Three Major Talking Points Ahead of the 2026 World Cup

With the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup now underway, football fans around the globe are eagerly anticipating what promises to be a memorable tournament.

The United States, Canada and Mexico will host the prestigious event, which features 48 teams for the first time in history.

Read on as we look at three major talking points ahead of the World Cup, starting with a look at the latest developments with one of the host nations.

Pochettino Appointment to Make a Difference for the US

The US have sacked former head coach Gregg Berhalter, and replaced him with former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino.

The abysmal showing at the 2024 Copa America highlighted that Berhalter was not the right man to lead them to the showpiece on home soil.

Pochettino brings a wealth of top experience from stints in European football. The 52-year-old is an old-school manager whose playing style is based on running and hard graft.

The US have suffered three consecutive last-16 exits at the World Cup and will hope Pochettino can steer them into the quarter-finals and possibly beyond.

Pochettino handled his last job well, taking a poorly recruited Chelsea team to sixth place in the Premier League. He was axed at the end of last season.

He opened his international management tenure with a comfortable 2-0 win over Panama, but his team were utterly dreadful as they lost to Mexico by the same scoreline.

There is plenty of work to do for the new manager, but he will likely improve the squad significantly before the tournament begins.

The Pochettino appointment could be a game-changer for the US as they bid to make a deep run at the 2026 World Cup.

New Zealand on Course to Qualify for the World Cup

New Zealand have missed the last three World Cup editions. Their last appearance was in 2010 when they crashed out in the group stage, having drawn all their three games.

The Kiwis set themselves on the path to qualification with a convincing 3-0 victory over Tahiti in the Group B Oceania World Cup qualifiers.

New Zealand will fancy their chances of securing a place in the tournament after coming through the first round of qualifiers unscathed. Their path has been made easier by Australia’s move to the Asian section.

The 2026 World Cup is the first time Oceania has direct entry to the tournament. The runner-up will also have a chance to qualify via the FIFA Intercontinental Play-offs.

New Zealand are the bookmakers’ favourites to qualify directly. Their participation in the tournament would undoubtedly spark a betting frenzy among Kiwi punters.

Numerous betting apps in New Zealand would be inundated with wagers on New Zealand in markets such as ‘reach the knockout stage’.

However, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu harbour hopes of upsetting the odds and making their first appearance at the event.

Thomas Tuchel Tasked with Leading England to the World Cup

The Football Association (FA) have reportedly agreed an 18-month deal for German tactician Thomas Tuchel to manage the England national team.

Tuchel has never been an international manager, but compatriot Julian Nagelsmann has shown that the change can be a positive one.

Tuchel becomes England’s first German manager and only the third foreign coach since Fabio Capello and Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The 51-year-old left Mainz and Borussia Dortmund with a better points-per-game ratio than Jurgen Klopp and won titles at Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea.

His time in London was particularly successful as he won the Champions League, Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup. The Blues also reached several domestic cup finals.

Tuchel knows many of the England players from his time in the Premier League. He managed Three Lions captain Harry Kane at Bayern.

He could revive Mason Mount’s fortunes, while Raheem Sterling will be eyeing a return to the international set-up following Tuchel’s appointment.

Tuchel is a world-class manager with a winning mentality, and he could be the man to take this England side to their first international title since 1966.