Seven Founding Hills

The FIFA World Cup is finally here, and we are excited to kick off a World Cup unit study in our homeschool!

The 2026 World Cup is especially exciting for our family because matches will be hosted less than 40 miles south of us in San Jose, and there are so many free watch parties happening throughout the Bay Area.

If I’m being completely honest, we’re much more of a baseball family than a soccer family. That makes this tournament even more exciting because we’re getting to learn about the sport together. One of my favorite things about homeschooling is using major events like the World Cup as an opportunity to dive into history, geography, culture, and sports with my kids.

Here are five ways we’re celebrating and learning about the 2026 FIFA World Cup in our family.

1. Go to a World Cup Watch Party

We attended a World Cup watch party at Chase Center yesterday, and it was so much fun. I honestly don’t know a lot about soccer, and I feel like you learn so much about a sport when you experience it alongside passionate fans. The energy of the crowd was incredible and created memories my kids will remember for years.

2. Track the World Cup Results at Home

Did you know there are 72 group-stage games in the 2026 World Cup? I certainly didn’t until I created my World Cup Group Stage Tracker (idk if I still haven’t hit my graphic design groove, but it literally took me like 3 hours to make). My kids love checking off completed matches and following along with the standings. It’s been a simple but engaging way to stay connected to the tournament.

3. Play Soccer with Friends

The World Cup is the perfect time to learn how to play soccer or organize a soccer playdate with friends. We haven’t played since our soccer season ended last fall, so it was fun to get back out on the field. My kids had a great time playing with friends from our homeschool co-op and practicing skills they hadn’t used in months.

4. Read About World Cup History

We’re learning more about soccer as part of our summer homeschool plans and have checked out several books (affiliate amazon link) from the library. I’m looking forward to reading more in depth about World Cup history and sharing stories about legendary moments, famous players, and unforgettable matches from past tournaments.

5. Complete a Soccer World Cup Unit Study

I am a huge fan of seasonal unit studies, so I’m especially excited to incorporate our Soccer World Cup Unit Study into our summer homeschool routine.

In our unit study, we’ll be learning about:

• The history of the World Cup
• How to play soccer
• The countries hosting the World Cup
• How the World Cup tournament is structured
• World Cup team research projects
• The symbolism and significance of World Cup jerseys

Final Thoughts

One of my favorite parts of homeschooling is finding ways to connect learning to what is happening in the world around us. The World Cup provides a unique opportunity to explore geography, history, culture, and athletics all through the lens of a single global event.

While we may not be a soccer family, I have a feeling that by the end of this tournament we’ll know a lot more about the game and have a great understanding of future events.

Join the Fun

Are you watching the World Cup this summer? I’d love to hear who your family is cheering for and how you’re celebrating the tournament.

If you’d like to follow along with the games at home, be sure to check out my Soccer World Cup Unit Study and Group Stage Tracker, designed to help kids learn about the tournament while having fun.