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

[Zlantann]

I would definitely agree that since Mbappe and Yamal will get a long chance to play, they can also be considered legends. But it is not that there will not be better players than them in the future. If we review the past history of Messi and Ronaldo, then the matter can be clearer. When Messi first played in the World Cup in 2006, no one could have guessed that he had so much talent. Even though he scored a goal in his debut match, no one imagined that he would go so far. Ronaldo had a similar picture, but later they became legendary players in world football. Mbappe and Yamal also have a chance. If they can maintain their consistency, they can definitely become new legends. There is no opportunity to belittle anyone, others may also have that talent.

What made Ronaldo and Messi become legends was their consistency. These two players kept breaking records in the national team and clubs. Kylian Mbappe has kept breaking new ground and winning several awards. He is on the path to becoming a legend if he continues in this path. Lamine Yamal, on the other hand, is young and just beginning to join the race for greatness. But he must keep scoring goals for him to get to the same level as the French striker. Messi and Ronaldo played in 6 different FIFA World Cup tournaments. And both of them kept contributing to their national teams. Ronaldo has won the UEFA Champions League 5 times, and Messi has done that 4 times. This is the level Mbappe and Yamal should aspire to reach.

[Pjcr7]

What made Ronaldo and Messi become legends was their consistency. These two players kept breaking records in the national team and clubs. Kylian Mbappe has kept breaking new ground and winning several awards. He is on the path to becoming a legend if he continues in this path. Lamine Yamal, on the other hand, is young and just beginning to join the race for greatness. But he must keep scoring goals for him to get to the same level as the French striker. Messi and Ronaldo played in 6 different FIFA World Cup tournaments. And both of them kept contributing to their national teams. Ronaldo has won the UEFA Champions League 5 times, and Messi has done that 4 times. This is the level Mbappe and Yamal should aspire to reach.

You're right on spot, consistency has been the key figure that has kept both Ronaldo and Messi on the spotlight, there level of consistency is so unmatched, for the past 15 - 20 they have constantly been on the top, some people see a reason to compare these two greats but I see both players who compliment each other. Two different players with two different styles but always having almost the same outcome. Both of them have earned the rights to be the GOAT. People might love one or hate the other, one fact remains, they are the players in their own rights.

[ruykeri]

Mbappe will be the next Ronaldo and Yamal might be the next Messi but Mbappe and Yamal ain't no rival because they're not of the same age. Mbappe is older than Yamal which puts Mbappe in a better position to sine and fade off while Yamal will be on his peak by then. They're two different players with different potentials.

i wouldn't compare Mbappe to Ronaldo. imo Mbappe is an ill suited forward for a well functioning team. PSG's success right after his departure is the most concrete example of this.
tbh though, i thought he’d flop at this World Cup but he contributed way more than i expected.

Mbappe's style of play for the club is very different from that of Mbappe for France. I think he played for the club to increase his goal tally. I also saw various negative news about him by players in his team. However, when Mbappe plays for France, he plays with enough dedication to his team. If i talk about ronaldo the I think the rest of his team members don't consider Ronaldo as such an important player. In this case, if we talk about Messi, then everyone in his team gives Messi a lot of importance and respect. They admit that they play only for Messi. Considering that aspect, Ronaldo has contributed a lot to his team, but his team has not evaluated him in that way.

[Olatundespo]

Mbappe's style of play for the club is very different from that of Mbappe for France. I think he played for the club to increase his goal tally. I also saw various negative news about him by players in his team. However, when Mbappe plays for France, he plays with enough dedication to his team. If i talk about ronaldo the I think the rest of his team members don't consider Ronaldo as such an important player. In this case, if we talk about Messi, then everyone in his team gives Messi a lot of importance and respect. They admit that they play only for Messi. Considering that aspect, Ronaldo has contributed a lot to his team, but his team has not evaluated him in that way.

The style of play is not different, the thing is that in club level games, the selected players from the world are formed, so the club team looks much stronger than the national team of a country. The reason why Mbappe performs well for the club is because of the strong teamwork where the best players from different countries are their and they all perform well.

There are only a few talented players in a country's national team and their performance is not the same in every match. The France team does not have any good forwards other than Kylian Mbappe, so if he tries to score a goal, there is no talented player to assist him. It is through mutual cooperation that a player is able to score a goal and if the form of his teammates is poor, the team cannot do well.

[Italian Panic]

Mbappe's style of play for the club is very different from that of Mbappe for France. I think he played for the club to increase his goal tally. I also saw various negative news about him by players in his team. However, when Mbappe plays for France, he plays with enough dedication to his team. If i talk about ronaldo the I think the rest of his team members don't consider Ronaldo as such an important player. In this case, if we talk about Messi, then everyone in his team gives Messi a lot of importance and respect. They admit that they play only for Messi. Considering that aspect, Ronaldo has contributed a lot to his team, but his team has not evaluated him in that way.

