We would nonetheless be one 12 months out from the 2026 World Cup, however FIFA president Gianni Infantino is already feeling the vitality from sheer anticipation of the world’s largest match coming to Canada, Mexico and the USA subsequent summer season.
“Soccer or soccer is conquering America,” Infantino advised FOX Sports activities’ Alexi Lalas throughout FOX’s “FIFA World Cup 26: One 12 months To Go” celebration in Miami on Friday. “Will probably be a terrific celebration. Thousands and thousands of followers will have a good time within the 16 host cities, within the stadiums but in addition within the fan festivals in every single place.
“We are going to flip the nation the wrong way up, after which again up and again down.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino on 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA Membership World Cup & extra | FOX Soccer
To date, 13 nations have punched their tickets to the 2026 World Cup, together with the three co-hosts, all of which robotically certified. Of the ten nations that certified by way of competing in group play, two — Uzbekistan and Jordan — can be making their first-ever look, thanks largely to the brand new 48-team format.
“The emotion is strictly the identical whether or not you’re Argentina, a world champion, or Uzbekistan or Jordan,” Infantino mentioned. “That is what we would like everywhere in the world. It’s a giant emotion.”
Earlier than the 2026 World Cup subsequent summer season, FIFA will host the revamped Membership World Cup in the USA.
“One month, the most effective gamers on the earth, the most effective golf equipment on the earth, to find out who would be the actual world championship for golf equipment,” Infantino mentioned. “Not solely nationwide groups, however golf equipment. It’s about time somebody created a brand new Membership World Cup, proper?”
The match’s opening match between Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly FC will happen on Saturday at Arduous Rock Stadium in Miami.
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