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Living up to a legacy 

For the 23rd time, all eyes will be on the beautiful game this summer when the USA, Mexico, and Canada host football's most famous finals. 

It will follow in the footsteps of previous tournaments, which live long in the memory and have included iconic moments that are embedded in the minds of generations of fans. 

Whether England's heroes of 1966 or the exploits of Pele throughout that era, or images of a Maradona-inspired Mexico in 1986, every football fanatic has their own World Cup and favourite memories. 

Returning to North America for the first time since 1994 and four years on from Lionel Messi lifting the trophy in Qatar, the superstars of 2026 are now ready to write another chapter in World Cup history. 

From legendary goal scorers to the greatest shot-stoppers, the next big-name star is ready to make a name for themselves and do it in what has the potential to be a tournament that could outdo all of what has come before it. 

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Bigger than ever 

It's already a fact that 2026 will be the biggest-ever World Cup. 48 teams, 104 matches, a split of nations from all over the globe, this was FIFA's vision, and it will come to fruition across North America this summer. 

For some, bigger isn't always better, but this isn't a tournament that dilutes any prestige, but a finals that shows off the truly global game that's set to capture stories from throughout the continents. 

Whether it's by seeing names such as Cape Verde, Caracao, or Jordan eat at football's top table for the first time, expanding their reach and opening up the world to their footballing legacy or following what the three hosts can do and how they'll fare when the spotlight is on them, they are just two facets of the narratives that are spread all over this year's tournament. 

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If you're more interested in what happens further up the chain, then you'll be spoiled in 2026, too, because there's a feeling this could be the most open World Cup of all time. You'll find credible arguments for Spain to follow their Euros triumph with a win in the US, while many feel that France are the ones to beat or will it really be the summer that football does actually come home - sixty years after '66 and all that? 

You also can't rule out the South American teams, especially given the climate and conditions. Brazil, under Carlo Ancelotti, a new Uruguay and of course, holders Argentina, who are looking to be the first team to retain the trophy since 1970. 

Talking of which, if it's narrative you want, then a final international farewell for Lionel Messi will also be wrapped up in 2026, as well as last dances for Luka Modric, Kevin De Bruyne and Cristiano Ronaldo - still looking to make a mark on the one stage he never really has. 

Bigger isn't just literal. Everywhere you look, there are big stories around big teams and big players, and then there's what's next. 

A torch passing 

Every World Cup is a moment of generations manoeuvring around each other, but 2026 feels like a bigger shift than ever. 

With the legends mentioned strutting their stuff for a final time in the World Cup sun, it feels like a moment for the stars of today and tomorrow to move into their place as the faces of the game. 

Kylian Mbappe could cement his World Cup legacy yet further, while Erling Haaland will take to the stage for the very first time and look for a Golden Boot to add to his other shiny shoe awards. 

Harry Kane could top off a career-defining year by making history for the Three Lions, or will Lamine Yamal use the tournament to really hammer home his status as the best in the world? 

Still not out of his teens, the Spanish superstar has already bagged a Euros, and leads a Spanish side who could double down on international awards. 

Yamal's profile is the biggest, but he could be joined by Estêvão, Nico Paz, Lennart Karl and Nico O'Reilly as names who use this summer as a platform to ram home their place in the game. 

No World Cup has ever felt like it's been packed with young talent like the one we're excitedly approaching. 

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Managing success

Even the managers among the national teams this time around feel bigger and more elite coaches will be present at this World Cup than ever before. 

Hosts USA boast Maurico Pochettino, still courted for many a top job, as is Thomas Tuchel, who would have disappointed several clubs with his England extension. 

Germany has highly-rated Julian Nagelsmann, and serial winner Carlo Ancelotti will see if he can transition his methods to the international stage with Brazil. 

They'll join Didier Deschamps and Marcelo Bielsa, the season World Cup veterans, but all of whom will offer a higher standard of coaching than ever before. 

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Let's go big 

Political incidents aside, America has done nothing but go big all through whatever it's hosted. 1994 was like nothing we've seen, and 2026 is set to go bigger than ever. 

It's the ideal setting for the expanded format, and now this World Cup XL has the players, the teams and the stories to match its increased size. 

The world will be watching in 50 days with big expectations, but 2026 has everything in place to go big without any need to go home. 

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