Lionel Messi, widely considered one of the greatest soccer players of all time, had a performance for the ages during the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This was an emotional departure for him, as he exited the global arena. In a jaw dropping, earth shaking, incredible match last night, Messi scored two for Argentina! Fans will always have incredible moments from his decorated career. Following the victory, Messi celebrated by kissing the World Cup trophy after receiving the prestigious Golden Ball award for his outstanding contributions during the tournament.
Messi’s remarkable run in international soccer has the football community buzzing. In the background, though, everyone is preparing for the exciting new qualification process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Different races make for interesting drama. Other teams are still jockeying hard for position. The anticipation is already building as nations prepare for the tournament, starting in Mexico City on June 11, 2026 and concluding with the championship game in New Jersey on July 19.
Messi’s World Cup Triumph
Argentina’s win in the 2022 World Cup was a dream come true for Messi and his fellow teammates. As the players battled heroically in a fierce tournament to capture the championship title, Argentina carved its name in football immortality. Messi’s performance earned him the Golden Ball award, recognizing him as the tournament’s best player.
Messi didn’t leave his World Cup career with any questions unanswered, scoring a double on his last dance at the Cup. The emotional gravity of this goodbye hit home for fans and teammates as they toasted their championship together.
“It’s the biggest, probably the biggest event in sports, I guess.” – Donald Trump
Beyond the dwarfed realities, the FIFA World Cup is still a magnificent event that brings joy and excitement to millions across the globe. As Messi writes his final chapter, so too does the focus now shift to upcoming tournaments and the stars that will lead soccer forward.
Qualification for 2026 World Cup
The U.S. qualification process for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is currently underway. In fact, three South American teams have already booked their tickets! Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Colombia—six out of ten teams—have qualified, displaying the highest level of world football.
Yet even as the European qualifiers have settled their future reps, it’s not done for the land of Michel Platini. And with 16 iterations of the Zone possible out of 54 qualifying teams, none of those berths are set in stone just yet. This increases the pressure for competition between European countries as they attempt to put themselves in the shoes of those nations that have already qualified.
Additionally, New Zealand has emerged as a representative from Oceania, further diversifying the lineup of nations heading to the World Cup.
Upcoming Excitement and Events
With Donald Trump’s confirmation that the 2026 FIFA World Cup will have its draw on December 5, anticipation starts to build toward that tournament. Today’s announcement should provide teams and fans certainty at least as to their 2023 matchups. The three host nations—Canada, Mexico, and the United States—each automatically qualify for the tournament. This decision makes this technical innovation, this historic event even more exciting!
FIFA World Cup™ fans across the globe look forward to hearing all about qualification and preparations. They are hoping to create a truly memorable World Cup journey all over North America.
