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Jun 16, 20261
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MLB Players and Managers Eager to Attend World Cup Matches During Season
MLB players and managers are taking advantage of scheduled days off during the 2026 World Cup to attend matches, as 13 teams in 11 markets share locations with World Cup venues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Players including Oliver Mármol, Vinnie Pasquantino, and Joc Pederson have expressed enthusiasm about the unique opportunity to experience the tournament.
Quick Facts
Who
Oliver Mármol
What
MLB players and managers planning to attend World Cup matches
When
2026 World Cup
Where
United States
- MLB players and managers planning to attend World Cup matches
- MLB season scheduled around World Cup venues
- Ecuador vs. Curaçao match in Kansas City
- Brazil vs. Haiti match in Philadelphia
- Scotland won first World Cup match in 28 years
Major League Baseball players and managers are seizing the opportunity to attend FIFA World Cup matches during the 2026 tournament, which is being held across 16 venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The scheduling has created unique circumstances where 13 MLB teams across 11 markets share locations with World Cup stadiums, resulting in rare day-offs that coincide with matches.
In Kansas City, St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Mármol confirmed his intention to attend an Ecuador versus Curaçao match on a scheduled Saturday off, while the Cardinals and Kansas City Royals both have the day free. Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino and his wife, who played soccer at Old Dominion University, also plan to attend. "It's great that Kansas City has gotten World Cup matches. So, as many years pass until the United States hosts again, we'll be fine with some days off like those," Pasquantino said.
Texas Rangers' designated hitter Joc Pederson, who played soccer as a child in California, called the opportunity "a once-in-a-lifetime chance." The AT&T Stadium in Arlington will host nine World Cup matches—the most of any venue—with the Rangers having a scheduled Monday off on July 6 during a Round of 16 match. Rangers manager Skip Schumaker was inspired after Scottish fans created an electric atmosphere at Fenway Park in Boston, motivating him and his coaching staff to attend a World Cup match despite limited knowledge of the sport.
Philadelphia Phillies will have Friday off during their home series against the New York Mets when Brazil plays Haiti at nearby Lincoln Financial Field. However, not all MLB teams benefit equally from the scheduling. The New York Mets and Yankees will have conflicting home games on most World Cup dates at MetLife Stadium, including the championship final on July 19. Similarly, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels face scheduling conflicts with World Cup matches at SoFi Stadium, located 21 and 56 kilometers away respectively. Atlanta, Boston, Houston, Miami, and Toronto will also have multiple home games coinciding with World Cup matches in their markets.
Why This Matters
This scheduling convergence represents a rare intersection of two major sporting events, offering MLB players and fans unprecedented access to World Cup matches without traveling far from their home cities. For players like Joc Pederson, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that strengthens ties between baseball and soccer communities. However, the unequal impact—with some teams unable to attend due to conflicting home games—highlights the logistical complexities of co-hosting international tournaments.