FIFA World Cup 2026 :Canada/Mexico/United States: Discussion Thread

[nullama]

~snip~
Ain't it wild how Messi and Ronaldo still got us in awe, even as their prime fades away? They're legends, man, like two GOATs playing ball in the hall of fame. Now we got these fresh cats, Mbappé and Haaland, runnin' the show, and they're bringing the heat! These new kids on the block got mad skills, and it's a straight-up thrill to see them play.

As we edge closer to the 2026 World Cup, anticipation builds like a crescendo, our hearts aflutter with excitement for the performances of these bright stars, a new generation of footballers. Who shall rise above the rest and etch their name in the annals of history? The curtain has yet to rise, and only time shall reveal the next act.

Yeah, absolutely.

I think Mbappé was the most fun to watch in this past world cup. He basically was the best player of France by far, and probably the tournament. The final was just incredible. When you least expected it he was making goals. That's what a great player does. Messi won in the end, and I'm happy about it, but the future is clearly for Mbappé.

Every few years we get to see amazing players that are not as popular as the super stars, like Rivaldo. I think Mbappé will be a super star by the next world cup.

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[Leviathan.007]

They both were already not at their peak, Christiano Ronaldo was a bit sad to see actually. He was replaced and his replacement played much better than him.

Messi was still OK, but not at a spectacular level. He won the world cup in the end, but it was more of a team effort really.

I don't think any of them will be able to play at that level in the next world cup.

I also agree with that. Regrettably, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not in their prime, but anyway, they still have a relevant performance and technique, I dare to say that they are still one of the best players in the world, maybe they can be a top 5 or Top 10 players currently.

I believe this will be the trend, the "Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era" will soon be over and soon Mbappé, Haaland and others will be references in world football.

I confess that I am very anxious to see and analyze the performance of Mbappe, Haaland and others in the 2026 world cup

That's the same for any player in the world, they sometimes shine for years and then the player's performance can decrease over time after they get old but still, they are the same player so that normal to say they still have a good performance even comparing many top young players, but the thing is they will neer performer like the first days and that's why I think they won't play in the next world cup for their team.

[Gosgosking]

Well... talking about this subject, I was thinking to myself, what level can Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi will be in 2026?

Will the decline in their performances be very relevant? Or can they still be the best players for their teams in the 2026 world cup?

At the point of Ronaldo and Messi in their carrier in football,  you don't need to expect much from them because they are humans and you can't cheat nature. Growing from age 35 you don't expect one to gain more strength, it is impossible. By them their national team won't rely on them.

[Vaculin]

They both were already not at their peak, Christiano Ronaldo was a bit sad to see actually. He was replaced and his replacement played much better than him.

Messi was still OK, but not at a spectacular level. He won the world cup in the end, but it was more of a team effort really.

I don't think any of them will be able to play at that level in the next world cup.

I also agree with that. Regrettably, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not in their prime, but anyway, they still have a relevant performance and technique, I dare to say that they are still one of the best players in the world, maybe they can be a top 5 or Top 10 players currently.

I believe this will be the trend, the "Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era" will soon be over and soon Mbappé, Haaland and others will be references in world football.

I confess that I am very anxious to see and analyze the performance of Mbappe, Haaland and others in the 2026 world cup

That's the same for any player in the world, they sometimes shine for years and then the player's performance can decrease over time after they get old but still, they are the same player so that normal to say they still have a good performance even comparing many top young players, but the thing is they will neer performer like the first days and that's why I think they won't play in the next world cup for their team.

And that's normal as that is how the cycle of life works, CR7 and Messi are surely an icon in the world of football but they cannot stay on their status forever as there will be a time that their era will end and will be replaced with another future icons of the sport, with the likes of Mbappe. That particular time is already near enough and unfortunately, we might have already witnessed CR7 and Messi's last appearance in World Cup. But on the bright side, we are really lucky enough because we managed to see how good they are on their time.

[Z-tight]

Well... talking about this subject, I was thinking to myself, what level can Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi will be in 2026?

