The ongoing strain between Prince William and Prince Harry remains a hot topic, and the upcoming 2026 World Cup could set the stage for an awkward royal reunion. Despite reportedly not being in contact, both brothers are expected to support Team England, which will see some of its matches hosted in the United States.

As reported by The Sun, preparations for Prince William’s visit to the U.S. are already underway, involving coordination between security and intelligence teams from both the UK and the US. This suggests a meticulously planned—and potentially tense—family encounter.

The timing of the World Cup adds an intriguing twist. Prince William and Kate Middleton are already scheduled to be in the U.S. to mark July 4th, the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. In contrast, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are reportedly being excluded from these celebrations. According to a source quoted by Page Six, while senior royals are expected to attend, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex will not be invited, as they are no longer working royals. Any invitation would depend on the royal family’s discretion.

The brothers’ history of long periods of silence is well-documented. Their last public appearance together was at a memorial service in Norfolk in August 2024, where they reportedly did not speak to each other.

Since then, efforts to keep their paths from crossing during Harry’s visits to the UK seem deliberate. Despite attending events around the same time, any potential meetings have been avoided, with William often citing a busy schedule of official duties.

Despite the tension, royal watchers can’t help but speculate about what a World Cup encounter might look like: Will they exchange polite nods? Awkward small talk? Or perhaps just a stiff wave from across the stadium?

One thing’s for sure: with security and protocol firmly in place, any interaction will be closely monitored—and heavily scrutinized by the global press. The 2026 World Cup could end up being less about the soccer and more about watching the two brothers navigate a public display of civility amid years of rumored tension.