World Cup Roundtable: Players To Watch, Co-Host Pressure, Who May Disappoint?

Will Messi or Ronaldo get one last, storybook World Cup moment in 2026 — or will managers protect them from the tournament’s brutal physical demands?
The jump to 48 teams means we could see true Cinderella runs (think Haiti, Curaçao, Cape Verde or Scotland) — eight third-place slots make upsets more likely.
Hosts and expectations are huge talking points: the U.S. needs a strong showing to capitalize on home advantage, Mexico faces overwhelming pressure at home, and Canada is hoping momentum continues.