World, Sports & Travel
The Big Summer of Soccer
20 May 2026
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a Level
Warm-up → Read & Listen → Check Understanding → Language → Use It
WARM UP
Do you like playing or watching soccer with your friends?
What is a big sports game or competition that you know?
VOCABULARY
Tournament
(noun)
Match
(noun)
Trophy
(noun)
History
(noun)
Squad
(noun)
Host
(verb)
/toor-nuh-muhnt/
A big sports competition with many games.
Example: The school soccer tournament is this Friday.
/mach/ /
A game between two teams.
Example: We watched an exciting soccer match yesterday.
/troh-fee/
A prize for winning a competition.
Example: The team held the shiny golden trophy in the air.
/his-tuh-ree/
Things that happened in the past.
Example: Our town has a very long and interesting history.
/skwod/
A group of players or a team.
Example: The coach chose ten players for the soccer squad.
/hohst/
To welcome guests or hold an event in your town.
Example: Our city will host the big race next year.
A big soccer tournament is coming this summer. It is the famous FIFA World Cup! Three countries will host the matches: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. There will be 104 matches in 16 different cities. This makes it a huge event. The first match starts in Mexico City on June 11. The last championship match is in New Jersey on July 19. There, one winning squad will lift the golden World Cup trophy.
Forty-eight teams will play in this tournament. It is the biggest World Cup in history! Many host cities are preparing grand Fan Festivals with food and big screens so fans can celebrate together. Young fans everywhere are very excited to watch the great teamwork and beautiful goals.
Listen
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What is the name of the big soccer tournament happening this summer?
Which three countries will host the soccer matches?
How many matches will the teams play in total?
When and where does the very first match take place?
How many teams are playing in this year's World Cup?
Would you like to go to a Fan Festival to watch a game? Why or why not?
FILL IN THE GAPS
Word Bank: tournament, match, trophy, history, squad, host
A big soccer (1)_______ is coming this summer. It is the famous FIFA World Cup! Three countries will (2)_______ the matches: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. There will be 104 matches in 16 different cities. This makes it a huge event. The first (3)_______ starts in Mexico City on June 11. The last championship game is in New Jersey on July 19.There, one winning (4)_______ will lift the golden World Cup trophy.
Forty-eight teams will play in this tournament. It is the biggest World Cup in (5)_______! Many cities are preparing grand Fan Festivals with food and big screens so fans can celebrate together. Young fans everywhere are very excited to lift their flags and cheer for their favorite team's (6)_______.
UNDERSTANDING
Part 1: True/False statements
The FIFA World Cup is happening this summer. _____
Only one country is hosting all the soccer matches. _____
There will be a total of 104 matches played. _____
The final championship match will be held in Mexico City. _____
This is the biggest World Cup tournament in history. _____
Part 2: Put in Order
A. One winning squad will lift the World Cup trophy in New Jersey. _____
B. Host countries spend years preparing stadiums and Fan Festivals. _____
C. The tournament officially begins with an opening match in Mexico City. _____
D. Teams from 48 different countries travel to North America to play. _____
LANGUAGE
Vocabulary Match
1. Tournament
2. Match
3. Trophy
4. History
5. Squad
6. Host
A. Things that happened in the past
B. To welcome guests or hold an event
C. A big sports competition with many games
D. A game played between two sports teams
E. A prize given to the winner of a contest
F. A group of players forming a team
USE IT
ANSWER KEY
Fill in the Gaps: 1. tournament, 2. host, 3. match, 4. squad, 5. history, 6. trophy
Understanding (Part 1): 1. True, 2. False, 3. True, 4. False, 5. True
Understanding (Part 2): B, D, C, A
Language: 1-C, 2-D, 3-E, 4-A, 5-F, 6-B