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One month from today, the global spotlight will be on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as teams from around the world converge on the United States, Mexico and Canada to begin this highly anticipated tournament on the field.
But even as the World Cup sparks positivity and friendly competition for billions of people around the world, real problems remain.
One such situation is found in the Middle East, where the United States and Iran, also a World Cup qualifier, remain in open conflict. FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Iran would “definitely” participate in the World Cup despite the conflict.
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American Tyler Adams moves with the ball during a match against Costa Rica at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, June 29, 2025. (John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
Tyler Adams, midfielder and captain of the United States men’s national team, has not commented directly on the conflict in the Middle East, but he knows that despite the “crazy” things happening around the world, soccer and the World Cup can be a unifying moment for everyone.
“Football brings everyone together, no matter the situation,” he told PK Press Club Digital in a recent interview, while also highlighting his partnership and work with Scotts. “It’s something that I turned to when I wanted to play this sport. The diversity in it. No matter what country you go to, there are football fields, no matter where you are in the world. It’s this sport that you find everywhere.
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“I think this event will really bring people together, and I really hope it will bring the American people together as well.”
Adams’ first World Cup came in 2022 when he represented the United States alongside his teammates at the highly controversial host venue Qatar. From criticism of human rights abuses in the country to the deaths of migrant workers during stadium construction, many have accused Qatar of washing sportswear throughout the tournament.
But Adams believes that four years on, no matter what is happening in the world, the World Cup can bring positivity, camaraderie and unity.
Tyler Adams, No. 4 of the United States, advances the ball during a game against Japan at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, September 9, 2025. (John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
“I think times in the world are obviously crazy right now. When there’s a lot of uncertainty in the world, there’s nothing like a World Cup where people can close their eyes for a second and really experience something special,” he said. “So, again, I think our success can really shake things up in the way the sport grows in our country and I hope we can do that.”
Even though the United States has never won a World Cup, Adams knows this group is special, especially after the experience they had in 2022. They were green in Qatar but now, with a home crowd behind them, Adams is confident his group has what it takes to not only make it out of Group D, but also have a shot at the trophy.
“I think the balance we have in our team is very good,” he said. “There are so many guys that I’ve grown up with for so long now. They’re some of my closest friends, guys that I talk to every day. So, at the bare minimum, we’re just going to be excited to spend time together, joke around in the locker room that we have with each other and really enjoy the whole process.”
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The United States will begin their group stage in Los Angeles, at SoFi Stadium, against Paraguay on June 12. Meanwhile, Iran will play at the same host venue three days later.
“We hope that by then, of course, the situation will be peaceful,” Infantino said at the CNBC Invest in America forum last month in Washington, D.C., about the Middle East conflict. “That would certainly help. But Iran has to come, of course. They represent their people. They are qualified. The players want to play.”
Tyler Adams of the United States greets supporters after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Round of 16 match against the Netherlands at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha on December 3, 2022. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
DEVELOP THE GAME WITH SCOTTS
Speaking of growing the game, Scotts, North America’s leading lawn care brand, has partnered with Adams on its “Keep It Real” initiative, which aims to expand access to youth sports and green spaces, funding more than $432,000 while partnering with Every Kid Sports to help more than 2,000 kids in 48 states.
As part of this effort, Scotts and Adams, who highlight the value of natural grass in terms of safer play, helped restore natural grass fields where the next generation can develop the game. One of them was even his hometown field.
“When they came to me with this idea and initiative, it was pretty simple. I think one of the most important things I have to do as a professional athlete now is give back to my community. That being said, I’m giving back to my community with the partnership where we had a field day last summer and we’re restoring the field that I played on as a kid. It was pretty cool to come home and see that a brand that I work with supports the ideas that I have and am giving back to this community. Really, really grateful for this and the partnership. We’re starting to do some really good things.
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