Topic: FIFA World Cup 2026 :Canada/Mexico/United States: Discussion Thread - page 286. (Read 62913 times)

The Italian team has problems and it was evident when they couldn't qualify for the last World Cup. But it's not just Italy. England also failed to qualify for the Euro2008. I remember that pretty good because it was Croatia that beat them in England. Of course there is always a chance for any of the strong teams not to qualify but those are rare occasions.

Cristiano Ronaldo has an extraordinary ambition for football and he is still active until now that proves his seriousness in playing football and of course he wants to always break new records throughout his career. About playing with his son beside him it seemed like it would be a sweet dream forever, but in official matches it seemed that would be impossible. But at least this expression can keep Cristiano Ronaldo's enthusiasm and performance up to now.

Italy failed to qualify for the 2022 edition. UEFA qualifiers are always tough. 99.9% probability is that France will qualify. But if they end up in some of the tougher groups during qualifiers, then there is a small chance of not making it to the 2026 edition. Now coming to Kylian Mbappé, without a doubt he is the most promising younger player in the world right now. But whenever I hear about him, I remember what happened to Mario Balotelli. I hope he is able to handle all the fame he is getting right now and stay out of injury troubles.

From what I've heard outside this forum, it is widely believed that both Messi and Ronaldo won't be playing in the 2026 world cup because by then, both of them must have retired from football, I actually believed it, but then all the same, I still think you are right, non of them both have come out to make an official announcement that he is retiring at a certain time or year, so the current argument whether they wil play or not in the 2026 world cup is indeed all speculations currently, let see what happens going forward.

Until some official announcement come, these are mere speculation. Based on the age we people itself have concluded that both won't play in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Ronaldo have moved to Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr on two year contract. His plan is to develop good football around the world and now he's concentrating on the Asian countries which is why he left Manchester United and joined Al Nassr. Lets wait if anything comes official.

You just said it yourself mate, it's still too premature to say anything towards the upcoming FIFA World Cup this 2026 and saying that Messi nor CR7 not playing is still a speculation as both superstars haven't hung their boots/cleats yet. Although, there's been a wide rumor already that CR7's last dance is in Euro 2024 but that will remain a mere speculation as of now because people are still believing that both superstar will still play in the FIFA as it will heavily boost their comrades confidence especially Messi as they are the defending champs.

I can understand why he could be called up, I do not think that Portugal would have 25 people who would be better than him, not just in talent but him being there even if he doesn't play at all is a big deal, there are players who doesn't play at all during world cups even when they are called up.

So, I can totally see him going there, but not playing, just be the help they need in veteran leadership, help them with tactics, basically be the guy who turns managers voice into player voice and bring that fire in the players, be their friends instead of hearing it from your boss, hearing it from your colleague type of guy. That could work, but that's it, he can't help them by playing when he is 40+ years old.

Mexico is a very beautiful country, with great people and its people are quite friendly, I have some friends from Mexico and they are good people, but we can't cover the sun with one finger either, there is also a lot of drug trafficking, and they are quite radical, but they are also like that In Colombia, in these countries, you must be very careful because things are delicate, so it is best not to get into trouble or something, you cannot make a lot of fuss or anything like that, because they can take certain things as missing Respect for your country, so you have to be careful, but for an event like this, the government will surely put in many security systems so that nothing happens, there is no doubt about that, and to protect people and fans of others countries.


I really didn't know if CR7 will go to the World Cup and it's not because I'm a fan of him or something like that, but I think he's going to play in the next World Cup, CR7 has been preparing all his life. His body is very well worked out, as I have said in previous threads, before being a soccer player he is an athlete and in a study that was carried out on him they determined that he was almost 10 years younger than he is today, and in addition to the promise he has with his son that he wants to play next to his dad, that is something he can do, and I don't blame him, for a son he can do that and more, so according to his statements, it is possible.

Of course, you also have to take into account that when the studies that were done on CR7 were done before his baby died, after his baby died things changed drastically for him, and the same thing is happening with Valverde from Real Madrid, It's just that Real Madrid aren't treating him the way they treated CR7 at Man, of course that's my speculation and personally I'd like him to be in the World Cup.

Investigating I found this news, which, I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing, but things can get complicated for CR7, I think they see him as the main culprit that things go wrong, that's one of the worst things that can happen Passing a star like him, being a world star can put you on top or completely bury you when it comes to something as delicate as not giving good results, but I think that we are all human, and sometimes things do not turn out the way you want.

Ronaldo will return to Europe, Al Nassr coach claims




Source: https://dohanews.co/ronaldo-will-return-to-europe-al-nassr-coach-claims/

The article shows it as something positive, but we all know what is the point of this, and it is totally the disappointment that the owners of Al Nassr can have, this is delicate, I hope I am wrong in what I think, but it would be very sad if due to this end his career in a way that is not the most appropriate.

True, for the next 4 years there will be many things beyond our predictions. Like Messi or Ronaldo, I might predict that Messi will still appear to defend Argentina, but about Ronaldo the chances are very small considering that in 4 more years he will be over 40 years old, so for Ronaldo it is very unlikely to become a veteran in the Portuguese national team.

