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

[shogun47]

Sometimes it looks like they lack a striker, a really strong one who can decide a game on his own. They play alright, but then don't have any solutions as soon as they get closer to the opponents' box. On some days guys like Musiala or Sane do well (Musiala actually plays always well as the only player), and sometimes they can't break through and it looks even weak I would say.

This time around they would still have the time until 2026 to find someone to fill that gap. Perhaps it isn't the solution for every game or every opponent and more creativity is better, but if you don't have a real striker at all it is problematic. They had Fullkrug for the last World Cup, but only let him play a couple of minutes here and there.

It's going to be exciting to see what changes they are about to make. They do have a great team but lack some important elements on some positions and for certain situations in a game.

I think the main reason is that some of those players played with likes of Lewandowski and Haaland and whatever else during the club times, which means that they are so used to having strikers during their club period that they are not really used to having no striker at that level when they are playing for the nation.

That was at least the case during the world cup period, we are going to see them during the euro cup coming up next as well but until the next cups, they need to figure out how to play without a target striker, or they need to find a target striker, which is a harder thing to do of course because if there were one, they would have picked him already.

That's a good point I haven't been thinking about yet. But of course now as you say it, it makes so much sense that if you are used to having this one option in the front line who constantly scores or is waiting for assists, it is hard to change your game out of a sudden for a few games per year. It's like driving a car and having someone with you who navigates 50 times per year, and 5 times per year you need to do it on your own. You'll never become perfect at both things.

The only player I think has the great talent to switch into whatever role is needed during a game is Musiala. That guy is the perfect all-rounder. He knows how to defend, how to be creative and play the perfect pass, how to go into 1vs1 and how to speed up and dribble or slow down for strategic reasons, and he is still young and can further develop. What surprises me so often when I see him play is that nobody would expect his physical strength. I mean seriously, who would think that he isn't falling down when a hercules defender is crashing into him? He has such an amazing balance on his feet, it's hard to tear him down or to stop him. It reminds me a little bit of Messi. You can't take him down, it just doesn't work. That's nice to watch and I like that style. Not the actor style like Neymar who is a brilliant player but a cry baby.

[1714650653]

1714650653

[1714650653]

1714650653

[1714650653]

1714650653

[stadus]

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.

It's their loss and not Ronaldo's but if we look at it closely, Portugal also got themselves a vacancy to occupy another good and young player. I know Ronaldo can still make a lot of difference despite his age but in the long run, his career is already coming to an end and Al Nassr coincidentally gave him a chance to lead his own team with a good paycheck. Apart from that, Saudi with Greece and Egypt is looking forward to host the 2030 World Cup and it seems that Ronaldo will be a part of that, not for a player position but for something else.

We can just agree that Ronaldo with not be able to play the next world cup competition that is coming up soon because of his age and strength to play football. Ronaldo still have the zeal to keep playing football and I like him for that. He is such an enthusiastic player that would not mind going for more training to make sure that he get fit to add more goals to his record. Even at his age, he's ready to create more records and win medals irrespective of his age and body strength to keep playing for his club. People tend to compare Ronaldo to Messi but I wouldn't do that because they are two separate players.

I think nobody is comparing the two players, what we are trying to say here is that we might've saw both players last appearance in World Cup because even if we say that both are still capable and so enthusiastic in the sport, there will be always a time that both of them need to give their farewell to the sport because even if they will still like to play, their body just cannot handle it especially in the intense games. As of now, they sure can still play impressively, but when they start to step on their 40s, I really doubt if that is still the case.

[Leviathan.007]

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.

It's their loss and not Ronaldo's but if we look at it closely, Portugal also got themselves a vacancy to occupy another good and young player. I know Ronaldo can still make a lot of difference despite his age but in the long run, his career is already coming to an end and Al Nassr coincidentally gave him a chance to lead his own team with a good paycheck. Apart from that, Saudi with Greece and Egypt is looking forward to host the 2030 World Cup and it seems that Ronaldo will be a part of that, not for a player position but for something else.

We can just agree that Ronaldo with not be able to play the next world cup competition that is coming up soon because of his age and strength to play football. Ronaldo still have the zeal to keep playing football and I like him for that. He is such an enthusiastic player that would not mind going for more training to make sure that he get fit to add more goals to his record. Even at his age, he's ready to create more records and win medals irrespective of his age and body strength to keep playing for his club. People tend to compare Ronaldo to Messi but I wouldn't do that because they are two separate players.

