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World Cup quarterfinals: It's Messi, Morocco, and 6 teams from Europe. And that's not unusual
By TIM REYNOLDS, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports
· July 8, 2026
· 1 min read
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — More World Cup teams. Same World Cup story. This edition started with 48 teams; it’s now down to eight, with six of those from Europe. And unless Morocco pulls off a series of surprising outcomes over the final two weeks, the champion will come from Europe or South Amer...
Key takeaway This edition started with 48 teams; it’s now down to eight, with six of those from Europe.
Why this matters in The McAllen
The World Cup quarterfinals lineup may seem familiar, with European teams dominating the field, but for McAllen residents, the presence of Lionel Messi and the potential for a South American champion holds particular interest. The Rio Grande Valley's strong cultural ties to Latin America make the World Cup a highly anticipated event, with many locals gathering to watch matches and cheer on their favorite teams. As the tournament progresses, McAllen's soccer fans will be keeping a close eye on the remaining teams, especially if a South American team advances to the finals. The city's parks and recreation departments may also see an increase in soccer participation and interest, as young players are inspired by the World Cup's top athletes. With the Valley's diverse community and passion for soccer, the outcome of the World Cup is likely to be widely discussed and celebrated in McAllen.
About this story
Original reporting by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . The McAllen surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — More World Cup teams. Same World Cup story. This edition started with 48 teams; it’s now down to eight, with six of those from Europe. And unless Morocco pulls off a series of surprising outcomes over the final two weeks, the champion will come from Europe or South Amer...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports and curated for The McAllen readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by TIM REYNOLDS, Associated Press at ValleyCentral (KVEO/CBS4) - Sports. To learn more about how The McAllen selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The McAllen, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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