More than hosts: North America's World Cup coming of age

DOHA: When FIFA awarded the 2026 World Cup to Canada, Mexico and the United States, many expected the topic of discussion to center around logistics, sold-out stadiums, and successful engagement. sportnewz.click

Few expected all three hosts to build their own story and legacy into the tournament.

From Mexico's disciplined displays and Canada making history to the United States' performance on the world stage, the tournament has become more than just a

venue in North America’s land. The region has really leaned in, as hosts embrace the world's game.

For Canadian supporter Baher, the change has been impossible to ignore.

"There's a big football craze and I think the fact we're hosting contributes to that," he said.

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"Canada is definitely not known for football. It's more hockey or curling, but this has changed in the last ten years. We've seen a big shift with soccer academies, summer camps that actively recruit and train local talents."

The excitement has extended well beyond football fans.

"Every day at work it's been an ongoing topic of discussion for all genders and age groups, even people who don't usually watch football," he said.

"It is the World Cup, and even if it isn't Canada playing, everyone has their favourite picks."

That growing interest has been matched by Canada's performances on the pitch. They made history by securing their first World Cup point and first tournament victory before eventually reaching the knockout stage for the first time from a favourable yet competitive group featuring Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Qatar.

For Baher, everything after the group stage already felt like a win.

"Canada just making it past the group stages was amazing. Anything after that felt like a bonus, but I've personally been extremely satisfied with their overall performance."

He credits the team's success to an outstanding collective effort rather than individual performances.

He did, however, single out Alphonso Davies and Jonathan David as players who stood out.

"They defend as a team, the chemistry is amazing and they're one of the youngest and fittest teams. They're relentless with their pressing and quick transitions."

Their historic run eventually came to an end against Morocco, but not before making history for the nation and leaving supporters believing Canadian football has entered a new era.

"It was shocking, as it felt like watching two completely different games,” said Baher.

As for the other co-hosts, Mexico entered the tournament carrying what felt like a heavy burden.

Being the first nation to host three FIFA World Cups, expectations were enormous. Having failed to progress beyond the Round of 16 since reaching the quarter-finals on home soil in 1986, and after a disappointing group-stage exit in 2022, many fans viewed this tournament as an opportunity to restore belief.

Selvin, a Mexican living in the United States, believes his team did exactly that despite falling short of their ultimate goal.

"I'd say Mexico had a strong and promising campaign," he said.

"Even though they didn't go as far as we’d hoped, the team looked confident and competitive, continuing to live up to how we (their fans) see them."

"They showed discipline, consistency and gave their fans a show they won't ever forget," Selvin added.

Mexico impressed not only their fans, but the world, as they performed with organised defence and a balanced midfield in the group stages, before ultimately being eliminated by England in the Round of 16.

According to Selvin, small mistakes proved to be costly.

"When you're playing against a top team, every mistake matters. The tactics didn't work the way they planned and they left too many gaps."

One player, however, gave supporters great hope throughout the tournament.

"Julian Quinones stood out the most," he said. "He created chances, kept putting pressure on defenders and always looked like he knew what to do with the ball."

Like many supporters, Selvin believes playing at home was both a blessing and a burden.

"It made them stronger because they were playing with their own people behind them," he said. "But at the same time there's pressure because you don't want to let your country down."

Despite the disappointment, his optimism remains unchanged.

"My opinion hasn't changed because they didn't go further. They're still an amazing team and next time they'll come back stronger."

Just across the border, the United States have also made a name for themselves, shocking the international community.

Jalen Savariau, an American supporter, believes the team's performance has really made a name for them, beyond hosting.

"Their star players have uplifted the team while the defence has remained solid," he said. "I was especially surprised by Folarin Balogun and how much of a threat he's been."

Under coach Mauricio Pochettino, the United States recorded its first World Cup knockout victory since 2002 before bowing out in the Round of 16.

For Jalen, that represents meaningful progress rather than disappointment.

"I think this was a reasonable World Cup display from the USA and is a good building block as they aim for sustained success in international football."

While many have spoken about home advantage, he believes hosting brought its own pressures.

"The US is still trying to build its football culture," he explained. "I don't think we have the same loyal fan base as traditional football nations, so hosting actually creates more pressure because Americans expect their teams to succeed."

Beyond the pitch and game itself, supporters across the three host nations agree the tournament has transformed everyday life.

