the season, and his body let him know it was not enjoying the adjustment. Acclimatization certainly will be a challenge to the World Cup participants at the venues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, he said.
The atmospheric conditions on Sunday in Philly are not going to feel much like home to either team.
The Ecuadorians may even get a little homesick. They play in Quito, right on the equator, but their stadium is at an elevation of more than 9,000 feet — 1.7 miles. Temperatures decrease with height, and the average high in June in Quito is 70 (the same as it is in January).
Conversely, the Ivory Coast team’s home field is in Abidjan, a city of more than six million on the south-central Atlantic coast. The region gets prodigious amounts of rain as storm waves move across east to west across the continent, said Tom Kines, senior meteorologist with AccuWeather Inc. And is it ever muggy.
Les Elephants might view South Philly as a vacation spot.
IRVINE, Calif. — It only took two words for one of the U.S. men’s soccer team’s most important players to get everyone talking.
“I’m ready,” star centerback Chris Richards said before Wednesday’s practice, and after a few days on the field, where he looked good in his recovery from torn ankle ligaments.
“It’s a World Cup, so I’ll make myself ready regardless,” he continued as he stood in front of a big pack of media, a sign of the World Cup’s arrival and his importance. “I’m feeling good. Maybe a little swollen, but nothing tape can’t help. … If there’s any time to sacrifice yourself, it’s now. I want to play Friday, but I’m not the one making the decision.”
Richards suffered the injury on May 17, playing for his club team, England’s Crystal Palace. He hasn’t featured in a game for club or country since then, which is four total: the May 24 Premier League finale, the May 27 UEFA Europa Conference League final, and the U.S.’s two World Cup warmup games.
Chris Richards running during Wednesday’s practice.Jonathan Tannenwald
“When I first came out of the injury, I was pretty devastated, and I was honestly fearing the worst,” he said, later adding: “The first time I could probably relax was when I did get the diagnosis. After the game, my ankle was huge, and I came off in a boot and crutches. When I saw the diagnosis I was like, ‘All right, cool — whatever it takes, I have to make it for this first game.’”
He made the bench for the Conference League final, and the TV cameras caught him running onto the field at the final whistle to celebrate with teammates. That was a good sign. But it’s still nothing like a live game, and that’s now the question.
“I think the first time I really realized that I would be 100% for Friday was probably last week,” Richards said. “It was a lot of massages, a lot of ice, a lot of compression, things like that. But once I was finally on the pitch, it felt good. And I think that was the main thing.”
It also helps that the U.S. will have seven days between its first and second group games, with the latter June 19 against Australia in Seattle. The Americans’ World Cup opener is Friday vs. Paraguay (9 p.m., Fox 29) in Inglewood, Calif.
Chris Richards getting up close with the ball during a drill.Jonathan Tannenwald
“We have enough time between the games where I can get some recovery in,” Richards said. “So for me, if I can start on Friday, it’s not going to put the rest of the tournament in jeopardy for me.”
Granted, that was his opinion, and he has given it to U.S. coaches when asked.
“Every time they’ve asked me, I’ve told them I’m good — even when I first got into camp, I told them I’m good,” Richards said. “I think they’ve seen the progression over the last few weeks, and they’ve definitely seen me personally. I think I look good on the pitch now. Hopefully it’s been a good sign for them … Whatever they decide on Friday, I’ll back them, but I want to be on that field on Friday.”
He added that he has not been told if he’ll be subject to a minutes limit in the game.
Chris Richards (left) hasn’t played in a live game since May 17.Jonathan Tannenwald
“I’ve done full practices the last few days, and I think y’all have seen the intensity of our practices — they’re not light,” the Alabama native said. “So I feel good, no reaction to it, and I’m confident for what’s to come.”
Richards noted the minor controversy that arose when U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino accused Crystal Palace of not being fully transparent about his status. He tried to be sympathetic to both sides.
“Palace wanted me to potentially be available for the Conference League final — which I understand, it’s a final — and it took me two days to get here [to U.S. camp] as well,” he said. “I expected it. I’ve had ankle injuries before, and there wasn’t really any setback. It was just a case of getting swelling down, then seeing what it’s like being on the pitch, and it just sometimes can take a little bit longer than expected.”
He said, “the initial diagnosis was day to day, but I think for me I was a bit more two to three weeks. We were right on schedule, and I feel good right now.”
Richards’ teammates know how much he means to the group. Fellow centerback and longtime friend Mark McKenzie spoke about that soon after Richards’ turn at the mic.