I agree with you that they are different players, and phenomenal ones at that, and Mbappé is really very good at switching his style of play between club and international football; it’s not an easy thing to do, and it’s not something players like to do.
It has to be said, though, that Mbappé sacrifices more for the team because he’s also younger than Messi. At 39, the Argentine couldn’t have done any more; I think he actually did too much because he was the one carrying the team, and the others were always putting the responsibility on him. The fact is that when he made a mistake, they lost the World Cup.
Mbappé is always very proactive and manages to defend as well, but the moment they marked Rodri against Olise, France’s game fell apart and Mbappé couldn’t manage a single shot on goal.

[TopTort777]

I would definitely agree that since Mbappe and Yamal will get a long chance to play, they can also be considered legends. But it is not that there will not be better players than them in the future. If we review the past history of Messi and Ronaldo, then the matter can be clearer. When Messi first played in the World Cup in 2006, no one could have guessed that he had so much talent. Even though he scored a goal in his debut match, no one imagined that he would go so far. Ronaldo had a similar picture, but later they became legendary players in world football. Mbappe and Yamal also have a chance. If they can maintain their consistency, they can definitely become new legends. There is no opportunity to belittle anyone, others may also have that talent.

What made Ronaldo and Messi become legends was their consistency. These two players kept breaking records in the national team and clubs. Kylian Mbappe has kept breaking new ground and winning several awards. He is on the path to becoming a legend if he continues in this path. Lamine Yamal, on the other hand, is young and just beginning to join the race for greatness. But he must keep scoring goals for him to get to the same level as the French striker. Messi and Ronaldo played in 6 different FIFA World Cup tournaments. And both of them kept contributing to their national teams. Ronaldo has won the UEFA Champions League 5 times, and Messi has done that 4 times. This is the level Mbappe and Yamal should aspire to reach.

Right, consistency. I might be far away from football, but when I was much younger and was studying in university, I often hear people admire Messi and Ronaldo. Years have passed, I got married, made a family and a kid - people still admire Messi and Ronaldo. My beard and hair start to turn grey, and I started to checking what banks offer as pension plans - people still admire Messi and Ronaldo How many these two been best of the best? 20-25 years? I am not so sure that Mbappe, that young Spanish kid Yamal, Haaland (and the rest who are young top popular today) will consistently be top players for 20-25 years also.

[Ale88]

Right, consistency. I might be far away from football, but when I was much younger and was studying in university, I often hear people admire Messi and Ronaldo. Years have passed, I got married, made a family and a kid - people still admire Messi and Ronaldo. My beard and hair start to turn grey, and I started to checking what banks offer as pension plans - people still admire Messi and Ronaldo How many these two been best of the best? 20-25 years? I am not so sure that Mbappe, that young Spanish kid Yamal, Haaland (and the rest who are young top popular today) will consistently be top players for 20-25 years also.

And they probably won't. What we've seen with Messi and Ronaldo is almost unique, I'm not sure if and when we'll ever see again this kind of rivalry. Whoever had the chance to admire them in their prime can consider himself very lucky. Of course now we have other very good players but we know Mbappé and we know Haaland, they won't be able to reach that level. Yamal may be able to do it because he is still extremely young and he is already an incredible player.

[Volgastallion]

A few years back i have 0 doubts about Lamine Yamal becoming another legend of football or at least being among the best ones, but right now and after how is evolving his way of play and how it was affected by the increase of his own height i start to have some doubts, in this world cup he was the player i was expecting i know he arrives to the world cup with some minors injuries but i still beleive he can do much more.

[Stavri]

Mbappe will be the next Ronaldo and Yamal might be the next Messi but Mbappe and Yamal ain't no rival because they're not of the same age. Mbappe is older than Yamal which puts Mbappe in a better position to sine and fade off while Yamal will be on his peak by then. They're two different players with different potentials.

i wouldn't compare Mbappe to Ronaldo. imo Mbappe is an ill suited forward for a well functioning team. PSG's success right after his departure is the most concrete example of this.
tbh though, i thought he’d flop at this World Cup but he contributed way more than i expected.

Mbappe's style of play for the club is very different from that of Mbappe for France. I think he played for the club to increase his goal tally. I also saw various negative news about him by players in his team. However, when Mbappe plays for France, he plays with enough dedication to his team. If i talk about ronaldo the I think the rest of his team members don't consider Ronaldo as such an important player. In this case, if we talk about Messi, then everyone in his team gives Messi a lot of importance and respect. They admit that they play only for Messi. Considering that aspect, Ronaldo has contributed a lot to his team, but his team has not evaluated him in that way.

yeah. what i mean is influencers used to call Mbappe Ronaldo's successor or whatever. but in the World Cup, Spain completely neutralized France they basically trapped them...
They made Mbappe look totally helpless, like his hands were tied behind his back. if he were actually a star on Ronaldo's level, he would have taken the ball, taken on the defenders and put it in the net.

[Rabata]

A few years back i have 0 doubts about Lamine Yamal becoming another legend of football or at least being among the best ones, but right now and after how is evolving his way of play and how it was affected by the increase of his own height i start to have some doubts, in this world cup he was the player i was expecting i know he arrives to the world cup with some minors injuries but i still beleive he can do much more.