Will the decline in their performances be very relevant? Or can they still be the best players for their teams in the 2026 world cup?

The subject should be if they are going to play for their national teams in the 2026 world cup, i don't think so. Ronaldo is 38 years now, he will be 41 years by the time the next world cup is played, Messi is 35 years now, he will be 39 years by the time the next world cup is played. The two players would be at an age that is difficult for them to perform, maybe they would even have retired from playing for their national teams before the next world cup. There are younger players that are coming up, those are the players that should be discussed for the next world cup and not Messi and Ronaldo.

[puloweh555]

First and new concept with the FIFA World Cup 2026 Canada/Mexico/United States after participant adding from usually 32 participant and added will be 48 teams. One side I disagree with this new rule model because seems not compete and many weakness team will qualify to World Cup, but another side I am glad because my national team never participant in World Cup have bigger chance with Asian zone get more slot for next World Cup.

Usually need on month for FIFA World Cup matches I don't sure after adding 48 team will have efficient time and could be finish in one month or every day we watch many matches than usually have tow or three matches in group stage.

I see that the new format for the 2026 world cup from the previous 32 participants to 48 participants will provide an opportunity for countries that have difficulty qualifying for the world cup to be able to appear at the world cup, even for countries that have never qualified for the world cup. On the other hand the players get more tired after the long matches in the World Cup and then playing in club and league competitions will be long.

Well, I believe the same happened with Cristiano Ronaldo, I believe that the 2022 World Cup was the last for both Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, I have no doubt that in the 2026 World Cup they will be able to be physically prepared and will be able to both play for their teams, but I have no doubt that the performance of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will decrease...

With the performance that Argentina presented in the first games of the 2022 world cup, I would never have imagined that they could win that cup, I would believe that Brazil could have reached the finals, but unfortunately Brazil made unacceptable mistakes against Croatia's game and lost that extremely important match

It feels difficult to play again in the 2026 world cup even though the two have not said they are retiring from their respective countries. The next 4 years are very long, their physique will no longer be optimal. So maybe Messi will reach his last Copa America 2024 cup and have a mission to score 100 goals because he lacks 2 more goals. Likewise, C Ronado I think will only play until UEFA EURO 2024.

[Slow death]

Well... talking about this subject, I was thinking to myself, what level can Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi will be in 2026?

Will the decline in their performances be very relevant? Or can they still be the best players for their teams in the 2026 world cup?

we are in 2023, and this year we can see that cristiano ronaldo does not have the same speed as when he was 25 years old, messi does not have the same speed as when he was 25 years old. see the games in which these two players are currently playing and compare with the games of the past, for example ronaldo managed to do a lot of dribbles capable of taking many opponents out of the way and scored a goal, messi the same thing. but currently they prefer to pass teammates

that's because they no longer have that same resistance that allowed them to run all over the pitch for 90 minutes and still be constantly dribbling, they now play moderately thinking about retirement, they've won everything, except ronaldo who hasn't won the world cup yet, but for me messi won't be in the next world cup, but ronaldo with his greed could be, he doesn't conform to his age, anyway if the portugal coach decides that he will be called up for the world cup then who are we to be against ?

[Leviathan.007]

Well... talking about this subject, I was thinking to myself, what level can Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi will be in 2026?

Will the decline in their performances be very relevant? Or can they still be the best players for their teams in the 2026 world cup?

we are in 2023, and this year we can see that cristiano ronaldo does not have the same speed as when he was 25 years old, messi does not have the same speed as when he was 25 years old. see the games in which these two players are currently playing and compare with the games of the past, for example ronaldo managed to do a lot of dribbles capable of taking many opponents out of the way and scored a goal, messi the same thing. but currently they prefer to pass teammates

that's because they no longer have that same resistance that allowed them to run all over the pitch for 90 minutes and still be constantly dribbling, they now play moderately thinking about retirement, they've won everything, except ronaldo who hasn't won the world cup yet, but for me messi won't be in the next world cup, but ronaldo with his greed could be, he doesn't conform to his age, anyway if the portugal coach decides that he will be called up for the world cup then who are we to be against ?