“To see that live, to see the rehab work he’s put in, whether it’s on the field and working with a lot of the performance coaches, trying to get that ankle exposed to as many different actions as possible,” the Union alumnus said, “and then off the field, you talk about recovery, you talk about every modality you could possibly think of and modalities you probably don’t even know about. Doing everything possible to get himself as fit as he could be for this game.”
As Richards spoke, former U.S. centerback Marcelo Balboa stood nearby. Now a media member, recalled his own race to make the 1994 World Cup after tearing his ACL in April 1993 — an era when recoveries could last over 12 months.
But he made it just in time to play in the tournament, started all four U.S. games, and almost scored an all-time goal when a bicycle kick attempt against Colombia went just wide.
“Never trust a player,” Balboa said with a laugh, but also some seriousness. “A player will always tell you he feels great and he’s ready to go. I think they have to evaluate how he is in training, if he’s full contact, if he’s ready to go 90 minutes, or is it better to make sure he’s ready for the rest of the tournament.”
He also emphasized that for a player, “mentally is the biggest part.” Judging by Richards’ remarks, he certainly seemed ready — even as Balboa’s words are a good reminder of the big picture.
“I wouldn’t put myself in the position if I didn’t think I could do everything 100%,” Richards said. “Part of playing this sport is you’re going to have some pain at some point, and I’m totally OK with that as long as functionally I’m good. That’s the No. 1 thing for me.”
The World Cup is here. So how well do you know the players and nations descending on Philly? No studying — just put your knowledge to the test with our newest quiz.
Nine nations will play in five World Cup group stage games in Philly. How well do you know them?Julia Duarte / Staff Illustration
The World Cup is back on American soil for the first time since 1994, and Philadelphia is set to host six matches — including a round of 16 match — in the world’s largest international soccer tournament.
Brazil, France, and Croatia are among the nine teams that will take to the pitch at Lincoln Financial Field, which FIFA has renamed Philadelphia Stadium for the next month, for five group stage matches in the newly expanded 48-team World Cup tournament.
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Think you know footy? Test your knowledge with this quiz. It’s 10 questions — nine about the nations coming to Philadelphia during the group stage and one about the Stars and Stripes.
Question 1 of 10
Which Brazilian star has scored the most goals for the national team?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Some of the sport’s most iconic players have suited up for the Seleçao, but none have scored more than Neymar, who has 79 goals in 128 international appearances.
Question 2 of 10
Ivory Coast is returning to the World Cup for the fourth time in its history. When did Les Éléphants most recently compete in the tournament?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Ivory Coast qualified for three consecutive tournaments in 2006, 2010 and 2014. The African nation has never advanced out of the group stage, claiming a third-place finish in all three World Cup tournaments it has participated in.
Question 3 of 10
Which nation did Curaçao tie on the final day of Concacaf qualifying to secure its first trip to the World Cup?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Curaçao secured a 0-0 draw against Jamaica in November that set it atop its qualifying group. Curaçao, a Caribbean island with a population of 155,000, will be the least populous nation represented at this year’s tournament.
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Question 4 of 10
Which team will come to Philly featuring the reigning FIFA Ballon d'Or winner, given to the player of the year in world soccer?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
When Les Bleus take on Haiti in a Group C matchup on June 19 (9 p.m., Fox 29), they will do so with midfielder-forward Ousmane Dembélé in tow, winner of the 2025 FIFA Ballon d'Or.
Question 5 of 10
Which nation did Ecuador play in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Ecuador kicked off the 2022 edition of the tournament by beating host nation Qatar, 2-0. Ecuador finished third in Group A, with a 2-1 loss to Senegal keeping La Tri out of the knockout rounds.
Question 6 of 10
Which Croatian player earned the Golden Ball award, given to the World Cup’s best player, in 2018?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The former Tottenham and Real Madrid midfielder led Croatia to a second-place finish in Russia. Despite suffering a fractured cheekbone in April, Modrić was named to the Croatian squad and will make his fifth World Cup appearance this summer.
More on the World Cup
Everything you need to know about the World Cup in Philly
The Inquirer's comprehensive guide on the nine nations headed to Philadelphia this summer, their footprint on our city, and what those fans need to know about Philly.
Question 7 of 10
Ghana’s best World Cup result came in 2010, when it reached the quarterfinal round for the first time in its history. Which team did Ghana beat in the round of 16 to secure its place in the quarterfinal?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Ghana secured a 2-1 victory over the U.S. on a dramatic 93rd minute goal from Asamoah Gyan. Ghana went on to lose its quarterfinal match to Uruguay on penalties.