Mbappe I think will continue to shine and I think the 2026 World Cup will be the peak year of his career. Spain will continue to bring out the seeds of young talent to dominate the world cup later. But there is one country that in my opinion still cannot be said to be able to compete with several other big countries, namely the German national team, they seem to be far behind their competitors and the same thing could have happened like last year's world cup where they were eliminated in the group stage.

I don't think France will have problems qualifying for the World Cup 2026. Especially now when FIFA increased the number of participating countries. Europe god two spots more but even with the same number of spots for European countries I think that France should have no problem. As for Mbappe, it's hard to tell... Maybe in four years he won't be the player he is now. Also there are injuries that can occur but also new, better players that can show up in the mean time.

There are many young players who'll be in 2026 world cup and they will be on peak of their careers , Ramos , Argentina's Enzo Fernandez, Mbappe,  hakim. So the picture of football will be totally different in upcoming world cup.

For Messi, what is left to achieve? After almost four decades, he captained Argentina to become the World Cup champions. Unfortunately for Ronaldo, becoming a world cup champion will remain as a dream for ever. And now coming to Kylian Mbappé, he is just 24 years old and has at least 3-4 more chances to become the world champion. Out of the three names mentioned here, I guess only Mbappé will be there for the 2026 World Cup (but then France need to qualify for the tournament. Given their volatile form, I am not sure about that as well).

Seems a long way away but it’ll likely fly by & we’ll be here before we know it. Too early to start predicting who will in it, Messi won’t be playing nor Ronaldo. So much can happen in football in that amount of time. The US actually have a good, young team. They could surprise a few people with home advantage.
France will be there, Mbappe should be in his peak, Spain have some real stars too.
I won’t make any solid predictions though.

For Neymar, he still has a chance even though he was already 34 when the 2026 world cup was held. however, the truth is we will never know because it is possible that he will not be called up by the new Brazil coach. because, Brazil currently has many young generations that can be relied on.
Likewise with Messi, he is too old to fight in the 2026 world cup later. he already has what he aspires to be throughout his football career, it is time to be replaced by the younger generation and at the same time test their skills.
Especially for Ronaldo, his existence seems to fade with age. in fact, he is having a hard time scoring goals for his new team at the moment. apart from all that, Messi and Ronaldo are two of the greatest superstars of all time for me. but the time has come for them to entrust it to the younger generation.

Do you have the source from where you saw the news about Neymar?
I don't believe it was his last cup, there is still the cup of 2026 that he will be 34 years old, 1 year less than Messi who just won the cup.
But it would be good, Brazilians are tired of so much drama with Neymar.


I don't know the criteria yet, but the group stage matches will take place in all 3 countries, not only in mexico.
Canada and Mexico will host 10 matches each one, all in group stage.
After that, only matches in USA.


In my opinion, this temperature issue will not be a problem beyond the normal.
The games in Mexico will be at Vancouver, close to Washington, and Toronto, close to New York.

The Portuguese coach might also not consider calling him into the world cup squad even though he is still playing, because no matter how great a player is age will reduce his ability and by forcing him to remain in the national team will waste opportunities for young players who are likely to be able to contribute better for the team, so a lot of consideration should be needed before deciding to continue to make him a core player or also a substitute player at the next World Cup.

The same argument was made regarding Ronaldo for the FIFA 2022 World Cup. But then, world cup happens only once every  years and participating in it and representing the country is a dream for almost all the top football players. I am 100% sure that Messi and Neymar will represent their respective countries during FIFA 2026. I am not against giving adequate opportunities for the younger players. But that doesn't always work well. We all saw the case with Portugal during Qatar 2022. At top level football, there is no substitute for international experience.

Despite the fact that Neymar has not stated whether last year's World Cup was his final, I believe the country will want to persuade him to stay in the national team and compete in the 2026 World Cup again. He is a great player and a leader for Brazil now, and I believe his presence is still needed there given that he will not be very old by the time the next World Cup is played.


Both of their participation in the next World Cup is uncertain, and I wouldn't be surprised if neither of them gets to represent their respective national teams in the next World Cup. They've both reached their peak in football and accomplished a lot. It's time for both of them to go so that we can see the new generation of young people.

I do not think this is going to be the last world cup of Neymar. Neymar is surely playing the next one. And I am also quite sure that even Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will also be able to play in the next world cup. But they are obviously not going to have as good of an effect as they probably should have. And the way the career of Cristiano Ronaldo is going on I believe he might actually not be able to play the next one. And if both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo end up missing the next world cup it is going to be a big loss for the football world.

Me I don't see Messi has a world champion but Mbappe is the one and Messi might be Argentina champion. 35 years person is still strong enough to play football if the person doesn't face any health challenges. Therefore, of Messi is physically fit then he can play for Argentina even the next world cup. There major part uses in football are the two legs. And if Messi know that he can't withstand the pains after the retirement from football he should leave now. Because the legs will definitely pain him after the retirement. Those who left football game early lives long and those who left it late die early.