I think nobody is comparing the two players, what we are trying to say here is that we might've saw both players last appearance in World Cup because even if we say that both are still capable and so enthusiastic in the sport, there will be always a time that both of them need to give their farewell to the sport because even if they will still like to play, their body just cannot handle it especially in the intense games. As of now, they sure can still play impressively, but when they start to step on their 40s, I really doubt if that is still the case.

For years, people have compared Ronaldo and Messi's performances in professional leagues as well as their performances in national teams during the time when both were playing for professional teams. Also, now they are still comparable for many people when they get old Ronaldo joined the Asian teams while Messi is still playing in Europe and Messi got a better situation on his national team I think with the situation we see, Messi got more chances to be in 2026 if we are going to see one of these players playing in the world cup.

[armanda90]

For years, people have compared Ronaldo and Messi's performances in professional leagues as well as their performances in national teams during the time when both were playing for professional teams. Also, now they are still comparable for many people when they get old Ronaldo joined the Asian teams while Messi is still playing in Europe and Messi got a better situation on his national team I think with the situation we see, Messi got more chances to be in 2026 if we are going to see one of these players playing in the world cup.

I don't think how blind fanatic about both player fans between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo still comparison each other about their achievement not only with their team but also at national team level. No doubt with Lionel Messi last achievement with FIFA World Cup 2022 trophy but right now both player era have been ended.

Look at with Lionel Messi contribution for PSG actually in Champion League, he has failed give PSG champion league trophy and I don't think he need to discuss more exactly for FIFA World Cup 2026. Although both player have chance on the next World Cup I don't sure they have consistent and top performance again.

[Silberman]

For years, people have compared Ronaldo and Messi's performances in professional leagues as well as their performances in national teams during the time when both were playing for professional teams. Also, now they are still comparable for many people when they get old Ronaldo joined the Asian teams while Messi is still playing in Europe and Messi got a better situation on his national team I think with the situation we see, Messi got more chances to be in 2026 if we are going to see one of these players playing in the world cup.

Both Messi and Ronaldo are at completely different places when it comes to their national teams, as we know Ronaldo is not happy with what happened during the world cup in which he was benched and they lost the best chance they had to get to the semifinals of the tournament, Messi on the other hand is on a honeymoon period with his national team and his fans since he was able to finally win the cup, and if I were to make a prediction I will say I am sure Messi will play with Argentina during the 2026 world cup, but when it comes to Ronaldo I do not think this will be the case.

[gagux123]

Surely Ronaldo cannot play in the 2026 world cup, but he would play in the 2024 Euro tournament. Ronaldo has not distanced himself from the Portuguese national team, he was called up by their new manager Roberto Martinez, and he also started in their Euro qualifiers game tonight against Liechtenstein, and he has scored 2 goals in this game, and the match is yet to end, so i feel Ronaldo would be fit for the Euro tournament next year, and after that i expect him to retire, he can't play in 2026 world cup.

Well, talking about Euro 2024, i have no doubt that Cristiano Ronaldo will be able to compete in this competition...
He is still active and is also currently playing football. I believe that approximately 1 year is not a significant period and I believe its performance cannot drop drastically.

But in the 2026 world cup, that is indeed something relevant, approximately 3 years will have passed, if he is not active (like today) and also out of shape, his chances of going to the 2026 world cup 2026 is almost 0.

ps:In my opinion, I also agree, this will not happen.

[Fivestar4everMVP]

For years, people have compared Ronaldo and Messi's performances in professional leagues as well as their performances in national teams during the time when both were playing for professional teams. Also, now they are still comparable for many people when they get old Ronaldo joined the Asian teams while Messi is still playing in Europe and Messi got a better situation on his national team I think with the situation we see, Messi got more chances to be in 2026 if we are going to see one of these players playing in the world cup.

Both Messi and Ronaldo are at completely different places when it comes to their national teams, as we know Ronaldo is not happy with what happened during the world cup in which he was benched and they lost the best chance they had to get to the semifinals of the tournament, Messi on the other hand is on a honeymoon period with his national team and his fans since he was able to finally win the cup, and if I were to make a prediction I will say I am sure Messi will play with Argentina during the 2026 world cup, but when it comes to Ronaldo I do not think this will be the case.

I think attitude is one of the things that differentiate this two players, when it comes to humility, I see Messi as a player who understands and respects the value in other players, and for this, he is favored, Not saying that Ronaldo is arrogant and disrespectful, but I think he wasn't benched without a good reason..

