In sports, home advantage is always a factor for players. The World Cup is no exception.
In 2002, for the first time, a World Cup was co-hosted by two countries, and the two host nations achieved unexpected success. The South Korean team became the first Asian team in history to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup. The Japanese team also reached the round of 16 for the first time in their history.
In 2026, the World Cup will be held in three countries for the first time. In terms of World Cup performance, neither the USA, Mexico, nor Canada have ever been considered "major powerhouses."
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| Mexico defeated South Africa 2-0. Photo: AP |
The biggest achievement of the US national team was their third-place finish at the inaugural World Cup in 1930, a feat now long past. Their most significant recent success was reaching the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup.
Meanwhile, despite having participated in 17 World Cups, Mexico's best performance was reaching the quarter-finals in 1970 and 1986. Notably, both of these tournaments were held in Mexico.
As for Canada, on the World Cup stage, they are always considered an "underdog." The co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup have participated twice before, in 1986 and 2022, but failed to advance beyond the group stage on both occasions.
With the home advantage at the 2026 World Cup, will the USA, Mexico, and Canada be able to improve their performance?
With just their first two group stage matches, Mexico officially secured their place in the knockout round. In their opening match against South Africa, the co-hosts dominated with 61% possession, 16 shots with 4 on target – compared to South Africa's 3 and 2. The 2-0 scoreline accurately reflected the game's dynamics.
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| The US team crushed Paraguay 4-1. Photo: AP |
In their second match, against South Korea—an Asian team expected to make a mark at this World Cup—Mexico displayed pragmatic football, essentially eliminating any opportunities for their opponents. Mexico's 1-0 victory was partly due to luck—thanks to a mistake by goalkeeper Kim Seung-gyu. However, it was still a breathtaking match, determining their chances of qualifying for the knockout round early.
In their final match against the Czech Republic, which held little significance, the Mexican team had the right to play however they pleased.
Compared to co-hosts Mexico, the US team had a far more spectacular start to the 2026 World Cup. Crushing Paraguay 4-1 and easily defeating Australia 2-0, the United States advanced straight to the knockout round, regardless of the potentially unpredictable results of the third round of group stage matches.
This is the seventh time the US team has advanced beyond the group stage in 11 World Cup tournaments. While this is a significant achievement, what's more noteworthy than previous occasions is that the US team is playing like a major team, with the ability to impose their style of play on their opponents.
While the other two co-hosts continued their success, Canada made its first mark at the World Cup.
The two previous times Canada reached the finals of the world's biggest football tournament were both sad chapters in their football history. The first time, in 1986, Canada lost to France 0-1, Hungary 0-2, and the Soviet Union 0-2 in the group stage. The second time, in 2022, Canada lost to Belgium 0-1, Croatia 1-4, and Morocco 1-2. They ended up empty-handed!
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| Canadian players celebrate their victory over Qatar. Photo: AP |
This time, playing at home against Bosnia & Herzegovina, the Canadian players made history in their very first match – earning a historic point at the World Cup. In their second group stage match, the Canadian team continued to write a new chapter in history – winning their first ever World Cup match. At BC Place in Vancouver, Canada crushed Qatar with a 6-0 victory.
The weak face of Canadian football at the World Cup is gone. Canada now presses aggressively, wins duels, and capitalizes effectively. Canada has progressed significantly, from ball control and high-pressure tactics to team organization and player development.
With 4 points after two matches, Canada's path to the knockout round is wide open. It's very possible that the co-hosts of the 2026 World Cup will write another chapter in their history!
Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/the-thao/worldcup-2026/the-luc-chu-nha-1045292
