As millions of soccer fans prepare to descend on North America for the 2026 FIFA World Cup , a new network of LGBTQ-friendly “ Pride Houses ” is launching across all 16 host cities. The initiative, called Pride House United 2026, will establish dedicated gathering spaces for LGBTQ fans and athletes throughout the 39-day tournament. Advocates say the tournament’s last two editions were held in countries criticized for their treatment of LGBTQ people — Russia in 2018 and Qatar in 2022 — leaving