In 1994, when the FIFA World Cup was last staged in America, the event began with Diana Ross missing a penalty and ended with Italy’s Roberto Baggio, another with a memorable hairstyle, doing the same.
It was a sad end for the ‘Divine Ponytail’ and, at the time, an unsatisfactory conclusion, except, of course, for the victorious Brazilian team.
That was Brazil’s fourth World Cup title and they would go on to add a record-extending fifth in Japan eight years later.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men will be one of the contenders, but not the favourites, this time.
The Selecao will, as usual, be expected to perform and they can certainly field a range of well-known names in all disciplines.
From goalie Alisson, defenders Gabriel and Marquinhos, through Bruno Guimaraes, Danilo and Casemiro, to a range of gifted forwards – Vini Junior, Endrick, Raphinha, and the wild card that is Neymar.
They will, as always, get plenty of support, though doubts might surround their ability to take the final steps especially if they should lose some of those key defenders.
However, it is the top European teams that garner the favouritism, led firstly by Spain.
Luis de la Fuente, with his lengthy background as coach of the younger Spanish national teams, looks a natural manager and nurturer of his country’s undoubted talent.
Headed by the world’s most valuable player, Lamine Yamal, his squad provides strength in all departments.
In goal David Raya is considered one of the best in the EPL while Cubarsi, Cucurella, and Marcos Llorente offer cover in defence behind expert midfielders Rodri, Pedri, Zubimendi and Fabian Ruiz.
And up front Ferran Torres, Mikel Oyarzabal, and Nico Williams complement the precocious Yamal.
De la Fuente led La Roja to the 2024 Euros title and many expect him to go close two years later (and sixteen years after their triumph in South Africa)
None of the coaches at this World Cup can match the international experience and success rate of Didier Deschamps who masterminded the French victory at the 2018 edition and went close last time out in Qatar.
And nobody can match the riches he can command and the dilemma he has in choosing from a plethora of forward talent.
He can pick from Mbappe, Doue, Dembele, Olise, Barcola and Rayan Cherki.
And back that up with the likes of Tchouameni, Rabio and Zaire-Emery plus Saliba, Upamecano and Lacroix in defence.
Perhaps the only area of weakness could be in goal where Milan’s Mike Maignan is likely to start.
Otherwise, assuming those egos can be kept in check, Les Blues will be formidable opponents for anyone.
Of the six countries that can (realistically) win the World Cup only one, Portugal, has never won it previously.
But for some 2026 could be their year as Roberto Martinez has possibly their strongest squad and a route to the final, as group winners, that avoids France and Spain.
That is because they have a team based around powerhouse PSG’s Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Goncalo Ramos together with the Manchester-based trio of Bruno Guimaraes, Ruben Dias, and Bernando Silva.
Add in the attacking potential of Rafael Leao and Joao Felix plus the ageless Ronaldo and you can see why Martinez might take this team one step further than he managed with Belgium.
It is sixty years since Dagenham’s Alf Ramsey managed England to their 1966 World Cup triumph and since then, as the years have gone by, the hurt of not winning again has intensified.
Bavarian Thomas Tuchel is not from Essex but his style might just be appropriate in getting the best out of another very talented set of players.
One of the reasons Ramsey was victorious (although at home, and in a much smaller competition) was that he created a formidable, balanced, team that combined well and worked hard together.
Maybe Tuchel is thinking along the same lines.
Although many have highlighted the eyecatching omissions (e.g. Palmer, Maguire, Gibbs-White, and Alexander-Arnold), should it go wrong the journalists will soon be writing their critical pieces.
Those that will be in the USA offer a midfield that is competitive with any other, featuring the likes of Rogers, Bellingham, Rice, Anderson, and Saka.
A defence probably based around Guehi, Konsa, and James with Pickford (excellent but occasionally frantic) in goal.
While the attack has to be led by the captain, the prolific Harry Kane, in what could be his last World Cup.
Kane has been in outstanding form in Germany but the worry is always what happens if he gets injured.
That is a potential weakness, although Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has shown excellent form domestically and Marcus Rashford has been revived at Barcelona.
Typically England and/or their media will complain about the conditions (e.g. heat + the pitches) as if to get the excuses in early.
They do tend to be negative factors, and combined with the inevitable ‘they’ve all had a very long season’ often contribute to their relative failure.
But from Group L the ‘Three Lions’ could plot a path through to a semi-final meeting with Portugal, via Mexico and Brazil, and then, finally, face France or Spain in New Jersey.
But on the other hand they could implode in Mexico City.
Lastly, the holders Argentina will be bidding both to retain their trophy and also lift their fourth world crown and hence be level with Germany and Italy and just one behind great rivals Brazil.
In the Land of Free, the Albiceleste will have massive support and not solely from their own passionate fans but also from the many locals who will clamour to see Lionel Messi.
The diminutive superstar will be 39 during the World Cup and despite slowing down he still scores consistently for club (Inter Miami) and country.
Like Portugal’s Ronaldo he has been setting incredible records.
But whether he can somehow guide his team to another victory looks like a stretch.
As the team seems likely to have an ageing core that has vast experience but might not live, over a five week period, with younger squads.
Many of the characters are familiar from Martinez in goal to Otamendi and Romero onto MacAllister, Enzo Fernandez, Lo Celso and then Lautaro and the coveted Julian Alvarez up front.
Only Brazil and Italy (both in the distant past) have managed to retain the World Cup and in these very competitive times it looks a challenge for Messi and co. to do the same.
In the unlikely event that one of those countries doesn’t win, who else might?
Perhaps Julian Nagelsmann’s Germany, or Africa’s almost finest, Morocco, who went close last time, or maybe Colombia, led by James Rodriguez, or even Marcelo Bielsa’s always competitive Uruguay.
Anyway,the action begins in Mexico on June 11 when the hosts entertain South Africa and ends sometime later on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Analysis – John Bethell
