California leaders prepare to welcome the World Cup to the Golden State

California leaders are getting ready for the 14 2026 FIFA World Cup matches the state will be hosting - more than any other state in the country. From ceremonial recognitions to statewide safety plans, California is ready for kickoff.

Several state assembly members donned soccer jerseys on Thursday celebrating the first day of the World Cup. Before getting to their business of the day, lawmakers in the Assembly gave personal accounts of what the sport means to them before passing House Resolution 118, officially welcoming the World Cup, its players and supporters to California.

“Football, or soccer as we know it here, does not merely entertain. It transcends. When the World Cup arrives, the world stops,” said HR 118 author and Assemblymember Robert Garcia (D-Rancho Cucamonga). “For a few weeks every four years, the divisions that separate us fade and the world turns its attention to a single field, a single ball and a shared dream.”

For a few minutes, anticipation of Thursday’s first match between Mexico and South Africa bridged a cross-aisle divide between lawmakers. 

“If Portugal is playing, I’m rooting for Portugal, if U.S.A is playing, I’m rooting for U.S.A and if they play each other, then godspeed,” said Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo (R-Tulare).

The eight matches in Los Angeles are expected to bring around 180,000 visitors to the area and create over $890 million in total economic impact across L.A. County, according to the city’s Host Committee.

State agencies have been working for over a year to develop safety plans and day-of coordination for the cities and counties hosting games.

The State Operations Center will support host cities through threat monitoring, information sharing and cybersecurity protection while the California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) has created a special task force to lead planning and provide additional support during matches.

“Our role is to bring together local, state, federal, international and private-sector partners to ensure California is prepared for any situation while supporting host communities and maintaining situational awareness across the state,” said Cal OES Director Caroline Thomas Jacobs in a statement.

State transportation agencies and California Highway Patrol have also been mobilized to provide reliable transportation throughout cities as well as coordinated traffic management, emergency response and more.

“The eyes of the world will be on California, and we’re ready,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a statement. “California is proud to welcome people from every corner of the globe and showcase the values that define our state — opportunity, inclusivity and respect for all.”

Before the World Cup even began, however, Attorney General Rob Bonta stepped in after fans reported misleading ticketing practices affecting their purchased seats.

According to Bonta, his office became aware of reports that FIFA sold tickets based on seating categories from stadium maps that were later changed before fans were assigned their actual seats.

Bonta sent a letter to FIFA on May 13 requesting clarification on the issue and pointing to California consumer law which has “strict prohibitions on marketing practices that are likely to mislead [consumers.]”

The attorney general requested FIFA to provide clear and detailed information on the ticket purchasing process and how seats were ultimately assigned as well as any “remedial efforts” the organization has in place to provide to ticket buyers who were assigned seats that were categorized differently at the time of purchase.

Bonta’s press office told CALÓ News it did not have any updates to share on the matter at the time of publication.