The ongoing royal tension between Prince William and Prince Harry remains in the spotlight, and the upcoming 2026 World Cup may lead to an awkward reunion. The brothers, who are reportedly not on speaking terms, plan to support Team England during matches scheduled to take place in the United States.

As reported by The Sun, “Wills is planning to come to the US, and preparations for such a trip are underway.” This involves coordination between security services and UK/US intelligence teams, indicating a meticulously planned—and potentially tense—family gathering.

The timing could not be more intriguing. Prince William and Kate Middleton are scheduled to visit the U.S. for the July 4th celebrations, marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Meanwhile, reports suggest that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle might be excluded from these events. According to a source cited by Page Six, “We hope all senior royals will attend. It’s a significant year for both the U.S. and the U.K. However, as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not working royals, their invitation would need to come from the royal family itself.”

The brothers are no strangers to prolonged periods without communication. Their last public appearance together was at a memorial service in Norfolk in August 2024, where they reportedly did not speak.

Since then, Harry’s trips to the U.K. have been strategically managed to avoid encounters with William. Although both attended concurrent events, any potential meeting was avoided, with William citing a “packed schedule of official duties” as the reason.

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.