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FIFA World Cup

MLS’ Pearce to Host “Orange Slices”

May 5, 2026 by Digital Sports Desk

NEW YORK – (Staff Report from Official News Release) – For Soccer, a prominent soccer media and experiences company, and Gemini XIII, the premium podcast and vodcast entertainment network, today announced the launch of “Orange Slices,” a bold new soccer media vodcast and event vertical rooted in the shared story of the American game. Designed as a 360-degree content and fan engagement hub, Orange Slices will span premium long-form and short-form content, social storytelling, custom features, and a marquee fan event—all leading into and surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America.
Orange Slices returns for another season, hosted by Heath Pearce and featuring special guests like Mark McKenzie, delivering a fresh take on soccer culture ahead of the World Cup.

The twice-weekly flagship podcast will be hosted by former U.S. Men’s National Team Player, Major League Soccer All-Star and Apple TV analyst Heath Pearce, with appearances from current and former players across generations of the game, including active USMNT and Toulouse FC center back Mark McKenzie. Bridging past, present, and future voices of the sport, the show blends seasoned perspective with real-time insight from inside the game—offering fans a rare window into the evolving identity of soccer in the United States and beyond.

In the lead-up to the World Cup, Orange Slices will deliver match previews and recaps, tactical breakdowns, player profiles, and cultural storytelling from host cities across North America. At its core, the show is a cross-generational celebration of soccer—from the muddy fields across America to the global stage—featuring voices from across eras of the game. Episodes will spotlight guests spanning past, present, and emerging stars, sharing stories, insights, and perspectives that shape the broader American soccer narrative. The name “Orange Slices” nods to the universal halftime ritual of youth soccer, grounding the global spectacle of the sport in its community roots and shared joy.

“Orange Slices is about connecting generations of U.S. Soccer—from the players who built it, to the ones living it now, to those who will carry it forward,” said Heath Pearce, host of Orange Slices and President of For Soccer. “This show is a celebration of our shared soccer story, told from the inside—through the voices, experiences, and moments that have shaped the American game, from youth fields to the World Cup stage.”

The launch also marks a major branded activation within Gemini XIII’s expanding Constellation portfolio, a recently released product that brings together premium talent, IP, and brand partners to create scalable, multi-format franchises.

“With the World Cup coming to North America, there’s an unprecedented opportunity to capture the energy of the moment. This is exactly what Constellation was built to do—bring together world-class talent, cultural moments, and brand partners to create something bigger than a show,” said Charles Steinhauer, Gemini XIII Media.

Orange Slices will be available on all major podcast streaming platforms including YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Filed Under: Sports Business Tagged With: FIFA World Cup, Orange Slices

Spain Favored in World Cup

December 5, 2025 by Digital Sports Desk

WASH DC – (Staff and Wire Service Report) – Spain remained the favorite to win the 2026 World Cup following Friday’s draw, while the United States men’s national team saw its odds shorten after being placed in what’s widely viewed as a favorable bracket. The top-ranked team in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, Spain was the +400 pre-draw favorite at BetMGM. Those odds remained unchanged after being placed in Group H with Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cabo Verde.

Embed from Getty Images

England holds the second shortest odds at +600, followed by France at +700 and defending champion Argentina at +800 along with Brazil. The odds are similar at DraftKings, where Spain is the +450 favorite ahead of England (+550) and France (+750) with Argentina and Brazil at +800. Spain is BetMGM’s second-biggest liability, leading all countries with 13.0% of all tickets and 17.0% of the money placed on the 2026 World Cup winner.

The biggest liability? That would be the emotional support thrown behind the USMNT.

A +6600 longshot before the draw, the USMNT had still been backed by 6.2% of all money wagered. Those odds shortened to +5000 after the USMNT was placed in Group D along with Australia, Paraguay and a yet-to-be determined European playoff team (Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo). The U.S. will play Paraguay on June 12 (Inglewood, Calif.), Australia on June 19 (Seattle) and the third group member on June 25 (Inglewood, Calif.). It is a +125 favorite to beat Paraguay and the +100 favorite to win Group D.

The USMNT and rival Mexico also share the co-14th shortest odds in the 48-team field at +5000 each to win the title. Mexico will play the first match of the tournament on June 11 against South Africa at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Mexico and South Africa are in Group A with South Korea and a yet-to-be determined European playoff team (Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia or Ireland). Mexico opened as a -200 favorite to beat South Africa and as the +130 favorite to win the group.

Joining Canada in Group B are Switzerland, Qatar and a yet-to-be determined European playoff team (Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina). Canada is the only one of the three co-host countries not to be favored to win its group, with the to-be-determined team — presumed to be 12th-ranked Italy — offered at +125 ahead of Switzerland (+175) and Canada (+250).

The USMNT remained +8000 at DraftKings, where it has the same odds as rival Mexico, Ecuador, Morocco and Switzerland. Canada is a +25000 longshot at the book.

2026 FIFA WORLD CUP GROUPS
Group A: Korea, Mexico, South Africa, TBD (Denmark, North Macedonia, Czechia or Ireland)
Group B: Canada, Qatar, Switzerland, TBD (Italy, Northern Ireland, Wales or Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Haiti
Group D: Australia, Paraguay, USA, TBD ((Turkey, Romania, Slovakia or Kosovo)
Group E: Germany, Ecuador, Ivory Coast, Curacao
Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Tunisia, TBD (Ukraine, Sweden, Poland or Albania)
Group G: Belgium, Iran, Egypt, New Zealand
Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cabo Verde
Group I: France, Senegal, Norway, TBD (Bolivia, Suriname or Iraq)
Group J: Argentina, Austria, Algeria, Jordan
Group K: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, TBD (New Caledonia, Jamaica or Congo DR)
Group L: England, Croatia, Panama, Ghana
Forty-two nations have qualified.

The other six participants are still to be determined through UEFA and inter-confederation playoffs being held in March.

The top two finishers from each group, along with the eight best third-place teams, will advance to the final 32 for the knockout stage.

The championship match will take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Matches are taking place in 16 cities across North America, including two in Canada (Toronto, Vancouver) and three in Mexico (Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara).

Locations across the U.S. are Atlanta, Boston (Foxborough, Mass.), Dallas (Arlington, Texas), Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles (Inglewood, Calif.), Miami (Miami Gardens, Fla.), New York/New Jersey (East Rutherford, N.J.), Philadelphia, San Francisco (Santa Clara, Calif.) and Seattle.

–Field Level Media

 

Filed Under: Sports Business Tagged With: FIFA World Cup, World Cup

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