That's precisely the point, we are still in 2023 and have three years left to the world cup and during this time everything is possible for Cristiano Ronaldo, there's a high chance to say he won't be able to show the same performance we see from him these days because he is getting older time after time, even if you consider him as a good and professional player with a good physical power still playing at 41y old for the national team at the world cup is not something normal.

[rdluffy]

I believe this will be the trend, the "Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo era" will soon be over and soon Mbappé, Haaland and others will be references in world football.

I confess that I am very anxious to see and analyze the performance of Mbappe, Haaland and others in the 2026 world cup

I was thinking about the 2026 World Cup and its consequences with the 48 teams.
I haven't seen it mentioned here yet, but with the 48 teams, this time the chance is huge that we will see all the best players in action who are not from countries with strong teams.

In the past there have been many excellent players who didn't play much in World Cups.
One example is Gareth Bale from Wales, who participated in only one World Cup in 2022, only 3 matches.
Another great name is Zlatan Ibrahimović who participated only in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

But now the chances increase a lot.
Haaland's own country, Norway, has not participated in a world cup for many years, and in 2026 they will probably manage to qualify, and we will be able to see one of the best strikers currently in action.

[bitgolden]

I was thinking about the 2026 World Cup and its consequences with the 48 teams.
I haven't seen it mentioned here yet, but with the 48 teams, this time the chance is huge that we will see all the best players in action who are not from countries with strong teams.

In the past there have been many excellent players who didn't play much in World Cups.
One example is Gareth Bale from Wales, who participated in only one World Cup in 2022, only 3 matches.
Another great name is Zlatan Ibrahimović who participated only in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.

But now the chances increase a lot.
Haaland's own country, Norway, has not participated in a world cup for many years, and in 2026 they will probably manage to qualify, and we will be able to see one of the best strikers currently in action.

I think that has been talked about, in a way that we assumed it would be mainly young kids though. Because if you are already 30 years old or something then even when you played in world cup, and even if you play very well, that doesn't change the fact that you won't be really considered for a big club.

However, if you end up playing at 22 years or something like that, basically under 25 years old is fine, and you play amazingly in any world cup, that should be getting attentions from some big clubs and you could become a star. Sometimes that's all it takes, I believe that we should be able to see some players in right situations and they suddenly shine bigger.

[Tumanggor]

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Well... talking about this subject, I was thinking to myself, what level can Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi will be in 2026?

Will the decline in their performances be very relevant? Or can they still be the best players for their teams in the 2026 world cup?

mbappe, rodrygo, musiala, vini jr, alvarez and fernanddedz are potential candidates for the best players at the 2026 world cup because at that time they were mature both in performance and also physically while messi and CR7 were aging and experiencing a decline in performance

in world cup 2026 both golden era are over and we have to accept it whether we like it or not

[gagux123]

Guys, after reading your comments, I also imagine that the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi will decrease, that's a fact, it's the law of nature.
What we don't know is how much their performance will drop...

An example of this...  LeBron James, he will be 39 years old at the end of this year, and incredible as it may seem, he is still considered one of the best players in the NBA. His athleticism and his genetics is something formidable, I have no doubt that LJ will still be able to play in the Olympics defending the USA (but i don't think that can happen)

I know, basketball and LeBron James is not the main topic of this topic, and also there is a significant difference between basketball and soccer, I just used that as an example.
I just found it interesting and valid to comment with you guys, and I also imagine, Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo still have chances to play in the next world cup, for example, but this is just an unknown and we don't know in fact that this will come true.

[romero121]

Well... talking about this subject, I was thinking to myself, what level can Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi will be in 2026?

