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

[eisen33]

Concluding that Ronaldo will not make any significant contribution is unfair. Maybe your judgment is based on his age or the quality of the league he is playing in. We cannot write off the fact that Ronaldo has experience and has been in top form in the Saudi Professional League. The League might not be as highly rated as others in Europe, but it's not that bad.

Yeah, he might not contribute like he did in his prime years but his presence in the team will serve as a motivation to young players and his influence could also be an advantage. Such players could easily influence influnece referees' decisions.

In my opinion, Ronaldo is not in bad form, but I think his true value and contribution at this World Cup will not be his exceptional goal scoring ability. Instead, it will be his leadership qualities, because a player of his caliber has tremendous experience, which I believe he will share with the other players. And if Ronaldo can also score goals on top of that, it will only be an added bonus for the Portugal national team.

[Livingleged]

but because of the degenerate USA, the organization of the tournament, the quality of the fields, the ticket prices, literally everything looks like rural shit. I'm surprised that even before the tournament even started, many big names are saying Infantino failed. And it's hard to deny, as politics clearly takes precedence over sport at the moment.

Why I also think he failed as I've quoted boldly was the fact that he couldn't stand for a team  that made it to world  cup to play at their country  just because  of some disputes, I am talking  about Iran now...I read some where that the USA has said Iran will not be allowed  to play any of their matches on their ground. Isn't  this world  cup that is supposed  to unite  the world? Infantino can do better If USA can do such then then they should  not be allowed to be d host again after this.

[Cassius55]

In my opinion, Ronaldo is not in bad form, but I think his true value and contribution at this World Cup will not be his exceptional goal scoring ability. Instead, it will be his leadership qualities, because a player of his caliber has tremendous experience, which I believe he will share with the other players. And if Ronaldo can also score goals on top of that, it will only be an added bonus for the Portugal national team.

I'm young and ever since I have memory to watch footbal I always been watching Cristiano ronaldo play. Ronaldo is an incredible player even he have a lot of years in his bag. In my opinion ronaldo can't make the difference on the pitch but he can make the dfference to motivate his teammates.

[changaa]

I don't know what to even expect since it's the first game but am sure that the game will be interesting although I won't lie the odd difference kinda got to me too seeing how the bookmakers gave South Africa such huge odd against Mexican team that I can't really say are top notch standards when it comes to performance but maybe there is something to it so I will waiting to see how the game actually ends up

i am curious to see South Africa too, but from the little experience i have considering the few World Cups I've seen, Mexico has a better chance when it comes to on-field experience.
South Africa have outstanding physical performances, but i think they don't have the same technique and experience as Mexico.

[emrecemsan]

In my opinion, Ronaldo is not in bad form, but I think his true value and contribution at this World Cup will not be his exceptional goal scoring ability. Instead, it will be his leadership qualities, because a player of his caliber has tremendous experience, which I believe he will share with the other players. And if Ronaldo can also score goals on top of that, it will only be an added bonus for the Portugal national team.

Ronaldo has been missing huge chances in a horrible way in the recent friendlies. Of course as I said before, playing in a friendly and World Cup would have different psychologies.

However I'm still not sure about him... I expect him to find much more playing time during group stage. But after that stage I doubt we'd see him in the starting eleven. Probably Ramos would take his place.

[Cryptmuster]

i am curious to see South Africa too, but from the little experience i have considering the few World Cups I've seen, Mexico has a better chance when it comes to on-field experience.
South Africa have outstanding physical performances, but i think they don't have the same technique and experience as Mexico.

In my opinion, the Mexico national team is also in excellent form. If you look at their recent matches, it's clear that these were friendly games, so any conclusions should be drawn with caution,but they managed to score five goals against Serbia, beat Australia, I think those are very respectable results.
Meanwhile, South Africa's recent performances have been much less convincing, with draws often alternating with defeats. On top of that, Mexico will be opening the World Cup at home, and I believe the support of their fans could play a major role in today's match.

[pewboy]

International matches are very risky when it comes to betting. First of all, we are very well informed about club  football. But we rarely watch international  matches. Also, these matches are not held often. The players of the squad also do not get enough time for training. So we often see  that despite having a strong  squad, they are not able to perform well. For example, france lost against Ivory coast a few days ago. I am sure a lot of gamblers  lost money in this match. None of us imagined that Ivory coast would win.

you must always bet prudently, these matches are always difficult to play, no one ever expects a national team to put on a show or perform well especially if it plays against a big team but no one ever considers that these teams are sometimes so loaded that they transform.

