The ‘World Pup’ Is Officially Underway, and the Players Are Ditching Traditional Strategy for Some Unexpected Field Behavior
Zoomies for a cause.
The ‘World Pup’ is officially underway, and it’s already proving to be the most chaotic, and adorable, soccer tournament you’ll see all year. According to PEOPLE, LG Channels launched its canine-inspired FIFA World Cup spin-off on June 10, featuring 48 rescue dogs competing in a knockout-style event that’s equal parts sportsmanship and puppy pandemonium. The goal? To win the World Pup Trophy and, more importantly, secure forever homes for every furry athlete.
The tournament splits the pups into eight national teams, each representing different countries. Matches are streamed on LG Channels, with the championship finale set for July 8. And if you’re wondering how these dogs handle the pressure of high-stakes competition, well, let’s just say their strategy is a little different from what you’d see in the human World Cup.
Former U.S. World Cup athlete Jimmy Conrad, serving as the event’s “rufferee,” put it best when he joked about the key differences between professional soccer and puppy soccer. “Like the freedom to urinate whenever and wherever, utilizing your nose to get to know your opponent better, and lying down on the field if you were tired,” he said.
If only human players had that kind of flexibility
Conrad, who played in the 2006 World Cup, drew some fun parallels between the two events. “Some of the participants liked to run non-stop, others leaned into the physicality of the game, and others stayed on the fringes waiting for the right moment to make an impact,” he said.
But while the pups might share some tactical similarities with their human counterparts, their approach to the game is refreshingly unfiltered. No overthinking, no pressure – just pure, unadulterated enthusiasm. Conrad couldn’t stop smiling during filming, calling the experience “inspiring” and noting how the dogs embodied a spirit of “Isn’t life awesome?” as they zoomed around the field.
The World Pup isn’t just about entertainment
Every dog competing is up for adoption, and by the time filming wrapped, most had already found their forever homes. That’s a win in itself, but the event also shines a spotlight on the importance of rescue adoption. Laurie Johnson, founder of Florida Little Dog Rescue, knows firsthand how impactful events like this can be.
According to Forbes, Johnson’s organization has sent puppies to the Puppy Bowl for 13 years, and this year, nine of her rescues competed in the World Pup. She and her husband even drove the pups from Florida to New York for the event, crashing in a friend’s guest room with all nine dogs in tow.
“Everybody asks why we do this, and it’s to raise awareness about rescue,” she said. “You can get any type of dog you’re looking for in rescue; you just have to be patient and reach out to the right organizations.” One of Johnson’s standout pups was Onyx, a pug who captains Team South Korea under the stage name Son Chew-Min – a playful nod to soccer star Son Heung-min.
Onyx’s journey to the World Pup was nothing short of miraculous
He and his buddy, Fritz, were found abandoned on Christmas Eve with severe upper respiratory infections that were bordering on pneumonia. Johnson quarantined them in her laundry room, unsure if they’d survive the night. “They were so sick and couldn’t breathe,” she recalled. But against the odds, both pups pulled through.
Fritz, a Pomeranian mix, even found a high-profile home during the World Pup taping – supermodel Heidi Klum adopted him after meeting him while filming Project Runway in the same building. “This little pup that almost died on us several times now has an amazing life,” Johnson said. “Fritz is now Heidi’s constant companion and goes everywhere with her.”
The World Pup is a call to action. With shelters across the country overflowing due to inflation and affordability concerns, Johnson hopes the tournament will encourage more people to consider adoption.
“So many pups are flooding into rescue right now,” she said. “I’m really hopeful that a show like World Pup will boost awareness and encourage people to start going to rescues and their county shelters.” The participating shelters span the U.S., from the Brandywine Valley SPCA in Pennsylvania to the Sato Project in New York and Puerto Rico. If you’re not in the market for a new pet, you can still support the cause by tuning in or spreading the word.
Here’s where you can catch the action
The World Pup airs on LG Channels 100 (if you have an LG Smart TV) or on LGChannels.com. Episodes premiere Wednesdays at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, with repeats throughout the week. World Pup episode 101 premiered June 10, episode 102 on June 17 and episode 103 on June 24. There’s a bye week the week of the Fourth of July, but a marathon runs July 1 and 4. World Pup episode 104, the final match, premieres July 8.
The tournament also features some fun extras, like commentary from dog influencers Chili (a golden retriever) and Lumi (a Samoyed), plus a final prediction from corgi Steph Furry of AirCorg fame. And if you’re curious about the teams, each one is led by a standout pup – like a bull terrier captaining Team USA, an Aussie shepherd leading Australia, and a Chihuahua heading up Team Mexico.
At its core, the World Pup is about more than just soccer. It’s a celebration of resilience, joy, and the unconditional love that rescue dogs bring into our lives. Conrad, who adored his late Dalmatian, Patches, said, “You don’t have to pretend to be anyone else but yourself. They love you for you, which is what I think we’re all searching for in some capacity: that we can be enough for somebody. In return, you get to love someone the same exact way.”
(Featured image: David Kanigan on Pexels)
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