The countdown has more than begun. With many of the teams set to take part in the FIFA World Cup 2026 already confirmed, excitement is building. Many of the world’s top football nations have booked their spot, with the likes of Spain, France, Brazil and Argentina already making plans. And of course these countries boast some of the world’s most famous players among their ranks, superstars of the calibre of Lionel Messi, Vini Jr, Kylian Mbappe and Rodri. Players like this belong at a global showpiece.
But for the very first time at a World Cup there will be three host nations. The USA, Canada and Mexico are on accommodation duty as the sport’s global showpiece spans three nations for the very first time. And while none of the three would seriously regard themselves among the sport’s elite nations historically, there is reason to believe that all could claim to be a dark horse for running deep into the tournament this time round.
The USA
The United States have made a habit of qualifying for the FIFA showpiece. Indeed, 2018 was the only occasion in the last three decades that the country has not been represented at a World Cup. And with more players than ever playing in elite leagues, plus the relative strength of the MLS growing and a world-renowned manager in place, expectations are growing among the home faithful that this could be an exciting campaign.
Coach Mauricio Pochettino, formerly head coach of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, has a talented squad to pick from. Talisman Christian Pulisic is enjoying a stellar season in Italy for club Milan, and the number of players who play for top European sides is startling. Among the squad are players of the ilk of Atletico Madrid’s Johnny Cardoso, Marseille’s Timothy Weah, Borussia Monchengladbach’s Giovanni Reyna, Bayer Leverkusen’s Malik Tillman and Juventus’ Weston McKennie. The squad is also supplemented by a host of in-form players such as England based trio of Chris Richards, Antonee Robinson and Haji Wright. Plus, after initially disappointing results under Argentine Pochettino, recent performances have marked an upturn, and the nation has recently secured three positive results against other World Cup qualifiers. It has all led to a quiet increase in expectation, and it’s no surprise that sports betting promos are now offering a host of specials on the USA national team.
Canada
It’s fair to say that Canada is a nation much more closely associated with ice hockey. However, in recent times the country has seen its footballers increase in prominence, most notably through the performances of two now bona fide global stars in the shape of Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and Juventus’ Jonathan David. The former has established himself as one of the game’s very best full-backs, and is the owner of more than 50 national team caps and the captain’s armband, despite still only being 24 years of age. David, meanwhile, built a stellar reputation in France as a prolific goalscorer for Lille. A recent transfer to Juventus is rich reward for Canada’s all-time top international scorer. But David himself is still only 25.
These two stars are ably supported by a number of other talents at top clubs, most notably Villarreal’s Tajon Buchanon, Cyle Larin of Feyenoord, and Stephen Eustaquio of Porto. But it would not be unfair to say that The Canucks do lack a little bit in depth – unsurprisingly for a nation that has long held more interest in other sports. But the hope is that a strong showing at a home World Cup for Jesse Marsch’s men will only further raise the profile of the game at home.
Mexico
Incredibly this will be the third time that Mexico have been involved in hosting a FIFA World Cup, with both the 1970 and 1986 iterations taking place on Mexican soil. Mexico is a football mad nation and have long possessed a competitive football side, with the national side twice reaching the quarter-final stages of a World Cup. Mexico is also by far the most successful of the teams in its confederation, with no fewer than 15 continental titles. There is no doubt that this is the big footballing dog of the region.
But what are Mexico’s hopes looking like this time around? It is more than fair to say that the country does not quite possess names that resonate with global audiences as much as they may have done in the past. Yet there is still plenty of talent there, led by Hirving Lozano, now of San Diego FC, Fulham’s Raul Jiménez and Milan’s Santiago Giminez. Between them these three attacking players possess well over 200 caps, and it’s this kind of striking experience that gives the nation hope leading into another home World Cup.
And unsurprisingly with this tradition, it’s Mexico that feature furthest up the FIFA World rankings at this current time. Yet the USA sit closely behind, also in the top twenty, with Canada also comfortably in the top 30. It’s with global validation such as this that these three nations hold not unsupported hopes leading into World Cup 2026.