[Arenga pinnata]

In my opinion, Ronaldo is not in bad form, but I think his true value and contribution at this World Cup will not be his exceptional goal scoring ability. Instead, it will be his leadership qualities, because a player of his caliber has tremendous experience, which I believe he will share with the other players. And if Ronaldo can also score goals on top of that, it will only be an added bonus for the Portugal national team.

Yeah, he’s also good at motivating his teammates to keep fighting. And besides, the fact is he scores quite often for the Portuguese national team. Although, well, that’s like a bonus for a team captain like Cristiano Ronaldo. What’s clear is that he still makes a significant contribution to the Portuguese team. In fact, I think the World Cup becomes even more exciting and hyped because Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are still around. So these two players aren’t just important to their respective teams. they’re also crucial to the world of soccer, especially during the World Cup. Both are iconic figures who are hard to replace.

[bastisisca]

Why I also think he failed as I've quoted boldly was the fact that he couldn't stand for a team  that made it to world  cup to play at their country  just because  of some disputes, I am talking  about Iran now...I read some where that the USA has said Iran will not be allowed  to play any of their matches on their ground. Isn't  this world  cup that is supposed  to unite  the world? Infantino can do better If USA can do such then then they should  not be allowed to be d host again after this.

They are clowns, let's remember that it is not allowed to participate in Russia with the excuse that it is an aggressor, which is true.
Iran which is attacked cannot participate, the comedians really.
Honestly, this kind of behavior annoys me.

[m4r1o]

I don't see South Africa as a strong side that can win Mexico. They were able to qualify for the World Cup due to the poor performance of the Nigerian side. The Nigerian Super Eagles have a better record than South Africa in the World Cup. Mexico would have faced a stiff competition if they faced a stronger African side like Morrocco, Senegal or Nigeria. Mexico seems to have the upper hnads in A. Howvwer in sports anything can happen, there might be a surprise from an underdog.

I don't understand how these African teams are so rich in talent and end up not qualifying, Nigeria's poor preparation really amazes me, i can't believe that a team like that with incredible champions is out of the World Cup, i never get over this thing.

[Lannakosa]

The World Cup begins today. Mexico will host South Africa at their home stadium. Time flies by, and the tournament has already begun. Mexico is understandably the favorite, playing at home against a weaker opponent, and it's no surprise that most predictions favor a Mexican victory. But sometimes the first match can be difficult for the players, as fans from all over the world will be watching.

[Arenga pinnata]

The World Cup begins today. Mexico will host South Africa at their home stadium. Time flies by, and the tournament has already begun. Mexico is understandably the favorite, playing at home against a weaker opponent, and it's no surprise that most predictions favor a Mexican victory. But sometimes the first match can be difficult for the players, as fans from all over the world will be watching.

Statistically and historically speaking, there is a clear disparity in strength between Mexico and South Africa, with Mexico clearly coming out on top. in the FIFA rankings, Mexico is ranked 15th, while South Africa is ranked 60th. This FIFA ranking alone makes the difference clear. however, in the World Cup, there are no weak teams. All of them are formidable teams that have earned their World Cup tickets after passing through a long selection process and a grueling journey. So, even though I personally favor Mexico, the result might not turn out as I expect.

[giorgione]

This is shit for God sake the referee is not coming into USA as a Somalian but as an envoy of FIFA and thus represents FIFA in the world cup. This a man that has worked all his life to merit this. This is football and politics should be kept aside cause I do not get all the drama the USA is making about this world cup when they are not the only host to it.

Did the USA government not know that officials and  countries all around the world will be gracing the tournament before they agreed on co-hosting? Why bring their damn politics into a sport that is made to unite the world.

I do not see unity in the world cup in anyway, cause with all these controversial actions by Trump and with FIFA keeping quiet it is enough for the rest countries to show solidarity by boycotting this event that Trump is making ridicule of by bringing their county's politics into it.

yes in fact this is a truly shameful thing, every time they always find a way to make me hate this sport that i loved so much more and more, it is not possible that a person appointed by FIFA is treated in this way, in no other body is it possible that there is this type of treatment, the world cup is becoming a farce.

[WatChe]

The World Cup begins today. Mexico will host South Africa at their home stadium. Time flies by, and the tournament has already begun. Mexico is understandably the favorite, playing at home against a weaker opponent, and it's no surprise that most predictions favor a Mexican victory. But sometimes the first match can be difficult for the players, as fans from all over the world will be watching.

Mexico is favourite for todays game in terms of experience as they have played 17 FIFA world cups compared to South Africa who are playing there forth FIFA world cup. Still Mexico must not that game lightly because in FIFA world cup every team is capable of beating other team. We have seen in the past that teams like Senagal who played there first ever world cup in 2002 was able to make it to quarterfinals and also able to beat defending champion France in there opening game.  