Will the decline in their performances be very relevant? Or can they still be the best players for their teams in the 2026 world cup?

we are in 2023, and this year we can see that cristiano ronaldo does not have the same speed as when he was 25 years old, messi does not have the same speed as when he was 25 years old. see the games in which these two players are currently playing and compare with the games of the past, for example ronaldo managed to do a lot of dribbles capable of taking many opponents out of the way and scored a goal, messi the same thing. but currently they prefer to pass teammates

that's because they no longer have that same resistance that allowed them to run all over the pitch for 90 minutes and still be constantly dribbling, they now play moderately thinking about retirement, they've won everything, except ronaldo who hasn't won the world cup yet, but for me messi won't be in the next world cup, but ronaldo with his greed could be, he doesn't conform to his age, anyway if the portugal coach decides that he will be called up for the world cup then who are we to be against ?

That's precisely the point, we are still in 2023 and have three years left to the world cup and during this time everything is possible for Cristiano Ronaldo, there's a high chance to say he won't be able to show the same performance we see from him these days because he is getting older time after time, even if you consider him as a good and professional player with a good physical power still playing at 41y old for the national team at the world cup is not something normal.

The passion for football never goes down, but the fitness is the one that makes things work in favour of his passion. These players will keep up the fitness level high, but age really matters when the young players enter. Ronaldo can make tricks and his technical games, but to stand level to the young ones into the team will be hard for him. This is just an assumption, we don't know how young is his mind for the upcoming World Cup. As said playing for the clubs is different from playing for the nation. The legendary ones preparing the young ones for the world cup will be more interesting than their participation.

[nullama]

~snip~
The passion for football never goes down, but the fitness is the one that makes things work in favour of his passion. These players will keep up the fitness level high, but age really matters when the young players enter. Ronaldo can make tricks and his technical games, but to stand level to the young ones into the team will be hard for him. This is just an assumption, we don't know how young is his mind for the upcoming World Cup. As said playing for the clubs is different from playing for the nation. The legendary ones preparing the young ones for the world cup will be more interesting than their participation.

Absolutely.

For sprints, jumps, and throws, men and women hit their peak around 25 years of age

The current age of Mbappe is 24 years old, and it shows. Messi is 35 years old, and Christiano Ronaldo is 38. We saw that difference in the world cup very clearly.

[Patrol69]

Guys, after reading your comments, I also imagine that the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi will decrease, that's a fact, it's the law of nature.
What we don't know is how much their performance will drop...

Yes I do believe that age is a very important factor for playing football. However, the idea that football cannot be played if you are old is wrong. The game depends a lot on one's skill, fitness and mental strength. Currently, Messi is 35 years old and Ronaldo is 38 years old. In 2026 World Cup, Messi will be 39 years old and Ronaldo will be 42 years old. If they can maintain their performances at the club level and if they work on their fitness then I don't think age will be a hindrance for them in the upcoming World Cup. And Cristiano Ronaldo is always worried about his fitness and he takes good care of himself. So we can expect Messi and Ronaldo to win the World Cup together again in the next World Cup. 

An example of this...  LeBron James, he will be 39 years old at the end of this year, and incredible as it may seem, he is still considered one of the best players in the NBA. His athleticism and his genetics is something formidable, I have no doubt that LJ will still be able to play in the Olympics defending the USA (but i don't think that can happen)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is 41 years old now but his fitness doesn't look like he is 41 now. At this age he got a call up to play for Sweden's national team. Age is just a number. Age does not affect the game if you maintain your fitness.

[Sithara007]

The passion for football never goes down, but the fitness is the one that makes things work in favour of his passion. These players will keep up the fitness level high, but age really matters when the young players enter. Ronaldo can make tricks and his technical games, but to stand level to the young ones into the team will be hard for him. This is just an assumption, we don't know how young is his mind for the upcoming World Cup. As said playing for the clubs is different from playing for the nation. The legendary ones preparing the young ones for the world cup will be more interesting than their participation.

Nowadays age is mostly a psychological thing. Medical technology has advanced so much, and trainers are able to keep players away from wear and tear for extended durations. I have watched Ronaldo playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Professional League recently. At no point I got an impression that he is getting aged. But the Portugal national team coach, as well as those in Manchester United used this excuse to mistreat him. In the end, he got fed up and decided to pack his bags and move to somewhere he is valued more.

