World Cup 2026: Mexico City buzzing, United States handed injury boost, Canada forced into late change

World Cup 2026: Mexico City buzzing, United States handed injury boost, Canada forced into late change We’re almost there, folks. The wait is nearly over as there’s less than 48 hours left before the 2026 FIFA World Cup kick-off. Thursday night’s opener between co-hosts Mexico and former hosts South Africa will mark a landmark occasion in World Cup history. For the first time, the tournament’s opening match is a repeat from a prior edition as Mexico and South Africa faced each other 16 years ago in Johannesburg. It was a 1-1 draw that will forever be remembered for Siphiwe Tshabalala’s stunning goal that put Bafana Bafana ahead. Far away from the infamous noise of vuvuzelas, Mexico will seek a more favourable outcome at the very start of the inaugural 48-team World Cup. Stay tuned, as we examine several major talking points ahead of the big kick-off. Euphoria reaches fever pitch in Mexico City Very few cities in the world can match the atmosphere currently sweeping through Mexico City as fans count down the hours until Mexico’s World Cup opener against South Africa. Expectations are sky high as the most prestigious international tournament returns to Mexico for the first time since 1986. What’s the reason? El Tri reached the quarter-finals in both previous editions held in the country. However, the tournament arrives against the backdrop of a deepening political crisis in Mexico, with widespread opposition to President Claudia Sheinbaum continuing to fuel tensions across the city. Authorities and security forces remain on high alert, while the government has declared a ‘non-school’ day for the city’s schools, extendable to all three days on which Javier Aguirre’s men will play their matches. There’s more. Authorities have urged spectators to arrive at the stadium at least three hours before kick-off to avoid potential disruption, as up to seven demonstrations could take place in the surrounding area during the match. After all, would you expect anything less from football-mad Latin America? United States handed major fitness boost ahead of World Cup opener Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards could not have timed his return from injury any better. Out of action since suffering a fitness setback on May 17, the 26-year-old missed the United States’ two warm-up fixtures. Since Mauricio Pochettino’s side conceded at least twice in both those matches against Germany and Senegal, it’s fair to say that Richards’ recovery comes as a major boost for the USMNT ahead of their Friday opener. Despite casting doubt on his availability for the tournament after missing the UEFA Conference League final, Richards has shrugged off the problem to put himself at Pochettino’s disposal at the best possible moment. He will be in contention for Friday night’s showdown against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium after resuming full training on Tuesday, with the US looking to kick things off in Group D with a bang. Can Richards alone address the USMNT’s defensive woes? Probably not. However, Pochettino must be relieved to know Auston Trusty, Miles Robinson and Tim Ream are no longer his only centre-back options. Last-minute change for Canada Canada lost Arsenal academy graduate Marcelo Flores to injury on the eve of Friday night’s Group B curtain-raiser against Bosnia & Herzegovina, forcing Jesse Marsch to make a late change to his roster. With the Tigres UANL winger ruled out, Austin FC forward Jayden Nelson has made the cut right at the death despite being initially omitted by Marsch. Make no mistake, he could be just as lethal as Flores. Nelson has managed two goals in ten MLS outings this season and was also on the scoresheet in Canada’s 2-0 win over Uzbekistan in a friendly earlier in June. Ominously for the co-hosts, Flores’ withdrawal may not be the only personnel issue. OGC Nice star Moise Bombito is also at risk of pulling out of the squad, with the Canucks’ medical staff monitoring his condition on a daily basis. Bombito had been on the sidelines since October with a fractured leg before making a cameo appearance against Uzbekistan, only to limp off injured, handing Marsch another massive reason for concern. Agonisingly long added time on the horizon FIFA and UEFA have taken a united stand against time-wasting, one of football’s most persistent and frustrating problems. You don’t have to look beyond the insanely long periods of added time in the Premier League this season to understand the scale of the problem. While players may not relish the prospect of playing well beyond the 90-minute mark, the measure has become increasingly necessary. Set-piece routines and long throw-ins have become a common practice in modern football. Needless to say, that takes some time to set up, further reducing the active play. For perspective, in the 2024/25 Premier League season, games averaged 56 minutes and 59 seconds of ball in play. With that in mind, it’s hardly surprising to see double-digit added time come up on the fourth official’s board. Nothing will change this summer. In fact, fans can expect even stricter enforcement of added time, especially considering these trends have shown no signs of slowing down. Top football stories From World Cup Willie to Tip and Tap – a nostalgic nod to the era of lovably quirky mascots New Jersey to offer 770 free World Cup tickets for games at MetLife Stadium Mexico will be on fire if we win the World Cup Football Today features Spain boss provides encouraging Lamine Yamal update ahead of World Cup opener FIFA are seriously considering a 64-team tournament at the 2030 World Cup Neville backs Kane to become England’s and the Premier League’s greatest-ever goalscorer What to watch Group A’s opening fixture is Mexico’s to lose. Anything other than El Tri’s clear-cut victory would be a major upset. Even though these matches could be tricky, there’s no excuse. And frankly, Aguirre has run out of one long ago. After disappointing last-16 exits in 2002 and 2010, the 67-year-old has the chance to banish ghosts from the past and atone in what he has admitted will be his last World Cup. What better way to embark on this mission than by giving home fans an opener to celebrate?