See Billboard’s 11 Global World Cup Covers

11 Jun at 15:22 Comment Views: 3

Joey Bada$$ and Miles Robinson photographed in Brooklyn. — Joey Bada$$ and Miles Robinson captured on May 25, 2026, at Socceroof Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
Photography by Malike Sidibe

In a landmark moment, Billboard has officially unveiled the Global World Cup Series—a pioneering editorial venture that bridges the high-stakes intensity of professional soccer with the vibrant spirit of the music industry ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

This initiative represents a first for the publication, dedicating 11 distinct global covers to celebrate the convergence of sport and sound. By highlighting influential athletes and artists across 11 nations, the series captures the immense cultural vitality and international fervor surrounding the planet’s most significant sporting competition.

The U.S. launch features a compelling dynamic: rapper and actor Joey Bada$$ in conversation with U.S. Men’s National Team standout Miles Robinson. Their cover story delves into the shared languages of ambition, athletic discipline, and artistic expression, featuring a playful exchange that sees them trading expertise on the pitch and in the recording booth.

“There is an inherent cadence to sports, which explains why music so naturally elevates athletic highlights,” Bada$$ observed. “You recognize that same electrifying tension in a great track that you feel during a pivotal moment in a match.”

As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup—the first to be hosted in the United States since 1994—intensifies, this series serves as a testament to the event’s vast global impact. Through immersive storytelling and striking portraiture, the project explores how sound and sports shape national identity. The 11 featured nations include the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Japan, France, Canada, Italy, Georgia, Korea, and Vietnam.