In exactly one month, Mexico and South Africa will kick off the 2026 World Cup at the Azteca Stadium, beginning a marathon of 104 matches featuring 48 different teams.
Despite the tournament being set to take place across Mexico, Canada, and the United States, many key questions remain unanswered. Here are seven of the most pressing issues and what the answers might be.
Will Neymar Be Called Up?
This has been the dominant topic of World Cup discussions in Brazil lately. The national team’s No. 10, who has featured in the last three tournaments, has been sidelined since suffering the worst injury of his career two and a half years ago. Even though his return to Santos has shown only occasional flashes of brilliance, many still see Neymar as essential for the squad. With the selection announcement just a week away, we’ll soon find out if Ancelotti agrees.
Will Iran Actually Play?
Since late February, Iran has been at war with the United States. Despite having all its group matches scheduled on American soil—”enemy territory”—the Asian side confirmed last Saturday that it intends to participate. However, Tehran has made several demands, including visas for its entire coaching staff and respect for its flag and anthem during opening ceremonies. It remains unclear if these requests will be met, and tensions with Donald Trump could escalate further in the coming weeks.
Will Attendance Be a Flop?
Recent reports from the U.S. are discouraging for those hoping for packed stadiums. Hotel bookings in host cities are below initial projections. Even Trump has said he “wouldn’t pay” the ticket prices for the U.S. opening match against Paraguay. This isn’t a new issue for FIFA—last year’s Club World Cup in the U.S. had low attendance, with tickets nearly given away to avoid disaster.
Will the Technical Level Drop?
For the first time, a World Cup will include 48 teams, 50% more than the previous seven editions. Teams like Curaçao, Uzbekistan, New Zealand, Iraq, Jamaica, and Haiti—far from football’s elite—will debut. Critics predict an influx of low-quality, uninteresting matches. But history suggests otherwise: previous expansions (from 16 to 24 in 1982, and from 24 to 32 in 1998) didn’t drastically reduce quality or eliminate surprising results.
Will This Be the Farewell of CR7 and Messi?
All signs point to this being the sixth and likely final World Cup for the duo that has dominated football for nearly two decades. Cristiano Ronaldo (39) and Lionel Messi (38) are nearing the end of their careers. While neither has officially announced retirement from international duty, speculation grows that this tournament will be their last chance to add to their legacies. Will they go out with a bang or a whimper?
Can Brazil End Their Title Drought?
Brazil hasn’t won a World Cup since 2002, a 24-year gap that’s increasingly frustrating for fans. With a talented squad led by young stars like Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo, plus the potential return of Neymar, expectations are high. However, the team’s defensive stability and ability to handle pressure in knockout stages remain question marks. Can Ancelotti guide them to a sixth star?
Will the Expanded Format Create Controversy?
The move to 48 teams has already sparked debate about fairness and competitiveness. With more group-stage matches and a new knockout structure, there’s concern about fixture congestion and fatigue. Furthermore, the qualification slots allocated to different confederations have caused disputes. Will the expanded format produce unexpected drama or dilute the prestige of football’s biggest event?
