Opening ceremony of the 2026 World Cup in the USA Reproduction/TV Globo The 2026 World Cup brings together 48 teams in 16 host cities spread across the United States, Mexico and Canada. But the tournament's stages go far beyond football: many of these cities served as settings for films and series that helped build their cultural identities. To help fans get into the mood and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of each region, g1 brought together films and series that were filmed in these cities or that place them at the center of their narratives. Check out the list below: United States (11 Headquarters) Atlanta - "Atlanta" (2016-2022) Donald Glover in a scene from the series 'Atlanta' Disclosure The series follows Earnest "Earn" Marks (Donald Glover), a young man who drops out of college and decides to manage the music career of his cousin, rapper Paperboi. Set in the hip-hop industry in Atlanta, Georgia, the production mixes unusual situations and surreal elements to discuss complex issues about race and the entertainment market in the North American context. Boston - "The Departed" (2006) Martin Scorcese on the set of "The Departed" Disclosure The film transforms the city of Boston into the scene of a tense war between the local police and organized crime. In the plot, young police officer Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) infiltrates the Irish mafia that runs the streets of the region, while a criminal goes the other way and acts as an informant within the corporation. The production uses urban architecture and the gray atmosphere of Boston to build a cat and mouse game where the protagonists' double lives are in constant danger. Dallas - "JFK - The Question That Won't Shut Up" (1991) Scene from "JFK - The Question That Doesn't Want to Shut Up" Disclosure The city that was marked in world history as the site of the assassination of former American president John F. Kennedy. In the plot, prosecutor Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner) decides to investigate the behind-the-scenes of the crime because he does not accept the official version of the authorities. The production uses the city's real scenarios and conspiracy theories surrounding the political attack to build a courtroom thriller that questions the secrets of the American government. Houston - "Apollo 13 - From Disaster to Triumph" (1995) The plot follows three American astronauts on their way to a mission to the Moon. Disclosure The drama recreates the historic and tense space mission commanded from Houston, the city that houses the headquarters of NASA's control center. In the story, three astronauts suffer an explosion on their ship on the way to the Moon and begin a race against time to return to Earth before the oxygen runs out. The production popularized the phrase "Houston, we have a problem" and highlights the engineering work and mobilization on Texas soil to save the crew. Kansas City - "Kansas City" (1996) "Kansas City" unfolds themes of love, crime, race and politics in 1930s Kansas City. Disclosure The plot uses the real scenario of political effervescence and control of electoral machines in the city of Kansas City, in the 1930s. The story follows Blondie (Jennifer Jason Leigh), who kidnaps the wife of an influential local politician in an attempt to use her as a bargaining chip to save her husband, captured by a powerful crime boss in the region. The production explores the streets, the hidden interests and corruption that shaped the city on the eve of the elections. Los Angeles - "La La Land: Singing Seasons" (2016) Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in 'La La Land: Singing Seasons' Disclosure The musical transforms the landscapes and tourist attractions of Los Angeles into the setting for the dilemmas of a couple who try to balance romance with the search for professional success in the cinema mecca. In the plot, pianist Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and budding actress Mia (Emma Stone) fall in love while facing the challenges and high competitiveness of the city's cultural industry. The production explores the vibrant atmosphere of Los Angeles as a place that welcomes artistic dreams and disappointments. Miami - "Moonlight" (2016) André Holland and Trevante Rhodes in a scene from 'Moonlight' Disclosure The drama presents an intimate and poetic portrait of the outskirts of Miami, far from the tourist glamor usually associated with the coastal city. The story follows the different phases of Chiron's life, played by actors Alex Hibbert, Ashton Sanders and Trevante Rhodes, showing his childhood marked by bullying, identity crises in adolescence and adulthood marked by the consequences of experiences he had in his youth. The production uses the light and atmosphere of Miami communities to discuss themes such as masculinity and social vulnerability. New York/New Jersey - "A Rainy Day in New York" (2019) Scene from 'A Rainy Day in New York' by Woody Allen Reproduction The film is a love letter to New York, a ubiquitous setting in Woody Allen's filmography, where the filmmaker often turns the metropolis into a central character in his stories. In the plot, young Gatsby (Timothée Chalamet) plans a romantic weekend in the city with his girlfriend, Ashleigh (Elle Fanning), but the plan takes unexpected turns. The production captures the energy, chance encounters, and intellectual atmosphere characteristic of Allen's vision of Manhattan. Philadelphia - "Philadelphia" (1993) Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington in a scene from the movie Philadelphia Disclosure The drama uses Philadelphia's courtrooms to construct a powerful narrative about justice and prejudice. In the plot, Andrew Beckett (Tom Hanks) is a promising lawyer fired from a traditional city office after his bosses discover that he has the HIV virus. He hires Joe Miller (Denzel Washington) to sue his former employers in a historic trial that forces the conservative local society to face homophobia and discrimination. San Francisco - "The Pursuit of Happiness" (2006) In search of happiness Disclosure The drama uses the urban setting of San Francisco to illustrate the difficult journey of a family man in search of stability. In the story, Chris Gardner (Will Smith) becomes a single father after the departure of his wife, Linda (Thandie Newton), and needs to take care of Christopher (Jaden Smith), his 5-year-old son. He accepts an unpaid internship at a stock brokerage in hopes of a future hire, but the lack of income causes them both to be evicted. Seattle - "Grey's Anatomy" (2005- x) Actress Ellen Pompeo brings to life the protagonist Meredith Gray in a scene recorded in the city of Seattle. Disclosure The production turned the city of Seattle into the epicenter of television's longest-running medical drama by setting its stories at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital (later renamed Gray Sloan Memorial). The plot follows the routine of Meredith Gray (Ellen Pompeo) and her colleagues who begin their careers as residents at the institution. Mexico (3 Headquarters) Drone image shows stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, one of the venues for the 2026 World Cup, which will also be hosted in the United States and Canada Ivan Arias/Reuters Mexico City - "Roma" (2018) Scene from the Mexican film 'Roma' Disclosure Director Alfonso Cuarón's acclaimed film uses the streets of 1970s Mexico City to construct an intimate, social chronicle based on memories from his own childhood. The plot follows the routine of Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a young indigenous woman who works as a nanny and maid for a middle-class family in the Roma neighborhood. The production uses the historical reconstruction of the Mexican capital, marked by political conflicts and urban transformations, as a backdrop for the collective and personal changes that affect the house's residents. Guadalajara - "Doña Herlinda y su hijo" (1985) Film "Doña Herlinda y su hijo" (1985) Disclosure The film uses the traditional and conservative society of Guadalajara in the 1980s as the backdrop for a pioneering LGBTQIA+ comedy of manners. Directed by Jaime Humberto Hermosillo, the plot follows Doña Herlinda (Guadalupe del Toro), a controlling mother who pretends to ignore the romance between her son, doctor Rodolfo (Arturo Meza), and music student Ramón (Marco Antonio Treviño). The production explores the mansions and routine of the Mexican city to show how the local family structure dealt with appearances, forcing a fake heterosexual marriage while the couple continued to live under the same roof. Monterrey - "I'm not here" (2019) The acclaimed drama uses the popular neighborhoods and peripheral areas of Monterrey to portray the counterculture of the "Cholombiana" musical aspect, a peripheral movement that marked the region's youth. The story follows Ulises (Juan Daniel García Treviño), the leader of a peaceful gang passionate about the slow rhythm of cumbia, who is forced to flee to the United States to save his life after a misunderstanding with a local cartel. The production explores the urban landscapes and accents of Monterrey to build a narrative about belonging, exile and the violence that transformed the city. Canada (2 Headquarters) Second opening party of the 2026 World Cup at Toronto Stadium, Canada REUTERS/Claudia Greco Toronto - "The Life of Erica" (2009-2011) Scene from the series "The Life of Erica" Disclosure The series uses the city of Toronto as a central character that shapes the protagonist's coming-of-age journey and time travel. In the plot, Erica Strange (Erin Karpluk) gets the chance to revisit and correct her biggest regrets from the past with the help of mysterious therapist Dr. Tom (Michael Riley). Without hiding its Canadian identity, the series covers real attractions in the region, transforming emblematic tourist attractions such as the Casa Loma castle and the famous Toronto Island into stages for the character's crises and discoveries on the city streets. Vancouver - "Deadpool" (2016) "Deadpool" movie location Disclosure Although the story takes place in a generic and fictional American metropolis, the films are a true urban ode to Vancouver, hometown of Ryan Reynolds, who plays the title character. The action scene that opens the first film was shot on the Georgia Viaduct (a famous viaduct in the center of the city). Other landmarks include the historic streets of Gastown, the traditional gateway of Chinatown and the industrial alleys of the port region.