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It’s almost time to put an end to speculation and debate.
We have begun to see the 48 teams arrive at their training bases in Canada, Mexico and the United States before the biggest sporting spectacle. Teams and superstars are in their final preparations before the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins.
Let’s answer some important questions before the curtain rises.
Q: What’s your top World Cup story to follow?
Mateo Bonetti: Can Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo achieve the definitive swan song in North America? Even in this expanded 48-team tournament, much of the talking point when Argentina and Portugal play will revolve around these two generational superstars who are now in the twilight of their careers. Watching their coaches balance sentimentality with the ruthless physical demands of modern football will be pure theatre.
Luis Miguel Echegaray: The expansion to 48 teams needs to have a Cinderella story to feel justified. So that’s what I want to see in this World Cup: that Haiti, Curacao, Cape Verde or even Scotland surprise us with a race that is deep and so poetic that we can’t help but feel inspired. The fact that there are eight third-place teams that can advance to the knockout round creates an even greater incentive for some of these teams to simply advance.
Cape Verde is among the rookie teams that could become Cinderella stories. (Photo by Cristiano Barbosa/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Brian Sciaretta: I’m looking forward to seeing how the American public embraces the sport compared to the 1994 World Cup, the last time the United States hosted. In 1994, many Americans were getting their first taste of soccer. It really started the growth to what we see now, where the sport is available on television and the games are well attended. Now, the next steps of progress depend on another wave of public enthusiasm for a second World Cup on American soil. Will this tournament inspire more kids to play? Go to games? Understanding sport with sophistication?
Q: What hidden equipment should we be on the lookout for?
Arda Güler and Kenan Yildiz will make Türkiye a difficult team to beat. (Photo by Mehmet Emin Menguarslan/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Bonetti: Türkiye. Under the leadership of Vincenzo Montella, the team has quietly developed into a technically brilliant and energetic team. With elite players like Real Madrid’s Arda Güler and Inter Milan’s Hakan Çalhanoğlu pulling the strings, he has the perfect balance in midfield and the creative spark to break through a defence. Also watch out for Kenan Yildiz. The Juventus winger is direct and electrifying when facing his man. Türkiye is the United States’ last opponent in the group stage, and that June 25 match in Los Angeles could decide who wins Group D.
Sciaretta: I suppose it can be a trap to consider a co-host to be “off the radar”, but given Canada Lack of success in the World Cup, I think they qualify. There’s no doubt the 2022 World Cup was disappointing for Canada, but the team responded well to coach Jesse Marsch. The progress of the Copa América 2024 to the semifinal was very positive. Canada lacks depth and probably won’t have star Alphonso Davies at least for the June 12 opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Toronto, but it has some good players who play hard. When you play at home, that could be a recipe for success.
Echegaray: I’ve been talking about it for a while now, but I think Japaneven without the winger Kaoru Mitoma, he can go far. It is a deeply cohesive unit with tremendous tactical knowledge, playing in a workable group. Colombia, which will feel extreme support from its community in the United States, could also surprise people. The group stage final against Portugal in Miami on June 27 will be absolute cinema.
Q: Who is a World Cup heavyweight set to disappoint?
Bonetti: I’m going to say England. Obviously, the talent is there to make him a top five favorite. However, the crushing weight of expectations and the phrase “It’s Coming Home” used as a cheeky joke make it seem like history is about to repeat itself in the Americas. Unless England find a way to block out the noise and adapt on the fly, a highly disciplined team will exploit those familiar mental lapses and send the team packing well before the final.
Echegaray: The easy answer is England. After 60 years without a major trophy (I always say this despite the incredibly deep squad), the biggest obstacle for the Three Lions is themselves.
Are you coming home? It’s up to Declan Rice and Co. (Photo by Michael Regan – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
But you know what? I realize I’m taking a big turn here and certainly in the minority, but I don’t think things are going to be that simple for France as we think. It is true that Les Bleus possess a large amount of wealth. But the group is so competitive – Erling Haaland’s Norway and a match of extreme historical importance against Senegal (see 2002) – that France might not top it. After that, who knows? Sometimes shocks occur, as in the aforementioned 2002 tournament, in which France did not leave the group. And this could be one of them. I am not saying that France will return home after the group stage and, in fact, everything indicates that the French will go far again. But stranger things have happened in this game of ours. You never know.
France is full, but a difficult group awaits (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
Sciaretta: Argentina is the heavyweight most likely to disappoint. It’s always very difficult for defending champions, but a team that hasn’t had a healthy rotation of players doesn’t help. New blood is always needed to keep things fresh. When you try to maintain a winning formula for too long, you run the risk of Spain in 2014 or Germany in 2018, two examples of defending champions, faltering. This 2026 Argentina team is very similar to the 2022 version, but is it still hungry? Is age now a factor? Those are fair questions and real risks.
