Robert Horry’s Vision for the World Cup

Robert Horry, a seven-time NBA champion, hopes the World Cup will serve as a global unifier. At 55, Horry expressed a desire for this major soccer event to bring people together from different nations.

“I just want different countries to come together and have fun, enjoying the experience,” Horry shared in a recent chat. He emphasized that regardless of where you’re from, it’s a unique opportunity to savor the moment and allow sports to foster unity.

The World Cup is set to be co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada across 16 cities. Notably, the U.S. will host the bulk of the games, with 78 of the 104 matches, including the finals, taking place there.

As for the other countries, Mexico will host 13 games, and it kicked off the 2026 World Cup with a 2-0 victory over South Africa. Meanwhile, Canada faced Bosnia and Herzegovina for its opening match in Toronto.

Team USA’s debut match is scheduled against Paraguay this Friday at 9 PM ET in Inglewood, California. Captain Tim Ream recently shared the team’s mindset is all about aiming for victory.

The tournament features 48 participating countries, and Argentina will attempt to defend their title after a nail-biting win against France in the 2022 finals.

Horry, who played 16 seasons in the NBA, began his career with the Houston Rockets, contributing to their championship wins in 1994 and 1995. After a stint with the Phoenix Suns, he joined the Los Angeles Lakers.

During his notable career, Horry was instrumental in the Lakers’ three consecutive championships from 2000 to 2002, securing his third, fourth, and fifth titles. He later played for the Spurs, adding two more championships to his accolades in 2005 and 2007.

Over his career, Horry averaged 7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game, leaving a lasting legacy in basketball.