Although Baher praised Canada's hospitality and the atmosphere created in Vancouver, he pointed to soaring ticket prices and the challenge of travelling across three vast countries as drawbacks compared to previous World Cups.

Jalen also noted that while staging the tournament across North America inevitably complicated logistics, the event has nevertheless introduced millions more people to the sport.

Perhaps that is this year’s tournament's greatest legacy.

Mexico reminded the world of its football heritage. Canada announced itself as a growing, fierce and ambitious force. The United States continued building toward international success.

All carrying different journeys, but together they exceeded expectations. The three host nations were entrusted with bringing the World Cup to North America. Instead, they may have shown that North American football has finally arrived.

واصل ميسي كتابة التاريخ في العرس العالمي رافعا غلته في النسخة الحالية الى ثمانية اهداف منفردا بصدارة لائحة الهدافين بفارق هدف واحد امام الفرنسي كيليان مبابي والنروجي إرلينغ هالاند، ومعززا رقمه القياسي في تاريخ المونديال بـ21 هدفا.
وهو أكبر عدد من الأهداف يسجله لاعب خلال المباريات الخمس الأولى لمنتخب بلاده في نسخة واحدة من البطولة منذ الألماني غيرد مولر عام 1970 (10 أهداف).
ولم يتأثر ميسي بإهداره ركلة الجزاء وحاول أكثر من مرة التعويض حتى نجح في صناعة تقليص الفارق لـ روميرو، ثم ادرك التعادل بنفسه قبل أن يسجل لاعب وسط تشلسي الانجليزي أنسو فرنانديس هدف الفوز في الوقت بدل الضائع.

Atlanta: The Egyptian football federation said Wednesday it had asked for the officiating team who handled the Pharoahs loss 3-2 last-16 to Argentina to be thrown out of the World Cup.

"Hany Aburida, President of the Egyptian Football Federation, filed a complaint with FIFA, demanding an investigation into the French referee Francois Letexier... after the serious refereeing mistakes committed by the team of referees and double standards, which caused the Egypt team to lose the match and leave the World Cup," said a statement from the federation.

On Tuesday evening, Letexes ruled out a Mostafa Ziko goal ruled out when they were leading 1-0 after VAR intervened to spot a foul on Lisandro Martinez much earlier in the move.

A few minutes later, Ziko did put Egyptian 2-0 up and on the brink of a place in the last eight for the first time but there was further controversy in added time, after Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi had brought the champions level.

In the build-up to Argentina's winner scored by Enzo Fernandez, Egypt believe they should have instead been awarded a penalty for a pull by Alexis Mac Allister on Hamdy Fathy.

"Aburida demanded the investigation of the entire team of referees, including the video technology referees, because of the blatant errors and insisting on not reviewing some of the footage that we believe are in favour of the Egyptian national team, and we see in it the Pharaohs' right to a correct goal and a penalty," said the Egyptian statement.

It added that the president had also "demanded the exclusion of the referee and the entire crew from the World Cup after investigating these mistakes and proving the crime of discrimination against the Egyptian national team".

The statement echoed remarks by Egypt coach Hossam Hassan immediately after the game.

"I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice," Hassan told journalists.

"We haven't seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play."

Hassan told BeIN: "Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running.

"In football, there are sometimes external factors that go beyond the technical aspects. The world champions received support at every level."

Egypt’s historic World Cup run ended in the round of 16 after they lost 3-2 to defending champions Argentina despite taking a two-goal lead.

Egypt’s historic World Cup campaign ended after they lost 3-2 to defending champions Argentina in the round of 16 in Atlanta.

Hossam Hassan’s side led 2-0 through goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, but Argentina scored three times in the final minutes to reach the quarter-finals.

Ibrahim opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a header from Marwan Attia’s corner. Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir then saved a Lionel Messi penalty as Argentina pushed for an equaliser before halftime.

Zico had a goal ruled out by VAR in the second half before scoring in the 67th minute after a counterattack involving Mohamed Salah and Haissem Hassan.

Cristian Romero pulled one back for Argentina in the 79th minute, heading in from Messi’s delivery. Messi equalised four minutes later before Enzo Fernandez scored the winner in stoppage time.

Egypt exit after their deepest World Cup run. They drew with Belgium and Iran, beat New Zealand for their first World Cup win, then defeated Australia on penalties to reach the last 16.

The defeat ended an unbeaten run at the tournament for Egypt, who had reached the knockout rounds for the first time.

Argentina will face either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarter-finals.

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