Q: Which World Cup co-host has the most pressure?
Is Mexico prepared for disappointment? (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
Sciaretta: If the American team fails to perform well, it will be a huge missed opportunity. But Mexico has the most pressure. El Tri was suspended for the 1990 World Cup. Since then, they have managed to get out of the group stage in all tournaments until 2022. Mexican fans demand and expect more. Hosting a tournament only raises expectations. The only two times Mexico has reached the quarterfinals of a World Cup was when it hosted in 1970 and 1986, and the team holds the record for most World Cup appearances without ever reaching the semifinals. If Mexico fails to win at least one qualifying match this summer, it will be catastrophic.
Bonetti: Mexico Playing in Mexico City, and especially in that mythical stadium where Pelé and Deigo Maradona lifted World Cup trophies, creates an atmosphere that is equal parts magical and completely suffocating. Soccer-obsessed Mexican fans demand excellence and media scrutiny is absolutely relentless. If El Tri stumbles at home, the pressure to banish last tournament’s failures will be completely overwhelming. This is not the best Mexican team we have seen either. The fan consensus seems to suggest that they believe this team is inconsistent and lacks the depth and talent of previous generations.
Echegaray: There is no doubt that it is the USA for multiple reasons, but mainly because so many economic and infrastructure efforts have been implemented for this World Cup (from the hiring of Mauricio Pochettino to local venues for the group stage) that has to do it well. Not to mention that the group is more than feasible. The United States needs a strong tournament. Anything else would be a farce.
Q: Messi. Ronaldo. Modric. Which legend will have the best ‘Last Dance’?
The eternal Luka Modrić will be at the World Cup again. (Photo by Miguel J. Rodríguez CARRILLO/AFP via Getty Images)
Bonetti: Luka Modric. While the cameras will chase Messi and Ronaldo, Modrić remains the absolute master of dragging a team throughout the tournament. Its spatial intelligence and motor simply defy aging. In a grueling format, his unique ability to slow down a game gives Croatia the best chance of pulling off one last magical run. He also had a great season with AC Milan despite being over 40 years old. Simply amazing.
Echegaray: I think it is christian ronaldo. Portugal seems strong and has a group that can win. To be fair, I think Roberto Martínez’s team looks more fluid without him in the starting lineup. But if you ask me who will go further, I think it will be the Portuguese star. I imagine a showdown of gigantic proportions in a possible quarter-final stage between Messi and Ronaldo, and the result would essentially answer this question!
– Messi vs. Ronaldo in the World Cup? How can it happen?
Sciaretta: I also go with Modricwho could reach a surprising 200 caps for Croatia in this tournament. I like coach Zlatko Dalić’s squad for this World Cup. There is a good mix of youth and experience with a lot of players in their prime. Modrić is the legend, but he will have enough quality around him to ease the pressure. That’s why I think it can make the biggest impact.
Q: The Ballon d’Or is for the best player. Who are some of the early candidates?
Erling Haaland is a goal-scoring machine for Norway. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
Sciaretta: Erling Haaland (Norway), Kylian Mbappé (France), luis diaz (Colombia)
It’s hard to think of anyone with more motivation going into this World Cup than Haaland, who has been one of the best strikers of his generation and will now finally be able to compete with Norway in a major international tournament. The question is whether there is enough of a supporting cast around him to boost Norway enough for it to compete for the Golden Boot. But this Norwegian team has impressive, top-tier talent, such as Martin Ødegaard, Alexander Sørloth and Antonio Nusa, to support Haaland. A full-strength Norwegian team can go far and Haaland has every ability to thrive this summer.
Echegaray: Harry Kane (England), Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain), Michael Olise (France).
I am also keeping an eye on the Colombians Luis Díaz and Vinícius Júnior in this rejuvenated Brazil of Carlo Ancelotti. Expect Haaland and Argentina’s Julián Álvarez to enter the fray for all the individual awards. Lamine Yamal is a no-brainer, but it depends on his availability as the Spanish superstar recovers from a hamstring injury.
Is Luis Díaz a candidate for the Ballon d’Or? (Sebastián Barros/Long Visual Press/Universal Images Group/Getty Images)
Bonetti: Harry Kane (England), Kylian Mbappé (France), luis diaz (Colombia).
Kane and Díaz have just finished sensational seasons at the club as their Bayern Munich teammates dominated the Bundesliga. While Mbappé’s time at Real Madrid has felt like a rollercoaster despite having great stats, his time with France has been a different test. He was unstoppable at Qatar 2022 and has proven capable of carrying his nation on his back in a major tournament.
