If we could have it our way, everyone at DMC would be able to come together in-person on a weekly basis to connect and have fun outside of work. Company events are central to DMC’s culture. Whether it’s Happy Hour, whirly ball, board games, or team LEGO builds, we’re happiest when we can all be together.
But this summer, we’ve been brought together virtually and otherwise through the 2026 FIFA World Cup! From office watch parties to stadium visits, World Cup fever has spread throughout DMC, allowing us to celebrate together even when we can’t be together in person.
2026 FIFA World Cup
The 23rd FIFA World Cup has been a cultural phenomenon throughout North America, with the rest of the world watching. There have been unexpected cross-cultural exchanges, player stories, and incredible matches that have all contributed to this tournament setting the record for the highest cumulative attendance in World Cup history.
Cultures Meet
Matches were hosted in a total of 16 cities. 11 in the United States, 3 in Mexico, and 2 in Canada. It’s the first time since 2002 that the World Cup has been hosted by multiple nations, and the spread across cities in North America has led to some vibrant cultural mixes: Scotland’s “Tartan Army” in Boston, Algeria’s National Team in Lawrence, Kansas, English fans in Mexico City, and Norway fans at a Mets game, to name a few.
New Rules Introduced
The 2026 World Cup also introduced several new rules, including faster substitutions, mandatory water breaks, and video reviews. Here’s a full breakdown of some of the new rules we’ve seen this year on the field:
- 10-second substitutions: Players being substituted have 10 seconds to exit the field. This is meant to decrease time-wasting during gameplay. If the player does not exit the field quickly enough, the sub must wait for one minute before entering the match.
- Medical treatment: A player who receives on-field medical attention must leave the field and wait for 1 minute before returning.
- Expanded video assistant referee (VAR): VAR can now review and reverse incorrectly awarded corner kicks, certain attacking fouls, and erroneous red cards issued following a second yellow card.
- Red Cards for Mouth Covering: Referees can issue a red card or send off players who cover their mouths with their hand, arm, or shirt to conceal insulting language when confronting an opponent.
- Tie-Break Criteria: Head-to-head results now serve as the first tiebreaker, replacing overall goal difference.
- Hydration Breaks: FIFA introduced mandatory three-minute hydration breaks in every half of a match.
Messi to Mbappé
The games themselves throughout the tournament were noteworthy. Some fascinating numbers include 14 red cards given and 297 goals scored, and a record 10 African teams competed, with 9 advancing. Pop Quiz: Can you guess which four countries received their first World Cup points? Canada, Qatar, Curaçao, and Cape Verde.
Individual players experienced their own milestones, too. Erling Haaland dazzled fans with his scoring versatility as the only player to score with his left foot, right foot, and head, as well as inside and outside the penalty box. Gilberto Mora set the record for youngest player starting in the tournament when he stepped out onto the pitch representing Mexico in the Mexico/South Africa game. Soccer stars Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi set their own impressive records. Mbappé recorded eight match-winning goals, and Messi set the all-time World Cup record of 21 goals.
DMC Gets in the Game
DMC team members across the country also joined in the World Cup fun, participating in after-work events, trips to games, and even some office watch parties. Kandra DiNuzzo from the DMC Chicago office made a harrowing journey to St. Louise to catch the Colombia vs. Ghana game. Colombia advanced, beating Ghana 1-0, and went on to face Switzerland in round 16.
The most memorable part wasn’t just the game; it was everything that happened leading up to it. We originally planned to attend the Egypt vs. Australia match, but after our flight was delayed, we had to completely change our plans. Instead, we drove eight hours to Kansas City to see a different game. While making the drive, we were simultaneously selling our original tickets and bidding on new ones. We arrived at the stadium on zero hours of sleep, but despite all the chaos and last-minute changes, it ended up being one of the best experiences ever.
– Kandra DiNuzzo
Jason Mayes, from the Dallas office, caught a couple of games with his family, and luckily, they didn’t have to travel far. They spent a day at NRG Stadium in Houston watching Cape Verde vs. Saudi Arabia, and in Arlington for the Australia vs. Egypt game. He and his sons even snapped some memorable shots of the penalty kicks at the end of the Australia/Egypt game.
Ryan Knudten from the Chicago office traveled the farthest to see the World Cup. He flew to Oakland, California for USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina at Levi’s Stadium. He said the highlight of his time in Oakland was watching Malik Tillman’s free-kick goal: “We had a great view of it from where we were sitting, and everyone went nuts!”
He didn’t get much downtime after flying across the country for the USA game, however. After a quick nap, Ryan and his girlfriend hopped on another plane headed to LA for the Spain vs. Austria match at SoFi Stadium. Don’t worry, though, they had just enough time between back-to-back games to make the obligatory run to In-N-Out Burger.
Like Kandra, Jason Ims also made the trek to St. Louis to see Colombia face Ghana in the round of 32 knockout stage game. As a soccer fan since he was about five years old, Jason has a lifetime love for soccer. He and his three best friends jumped in a car and made the eight-hour drive, and when they arrived in St. Louis, they weren’t disappointed.
Our group chose to support Colombia for the game because we knew a few of the players, and I borrowed a jersey from a Colombian friend of mine. I was pleasantly surprised how the Colombian fans welcomed us. When we got breakfast the morning before the game, we tested a few of the chants we researched on a big group of Columbian fans, while the first one didn’t work too well, they went crazy when we started singing another one. They ended up asking about where we came from and teaching us new variants of the chants that the fans would be using throughout the game. We then proceeded to meet tons of Columbian fans and all of them would express so much appreciation when we said we chose to support their team.
– Jason Ims
An Event Worth Celebrating
Whether we were cheering from the office, watching from home, or lucky enough to experience the action in person, the 2026 FIFA World Cup gave DMC employees another reason to connect. From record-setting performances on the field to unforgettable experiences in stadiums across North America, the tournament brought people together in the same way our favorite company events do. As the World Cup comes to a close, we’re already looking forward to the next opportunity to celebrate, compete, and make memories together.
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