LESS than a month before the 2026 World Cup kicks off across the United States, Canada and Mexico, China’s manufacturing heartland is beating in rhythm with World Cup fever. From the textile workshops in Shandong to the bustling stalls of Yiwu, Chinese manufacturers are working at full speed to supply global demand — a familiar rhythm every four years. The 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, is scheduled to kick off June 11 and will be the first edition featuring 48 teams instead of 32. (SD News)