The 2026 FIFA World Cup is just under one year away, and Los Angeles Chargers’ head coach Jim Harbaugh is already looking forward to it. 

There are 16 stadiums in 16 different host cities, and one of those is SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The Chargers play their home games in SoFi Stadium, and Harbaugh said he is looking forward to the "vibe" the tournament will bring.

"I’m just looking forward to the vibe, I’m looking forward to what I see on TV. It brings people together, you roll out that pelota, you roll out that ball, and all cultural barriers are broken," Harbaugh told Fox News Digital. 

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"To see all the different countries coming to our city, just to imagine what it’s going to be like. Just those gatherings, those tens of thousands of people that gather and the way they support their team, because that’s when the magic happens. It happens in real time, it happens when the crowd’s there and the crowds are so into it."

Harbaugh said he is also looking forward to watching competition "at its highest level." 

The 61-year-old coach is also looking forward to the impact the World Cup will have on not only the host city, but also the country. 

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"What I look forward to, and it’s going to do for our country and our city. I’ve seen it before, World Cup in the United States in the '90s. The ‘94 US (men’s) team, just how the sport exploded after that, so I look forward to all those things."

Last season was Harbaugh’s first season as the Chargers head coach, as he left Michigan after he led them to a National Championship win in the 2023-2024 season.

The Chargers went 11-6 in Harbaugh’s first season at the helm and made it to the playoffs. They were bounced in the AFC Wild Card round by the Houston Texans 32-12.

Harbaugh said his team is "back to work" with the goal of winning a Super Bowl in mind. 

"There is only one happy team in the NFL, that’s the Philadelphia Eagles, just 'cause they won the Super Bowl," Harbaugh said. "The rest of us are disappointed, and the rest of us are back to work, we are chasing that Super Bowl. To be called World Champions, that is our goal."

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The rift between the Cincinnati Bengals and first-round pick Shemar Stewart has reached a new level, as the Texas A&M product has reportedly left the final day of mandatory minicamp with his rookie contract still not signed. 

Pro Football Talk reported Stewart leaving minicamp wasn’t because of the contract disagreement he has with the Bengals, but rather "he didn’t want to be a distraction" for his teammates who are participating. 

Still, Stewart’s contract situation has baffled many in the football world, and is the reason behind him not being on the field with his teammates.

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Stewart, the 17th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft in April, publicly addressed not being on the field during the Bengals’ minicamp practices due to not having inked his rookie deal. 

"I’m 100% right," he told reporters on Tuesday. "I’m not asking for nothing y’all (the Bengals) have never done before. But in y’all case, y’all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games."

The Bengals are reportedly trying to change the way their first-round rookie contracts are done, which would allow the team to void future guarantees. Stewart doesn’t feel his contract language needs to be different, with Pro Football Talk pointing out Amarius Mims, the team’s first-round pick last year, not having that language in his deal. 

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Stewart was a higher pick than Mims as well. 

Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said he had "good communication" with Stewart before leaving camp.

Given the Bengals’ contract problems with other players – star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson has his own issue with his deal in Cincinnati – Taylor gave his thoughts on Stewart’s situation. 

"There’s a first for everything," he told reporters. "Every year, you kinda learn something new in this position, and this is just one of those things that the players have managed really well. We keep the team moving, and when he jumps on the field, that’ll be great for our team."

Prior to leaving, Stewart was attending team meetings and studying his new playbook. But he knows how much being on the field makes a difference. 

"You gotta get your body somewhat prepared to play football, especially me coming from college. The NFL is a way physical game, even though I played in the SEC, which is very physical. Nothing compares to actually playing in the NFL. I thought I’d be on the field by now," he said. 

Stewart was considered a raw prospect coming out of the Aggies’ program, someone who possesses tremendous athletic ability but needs to shore up the technical aspects of playing outside linebacker. 

He’s hoping to do that for years to come in Cincinnati, and though the contract situation is less than ideal, he doesn’t have any ill will for the franchise. 

"I’m still new here. We still have a long future ahead of us," he said. 

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