[gagux123]

Guys, after reading your comments, I also imagine that the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi will decrease, that's a fact, it's the law of nature.
What we don't know is how much their performance will drop...

Yes I do believe that age is a very important factor for playing football. However, the idea that football cannot be played if you are old is wrong. The game depends a lot on one's skill, fitness and mental strength. Currently, Messi is 35 years old and Ronaldo is 38 years old. In 2026 World Cup, Messi will be 39 years old and Ronaldo will be 42 years old. If they can maintain their performances at the club level and if they work on their fitness then I don't think age will be a hindrance for them in the upcoming World Cup. And Cristiano Ronaldo is always worried about his fitness and he takes good care of himself. So we can expect Messi and Ronaldo to win the World Cup together again in the next World Cup. 

An example of this...  LeBron James, he will be 39 years old at the end of this year, and incredible as it may seem, he is still considered one of the best players in the NBA. His athleticism and his genetics is something formidable, I have no doubt that LJ will still be able to play in the Olympics defending the USA (but i don't think that can happen)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is 41 years old now but his fitness doesn't look like he is 41 now. At this age he got a call up to play for Sweden's national team. Age is just a number. Age does not affect the game if you maintain your fitness.

Yes, that's a fact, because age is completely relative, there are 35-year-olds, 36-year-olds, 38-year-olds for example, who play much better than many younger players.

Well, I'm pretty sure that if Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo are called up by the national team to compete in the world cup in 2026, their performance will not be at the level it is today, especially in terms of their physique (strength, explosion , speed, thrust and other pertinent attributes)

Regarding Ibrahimovic, he is still a good player, but he is far from his prime.
He plays very well, but his physique and his history of injuries is a negative point for him, I believe that this is a sign that his body is no longer the same, especially over 40 years old

[CryptocurencyKing]

Kylian Mbappé has been appointed as the new captain of the French national team. I don’t really know how I feel about this appointment considering the fact that they’re other eligible candidates like Antoine Griezmann and Oliver Giroud who has been in the team for quiet a long time. But I also understand that its not just Coach’s decision. Players also have a voice on who should lead them. He has been phenomenal for France lately, but giving him the armband is too much even for him. I feel there  are other old and experience players in the team.

[swogerino]

Kylian Mbappé has been appointed as the new captain of the French national team. I don’t really know how I feel about this appointment considering the fact that they’re other eligible candidates like Antoine Griezmann and Oliver Giroud who has been in the team for quiet a long time. But I also understand that its not just Coach’s decision. Players also have a voice on who should lead them. He has been phenomenal for France lately, but giving him the armband is too much even for him. I feel there  are other old and experience players in the team.

I think that he is the best player for France and it was thanks to him that France got to the penalties in the final against Argentina this last world cup as without him France would have probably not even a shot on goal on that game.Things have changed now and despite the old players being usually captains now there is a new trend which the captain usually becomes the best player of the team and I think France has made the right decision to appoint Mbappe as their captain.He surely is one of the most talented players in the world and he fully deserve this title despite his young age.

[Sithara007]

Kylian Mbappé has been appointed as the new captain of the French national team. I don’t really know how I feel about this appointment considering the fact that they’re other eligible candidates like Antoine Griezmann and Oliver Giroud who has been in the team for quiet a long time. But I also understand that its not just Coach’s decision. Players also have a voice on who should lead them. He has been phenomenal for France lately, but giving him the armband is too much even for him. I feel there  are other old and experience players in the team.

Not sure whether Antoine Griezmann and Giroud are going to welcome this decision, but Mbappé completely deserves this. He was exceptional during Qatar 2022. And he represents the future for France. What is the point in making someone in their mid-30s the captain? In that case after a few years, again they need to search for the new captain. In case of Mbappé, he is already captaining a very high-quality side (Paris Saint-Germain F.C.). Captaining the French national team is not going to be too much of a challenge for him.