In a few years, what will you remember about the 2026 World Cup?

NEW YORK- Let me imagine a scenario for a moment. Indulge me with this fantasy. Within months. Maybe years. When the World Cup is over. I’ll be having coffee at my favorite place in midtown Manhattan, a Puerto Rican establishment right off historic Stone Street, paved in the late 18th century and one of the oldest streets in the city.

I’ll sit with Erling Haaland, Vozhinha, Jude Bellingham and Rodri and drink Marzipan lattes (look it up). “Nuevayol” by Bad Bunny plays in the background, and that’s how we hear it. Feel. And then remember the summer of 2026 and the World Cup that was.

“Friends,” I will say. “Let me ask you all something.”

And they’ll look up, put down their morning drink, and hear the next thing.

Do you remember Gio Reyna’s trivela against Paraguay? How did he deflect beautifully from the outside of his foot, thus electrifying all of America?

Did the story of Folarin Balogun make you proud, not only as a fan of the game, but also of what the game represents? Is John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” the anthem or should it be? Aliveof my hero Eddie Vedder and my favorite band of all time, Pearl Jam?

Was Raúl Jiménez’s first World Cup goal months after his father’s death a poem that made you fall to the ground with emotion? Did the story of Julián Quiñones (a Colombian-born player turned one of Mexico’s brightest stars) become a model for the fact that identity is more than just a birth certificate?

Or Canada’s Stephen Eustáquio, who is also dealing with the pain of losing both parents (something I unfortunately know all too well), did his victory against South Africa in the round of 32 shake you to your core?

And what about 18-year-old Moroccan Ayyoub Bouaddi? How did he create that level of midfield magic against the Brazilians? Or someone? Did you feel a little Congolese when Yoanne Wissa scored her country’s first World Cup goal in a draw against Portugal?

Did you listen to Azteca from wherever you were on the continent? Did you feel the intensity of its people as the anthem and “Cielito Lindo” sounded through millions of Mexican voices? How good is 17-year-old Gilberto Mora? No, really. Aren’t you inspired by their journey and what may come? Could he maybe join you in Madrid one day, Jude?

Also, Judas? How did it feel to sing Wonderwall on the heights of Mexico City or hear your country serenade you with a song as iconic as “Hey Jude”, which now has two meanings because of your name, do you realize how much they love you? Did England’s incredible victory against El Tri become the ultimate example of sacrifice, will and guts?

Speaking of love, is there a better word that can describe the Tartan Army’s relationship with their Scottish team? Or Boston? Or Miami? Or anywhere in the United States?

Why can’t I go to sleep without thinking about Amad Diallo’s historic goal for his Ivory Coast or Julián Álvarez’s majestic winning goal against Switzerland? Why don’t I care if Norwegian Andreas Schjelderup meant it or not? Or if I can’t stop analyzing the illustrious creativity of the genius Michael Olise?

Is there a better moment to show young players than Cucho Hernández’s relentless fight to win the ball from Uzbek Jakhongir Urozov near the corner flag, recovering it and then providing a precise assist to Jaminton Campaz?

Is there a better demonstration of strength and will than that of the Dutchman Brian Brobbey? Can we continue to take advantage of the persistence and dynamic ability of the Swiss Johan Manzambi?

Do I need to reflect more on Lionel Messi’s emotions after the final or can I just remember everything else before? Will I be able to save his magic, including Argentina’s first goal in the World Cup, which was against Algeria? And in the end it became a historic hat-trick?

Is Golden Boot winner and all-time leader Kylian Mbappé real, or is he a simulation? What target can I select that makes me think it might not be fatal? His added-time winning goal against Senegal, which made him France’s all-time top scorer? Or the historic match against England in the third place match?

Speaking of that match, Jude, oh my god? Have you recovered? Was your goal so good that it took a part of you?

Back to you, Erling. Do you realize that his goals, especially the one against Brazil, ignited a nation into a global Viking feud? Is your social media presence tired of generating more and more fans?

Do you realize the shock and enthusiasm you created in millions of people and turned them into Haaland disciples? Does your partner, Isabel, approve of your “Whiskey Raccoon” holding an empty liquor bottle you brought home? Will he allow you to keep it at home or will he force you to store it in the basement?

Also, did you know Erling that in my Peru almost 500 Peruvian babies born this summer now bear your name? Now that is DEDICATION. That’s impact.

When you stop drinking lattes, Erling, as a striker, can you explain to me how Haiti’s Wilson Isidor was able to produce that kind of power with his goal against Morocco? Or the work of art that was Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral against Argentina? Does anyone realize that this last one essentially broke the Internet? Made us all believe in something bigger than ourselves, right?

How about those amazing comebacks? From Belgium’s victory over Senegal or Gabriel Martinelli’s winner against Japan? Did you feel alive with Ecuador’s historic victory over Germany? Or that of Paraguay?

How about the Eloy Room in Curacao? Did his 15 saves against the aforementioned Ecuador suddenly create a window for him and his beautiful island to be recognized globally? Wasn’t it just beautiful to see such resilience?

(Photo by Marcel Bonte/Socrates/Getty Images)

Talking about resilience. Hello Vozinha? Do you want another coffee? By the way, what is your life like now? No, really? Do you understand that your heroic acts, your crazy performances and those of your teammates in this World Cup impacted many of us? Are you looking forward to getting back to normal? Maybe a part of you does?

Or are you taking it all in? Is it okay for me to tell you that what you did, for me and millions of us, absolutely became a reminder of why we love this game of ours in the first place? Are you okay with the fact that your life will never be the same again? Is it okay for me to tell you that we are very grateful for what you and the Blue Sharks did? Is there a perfect way to express the fact that your team became the muse, the proverbial star of this World Cup?

Do you also remind Rodri, the world champion who is sitting next to you, who may have won all this but La Roja has never surpassed you? Do you shamelessly remind him of that?

Speaking of Spain, Rodri, what makes this team so special? Why should the rest of the football world admire not only the way you play football but also the way you treat others and the game? Do you think about your impact? How does it feel to know that you are the supreme general of an army that amazes us all with its possessions and intoxicates you with the endless quest to recover them? Do you contemplate another way, or is this the only way to live? Is this The way we should all watch the game?

(Photo by Maja Hitij – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

What was Pau Cubarsí born with that makes him such a giant, despite being only 19 years old? Speaking of that generation, does Lamine Yamal agree that his three-year-old brother Keyne is the real hero? Can we remember the words you said about Ferran Torres, how he was so unappreciated by so many Spanish fans but in the end his winner ended up deeply rooted in history? Can we put that in our photo album?

Lastly, guys. Is there a perfect, singular way to describe what we witnessed this summer? Or is it really just a mosaic of reflections? A treasure island? Or should we just use a Pearl Jam lyric here and just say, “Hail, hail the lucky ones, I mean the lovers, yeah…”

Because, simply, World Cup moments. I want you to know: we all fall in love with you.

Don’t worry, guys. I will receive the check.