The World Cup is a big contest that kicks off on June 11th, 2026. Every 4 years, countries send their best soccer players to try to win the top prize. The countries are clumped into groups of 4, and each team plays the other 3. The 2026 World Cup is the biggest one yet, with 48 countries competing. And games will be played in three countries – Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The final game will be played in New Jersey on July 19, not far from Bedtime Math Headquarters! A ticket to that game costs more than $10,000, so we’ll be watching from home.
Wee ones: Soccer is played with a ball. Try to find 3 ball shapes in your room.
Little kids: If Senegal becomes 1 of the 16 top teams, how many other teams are still in it with them? Bonus: If the top 9 teams lined up, which number team would be exactly in the middle?
Big kids: There are 12 groups with 4 teams in each, but only 1 will be the final winner. How many of those teams won’t win the World Cup? Bonus: In the group games, a country gets 3 points for a win, 1 point for a tie, and 0 points for a loss. In those 3 games, what’s the 1 total score between 0 and 9 that a country cannot get?
Answers:
Wee ones: Ball shapes can include sports balls like tennis or baseball, toys like bouncy balls, or lightbulbs or world globes.
Little kids: 15 other teams. Bonus: Team #5.
Big kids: 47 teams. Bonus: A total score of 8. They can score any other total, e.g. 3=3+0+0 or =1+1+1, then 4=3+1+0…and so on. Try to work out all the rest!