Aim
To invite primary schools to learn about the FIFA Men's World Cup and actively celebrate this sporting and cultural moment in 2026, as the games take place across three countries for the first time in the tournament's history. Exploring the participation of countries hosting, taking part and key moments in World Cup history.
Teacher notes and assembly framework developed for holistic use across curricula areas, including Physical Education, PSHE/RSE, Citizenship and Health and Wellbeing.
The video
The FIFA World Cup is the biggest football tournament in the world! For the first time, the men’s World Cup, will be held in three countries – the United States, Mexico, and Canada. And the 2026 tournament is the biggest one yet, with some venues seating over 80,000 people. For the very first time in history, there are 48 teams taking part , that’s increased by 16 teams! And they all want one thing: to hold up the famous golden trophy. It’s the greatest honour for a footballer.
Nearly a century ago, professional footballers couldn’t play in the Olympics because it was only for people who played sport for fun, so FIFA created a new tournament where the best players could play. The very first World Cup was held back in 1930 in Uruguay in South America. 13 teams took part, and the hosts were the team to win the legendary Jules Rimet Cup for the very first time.
But did you know, the World Cup trophy was once stolen? Just months before the 1966 tournament, it vanished from an exhibition in London. Everyone was searching for it…until an unlikely hero saved the day. A dog called Pickles found the trophy hidden under a hedge in South London! Thanks to Pickles, the tournament went ahead and that summer, England won their first and only men’s World Cup…so far!
Many people will have favourite memories of World Cups gone by. Brazil became famous for their incredible football, with legendary players like Pelé amazing fans all over the world. Over the years, Brazil has won the World Cup five times, more than any other country. And in 2022, Argentina came out on top, winning the last World Cup in an exciting final.
Today the men’s World Cup is the biggest sporting event on the planet with about one eighth of the world’s population watching!The games will be played in 16 cities across North America, with the final in New Jersey, near New York City. The gigantic stadiums in the host countries have gone through years of preparation for the World Cup.
The excitement surrounding the tournament is something that is sure to last beyond the final whistle, and will no doubt inspire the football stars of the future. Who knows, that might be you! Even the world’s biggest football stars started out just like you. When Lionel Messi was growing up in Argentina, some people said he was too small to play professionally. But he kept practising, worked really hard, and got to lift the world cup trophy!
But the World Cup isn’t just about watching the best players on TV. It all starts with the basics - just like the warm-up exercises you do in PE at school. It’s about getting inspired to play, to have fun, and to be part of a team too! It’s just about having fun, and you are playing with your friends and you just have to enjoy it. So let's keep the spirit of the World Cup all year round.
Football is a great way to stay fit and healthy, work as a team and above all, have fun!
Video summary
This video explores the following:
- The countries hosting and the number of teams involved.
- The history of the World Cup, including the trophy and an interesting story about how it was once stolen.
- Memories of the World Cup over the years, including famous players.
- More details about the 2026 finals, where the matches will be held and the preparation of the stadiums.
- Themes explored, such as teamwork, well-being, healthy lifestyles and being inspired to play football and take part in sport generally.
Video questions
Lead a class discussion:
- Ask the students if they know where the 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup is being held.
- Show a world map and point out the three countries hosting the tournament: USA, Mexico and Canada.
- Discuss with the children whether they think it will be a challenge to organise the football matches across three countries. Can they explain why they think it might be a difficult or complicated task?
- Ask the students to explain what they already know about the FIFA World Cup, e.g. countries need to qualify for it; finals run every four years.
After watching the video
Discussion questions:
- Do you think that everyone living in the USA, Mexico and Canada will be happy about the 2026 World Cup being held there?
- Do you know of any other big sports tournaments or competitions that have people from all over the world taking part?
- Do you think that watching sports tournaments in person or on TV inspires young people to get involved with sports?
Activity ideas:
- Art and Design: Create artworks inspired by the different flags of the teams taking part. Draw/paint/collage the football players playing a match. Make a model of the World Cup trophy
- Geography/Global Citizenship: Write fact files about the different countries taking part in the tournament. Research one of the host countries and create a poster with words and pictures
- English/Literacy: Write match commentaries. Write questions for and then role-play interviews where one person is a presenter and another person is a player. Write a diary entry from the perspective of one of the players.
Key terminology
Introduce key terminology, including:
- Well-being: general health and happiness
- Sport: activity that you do for pleasure and that needs physical effort or skill
- Physical: connected to a person’s body rather than their mind
- Sportsmanship: fair, generous and polite behaviour, especially when playing a sport or game
- Fair play: acting honestly, fairly and according to the rules (in a game)
- Stadium: a large sports ground surrounded by rows of seats and usually other buildings
- Trophy: an object (like a silver cup) that is given as a prize for winning a competition
- Tournament: a sports competition involving a number of teams who take part in different games and must leave the competition if they lose. The competition continues until there is only the winner left.
Resources
Suggested framework
1. As pupils enter
Have the webpage open and show an image of the FIFA World Cup trophy on the screen to get the students thinking. Perhaps play a football-related music track as the students enter.
2. Introduction
Potential starting questions:
- Do you know what this is on the screen?
- Do you know where the 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup is being held?
- What countries are in the tournament? Is anyone in the class from one of these countries?
3. Play the video
(Duration: 3’ 52” Final words: ‘…and, above all, have fun!’)
You may wish to stop at relevant points during the video to pose questions and check understanding, or wait until the end.
4. After the video - Time to talk
Lead a discussion by asking some or all of the following questions:
- How many teams have taken part?
- In what year was the first World Cup held?
- Where was the first World Cup held?
- When was the World Cup trophy stolen?
- When did the men’s England team win the World Cup?
- How many times has Brazil won the World Cup?
- How many cities across North America will host games in 2026?
- What did people say to Lionel Messi when he was young and wanted to play professional football?
- Can you think of any key things that players should aim for during the World Cup matches (eg teamwork, sportsmanship, perseverance and fair play)?
5. Opportunity to sing
If your assembly includes a song this is an opportunity to sing it.
6. Closing the assembly
Some reflections on the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
- Who is looking forward to the World Cup? [Ask for a show of hands.]
- Can you make a prediction about which country will win? [Ask for ideas.]
- Have a final moment for quiet reflection - eg pupils can think about what the World Cup means to them; they can think about the connection between sports and exercise to well-being and happiness.
Useful links
The following links could be used as research or provided to students after the assembly.
Bitesize for Teachers: ‘Get Active! Live Lesson'
Related links
1971 Women's World Cup: The Lost Lionesses – secondary assembly resources. collection
An assembly framework and video to celebrate a major sporting occasion and the achievements of the England women's football team who competed in the 1971 Women's World Cup in Mexico.
Teacher Guide to Moodboosters. document
ideas and tips on how Moodboosters' videos can inspire primary school pupils to get moving for mental health and wellbeing.
