In the latest episode of the Philly Hall, the official podcast of the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame, hosts Jim Montgomery and Steve Skalish stepped away from traditional Philadelphia sports history and explored a once-in-a-generation moment happening right in our own backyard — the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to Philadelphia.
Philadelphia has always been a city defined by sports passion. We celebrate championships, legendary performances, and unforgettable moments from our favorite teams. But sometimes sports history is about more than a scoreboard. Sometimes it is about being part of something bigger.
For Steve, attending a World Cup match at Lincoln Financial Field was exactly that — a chance to witness global sports history while experiencing the energy of Philadelphia becoming an international destination.
Finding a Ticket to History
When Steve first heard the World Cup was coming to Philadelphia, he knew he wanted to be there.
While he considers himself a Philadelphia Union fan, he admitted he wasn’t a lifelong soccer fanatic. But the opportunity to see one of the world’s biggest sporting events in his hometown was impossible to pass up.
Getting tickets, however, was not simple.
Through a Bank of America Visa card presale opportunity, Steve was able to purchase tickets before the general public. When he saw France was playing in Philadelphia, the decision became easy.
A chance to watch one of the world’s best soccer nations — and potentially one of the sport’s biggest stars, Kylian Mbappé — was too good to miss.
The gamble paid off. Instead of landing in the upper deck, Steve ended up with incredible club-level seats and a view he will never forget.
A French Jersey and a Full-Circle Moment
One of the most unique parts of Steve’s story involved a French national team jersey he purchased years earlier during a trip to France.
At the time, he didn’t know much about the player whose name was on the back.
“Mbappé — is he any good?” Steve jokingly asked the employee at the store.
The answer quickly became clear.
Mbappé was not just good. He was becoming one of the best players in the world.
Years later, after watching Mbappé’s unforgettable performance in the 2022 World Cup Final, Steve suddenly had the chance to see him play live — in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia Becomes the World’s Soccer City
The experience began before Steve ever entered Lincoln Financial Field.
Throughout the city, Philadelphia was transformed into a global celebration. Fans from countries around the world gathered at places like Reading Terminal Market and the Rocky Steps, proudly wearing their national colors.
For Steve, one of the most memorable parts was seeing fans from different countries celebrate together.
Philadelphia sports fans understand passion. We know rivalries. We know what it means to support your team.
But the World Cup created something different — a shared celebration of the game itself.
Witnessing Greatness at Lincoln Financial Field
Once inside the stadium, the magnitude of the moment became clear.
The flags. The national anthems. The atmosphere.
It wasn’t just another sporting event.
It was history.
Watching Mbappé in person gave Steve a new appreciation for his talent. Seeing his speed, positioning, and ability to create opportunities was different from watching on television.
Then came the moment he’ll always remember.
Mbappé scored from distance, firing a shot with his left foot that found the back of the net.
The Rain Delay That Became the Best Memory
Ironically, one of the most unforgettable moments happened when the game stopped.
A major rain delay forced fans to wait for the second half, but instead of ruining the experience, it created something special.
Fans gathered throughout the stadium. They shared stories, sang songs, and celebrated together.
Near Steve’s section were supporters from Iraq, whose passion turned the delay into its own event.
They played drums.
They sang.
They celebrated representing their country on one of the biggest stages in sports.
The moment was so powerful that Steve later purchased an Iraq jersey as a reminder of the experience.
More Than a Soccer Match
The conversation also explored what the World Cup could mean for soccer in America.
The sport has continued to grow since the 1994 World Cup, but soccer still competes for attention in a city dominated by the Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, and 76ers.
Could global stars help push the sport even further? Could moments like the World Cup experience create new generations of fans?
Those are some of the questions Jim and Steve discussed.
Ultimately, the 2026 FIFA World Cup experience was about much more than soccer.
It was about a city welcoming the world.
It was about a father and son creating a memory.
And it was about experiencing something that could never be replicated by simply watching from home.
During the 2026 World Cup; Philadelphia became the world’s soccer city.
Listen to the Full Discussion
This recap only scratches the surface of Steve’s World Cup experience — including the incredible atmosphere inside Lincoln Financial Field, the unexpected moments during the rain delay, and the larger conversation about soccer’s future in Philadelphia.
Listen to or watch the full episode of The Philly Hall:
Note: This post was crafted with the help of AI to transcribe and organize the conversation between Jim and Steve, ensuring the best stories and insights from our podcast were highlighted for our audience.