Question 8 of 10
Which French player joined Pele as one of two teenagers to score in a World Cup final during France’s 4-2 defeat of Croatia in 2018?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
At 19, Mbappé became the youngest goalscorer at the World Cup in French history, scoring four goals in France’s run to the 2018 trophy. Mbappé needs two more goals to surpass Olivier Giroud as France’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Question 9 of 10
Haiti will return to the World Cup stage for the second time in its history this summer, breaking a 52-year drought. Which Haitian player starred in the Union’s MLS Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign last season?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
Danley started 14 times across all competitions this season for the Union, logging two goals. He also scored two goals for Haiti in its 2026 qualifying campaign.
More on the World Cup
Philly’s path to the World Cup was paved at Newt’s, where playing on cinder was a ‘badge of honor’
The growth of the region’s soccer scene will be celebrated when Philadelphia hosts the World Cup. But for years, the sport seemed to only exist locally in the neighborhoods around the cinder fields.
Question 10 of 10
The United States — the team has a slim chance of playing in Philly in the round of 16 — finished third in the first World Cup, but has advanced past the round of 16 just one time since 1930. In which year did the U.S. men make it to a tournament quarterfinal?
CorrectIncorrect. XX% of other readers got this question right.
The U.S. downed Mexico, 2-0, in South Korea to advance to the quarterfinals for the first and only time in a 32-team tournament. A 1-0 loss to eventual runner-up Germany ended the Americans’ best post-war run at the World Cup.
Your Results
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You scored XX out of 10.
The average reader scored XX out of 10
Don't worry, this is the first World Cup in Philly. Did you really expect to be an expert already?
Nice job. There's still room for improvement, but someone clearly follows soccer. If you're still interested, we've got plenty soccer coverage for you to read.
Wow! Let us guess, you only refer to soccer as football and spend weekend mornings at a local bar watching your favorite Premier League team?
A perfect score? Now that's impressive. Let's hope the USMNT has similar success in its run through the group stage this month.
The first group stage game in Philly is scheduled for Sunday, June 14, and will feature Ivory Coast and Ecuador. Ivory Coast will play two of its three group games in the city. For more World Cup coverage — whether you’re going to the games, watching the U.S. team from home, or just curious about what all the fuss is about — be sure to check out our comprehensive guide. And get the latest headlines here.
IRVINE, Calif. — Most of the time in soccer, one of the first things a team does is set its starting goalkeeper. But for the U.S. men, it appears that will be one of the last things that happens.
Leading candidates Matt Freese and Matt Turner have said in recent days that they don’t know who will get the nod for Friday’s group stage opener vs. Paraguay (9 p.m., Fox29, Telemundo 62).
“Not a ton of clarity,” Turner said Tuesday as he met with the media before the day’s practice. “It’s about training really well, keep fighting, and then the decision will be made on Friday.”
A day earlier, when Freese asked if he’d been told who the starter will be, he said, “No, just focused on training today.”
Matt Turner (right) watches Matt Freese in a drill at Friday’s practice.Jonathan Tannenwald
This is despite the fact that Freese has started 15 of the Americans’ 18 games since his debut last June, including a Gold Cup tournament that cemented his rise and U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino’s demotion of Turner.
That demotion, in turn, came despite Turner having been the starter at the 2022 World Cup and for a long time afterward. Now, he’s the only goalkeeper on this World Cup squad with experience in the tournament.
With the clock ticking toward Friday night, what happens now — or at least until Pochettino is asked about it at his news conference on Thursday?
Even then, he might choose not to name a starter publicly.
If Mauricio Pochettino has made his decision about his starting goalkeeper, he hasn’t said so publicly.Jonathan Tannenwald
From most of the indications we have so far, Freese is ahead. The fact that he started the final tuneup game vs. Germany signaled that after Turner played the first half of the first tuneup vs. Senegal.
What is certain is that each is laser-focused on trying to win the race and on his individual tasks to get there.
After two years on campus, he left to turn pro with the Union, and served as Andre Blake’s backup for four seasons before getting a trade to New York City FC so he could become a starter. He has kept improving since then, combining his saves, passing, and a work ethic that Pochettino appreciates.
Matt Freese (center) during the U.S. team’s game against Paraguay at Subaru Park in November. The teams will meet again in their World Cup opener on Friday.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
“I think the mentality that I always have, and I always will have for the next 15 years of playing, is to never expect to be in a roster,” Freese said in a recent news conference. “You always want to chase it, no matter what. And even if you’re a guy who’s played 100 games in a row for the national team, I’m going to be someone that is chasing that next one.”
As cliché as it is to say, consistency is key, and Freese lives it intentionally.
“I think every player has his own routines and strategies, but what works for me is taking every game the same and doing the same routine,” he said, “and doing the same preparation, same mind work, same physical work. Because then you arrive into the game in your standard situation.”
