Welcome to World Cup Run-Up, a brand new column from theScore. On the eleventh of every month, we’ll look at the most important speaking factors and storylines regarding the 2026 World Cup in america, Canada, and Mexico. Which groups and gamers are trending up or down, what’s new with the co-hosts, and the way is the expanded 48-team event shaping up? The countdown is on.
Opening whistle: Parsing key transfers 🧐
The summer season switch market is invariably seen via the lens of membership soccer. Groups are tinkering, retooling, or reloading completely within the hopes of reaching their targets in the course of the upcoming season, whereas gamers themselves need to take the subsequent step of their respective careers. However do not low cost the impression the World Cup has on these choices. In lots of circumstances, transfers are accomplished explicitly with the event in thoughts. It occurs each time a significant worldwide occasion rolls round.
This window has been no completely different.
Son Heung-min, after a decade at Tottenham Hotspur, realized he was being relegated to a lesser function on the membership and opted to hitch LAFC in Main League Soccer, the place he might conceivably play each minute at membership stage earlier than main South Korea on the World Cup subsequent yr. Marcus Rashford, as an alternative of rotting on the bench at Manchester United, will play usually at Barcelona. Conversely, Nico Williams, cautious of both not being registered or not getting sufficient minutes with the Catalan membership, spurned Barca’s advances in favor of staying with the certain factor at Athletic Bilbao.
Typically the grass is not greener. Different occasions, it’s.
Joao Pedro has a greater likelihood of cracking the Brazil lineup if he is scoring for Chelsea versus Brighton & Hove Albion. People Tim Weah and Johnny Cardoso want robust seasons after shifting to Marseille and Atletico Madrid, respectively, to bolster their case for a beginning spot on Mauricio Pochettino’s group. Canada’s Jonathan David ought to profit from swapping Lille for Italian giants Juventus. If Rayan Cherki settles shortly at Manchester Metropolis, he might persuade Didier Deschamps that he deserves the coveted function as France’s main playmaker. Dean Huijsen all the time seemed destined to shine for Spain, however his new standing as a beginning center-back for Actual Madrid solely will increase that probability. Jordan Henderson, considerably inexplicably, nonetheless has a spot within the England setup beneath Thomas Tuchel, a place that is most likely been strengthened by his transfer again to the Premier League with Brentford.
The inverse can also be true. Some gamers have made strikes that, at the least on paper, are detrimental to their World Cup hopes.
Mateo Retegui, Italy’s nominal No. 9, ran away with the Serie A Golden Boot final season, scoring 25 league targets for Atalanta. He then promptly moved to Saudi membership Al-Qadsiah this summer season. Theo Hernandez, France’s finest left-back, ditched AC Milan for Al-Hilal. We can’t begrudge any participant chasing an unlimited payday – get what you may, when you can – however the trade-off is clear. Maybe Joao Felix, now at Al-Nassr, can show us flawed.
We’re watching this area with nice curiosity till the window closes Sept. 1.
North American pocket book 🇺🇸🇨🇦🇲🇽
What is the newest with the three co-hosts?
United States: A number of obvious questions encompass Pochettino’s squad after a disastrous Nations League exhibiting in March was adopted by a largely uninformative Gold Cup. The U.S. would not have one other aggressive fixture till the World Cup, so Pochettino, employed at an enormous expense to take the USMNT to the subsequent stage, will solely have friendlies to determine his finest XI. An excellent place to start out is between the sticks. Matt Freese had an uneven Gold Cup, doubtlessly opening the door for namesake Matt Turner to regain his place because the No. 1 netminder. Turner’s latest transfer again to MLS with New England will give him the minutes he is sorely been lacking in 2025. Solidity in aim is significant for any group with aspirations of creating noise on the World Cup, and the U.S. intends to be very loud subsequent summer season.

Canada: Alphonso Davies continues to make strides in his restoration after tearing the ACL in his proper knee – a lot to the exasperation of Bayern Munich – in the course of the Nations League in March. Bayern are hopeful the 24-year-old can return to the pitch on the finish of October, which might give him over seven months to regain full health and sharpness earlier than he captains Canada on the World Cup on residence soil. Jesse Marsch has turned Canada right into a aggressive group, however the ceiling is capped so long as the nation’s finest participant is on the sidelines. Davies is without doubt one of the world’s most explosive left-backs, and (spoiler alert) no different Canadian can single-handedly increase the extent of Marsch’s group in the identical method.
Mexico: Regardless of profitable each main titles on supply to them in 2025 – the Nations League in March and the Gold Cup in July – El Tri are nonetheless removed from convincing proper now. This stays a group in transition. However Javier Aguirre has steadied the ship after a tumultuous interval of managerial upheaval, and in Gilberto Mora, Mexico possesses one of many sport’s real teen phenoms. The 16-year-old midfielder, who performed 75 minutes within the Gold Cup ultimate, is a panoramic expertise. A daring dribbler, the Tijuana sensation dances previous would-be tacklers and reveals the sort of on-ball composure that belies his youth. He is a game-changer within the mould of fellow wunderkind Lamine Yamal, and Mexico wants to start out constructing round him going into 2026.
Rising and falling 📈📉
Which groups, gamers, and coaches have been trending up or down?
Haaland’s World Cup probabilities 📈
Erling Haaland, now 25, has by no means performed in a significant worldwide event at senior stage. That is lastly poised to vary. Norway is on monitor to succeed in its first World Cup since 1998 after an ideal begin to its qualification marketing campaign. The Norwegians have received all 4 of their matches to this point, scoring 13 targets within the course of – Haaland has 4 of them – and conceding simply twice.
