Analysis— 5 min read
Tomorrow evening at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the biggest World Cup in the history of the tournament kicks off. Forty-eight nations. One hundred and four matches. Thirty-nine days. This is what we are watching for.
Lionel Messi arrives in the best possible shape. His goal against Iceland on Tuesday ended any serious doubt about his fitness, and Argentina travel to Kansas City for their June 16 opener against Algeria with the defending champions looking sharp and settled. Messi is chasing something no team has done in the modern era — back-to-back World Cup titles. And this is the last time he will try.
France head to New Jersey for their opener against Senegal on June 16 with Michael Olise's hat-trick against Northern Ireland still fresh in the mind. Kylian Mbappe carries the weight of a nation, but it is Olise who has arrived at this tournament in the form of his career — 31 goal contributions in 31 matches across 2026. Deschamps has the deepest squad at the tournament. Whether he can finally win the biggest prize is the central question.
Spain and Lamine Yamal are the tournament favourites on paper. The 18-year-old is expected to be fit for the June 15 opener against Cape Verde, and if he hits the form he showed before his hamstring setback, no defence in the world will be able to contain him.
England have not won the World Cup since 1966. Harry Kane arrives off the back of a 61-goal season, his headed winner against New Zealand underlining a forward in the form of his life. Thomas Tuchel's squad is balanced and experienced. Croatia await them on June 17.
And then there is Scotland, back for the first time in 28 years, facing Haiti in Boston on June 14. A nation holds its breath.
The ball rolls tomorrow. The stories start now.