One hundred days until the start of the World Cup: a chance to follow ninety days of excitement
With just 100 days to go until the start of the world’s biggest sporting event, the entire world is turning its attention to the FIFA World Cup, which this year will feature a record 48 teams. This increase in the number of participating teams opens up a wider horizon for football fans around the globe, offering a high level of competition between teams from different continents with varying levels of experience and skill. This competition will highlight unexpected success stories, surprises from teams that may not be considered traditional favorites, and the challenges posed by the giants of the game.
It is noteworthy that the shortened countdown and rapid progress of the tournament pave the way for a convergence of emotions among fans and supporters, who will eagerly follow the teams’ visits to the stadiums. FIFA’s decision to host the tournament in three different countries – the United States, Canada, and Mexico – is a testament to football’s role in uniting people across entire continents through this universal language.
As a result of the competitive atmosphere and the large number of participating teams, the World Cup reinforces its role as an event that unites the largest number of fans and gives them wider opportunities to support their favorite teams. These final days are witnessing intensive preparations by players and coaches who are striving to translate their performances in the regional qualifiers into the World Cup finals.
The next 90 days present both challenges and opportunities: they will not only test the readiness of the national teams, but also gauge the impact of fan support on morale and victories, particularly for teams with large fan bases. This period is a crucial prelude for anyone aspiring to witness genuine competition in world football.
World Cup 2026 teams to support: Stars and unmissable opportunities
The list of participating teams includes 12 teams whose opportunities to refine and deliver outstanding performances during the 2026 World Cup stand out. These teams, whether they are giants of the game or teams with a story of success or challenge, provide vivid examples of how football can become a platform for excellence and excitement.
The most prominent of these teams comes from South America, where Argentina, the defending champions, are striving to retain their title, relying on the experience of their coach, Lionel Scoloni, and their legendary player, Lionel Messi, despite his advancing age. In addition, Brazil, the most decorated nation in World Cup history, is preparing to end its nearly quarter-century drought of a World Cup title under the legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti, who aspires to restore the Seleção to its former glory.
On the American side, the Canadian team offers promising potential, hoping to achieve more than just participating in the tournament. Led by coach Jesse Marsch, they boast stars like Alphonso Davis and Jonathan David, who can compete with the continent’s elite and perhaps even advance beyond the group stage.
In Europe, there are strong and experienced teams like England under coach Thomas Tuchel, France with stars Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembélé, and Spain, brimming with promising young talents who could deliver outstanding performances in upcoming matches. There’s also Portugal, led by Roberto Martínez and Cristiano Ronaldo, who is trying to write a different story in his final World Cup campaign.
These 12 teams are headline stories that entice fans to follow the World Cup finals, which will combine high skills and ambitious goals.
Curaçao: The story of a national team that needs support to make history in the World Cup.
The participation of the Curaçao national team in the 2026 World Cup has captured everyone’s attention. It’s an extraordinary story of a geographically small country with a population of only about 185,000. Curaçao’s qualification for the World Cup makes it the smallest country in terms of both population and area to ever reach this major global event, lending its participation an exceptional character and boundless pride for football fans.
The team, making its World Cup debut, will face tough challenges, including matches against teams like Germany, one of the most prestigious clubs and four-time World Cup champions, as well as Ecuador, which only adds to the difficulty of their task. However, simply qualifying is an achievement with enormous positive implications for Curaçao, both in terms of developing national football and in attracting fan support that can motivate the young players.
The national team has also recently faced poignant circumstances that perfectly illustrate how football is not just a game, but a lifestyle and a psychological force. The sudden resignation of coach Dick Advocaat, who led the team after a long and distinguished career, to care for his ailing son, demonstrates how personal life can intersect with the pressures of football.
The spotlight on the Curaçao national team in this World Cup is an opportunity to introduce the world to a different story from the big teams that often dominate the conversation. Here, football emerges as a symbol of victory and sportsmanship, regardless of potential or resources.
The role of fans in creating an exciting atmosphere during the 2026 World Cup
The importance of fans at the World Cup extends beyond simply supporting their teams; it encompasses creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm and competition that elevates player performance. The applause and fervent cheers in the stands send a powerful message to each player that there is a public that trusts them and believes in their abilities, thus increasing their chances of achieving victory.
For example, the stadium in New York, New Jersey, which will host the final match, attracts fans from all over the world, creating an atmosphere rich in cultural diversity and unity through football. This experience is like a global celebration, emphasizing that the World Cup is not just a sporting event but a cultural festival that brings together families and friends from all over the world.
Encouragement from Arab communities, in particular, is a key factor in supporting the participating Arab teams. Everyone eagerly anticipates the performance of teams like Morocco and Egypt, among others, reflecting the connection of millions of fans to the World Cup matches through television or in person. Thanks to technology, fans can easily follow their national team’s matches through platforms such as Watch the World Cup In a direct and professional manner.
This special relationship between fans and national teams gives the player an extra incentive and cannot be measured in words, making cheering one of the greatest weapons of confrontation in the world of football.
Preparations and technical and organizational challenges for the 48-team World Cup
The new format of the World Cup differs from previous editions, which featured only 32 teams, by including 48 teams. This expansion of the tournament presented organizational challenges, not least of which was distributing matches across three different countries and coordinating schedules to accommodate geographical and travel distances between different cities.
Complex arrangements are in place to provide the infrastructure necessary for the smooth movement of teams and fans, while maintaining a high level of safety and comfort in the stadiums. For example, the 16 host cities will be located relatively close to one another, ensuring genuine competition in every qualifying and knockout stage.
At the television broadcasting level, FIFA revealed a collaboration with FOX and FS1 channels to broadcast 104 live matches, including 40 matches during prime time, which will ensure high viewership rates around the world, in addition to providing the possibility of broadcasting via electronic applications that will enable everyone to follow all the movements of their favorite teams in real time.
The biggest challenge lies in how to ensure the tournament runs smoothly without technical problems. With so many teams, difficulties may arise in transportation and daily coordination, requiring full cooperation between the host countries and FIFA to ensure an event worthy of the prestige and importance of the World Cup.
