Isha Sharma
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, also known as FIFA World Cup 26, will be the 23rd edition of the tournament.
It is the international men’s soccer championship held every four years, with national teams from FIFA member countries competing.
This tournament will run from June 11 to July 19, 2026, and will be hosted by 16 cities across three North American countries: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
It will be the first World Cup hosted by three nations and the first in North America since 1994. Argentina will enter the tournament as the defending champion
In the latest 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, South American giants Brazil and Argentina both faced unexpected defeats.
Brazil, five-time World Cup champions, suffered a narrow 1-0 loss to Paraguay, marking their fourth defeat in five qualifying games.
Inter Miami’s Diego Gomez scored the sole goal for Paraguay after 20 minutes, while Brazil struggled to create any chances, failing to register a shot on target during the first half.
Despite starting with star players such as Alisson Becker, Bruno Guimaraes, and Rodrygo, Brazil remains fifth in the qualification table with just three wins out of eight matches.
Manager Dorival Jr., appointed in January, faces mounting pressure following their Copa America exit in the quarter-finals.
Brazil’s Struggles Continue
Brazil’s current performance reflects a team in transition, with manager Dorival Jr. still figuring out the best playing style.
Defender Marquinhos admitted that confidence is lacking as new players integrate into the squad.
“We are in a difficult phase, but we have to work harder to change our fortunes,” he told Brazilian media.
Argentina Defeated by Colombia
Meanwhile, Argentina, without Lionel Messi, was defeated 2-1 by Colombia in a dramatic match.
Colombia avenged their loss in the recent Copa America final, with veteran midfielder James Rodriguez scoring the winning penalty in the 60th minute.
Argentina, despite dominating much of the game, now faces stiffer competition as they aim to secure their spot in the World Cup.
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