It was the opening day of the first World Cup to be staged on U.S. soil. But a huge news event 1,700 miles away stole its thunder

Before World Cup 2026, revisit USA '94 — the tournament that featured Oprah, O.J., Maradona and Baggio, and changed soccer forever.

The World Cup returns to North America after 32 years. And just like in ’94, when O. J. Simpson’s police chase threatened to steal the show, the event is not without dramas.

It was the opening day of the first World Cup to be staged on U.S. soil. But a huge news event 1,700 miles away stole its thunder