I believe that if he has consistency, hard work and determination, then he has the potential to be recorded in the list of legends. Since he is a very young player, he will still have to be on the field for a long time. That is why it will be difficult to be sure so quickly because if there is an injury or any other problem during this long period, it may not be possible again. Moreover, becoming older, it becomes difficult to maintain consistency. Though one can be a little more confident about him than others, the matter will become clear over time. There are some players who do very well in some matches and their condition is bad in some matches. However, they have to have the consistency and the mentality to work hard until they reach the goal, otherwise they will fall behind later.

[HustleZ]

What made Ronaldo and Messi become legends was their consistency. These two players kept breaking records in the national team and clubs. Kylian Mbappe has kept breaking new ground and winning several awards. He is on the path to becoming a legend if he continues in this path. Lamine Yamal, on the other hand, is young and just beginning to join the race for greatness. But he must keep scoring goals for him to get to the same level as the French striker. Messi and Ronaldo played in 6 different FIFA World Cup tournaments. And both of them kept contributing to their national teams. Ronaldo has won the UEFA Champions League 5 times, and Messi has done that 4 times. This is the level Mbappe and Yamal should aspire to reach.

Consistency is the Main reason why they are considered the GOATs, they were not One-season wonders but they were Goal scoring and assisting machines who performed at every single season they played. Their worst seasons were the Beet seasons of normal players so this shows at what level they were, Mbappe and Lamine can aspire to reach either of the GOAT’s level but i dont think they will reach that level. At Mbappe’s age messi already had 4 balon d’ors while Mbappe has none. Lamine is a comparatively younger guy and he can get closer to messi than Mbappe can. I think comparing them with the best players to ever play this sport is already an achievement in itself.

[RockBell]

I agree with you that they are different players, and phenomenal ones at that, and Mbappé is really very good at switching his style of play between club and international football; it’s not an easy thing to do, and it’s not something players like to do.
It has to be said, though, that Mbappé sacrifices more for the team because he’s also younger than Messi. At 39, the Argentine couldn’t have done any more; I think he actually did too much because he was the one carrying the team, and the others were always putting the responsibility on him. The fact is that when he made a mistake, they lost the World Cup.
Mbappé is always very proactive and manages to defend as well, but the moment they marked Rodri against Olise, France’s game fell apart and Mbappé couldn’t manage a single shot on goal.

Mbappe is one of the most gifted players who performed exceptionally well during the World Cup, and I was impressed. Real Madrid just needs to improve because I saw how serious they were about Olise, which is why they were interested in him joining them. I was wondering what the difference was between what Mbappe was playing at Real Madrid and what he was playing during the World Cup, so what Real Madrid needs to do now is find a player who can match Mbappe's football style.

And I wanted France to win the World Cup because of Mbappe because the boy gave it his all. However, since they lost, there is nothing anyone can do about it, and they will need to improve for the next World Cup. I am confident that the boy will eventually win the World Cup because of how well he has been performing in the competition. All I can hope for is that the same enthusiasm will be present when the season begins. And the boy wants to build a good career for him self and that is why I wish they could bring olise to the club but Bayern will not agree.

[icebar]

Right, consistency. I might be far away from football, but when I was much younger and was studying in university, I often hear people admire Messi and Ronaldo. Years have passed, I got married, made a family and a kid - people still admire Messi and Ronaldo. My beard and hair start to turn grey, and I started to checking what banks offer as pension plans - people still admire Messi and Ronaldo How many these two been best of the best? 20-25 years? I am not so sure that Mbappe, that young Spanish kid Yamal, Haaland (and the rest who are young top popular today) will consistently be top players for 20-25 years also.

And they probably won't. What we've seen with Messi and Ronaldo is almost unique, I'm not sure if and when we'll ever see again this kind of rivalry. Whoever had the chance to admire them in their prime can consider himself very lucky. Of course now we have other very good players but we know Mbappé and we know Haaland, they won't be able to reach that level. Yamal may be able to do it because he is still extremely young and he is already an incredible player.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup was the last World Cup for some of the legendary players in football history. It was the last World Cup for legendary players like Ronaldo, Messi and Neymar. Before Messi, Ronaldo and Neymar, there was a legendary era who inspired them. Now is the time for new players to become world-class. A new generation is created by watching legendary footballers. Mbappe, Holland, although they are not young, they are talented, experienced and world-class players. They can be the future of the next generation. When it comes to the new and young generation, Lamine Yamal brings a bright future. Although Mbappe and Holland may not reign for 20-25 years, it is definitely expected that Lamine Yamal will be a legendary player of a big era like Messi and Ronaldo. In short, those of us who have seen stars like Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar, and Luka Modric play will truly witness an extraordinary football history.

[Delaforetnoire]

FIFA made a big move by increasing number of teams from 32 to 48 in 2026 and now FIFA is conducting a study to find out impact of including 64 teams in next FIFA world cup. If that study comes out in favour of 64-teams then we might see more teams from Asia and Africa in next competition.

Many people comment that if the number of teams increases, there will not be a quality team but I think the matter is different because by increasing the number of teams, attention should be paid to countries from Asia and Africa that can participate. If the number of teams increases in FIFA, the excitement of the game will be more. They should be given a chance by increasing the teams and only the quality teams will emerge from there in the end.