Philadelphia Gears Up for 2026 FIFA World Cup With "How Do You Phan?" Campaign

The city is buzzing with excitement as it prepares to host matches for the upcoming tournament.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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With just 100 days until the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Philadelphia is already gearing up for the big event. The city is one of 16 host cities for the tournament, and will be hosting six matches featuring top international teams at Lincoln Financial Field. To get residents and visitors excited, the city has launched a campaign called "How Do You Phan?" which aims to help fans learn about the teams coming to the city and feel part of the cross-cultural exchange.

Why it matters

Hosting the FIFA World Cup is a major opportunity for Philadelphia to showcase itself on the global stage. The event is expected to provide a significant economic boost for the city, with restaurants, hotels, and other businesses set to benefit. Beyond the economic impact, the World Cup will also bring the community together and allow Philadelphians to celebrate their passion for soccer.

The details

The excitement for the World Cup was on full display at a pep rally held in Center City on Tuesday. Hundreds of fans packed into the lobby of a high-rise building, with Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham kicking off the 100-day countdown. The rally featured music, dancing, and a flag giveaway representing some of the competing nations. Organizers also unveiled the "How Do You Phan?" campaign, which aims to help visitors feel at home and learn more about the teams coming to the city. Additional fan experiences and events are expected to roll out in the coming weeks as Philadelphia prepares to welcome the world this summer.

  • The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June to July.
  • Lincoln Financial Field will host six matches during the tournament.
  • The pep rally was held on March 3, 2026, marking 100 days until the start of the World Cup.

The players

Brandon Graham

An Eagles defensive end who kicked off the 100-day countdown at the pep rally.

Meg Kane

The host city executive and CEO of Philadelphia Soccer 2026, who spoke about the "How Do You Phan?" campaign.

Swoop

The Eagles mascot who made an appearance at the pep rally.

Gritty

The Flyers mascot who also attended the pep rally.

Phang

The Union mascot who was present at the pep rally.

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What they’re saying

“We got 100 days till the World Cup come to our city. I hope y'all ready.”

— Brandon Graham, Eagles defensive end (CBS News)

“This environment is electric. I didn't know there were so many soccer fans in Philadelphia.”

— Patrick Malloy, Doylestown resident (CBS News)

“Restaurants, hospitality, everybody will be benefiting from this. But at the end of the day, it's also the community impact.”

— Jose Palomeque, Glenside resident (CBS News)

“How Do You Phan?" is an opportunity for die-hard soccer fans to learn about the teams coming, build that interest, and feel part of this cross-cultural exchange that's once in a lifetime.”

— Meg Kane, Host city executive and CEO of Philadelphia Soccer 2026 (CBS News)

What’s next

Organizers said additional fan experiences and events will roll out in the coming weeks as Philadelphia prepares to welcome the world this summer.

The takeaway

Hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a major opportunity for Philadelphia to showcase itself on the global stage and bring the community together around a shared passion for soccer. The city's "How Do You Phan?" campaign aims to engage both local fans and international visitors, creating a cross-cultural exchange that will leave a lasting impact on the city.