Well, for me, I am of the opinion that if Messi will be playing during the 2026 world cup, then , there is the high probability that Ronaldo would play too, just that I think he would play like he was forced to, that is, he would play without total commitment or zeal, aftercall, that could be the last time both Messi and him(Ronaldo) will be playing FiFA world cup.

[shogun47]

For years, people have compared Ronaldo and Messi's performances in professional leagues as well as their performances in national teams during the time when both were playing for professional teams. Also, now they are still comparable for many people when they get old Ronaldo joined the Asian teams while Messi is still playing in Europe and Messi got a better situation on his national team I think with the situation we see, Messi got more chances to be in 2026 if we are going to see one of these players playing in the world cup.

Both Messi and Ronaldo are at completely different places when it comes to their national teams, as we know Ronaldo is not happy with what happened during the world cup in which he was benched and they lost the best chance they had to get to the semifinals of the tournament, Messi on the other hand is on a honeymoon period with his national team and his fans since he was able to finally win the cup, and if I were to make a prediction I will say I am sure Messi will play with Argentina during the 2026 world cup, but when it comes to Ronaldo I do not think this will be the case.

I guess you are wrong on this one. Messi is actually not too old for the World Cup 2026 as he is going to turn 39 during that World Cup. It is old, but it wouldn't be totally wild. Ronaldo would be 41, but his fitness is outstanding and it is very possible that he goes to the World Cup with Portugal but by then accepts to be sitting on the bench and get his moments whenever his coach needs him. It depends on the current coach and if his relationship works well with that coach until then, I think Ronaldo will be there. He wants all those records no matter how important or unimportant they are.

Ibrahimovic played for Sweden once more, which is interesting after such a long period of being injured that he was nominated. But he is also a beast when it comes to physical fitness.

[rahmad2nd]

~snip~

I don't think how blind fanatic about both player fans between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo still comparison each other about their achievement not only with their team but also at national team level. No doubt with Lionel Messi last achievement with FIFA World Cup 2022 trophy but right now both player era have been ended.

Look at with Lionel Messi contribution for PSG actually in Champion League, he has failed give PSG champion league trophy and I don't think he need to discuss more exactly for FIFA World Cup 2026. Although both player have chance on the next World Cup I don't sure they have consistent and top performance again.

For the most part I completely agree with you, although to be honest I'm a fan of Messi. however, the era of Messi and Ronaldo has ended in the world cup and it is time to be replaced by a younger generation. speaking at the 2026 world cup later, these two stars will get older. that is, their prowess, skill, speed, agility will decline with age. it's time, in the upcoming world cup, these two stars let other young people take over their roles in their respective national teams and give them the opportunity to showcase their skills.

Talking about Messi's failure in the Champions League, we can't see it from one point of view. because, in football there are eleven players. as a team, PSG failed to advance to the next round. after all, PSG's defeat in the Champions league was caused by many factors as well. Messi has worked as best he could, unfortunately, he failed to bring his team to the next stage.

[Chikito]

But in the 2026 world cup, that is indeed something relevant, approximately 3 years will have passed, if he is not active (like today) and also out of shape, his chances of going to the 2026 world cup 2026 is almost 0..

yes I agree, he's an active player as an attacker and always runs and moves everywhere, he will get tired quickly and can not make a Portugal didn't effective yet if still let him play on 40 old years. Maybe will be different if let him play as a goalkeeper like Buffon, who in 45 years old and still exists an active player until now, because that position does not require a lot of movement on the field, only the Penalty zone area.

[Sithara007]

But in the 2026 world cup, that is indeed something relevant, approximately 3 years will have passed, if he is not active (like today) and also out of shape, his chances of going to the 2026 world cup 2026 is almost 0..

yes I agree, he's an active player as an attacker and always runs and moves everywhere, he will get tired quickly and can not make a Portugal didn't effective yet if still let him play on 40 old years. Maybe will be different if let him play as a goalkeeper like Buffon, who in 45 years old and still exists an active player until now, because that position does not require a lot of movement on the field, only the Penalty zone area.

Hypothetical assumptions may not be true all the times. You are assuming that he will get tired quickly, because he will be over 40 years by the time the next world cup begins. But I would say that even if he faces some disadvantage with the age, he will make that up with his skills and athleticism. Ronaldo is someone who always maintain a very good fitness level. Anyway, in the end if the coach feels that he is the right choice in the team, then he will be having a place in the starting XI. Else he will be replaced with some of the younger players.

