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2026 World Cup: A Marathon Journey Ends
18 Jul
Summary
- The 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign concluded after 1,046 days.
- Lionel Messi, aged 39, is expected to play in the tournament's final match.
- Despite expansion, Italy, Nigeria, and Cameroon surprisingly failed to qualify.
The 2026 World Cup qualifying process has officially concluded, marking the end of a marathon campaign that began on September 7, 2023. This extensive journey took 1,046 days to reach its final stage. The tournament saw an initial 210 teams enter qualifying, a record-tying number, from which 48 teams, including hosts Canada, Mexico, and the United States, advanced to the final tournament.
Veteran Argentinian player Lionel Messi, now 39, is expected to feature in the final match of the tournament, scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium. This event signifies a significant moment as it likely marks the conclusion of his participation in World Cup finals. The qualifying rounds produced several unexpected outcomes, notably the failure of four-time champions Italy, along with African powerhouses Nigeria and Cameroon, to secure berths in the expanded 48-team final tournament.
The 2030 World Cup, set to be hosted primarily in Morocco, Portugal, and Spain, will see its qualifying process begin soon after the current tournament's conclusion. The CONCACAF confederation, which includes Canada, Mexico, and the U.S., is expected to commence its qualification matches next year, continuing the cycle of global football competition.
