How will the United States (soccer team and country) fare at the 2026 World Cup?
You may have heard that there is a World Cup this year. After all the debate about ticket prices, peace prizes and breaks, a real football tournament is about to begin. At that point, the United States, as a national team and host nation, will be truly judged. The 2026 World Cup will be viewed as a resounding success or a bizarre failure. There won’t be anything in between. There is no nuance. This disappeared from public discussion long ago.
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FIFA has already taken a winning step, with a record 150 million fines filed. It did not specify how many of those applications came from bots. However, Gianni Infantino did claim that FIFA’s high ticket prices are justified because without supporters being squeezed for every penny, “there would be no football games in 150 countries around the world.” Apparently, the $7.5 billion in revenue FIFA earned during the last World Cup cycle wasn’t enough.
The USMNT is also looking to improve at the 2022 World Cup. Reaching the last 16 would represent success for Mauricio Pochettino and his players, who have endured a sometimes painful process in 2025. From losses to Panama and Canada in the CONCACAF Nations League to friendly wins over Japan, Australia, Paraguay and Uruguay, the year ended on a more positive note than it began. Will this lead to a strong showing at the World Cup?
More questions will be answered next summer. Will President Donald Trump’s close relationship with Infantino have any impact on where World Cup games are and aren’t held? How will fans from countries currently subject to travel bans watch the games? Will the intense North American summer heat affect the intensity of competition? America will take steps, both on and off the field.
Can Arsenal muster the courage to end their long wait for Premier League glory?
Arsenal have been here before. Exactly four times, to be exact. The Gunners reached the top four times over Christmas but failed to win the Premier League title each time. So even with his team in first place, Mikel Arteta could be forgiven for being a little nervous when it comes to turkey and eating this year.
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Not least because City are getting bigger in the rearview mirror. Considering Pep Guardiola’s side have won six consecutive league games, there’s every reason to be wary of them. What was seen not so long ago as a transitional season for City could turn into another title-winning season.
Arteta says Arsenal are “actively looking” for potential signings in January. A mid-season addition of one or two players could help the Gunners rush to the finish line ahead of Manchester City, Aston Villa and the rest. However, Arsenal’s massive summer business was enough to make them champions.
Victor Guikres was supposed to be their Erling Haaland. Instead, the Swedish striker managed just five goals in 17 league games. Eberechi Eze was signed to give them a different dimension in the final third. However, the England international has gone four league games without scoring since scoring a hat-trick in November’s north London derby. Another summer signing, Noni Maduk, has missed much of the season through injury.
The experience of previous failed title bids may help Arsenal handle this particular sprint. Alternatively, past trauma may be exacerbating their nerves, which appear to have built on recent erratic wins against Wolves, Everton and Brighton. Tuesday’s big win against Villa released some of the tension and may also be a sign that Arsenal are embracing the fight. The second half of the season will be a reckoning for Arteta’s title challengers.
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Who will win the power struggle for the soul of Real Madrid?
If Xavi Alonso was once complacent about the task of revolutionizing Real Madrid’s playing style and overall culture, he certainly isn’t now. The former midfielder was hired in the summer to usher the Spanish giants into a new era, but he encountered everything los blancos An anomaly in modern gaming.
Leverkusen, led by Alonso, pressed high. They regain the ball quickly in the frontcourt and are one of the best teams in the Bundesliga in possession of the ball. However, Alonso’s Real Madrid team is nothing like the team that won the German title two seasons ago. They don’t push the envelope. They were unable to win the ball back quickly in the final areas and often lacked possession.
This may be because Real Madrid don’t have the players to do these things. Or maybe it’s because they have players who aren’t willing to do those things, and Vinicius might be one of them. The Brazilian’s frosty relationship with Alonso is well-documented, raising questions over his future at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond the end of the season.
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This season is not only the beginning of a new coaching term, but also a power struggle for the soul of Real Madrid. Regardless, 2026 will be a watershed year. Either Alonso’s approach starts to take hold, perhaps after a few high-profile departures, or the 44-year-old will be abandoned by a club that refuses to swallow the pill.