[nullama]

~snip~
yes I agree, he's an active player as an attacker and always runs and moves everywhere, he will get tired quickly and can not make a Portugal didn't effective yet if still let him play on 40 old years. Maybe will be different if let him play as a goalkeeper like Buffon, who in 45 years old and still exists an active player until now, because that position does not require a lot of movement on the field, only the Penalty zone area.

Hypothetical assumptions may not be true all the times. You are assuming that he will get tired quickly, because he will be over 40 years by the time the next world cup begins. But I would say that even if he faces some disadvantage with the age, he will make that up with his skills and athleticism. Ronaldo is someone who always maintain a very good fitness level. Anyway, in the end if the coach feels that he is the right choice in the team, then he will be having a place in the starting XI. Else he will be replaced with some of the younger players.
[/quote]

I just don't see Ronaldo playing in the next world cup.

By signing up with his new team I think he basically decided to retire but still collect some nice checks for a couple of years.

There's no way he can be at the top level at that age and after playing years in a non-competitive league like the one he chose to join.

[Naficopa]

~snip~
yes I agree, he's an active player as an attacker and always runs and moves everywhere, he will get tired quickly and can not make a Portugal didn't effective yet if still let him play on 40 old years. Maybe will be different if let him play as a goalkeeper like Buffon, who in 45 years old and still exists an active player until now, because that position does not require a lot of movement on the field, only the Penalty zone area.

Hypothetical assumptions may not be true all the times. You are assuming that he will get tired quickly, because he will be over 40 years by the time the next world cup begins. But I would say that even if he faces some disadvantage with the age, he will make that up with his skills and athleticism. Ronaldo is someone who always maintain a very good fitness level. Anyway, in the end if the coach feels that he is the right choice in the team, then he will be having a place in the starting XI. Else he will be replaced with some of the younger players.

I just don't see Ronaldo playing in the next world cup.

By signing up with his new team I think he basically decided to retire but still collect some nice checks for a couple of years.

There's no way he can be at the top level at that age and after playing years in a non-competitive league like the one he chose to join.
[/quote]
Ronaldo will not play in the next World Cup, while Messi is in doubt. Thus day by day we will say goodbye to living legends, and we will not see the magic of such players on the stage of the best football like the World Cup.

[gagux123]

But in the 2026 world cup, that is indeed something relevant, approximately 3 years will have passed, if he is not active (like today) and also out of shape, his chances of going to the 2026 world cup 2026 is almost 0..

yes I agree, he's an active player as an attacker and always runs and moves everywhere, he will get tired quickly and can not make a Portugal didn't effective yet if still let him play on 40 old years. Maybe will be different if let him play as a goalkeeper like Buffon, who in 45 years old and still exists an active player until now, because that position does not require a lot of movement on the field, only the Penalty zone area.

And I imagined that Buffon had already retired a short time ago, but I found that he is still active lol, and even so, he has a relevant performance on the field.
Comparing Cristiano Ronaldo and Buffon, I don't know if this is plausible, we can analyze some specific points between them as players and that's all.

Cristiano Ronaldo still has an excellent shape for his age, but if he doesn't take care of himself, stop practicing sports / physical activities or things similar like  that, possibly his performance will have a drastic drop in the future.

[Sithara007]

The next world cup will be having a record 104 matches, compared to 64 during Qatar 2022. BTW, FIFA is expecting a revenue of $11 billion from the tournament, which will be an all time record if realized.

BTW, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the FIFA Club World Cup will be expanded to 32 teams, and will be played every 4 years. Currently it is being played in a knockout format, and only 7 teams (one from each confederation + winner of previous edition) takes part. Out of the 32 teams, 12 will be from UEFA. CONCACAF, AFC and CAF has been allotted 4 slots each. CONMEBOL and OFC are left with 6 and 1 slots respectively. Similar to the FIFA World Cup, this tournament can also become a major revenue generator for FIFA.

Here is a hypothetical scenario for FIFA Club World Cup:

[Daniel91]

The next world cup will be having a record 104 matches, compared to 64 during Qatar 2022. BTW, FIFA is expecting a revenue of $11 billion from the tournament, which will be an all time record if realized.

