What team are you rooting for in the 2026 World Cup?  

Every four years international teams are drafted to compete in a tournament to bring the world cup trophy home in scheduled soccer matches, eliminating each other until two teams make it to the final. This year, the final will take place on July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey. 

” I think they are worth it because it is a tournament that only occurs every four years and it happens to be in North America this year,” said Fredis Coreas, a senior on the Brentwood soccer team. 

Right now, 42 teams have qualified so far, but this year, the cup has expanded the teams to 48 This Year they implemented the 48-team format because they wanted to foster global football development, increase inclusion for underrepresented regions like Asia and Africa, and to boost revenuel. 

Global Superstars like Kylian Mbappe player from France and rising star Lamine Yamal for Spain and Legends like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will participate for their final cup because they will be retired by the next world cup. 

“My favorite player is Messi, he plays for Argentina,” Coreas said. 

“My favorite player is Cristiano Ronaldo, and he plays on Portugal,” said Jessie Perez, a senior and the keeper for the Brentwood soccer team. 

The top teams supported are Argentina, Portugal, France, Brazil and Spain as they are previous and recent World Cup champions. 

“I think the final will be Portugal vs. Spain,” Perez said.  

“I think France or Spain will make it to the final,” Coreas said. 

According to WSC Sports, since the last world cup, teams have adopted advance data analytics for scouting and tactics. They have also increased the intensity of play, like tilting, where the entire defensive structure shifts toward the ball to restrict space for options. 

Players Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani were phased out of the national team by the coach and Paul Pogba will miss out on the world cup due to a 4-year doping ban. Neymar Jr.’s participation is also questionable. was questionable of participating as well upon his choice. 

 “I want to see Neymar participate in the tournament,” Perez said. 

The 2026 world cup will be jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States with 2 cities in Canada, 3 cities in Mexico and 11 cities in the United States.  

According to an article on Inside FIFA, the World Cup this year will have “Football AI pro to manage 104 matches, 3D player avatars for enhanced Offside decisions” and also “AI stabilized referee view body camara footage.” 

The next world cup will be held In Morrocco, Portugal, and Spain with additional games in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, And Saudi Arabia.