Matt Freese has started 15 of the U.S. men’s soccer team’s last 18 games.Jonathan Tannenwald
Freese acknowledged that “it’s obviously a World Cup, and it’s obviously different, and it’s obviously special: a once, twice hopefully, in a lifetime experience. And so that excitement will be there, naturally.”
But he persists, all the way down to what he packed for the trip.
“I bring my tea kettle, so I make the same tea. I’ve brought my own alarm clock from home,” he said. “The exact same stuff. I love keeping things consistent because if it works for you in small moments, then the game itself doesn’t change. So it helps me, at least, deal with those big moments and that pressure.”
And there undoubtedly is pressure: to make a historic impact at this World Cup, and on him personally to continue the legacy built by Tony Meola, Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel, and Tim Howard. Howard often wore No. 24, the same one that’s on Freese’s back this summer.
Matt Freese with his No. 24 jersey at the introduction of the U.S. World Cup team last month.Eduardo Munoz Alvarez
“I was a fan of that goalkeeping corps for much of my life — still am,“ Freese said. “And so it’s an honor to be on this team and be part of that group, to hopefully continue that great legacy.”
He summed it up this way: “The ones that work hard without the promise of reward are the ones that usually succeed.”
Now to Turner, who has his own remarkable story. The 31-year-old North Jersey native wasn’t well-known when the New England Revolution signed him undrafted out of Fairfield in 2016, but he quickly became a stalwart. That led not just to being the 2022 World Cup starter, but to a $6 million move to England’s Arsenal earlier that year.
But he failed to establish himself there, so he moved across England to Nottingham Forest, then Crystal Palace on loan, then France’s Lyon. None of those moves brought stability, and his U.S. stock started falling as a result.
Matt Turner played just seven games for Arsenal in his short time with the English Premier League giant.Julio Cortez
So he returned to New England on loan last summer, and this year has finally regained his form. By some statistical measures, he has done better than Freese in MLS this year.
With the U.S., Freese looked better in the March games vs. Belgium in Portugal. If Turner looked slightly better against Senegal than Freese did in conceding an early free kick goal to Germany, the fact that Turner only played half of his game means a full comparison isn’t possible.
“I think playing consistent minutes at the level that I’ve been playing at this year has helped me tremendously with staying ready,” Turner said, “unlike in the past, where I was kind of scrapping for minutes at the club level, and then when you show up to the national team, you’re not as sharp when your number is called. So it’s obviously been really great to be playing consistently, be an important player for my team as well, and, of course, that just helps with my preparation on a weekly basis, daily basis.”
One of Pochettino’s goals in his tenure has been to foster competition across the roster, so no player feels assured of a place — which can breed the complacency that sank the team at the 2024 Copa América. In that context, Turner was asked to expand on his “lack of clarity” remark: Is it a good dynamic or too unsettling?
Matt Turner (left) with the Union’s Andrew Rick, who’s serving as a guest player for U.S. practices this summer.Jonathan Tannenwald
“I think it’s a great thing, and I think he’s constructed a roster of guys that buy into that,” he said. “And it creates competition in training for spots on a weekly basis. Just because [a group of] 11 starts one game doesn’t mean the next 11 is going to be the same. Everybody knows that they’re looked at in the same light in the coach’s eyes, and if they merit and deserve an opportunity with this coach, they’re going to get one.”
And asked if he prefers to not have the starter at his position set yet, Turner was just as direct.
“Well, given the fact that I haven’t played a ton in the last year for the national team, of course, for me, that makes me feel like the door is always cracked [open] — everyone has a chance,” he said. “But I think the coach will always pick the guy that’s playing the best, and he’s going to make the right decision for the team. And whatever my role is going to be, I’m going to be ready to do it to the best of my ability.”
Adding more turmoil to a chaotic World Cup buildup for Iran, the national soccer federation claimed Tuesday that FIFA revoked the ticket allocation for fans at the team’s three group-stage games in the United States.
Each federation for the 48 World Cup teams taking part is entitled to receive and distribute 8% of stadium capacity for each of its games, adding up to several thousands of tickets per game.
Those allocations typically went on sale to each team’s most loyal fans soon after the tournament draw in December, when Iranians for five months already had been subject to a travel ban by the U.S. government.
Now, just days before Iran opens its World Cup in Inglewood, Calif. — on June 15 vs. New Zealand at the 70,000-seat stadium used by the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers — the federation claimed in a statement reported by semiofficial state media that it now was unable to provide tickets to its supporters.