[SilverCryptoBullet]

Statistically and historically speaking, there is a clear disparity in strength between Mexico and South Africa, with Mexico clearly coming out on top. in the FIFA rankings, Mexico is ranked 15th, while South Africa is ranked 60th. This FIFA ranking alone makes the difference clear. however, in the World Cup, there are no weak teams. All of them are formidable teams that have earned their World Cup tickets after passing through a long selection process and a grueling journey. So, even though I personally favor Mexico, the result might not turn out as I expect.

Mexico are very experienced in World Cup and it's their advantage when playing against South Africa but with a player generation that is not too good in quality, it's not possible Mexico to dominate the match and outperform South Africa. It's because South Africa have many physically strong players who can challenge Mexico seriously enough in this match.

Usually a host team of World Cup don't have good results in their first match, and Mexico must play very well to win this match and become one of very few World Cup's host national team can win a first match in a World Cup tournament.

[AprilioMP]

i am curious to see South Africa too, but from the little experience i have considering the few World Cups I've seen, Mexico has a better chance when it comes to on-field experience.
South Africa have outstanding physical performances, but i think they don't have the same technique and experience as Mexico.

For some reason, I have my doubts about Mexico’s ability to beat South Africa. I’m more confident that South Africa, with all its strengths and weaknesses, will manage to avoid a loss in this match. I’m very sure of that, even if the result turns out differently than I expect.
In terms of performance, I admit that Mexico is on a higher level than South Africa. Mexico’s FIFA ranking is also far above South Africa’s. I’ve already placed a bet on a draw in the 1x2 market for the Mexico vs. South Africa match.

[AGogi2003]

The World Cup begins today. Mexico will host South Africa at their home stadium. Time flies by, and the tournament has already begun. Mexico is understandably the favorite, playing at home against a weaker opponent, and it's no surprise that most predictions favor a Mexican victory. But sometimes the first match can be difficult for the players, as fans from all over the world will be watching.

Mexico is the favourite of wining tonight but football is always unpredictable sometimes and this is World Cup no team will like to lose is first game. South Africa is not a strong team that can probably challenge Mexico but let’s just watch how the game will ends because anything can surly be possible at the ends of the match we can’t be underestimating some countries just because they don’t have key players doesn’t mean they can’t win the game. The game need to finish first before we can see the winner as for me I can’t predict the first game of the World Cup, because anything team is hear to win a trophy for is country.

[Oluwa-btc]

Concluding that Ronaldo will not make any significant contribution is unfair. Maybe your judgment is based on his age or the quality of the league he is playing in. We cannot write off the fact that Ronaldo has experience and has been in top form in the Saudi Professional League. The League might not be as highly rated as others in Europe, but it's not that bad.

Yeah, he might not contribute like he did in his prime years but his presence in the team will serve as a motivation to young players and his influence could also be an advantage. Such players could easily influence influnece referees' decisions.

They can moan all they like, he still offered more to this Portuguese national team than Goncalo Ramos who they all want to start ahead of him.
I don't even rate people who criticise him heavily, they have not done anything worthy for themselves but they keep on being critical about whatever Cristiano Ronaldo who has carried his nation over the years to this point does.
I know Ronaldo to be a guy who loves challenge, he will most definitely show up when they officially kick off their games.

[Jessie2121]

Tge day we have all been waiting for has finally come and Mexico will have to dig it out with South Africa in the opener of the world cup, yes it is clear that Mexico are the favorite but I believe that South Africa will surprise the host nation because they too have done very much well to get here, a win today will lift their spirit up to go into the next game. A winning is not 100% guarantee for South Africa but if the bring that same energy they gave in the qualifiers I think they can win this game.

[Shadiq]

Mexico is the favourite of wining tonight but football is always unpredictable sometimes and this is World Cup no team will like to lose is first game. South Africa is not a strong team that can probably challenge Mexico but let’s just watch how the game will ends because anything can surly be possible at the ends of the match we can’t be underestimating some countries just because they don’t have key players doesn’t mean they can’t win the game. The game need to finish first before we can see the winner as for me I can’t predict the first game of the World Cup, because anything team is hear to win a trophy for is country.

Every team has proven their worth in the World Cup. South Africa is no exception, they have also participated in the World Cup by proving their worth. However, considering the team strength, South Africa is a weaker team than Mexico. Therefore, Mexico seems to be the favorite in the first match of the World Cup.

I am more enjoying the fact that the FIFA World Cup-2026 is about to start than expressing excitement about the result of the first match. After a long wait, the first match is going to be held tonight. I think the current FIFA World Cup will definitely be exciting and enjoyable.