June 3 (Reuters) - The 2026 World Cup is soccer's biggest stage, ⁠and for some of North America's rail and bus operators it will be a critical audition.

With airfares and gasoline prices rising, airport security lines stretching to infuriating lengths, and 104 World Cup matches in 16 cities spread ⁠across four time zones in the United States, Mexico and Canada, some ground transportation companies say they are warming up to win the hearts of a new audience.