“The mood around England was great last year as they won all eight World Cup qualifiers without conceding a single goal. But they were poor in both home friendlies last month, showing how lost they look without Harry Kane. With 50 days to go until this summer’s tournament kicks off, you can hear expectations being gently recalibrated… …”
NY Times/The Athletic
“The 2026 World Cup is 50 days away. After nearly eight years of planning and promise, a tournament that could help shape American soccer for decades is near. And among the many questions looming over it is: Will the U.S. men’s national team meet the moment? Broader controversies and business machinations are currently dominating headlines. But once the games begin, no single entity will have a bigger impact on this World Cup’s American legacy than the USMNT. And with the countdown on, signals are mixed. Two March losses dampened momentum. Some key players are starring, but others are faltering as their time in the spotlight approaches. The following is a look at the state of the USMNT with 50 days to go. …”
NY Times/The Athletic
“Fifty days out from the World Cup, France are in ominously impressive form and will go into the tournament as one of the favourites to lift the trophy. After a curious Euro 2024, where Les Bleus went out in the semi-finals having scored only three goals from open play (two of which were own goals), head coach Didier Deschamps used the subsequent Nations League campaign to recalibrate his misfiring attack. Set out in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Michael Olise at No 10, France reached the Nations League semi-finals, where they lost 5-4 to Spain in a madcap game in Stuttgart, before cruising through World Cup qualifying and taking 16 points from a possible 18. …”
NY Times/The Athletic
“It’s not just that the first men’s World Cup game in Canada is around the corner. A potential landscape-altering sporting event for the nation will begin in 50 days. Unlike the other 2026 World Cup co-hosts, Canada has never been in this position. What could happen with a strong performance on home soil? Domestically, soccer could end up joining mainstream consciousness the way it did in the United States after the 1994 World Cup. …”
NY Times/The Athletic
“With 50 days to go until the World Cup, European champions Spain are comfortable with being one of the favourites. Yet manager Luis de la Fuente still has some interesting selection decisions to make before finalising his squad — and picking his starting XI for the opener against Cape Verde on June 15. From the outside, all seems serene for the world’s No 2-ranked team. Is this the case? …”
NY Times/The Athletic
“Germany are 50 days away from what they hope will be redemption. Since winning the World Cup in 2014, they have twice failed to emerge from their group — falling at the first hurdle in 2018 and 2022 — but are among the favourites for 2026. An encouraging showing at the 2024 European Championship, where they reached the quarter-final, was seen as progress. However, in the two years since, the country’s optimism has risen and fallen in response to capricious form. What does Germany expect? Nobody’s quite sure. …”
NY Times/The Athletic
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