We are less than two weeks away from the World Cup starting across three different countries in North America, and the pressure is on for the trio of Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
As the hosts finish up their warm-up matches this upcoming weekend before preparing for their group openers, here’s my current confidence level for each nation heading into the tournament.
More news: Ranking the Importance of the USMNT’s World Cup Group Stage Games
Canada: 6/10
The Canada team is good, but not great, and maybe not as polished as the one that went to Qatar four years ago.
They’re in a winnable group like the other hosts, but Switzerland, led by youngster Johan Manzambi and Nottingham Forest winger Dan Ndoye, should be the favorites in Group B.
Qatar and Bosnia & Herzegovina are games Canada should be favored to win, but if they finish second in the group, it might mean a date with Mexico in Los Angeles for the Round of 32.
Expectations should be Ro32, with a chance of making the top 16 if they topple the group or get a favorable matchup at SoFi Stadium.
United States of America: 7/10
While I think the U.S. team arguably has the best squad of any nation in terms of talent, they also seem to have the most difficult road.
Türkiye is equal to, or maybe even better than, Switzerland, with true superstar players to watch out for, such as Arda Güler of Real Madrid. If they don’t grab first and Türkiye does, the U.S. are looking at an Iran or Egypt Ro32 match that isn’t a walkover, and then most likely Argentina in the next round.
For the Americans to have any hope of reaching their goal of a quarterfinal or beyond, it almost feels paramount for them to top Group D and beat Türkiye. And while that’s doable and will probably be the most even match of the group, I don’t know if you’d even say the U.S. is a favorite on home soil in that game.
Mexico: 8/10
Do I love this Mexican roster?
Not really.
Do I love the path that Mexico has staring them in the face?
Absolutely.
Mexico has a group they should certainly win, along with Czechia, South Africa, and South Korea. Unlike Canada and the U.S., Czechia’s opposition is nowhere near as strong as that of Switzerland or Türkiye.
If they win Group A, they face a third-placed team in the Round of 32 before likely taking on England or Croatia for a shot at the quarterfinals. While England might be tougher than Belgium (the U.S.’s probable Ro16 opponent if they finish first) or Portugal (Canada’s), their path to getting there is far simpler.
I wouldn’t be surprised if, on home soil, this Mexico team rips off four victories in a row before having England walk into the lion’s den that will be Estadio Azteca in the biggest Mexican soccer game in decades.
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