1. The first World Cup for 3 countries.
The 2026 World Cup will also be the first in a crucial aspect: they will be 3 the organizing countriesin this case what is called North America: Mexico, United States and Canada. There was only one experience from 2 host countries, Korea-Japan 2002which was traumatic for the Argentines: the team of Marcelo Bielsa he returned in the first round, having arrived as one of the main candidates. A curiosity: the multiple venue was chosen in Russia in 2018, later sanctioned by the war with Ukraine and proscribed from Qatar 2022 (I was in qualifying stage). There are questions that remain stinging: having 3 countries, will there be 3 inaugurations? And will there be 3 pets?
2. Championship of… 48 teams.
The head of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, announced a contest of 48 teams, instead of the usual 32. It seems nonsense, until it is reasoned that the countries that will be able to play it for the first time will also be very much in agreement in voting for the Swiss to continue leading the governing body of soccer. This modification, of course, enables new places for each confederation. And it approaches the “wet dream” of Infantino: that China can participate. In that way, the FIFA would win the most important market in the world. Which, of course, results in much more round numbers.
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3. A selection without Messi.
The first World Cup without Lionel Messi since Germany 2006. He himself declared that he did not see himself in another championship at 39 years, which he will have in 2026, and the truth is that it is an age at which very few active players reach. In Qatar There was a 39-year-old footballer like the Portuguese Pepewho even scored a goal against Morocco, but a defender is always less physically demanding than a midfielder or striker. One hope: they assure that Messi wants to be in the next America Cup, to give themselves the pleasure of playing having already won a World Cup. That would put him within USA-Mexico-Canada…
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4. The World of airplanes.
We went from World Cup in Qatar (comparable in area to Jamaica), to one that will have continental distances. The establishments will surely be uploaded to the planes, at least when the initial phase passes. Canada will have 2 venues, Vancouver and Torontolocated in the west and east of the country, 3,359 km. USA it will have 11, located on both the east and west coasts. Seattlein the extreme northwest, and Miami, in the extreme southeast, are 4,400 km. (7 hours of flight). Mexicofor its part, will have 3 headquarters, Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. In this case, it will be necessary to add the problem of tremendous traffic until reaching the airports.
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5. The most unusual: tiebreakers with penalty kicks.
As if it had been little that we Argentines suffered with the penalties in Qatarit is said that the FIFA study introducing a new modification, so that the group stage matches (before the kill-kills of the round of 32) are defined by penalties if they end tied. The reason? avoid possible match-fixing, when a result suits both teams. In fact, there were precedents in this sense. If so, we are going to need the presence of our Emiliano “Dibu” Martinezessential to tackle against Holland and her own France.
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Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