BTW, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the FIFA Club World Cup will be expanded to 32 teams, and will be played every 4 years. Currently it is being played in a knockout format, and only 7 teams (one from each confederation + winner of previous edition) takes part. Out of the 32 teams, 12 will be from UEFA. CONCACAF, AFC and CAF has been allotted 4 slots each. CONMEBOL and OFC are left with 6 and 1 slots respectively. Similar to the FIFA World Cup, this tournament can also become a major revenue generator for FIFA.

Here is a hypothetical scenario for FIFA Club World Cup:

I agree that the new format of both competitions, with more clubs and national teams, will bring more matches and more income for FIFA, but I think that the quality of both competitions will decrease and that we will see more bad and boring matches with no result significance.
However, football has long since become just a business, and the sports side has been completely neglected, and this is a trend that has been going on for the last 30 years, unfortunately.
I predict that in the future we will see world cups with even more participants and that these competitions will be held more often, probably every 2 years. 

[Strongkored]

I predict that in the future we will see world cups with even more participants and that these competitions will be held more often, probably every 2 years. 

FIFA really knows how to get income and every tournament they hold instead of adding tournaments, increasing the number of participants will also be just as profitable and maybe what you think will also be implemented by FIFA because they are not satisfied with every money they get from this tournament, so carry it out every 2 years, but the question is whether 2 years will be enough for countries that have never hosted the World Cup to prepare the supporting infrastructure for holding it because there will definitely be more stadiums that must be provided due to the greater number of participants so only countries who have huge funds that are able to organize it or this will be a tournament held by several countries.

[Leviathan.007]

I predict that in the future we will see world cups with even more participants and that these competitions will be held more often, probably every 2 years. 

FIFA really knows how to get income and every tournament they hold instead of adding tournaments, increasing the number of participants will also be just as profitable and maybe what you think will also be implemented by FIFA because they are not satisfied with every money they get from this tournament, so carry it out every 2 years, but the question is whether 2 years will be enough for countries that have never hosted the World Cup to prepare the supporting infrastructure for holding it because there will definitely be more stadiums that must be provided due to the greater number of participants so only countries who have huge funds that are able to organize it or this will be a tournament held by several countries.

FIFA also needs to have enough as an organization and tournaments like the world cup can be good options for them also since they accepted multiple countries hosting the world cup and there will be more countries in the world cup in 2026, they aim to increase the community of the world cup. Increasing the community will give more income to FIFA and maybe that's the main reason for them to make these decisions for 2026.

[og kush420]

I predict that in the future we will see world cups with even more participants and that these competitions will be held more often, probably every 2 years. 

FIFA really knows how to get income and every tournament they hold instead of adding tournaments, increasing the number of participants will also be just as profitable and maybe what you think will also be implemented by FIFA because they are not satisfied with every money they get from this tournament, so carry it out every 2 years, but the question is whether 2 years will be enough for countries that have never hosted the World Cup to prepare the supporting infrastructure for holding it because there will definitely be more stadiums that must be provided due to the greater number of participants so only countries who have huge funds that are able to organize it or this will be a tournament held by several countries.

FIFA also needs to have enough as an organization and tournaments like the world cup can be good options for them also since they accepted multiple countries hosting the world cup and there will be more countries in the world cup in 2026, they aim to increase the community of the world cup. Increasing the community will give more income to FIFA and maybe that's the main reason for them to make these decisions for 2026.

looking fwd for the upcoming FIFA world cup. But this is a new experiment. Hope they will be able to manage well

[SquallLeonhart]

The next world cup will be having a record 104 matches, compared to 64 during Qatar 2022. BTW, FIFA is expecting a revenue of $11 billion from the tournament, which will be an all time record if realized.

BTW, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the FIFA Club World Cup will be expanded to 32 teams, and will be played every 4 years. Currently it is being played in a knockout format, and only 7 teams (one from each confederation + winner of previous edition) takes part. Out of the 32 teams, 12 will be from UEFA. CONCACAF, AFC and CAF has been allotted 4 slots each. CONMEBOL and OFC are left with 6 and 1 slots respectively. Similar to the FIFA World Cup, this tournament can also become a major revenue generator for FIFA.

The year part is the worst part there, because right now there is this thing about winning 6 cups in a season and even with every year that's a bit of a trouble, hard to get. If they do it once every 4 years that would eb even harder to do and most teams won't be able to do it and that will stay as 2 thing and will not happen again and that will be an issue, doubt that it will happen again.

I am sure that they will see how much money to be made from it and maybe reconsider it because if they do 32 teams and every year during the summer or something or during some other time, they will be able to get a lot of teams and players and also make a lot of money.