Included amongst these victories was a 3-0 dismantling of Italy that has put Norway in full management of its personal future in Group I of UEFA qualifying. No person desires to see Haaland and compatriot Martin Odegaard featured on one other pre-tournament checklist that highlights the very best gamers to overlook the World Cup.
Neymar’s World Cup dream 📉
Neymar desperately desires one final crack at profitable the World Cup. The 33-year-old, who hasn’t performed for Brazil since tearing his ACL and meniscus in 2023, left loads of cash on the desk in Saudi Arabia to return to Santos within the hopes that the acquainted (and familial) environment of his boyhood membership would propel him again into the Selecao image. It is a romantic story. Whether or not it is sensible is one other matter. New Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti did not name up the nation’s all-time main scorer when naming his first squad earlier this yr, and the battle for a roster spot has solely intensified since then.

Vinicius Junior and Raphinha are locks. Matheus Cunha goes to start out each week for Manchester United. Joao Pedro is making waves at Chelsea. Estevao is without doubt one of the most enjoyable youngsters round. Endrick, who as soon as owned that title, was simply given the No. 9 shirt at Actual Madrid. Rodrygo and Gabriel Martinelli are eager to bounce again this season. Richarlison, Antony, and Savinho are additionally within the combine. Neymar’s one of many biggest gamers of his technology and arguably the very best pure dribbler within the sport’s historical past, nevertheless it’s exhausting to have religion that his physique can maintain up any longer.
Cinderella tales 📈
Increasing the World Cup from the normal 32-team area to subsequent yr’s humongous 48-team model actually has its share of detractors. The issues are comprehensible. Cramming 104 video games into 39 days throughout three international locations seems like a logistical nightmare, and including 16 groups threatens to dilute the general high quality of the product and take some sheen off the illustrious event – for what it is price, even a “unhealthy” World Cup sport remains to be a World Cup sport, so the latter should not be a problem.
On the flip facet, the obvious profit is already being realized. Nations that might in any other case have little to no likelihood of qualifying will now get to be a part of the motion. Uzbekistan and Jordan have already booked first-time tickets; Cape Verde has an opportunity to beat out Cameroon in Africa; Indonesia, coached by Patrick Kluivert, is within the combine in Asia; New Caledonia is already assured of a spot within the intercontinental playoffs. FIFA’s motivations for supersizing the World Cup have been clearly financial, however that is one optimistic, if unintended, consequence.
Fast free-kicks 💥
What else is catching the attention?
Membership World Cup classes: Let’s give Gianni Infantino some credit score. The Membership World Cup, buoyed by vibrant followers and stunning upsets, was extra enjoyable than anybody anticipated. However issues about participant welfare got here into sharper focus because the oppressive U.S. summer season warmth wreaked havoc. Matches have been routinely performed in searing 90-plus diploma situations, with a number of gamers admitting it had hostile results on their well being and efficiency. How might it not? FIFA has to steadiness the well-being of gamers, followers, employees, and hordes of volunteers with the issues of the worldwide tv viewers – priority suggests the governing physique will prioritize the latter, regardless of the efforts of assorted participant unions. It is tough, we get it. On the absolute least, how about we do not schedule the marquee matches of the event for the most popular occasions of the day? Take the simple win.
Final dance for Messi, CR7: This sentiment will solely develop because the event attracts close to, nevertheless it’s inconceivable to consider the competitors with out reminding ourselves that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the totemic superstars of the final 20 years – and arguably ever – will grace the game’s grandest stage for the final time. Ronaldo will probably be 41 by the point the World Cup begins, whereas Messi, nonetheless the talisman for reigning champion Argentina, turns 39 in the course of the competitors.
Gattuso’s rescue mission: It has been virtually 20 years since Italy final featured in a World Cup knockout match. That is absurd. The Azzurri adopted up their fourth title in 2006 with limp group-stage exits in 2010 and 2014, after which outdid themselves by failing to qualify altogether for the final two editions. They’re now in official hazard of creating it three straight. A brutal begin to qualifying towards the aforementioned Norwegians led Italy to sack Luciano Spalletti and exchange him with Gennaro Gattuso. It was an act of pure desperation for a nation flirting with extra humiliation. Barring a fast turnaround beneath the ex-midfielder, Italy will possible must navigate one other playoff to make the World Cup. What might presumably go flawed?
Let’s get right down to enterprise: Over 500 World Cup qualifying matches have already been performed throughout the varied confederations because the cycle started in 2023, however issues begin to actually warmth up now. Starting with the September worldwide break, there are qualifying home windows for 3 consecutive months earlier than the event draw is held in December. The enjoying area will start to crystallize, and a few perennial individuals will probably be sweating.
Who’s in, who’s out? 🎟️
13 of a attainable 48 nations have booked their tickets to the 2026 World Cup, with Canada, Mexico, and america included as co-hosts.
For present World Cup qualifying standings, faucet right here.
Betting odds 🤑
Which groups are favored to win the event?
Group
Odds
Spain
+550
Brazil
+600
France
+650
England
+700
Argentina
+800
Germany
+1000
Portugal
+1100
Netherlands
+2000
⚽️ Try the total World Cup odds on ESPN BET and theScore Guess right here
Key dates forward 🗓️
Sept. 1-9: World Cup qualifyingOct. 6-14: World Cup qualifyingNov. 10-18: World Cup qualifyingDecember 2025: World Cup draw (actual date TBD)March 23-31, 2026: Closing World Cup qualifying matchesJune 1-9, 2026: Pre-tournament pleasant matchesJune 11, 2026: World Cup opening match