Houston World Cup Event Aims for Soccer Ball World Record

Houston is inviting everyone to help break a world record and support local kids in one kick.

On April 11, Airbnb and Houston's World Cup host committee will attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous line of soccer balls at Hermann Park. The current record stands at over 1,000 balls, and organizers need community volunteers to place each ball in the line.

Former U.S. men's national team star DaMarcus Beasley will join the free event. Beasley played in four World Cups and helped the Houston Dynamo win the 2018 U.S. Open Cup during his final playing years.

Anyone can participate by signing up online in advance. The event will take place along Houston's Green Corridor, a 14-mile loop between EaDo and NRG Park that connects key World Cup venues.

The Ripple Effect

This record attempt is just one piece of Airbnb's $1.3 million investment in Houston's World Cup legacy programs. The company is funding improvements to the Green Corridor, where thousands of visitors will travel this summer during the tournament.

After the record attempt, every single soccer ball will be donated to the host committee's Grow the Game initiative. That means local youth programs across Houston will receive free equipment to keep kids playing long after the World Cup ends.

"This moment is about more than soccer and world records," said Laura Spanjian, Airbnb's global head of public policy. "It's about celebrating the one of a kind community here in Houston."

Houston will host seven World Cup matches this June and July at NRG Stadium. Teams including Portugal, the Netherlands, Germany and Saudi Arabia will play in the city as part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Chris Canetti, president of the local host committee, sees the event as Houston's way of making global moments meaningful for neighbors. With less than 100 days until the World Cup arrives, the city is turning world stage excitement into lasting benefits for local families.

A world record set by Houstonians, for Houston's next generation of soccer players.