Co-hosted tournament wraps up with surprise exits
The 2026 World Cup, jointly staged by the United States, Mexico and Canada, saw each host nation play five matches, yet none progressed beyond the round of 16. The early promise gave way to a stark reality as the tournament moved into its knockout phase.
Canada’s campaign will be remembered for several firsts, notably a historic victory in the knockout stage that ended a long wait for a breakthrough. Cyle Larin opened the tournament with a goal, and despite Alphonso Davies’ limited minutes due to injury, the team showed resilience.
Mexico’s mixed fortunes and managerial flair
Mexico exceeded expectations with a performance many described as their strongest in decades, highlighted by a dominant display against Ecuador. Manager Javier Aguirre’s press conferences added a light‑hearted tone, but the side ultimately fell short against England, a result that left the squad acknowledging they do not belong among the world’s elite eight.
The United States, guided by coach Mauricio Pochettino, entered the competition with high hopes. The squad’s shortcomings were exposed by a combination of injuries, a controversial call involving Folarin Balogun, and a lack of depth that prevented a deeper run.
Across the three nations, key figures such as Christian Pulisic, Stephen Eustáquio, Ismaël Koné, Jonathan David, Ayyoub Bouaddi, Jesse Marsch, Donald Trump, Gianni Infantino, Ricardo Pepi, Jordan Pickford, Gilberto Mora, Edson Álvarez, Harry Kane, Anthony Gordon, Javier Aguirre and JT Batson were part of the narrative, each contributing to the tournament’s story.
The tournament left a trove of memories, from the humor of Mexico’s manager to the disappointment of the USMNT’s exit.