Icons past and present look ahead to global spectacular, including Djorkaeff, Chiellini, Peralta and Lloris.
The FIFA World Cup 26™ will be the biggest edition of the tournament of all-time, with 48 teams set to compete in the Canada, Mexico and United States.
The greatest players on the planet are primed to battle it out for the sport’s top prize in front of vibrant, passionate crowds in spectacular stadiums across the 16 host cities.
Ahead of the global finals, FIFA has spoken to a host of football stars past and present about what will make this event special. Read a selection of their quotes below.
Youri Djorkaeff, France World Cup winner
“It’s the right time for the United States, Canada and Mexico, the right time for the entire continent of North America. They’re ready for football. In general, World Cups are the culmination of political and sporting commitment and are often the pinnacle of this strategy or vision. Here, we really have the sense that the World Cup in 2026 will be the starting point, the beginning of something.”
Gregg Berhalter, USA coach
“Fans coming to this World Cup should expect an amazing sporting event. The United States, Mexico and Canada are going to put on a tournament like no other, and it’s starting with facilities, the cities, the hospitality – in everything you can think about. The other thing is the collection of people that will come here. It’s really going to make for a special event, and the United States is great at doing things like this.”
“It’s so exciting that the World Cup is coming not just to Toronto, but to our stadium. For Canada as a whole, it’s just a wonderful opportunity – maybe a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. It would be just incredible [to play in Canada’s opening game in Toronto]. It’s actually hard to even imagine it right now but even just the idea is very, very motivating. It’s incredible to think about that becoming a reality, and I know how lucky I would feel to be part of an occasion like that.”
Oribe Peralta, former Mexico striker
“I think Mexico, along with Brazil, is the most passionate country about football, so it’s very special that the World Cup will take place here again. We will do everything it takes to be great hosts along with the USA and Canada. It’s going to be a great experience for those who get to know what Mexico has to offer. In Monterrey the specialty is a roasted goat kid, in Guadalajara you of course have tequila. Also, you can also go to a match and then three hours away you have one of the best beaches in Mexico in Puerto Vallarta. In Mexico City you have so much to explore with the food, the museums and the pyramids.”
Hugo Lloris, Los Angeles FC goalkeeper and France World Cup winner
“In terms of the infrastructure in the USA, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how widespread soccer actually is. There’s great expectation surrounding the game over here. I obviously don’t know what things were like before, but all the stadiums are packed to the rafters, the fans are always in good voice and there are plenty of supporters’ groups. I can also vouch for the fact that Los Angeles is very much a football city. The LAFC fans never stop singing. There’s a cracking atmosphere and a real buzz inside the stadium. I think it’ll be a really special World Cup.”
Giorgio Chiellini, Los Angeles FC player development coach and former Italy defender
“The World Cup is not that far away. LA is a city that’s really buzzing with sport and football in particular. People, particularly those of Latino culture, are playing more and more football in schools, so there’s a lot of enthusiasm around it and a lot of hype, both in the men’s and women’s game. It’s clearly a growing phenomenon and very nice to see.”
Alireza Jahanbakhsh, IR Iran winger
“I’ve been talking with the boys in the national team about how important it is we make it, because this World Cup is so unique. I will work day in, day out to achieve get there. In the US, the Iranian fanbase is really, really big. It’s the same in Canada actually. That’s so exciting. I’ve had Mexican team-mates too, and they really live football there. The atmosphere is going to be special.”
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks NBA legend
“I’m looking forward to Dallas being part of this World Cup and welcoming millions of people from all over the world. That will be an incredible experience. It will be incredible for the people of the US to see the passion of football fans.”
Tab Ramos, former USA midfielder
“I’m excited about what it [the World Cup] could do for soccer in the USA. For us, we were hoping that 1994 would be the World Cup that made soccer stick, and I think it did that. I’m hoping this is the one that closes the gap on the other big sports in the country.”
Gonzalo Pineda, former Mexico midfielder
“I’m very happy that Mexico were included in the World Cup because it has proven to be a fantastic country for football. Perhaps the two best footballers in the world [Pele and Maradona] before Messi won the trophy in our land in Estadio Azteca. I hope that we can be a good host as always for the World Cup. It’s going to be a very good festival for all soccer fans.”
Cobi Jones, former USA midfielder
“The fact we have three host countries makes this World Cup special. It will pull the whole region together. It’s an opportunity for the different federations to work together to make this the best World Cup ever. You’re also going to have fans going across borders to see different games and experience new cultures. It’s a cool dynamic. If it’s anything like this last World Cup [in 2022], we’re going to see another explosion within the United States. That’s what we see with every World Cup. With the US hosting, it will go to another level and if the US does well, that growth will accelerate. There is so much opportunity here.”
Victor Wanyama, Montreal and Kenya midfielder
“The passion for football has really, really grown in Canada. A lot of young people look up to the big stars in football. When the World Cup is here and they get to see those big stars, it will push them to play more, work hard, and try to get to the same heights. It can give the youth the belief that they can be on the same stage one day. It will be huge.”
Lorenzo Insigne, Toronto and Italy forward
“There’s so much passion here in Toronto and I’m sure they’ll do a great job of hosting the World Cup. MLS is growing fast and the World Cup will definitely bring more visibility. I’m sure the people here will create a great vibe for such a big event.”
Stephane Chapuisat, former Switzerland striker
“What I can see from a distance is super stadiums and football that is slowly but surely getting there and establishing itself. You have incredible players in the USA like Messi, which is great for the game over there, and they are getting good crowds. Maybe it took longer than expected after the World Cup in 1994, but I reckon the excitement ahead of 2026 will be bigger than back then.”
Heimir Hallgrimsson, Jamaica coach
“This event is the one everyone has their eye on. It will be the biggest World Cup in history, I would say. If we do make it, there’s a big diaspora of Jamaicans in the US, so we should be painting the stadiums yellow!”