The claim adds to the tensions among Iranian soccer, FIFA, and tournament cohost the United States, which began military attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. Some federation officials have been denied visas to enter the U.S.
FIFA has total authority over ticketing operations at the World Cup, yet the Iranian soccer body suggested “the United States has now taken steps to obstruct the presence of Iranian supporters at the stadiums.”
“This incident raises serious questions about the influence of non-sporting and political considerations on the organization of the world’s biggest football event,” the Iranian soccer federation said.
Iran, appearing in its seventh World Cup, also plays games June 21 in Inglewood and June 26 in Seattle.
FIFA said in a statement Tuesday it is “working closely with the IR Iran Football Federation to identify compliant solutions that maximize opportunities for Iranian supporters to attend matches.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino and secretary-general Mattias Grafström promised logistical support in face-to-face meetings with Iranian soccer officials in Turkey in recent weeks.
Most of Iran’s 26-member squad has not had a competitive game since February because they play for clubs in the domestic league that was shut down by the war.
Omar Artan, a referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the U.S. at Miami International Airport on Saturday is not the only person connected to World Cup teams stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The Iraqi team’s official photographer, Talal Salah, was detained and denied entry after arriving at Chicago O’Hare International Airport on Friday as part of the country’s 53-member delegation.
“U.S. authorities asked for his phone; he gave it to them. After 12 hours’ detention, they decided to ban his entry,” said a member of the Iraqi soccer federation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media.
Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein also was detained by U.S. immigration authorities for seven hours upon arrival before being released, another Iraqi soccer federation member said.
CBP confirmed in a statement that two people with the Iraqi national team were subject to “additional inspection” to verify their information or “determine admissibility.”
Iraq’s Aymen Hussein (left) is congratulated after scoring his side’s second goal against Bolivia in March.Fernando Llano
Artan, one of Africa’s top referees, was denied over “vetting concerns,” CBP said in a statement without giving details of those concerns. Artan was issued a visa to travel to the U.S. last week, according to the Somalia Embassy in Kenya that processed it.
The move to deny a FIFA-appointed match official permission to enter a World Cup host country is highly unusual. Artan was due to meet up with other World Cup referees at their training base in Miami.
Andrew Giuliani, the executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, said Tuesday the referee was denied admittance for “very good reason” but also declined to go into details.
Contract deal in LA
Southern California stadium workers who threatened to strike for the U.S. men’s soccer team’s opening World Cup match on Thursday against Paraguay said Tuesday that they expect to stay on the job after reaching a tentative contract deal with higher wages and more labor protections.
Workers will vote Wednesday on whether to ratify the deal.
The union represents 2,000 bartenders, servers, cooks, and dishwashers at SoFi Stadium. The deal came after workers last week voted to authorize a strike as contract talks had stalled with the stadium’s food service provider, Legends Global.
As Philadelphia prepares for a summer of pageantry with the World Cup and celebrations to mark the country’s 250th anniversary, a public safety hub is opening on Market Street to coordinate police responses in the area.
The center at 1011 Market St. will be a place for three police forces — Thomas Jefferson University police, Philadelphia police, and SEPTA police — to coordinate.
Officials expect that the hub will enable police to respond faster to incidents in the area both ahead of the World Cup and as part of a long-term effort to revitalize Market Street. Without an established place for collaboration, officers’ ability to work with different departments was hampered by the lack of physical infrastructure to coordinate.
“We’ve never had anything like this before,” said Kevin Seta, the director for public safety for Jefferson. Before this hub, he explained, “everyone’s kind of working in silos. We do work very well together with these partner agencies, and we share as much as we can. But in this case, this will allow us to be all in the same room at the same time.”
With the new center, police presence will increase on Market, Filbert, 11th, and 12th Streets. The hub will become the main headquarters for the Jefferson police force, which was previously on the other side of the Jefferson campus. Twelve officers from the Philadelphia Police Department have been assigned to East Market Street and will use the hub as needed, along with SEPTA officers who patrol the area. Jefferson CEO Joseph G. Cacchione said that with the new officers, he has already noticed a difference in vagrancy and panhandling.
The city has allocated $1 million for the hub. Jefferson, which has a large presence in the area with its university and health system, will provide additional funds for the project.
A holding cell at the new public safety hub for Market Street on June 9, 2026.Isabel Maney / Staff
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker emphasized that the public safety hub was part of a larger project to make Market Street “safer, cleaner, and greener.”
“We are strengthening our work here in Center City, creating a vibrant and thriving corridor where we have more than 60 partners from across the business, civic, and community sectors,” Parker said. As an expected tens of thousands of visitors begin to arrive, “this coordination right now is more important than ever.”
