‘Dreams will take root:’ Santa Clara starts the yearlong countdown to the 2026 World Cup

Set against the backdrop of Levi’s Stadium, the official FIFA World Cup countdown clock began ticking down from 365 days on Wednesday morning, signaling the approach of the world’s biggest soccer tournament that’s coming to the Bay Area next year.

Excitement reverberated throughout the Santa Clara Youth Soccer Park as city officials unveiled the host city plaque to a crowd of kids clad in cleats and jerseys who were eager to take part in a youth soccer clinic led by former San Jose Earthquakes player Shea Salinas.