The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to draw ever closer, with the recent international break allowing teams one final chance to assess players before fine-tuning their squads for this summer’s showdown. Tournament favorites Spain looked in fine fettle in their preparations, handily dispatching Serbia 3-0 in Villarreal courtesy of a brace from Mikel Oyarzabal. Back-to-back finalists France also continued their preparations by beating Brazil in Boston, with goals from Kylian Mbappe and Hugo Ekitike enough to seal a 2-1 win.
But while the frontrunners for World Cup glory were looking imperious, it was a different story entirely for the tournament’s three co-hosts: The United States, Mexico, and Canada. None of the three hosting countries were able to pick up a win in their recent friendlies, setting alarm bells ringing for some just three months out from opening night. While the Mexicans picked up a solid goalless draw at home to heavyweights Portugal, both the US and Canada were less than impressive.
So, how are both the USMNT and the Maple Leafs gearing up ahead of hosting the World Cup, and crucially, is there cause for concern? Let’s take a look.
Belgium Put Five Past the US in Atlanta
Online betting sites consider the United States the most likely co-host to win the World Cup this summer. The latest soccer odds from Ozoon Sports betting site currently list them as a +6600 shot, with Mexico out at +8000 and Canada even longer than that. However, their recent clash against Belgium at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta proved that there is plenty of work to do for manager Mauricio Pochettino.
The former Paris Saint-Germain manager started arguably his strongest side for the clash against the Red Devils, with each of Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun, and Johnny Cardoso in the starting lineup. And it looked as though the Stars and Stripes were more than a match for their European opponents when McKennie gave the hosts a 39th-minute lead. The Belgians struck back on the stroke of halftime after a thunderous strike from Zeno Debast drew the visitors level, and from there, they never looked back.
Two goals in six minutes from Amadou Onana and Charles De Ketelaere gave the Belgians a 3-1 lead by the hour mark, before Dodi Lukebakio made it 4-1 eight minutes later. The Benfica man added his second and Belgium’s fifth eight minutes from full time, with a late consolation goal from Patrick Agyemang rounding out a disappointing 5-2 defeat.
For the Americans, the defeat will serve as an almighty wake-up call at just how far behind their European counterparts they truly are. The USMNT is expected to top Group D this summer, ahead of Paraguay, Australia, and a European qualifier, likely Türkiye. If they do that, then they are likely to face Belgium again in the Round of 16, before potentially embarking upon a crunch quarterfinal against World Cup favorites Spain. They will have to improve quickly in order to have any hope of ever making it that far.
Jonathan David Spares Canada’s Blushes
Canada looked to be en route to a disastrous result of their own when they faced off against Iceland at BMO Field in Toronto. With stars Jonathan David and Tajon Buchanan in the starting lineup, the Maple Leafs were expected to have a dominant home victory against an Icelandic outfit that didn’t qualify for the World Cup. However, those plans were in jeopardy after just 21 minutes when a brace from Real Sociedad’s Orri Oskarsson left the hosts 2-0 down.
Throughout the second half, Canada would attempt to get back into the game, and the introductions of Jonathan Osorio and Daniel Jebbison paid immediate dividends. Minutes after they were introduced, the Maple Leafs were awarded a penalty when Buchanan was felled by Mikael Ellertson in the penalty area.
David would keep his cool, slotting home from the spot to reduce the deficit. Seven minutes later, Jebbison was brought into the box, and the referee pointed to the spot again. Once more, the Juventus striker would strike home, leveling at 2-2. Throughout the final ten minutes, the hosts piled forward in their search for a winner, but a late red card for Buchanan took the wind out of their sails, and Canada were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw.
Manager Jesse Marsch will have been happy with how his side rallied back from 2-0 down, but if they concede twice early against the likes of Switzerland at the World Cup, the road back to level-pegging will be far more arduous than it was against Iceland. And that’s not the only concern.
Marsch is currently sweating over the fitness of his talismanic left back, Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich man is without a doubt the jewel in the Canadian crown, but he is currently nursing a hamstring injury, yet another setback throughout an injury-hit couple of years in Bavaria. He needs to be fit and firing for Canada to have any hope of progressing out of Group B.
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