Every World Cup comes with a mix of hopes, dreams, and – if we are being honest – some highly unlikely scenarios that fans cling to for the fun of it.
That’s not to say that the tournament cannot spring up the unthinkable, especially with more teams and more matches than ever before.
The most outlandish scenarios are the ones we enjoy daydreaming about – such as England winning the World Cup for the first time in 60 years.
With that in mind, here are three things that would shock everyone if they happened at the 2026 showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Evan Ferguson Bags the Golden Boot
There could be a world where talented Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson keeps global superstars Erling Braut Haaland and Kylian Mbappe in his shadow.
The Republic of Ireland international has shown glimpses of his vast potential at the Amex Stadium, but injuries have derailed his development.
He has struggled to get his once-promising career back on track, but if Ireland make it to the World Cup, he’d be trusted to lead the line for them.
The 20-year-old is blessed with pace, power and predatory instincts, but expecting him to light up the World Cup is like betting on Ireland to hit tropical temperatures in December.
Even the most optimistic Irish fans know it’s a long shot, and betting platforms in the Emerald Isle share a similar opinion judging by the striker’s odds of winning the Golden Boot.
Leading online betting sites in Ireland have placed him far behind the more prominent superstars, and it is impossible to argue with their viewpoint.
Ferguson would not be surrounded by world-class playmakers who repeatedly create big chances for him to score, which would impact his odds of an unlikely success.
Judging by Ireland’s their recent form and results, going shoulder-to-shoulder with the global elites at the World Cup may ultimately be nothing but a pipe dream.
England’s Eternal Quest for Glory Ends in World Cup Success
England are one of the bookmakers’ favourites, but betting on them to lift the World Cup trophy could be football’s equivalent of waiting for a bus that never comes.
England fans have been waiting for the Three Lions to win a major trophy for so long that the phrase ‘It’s Coming Home’ has practically become a national mantra.
Despite boasting plenty of quality in their squad, England keep finding ways to come up short on the biggest stage, losing back-to-back European Championship finals against Italy and Spain.
English fans have grown accustomed to finishing second best, but Thomas Tuchel’s appointment as manager could be game-changing for the Three Lions.
Despite his impressive resume, his appointment has split the nation down the middle, epitomising everything wrong with their footballing culture.
Tuchel is a tactical mastermind who has won trophies since his days at Borussia Dortmund. He continued that tradition in England, leading Chelsea to their second Champions League success.
But this is England at the World Cup. In many ways, it is an unbreakable curse – or at least that’s how it feels. England’s track record in recent tournaments has been frustrating.
Tuchel is a breath of fresh air from former boss Gareth Southgate, but it will still take something truly remarkable for him to lead the Three Lions to glory in North America.
Canada and Mexico Steal the Show from Pochettino’s US Team
The US, Canada and Mexico will co-host the biggest edition of the World Cup to date, so the pressure is on all three teams to perform.
When you think about the three host nations, the US is the logical candidate for the deepest World Cup run under new manager Mauricio Pochettino.
They have a hugely talented squad, plenty of support from the fans and have now appointed a manager who is renowned for getting the best out of his players.
The US should be aiming for at least a quarter-final berth, if not more. But imagine a scenario where Canada and Mexico steal the show and leave the US in their shadow.
Canada may lack the football pedigree of their neighbours, but they can also boast a couple of standout players who will be key to realising their ambitions.
The Canadians have plenty of spirit, and while they may not make it all the way, it’s easy to see them surprise a few teams along the way.
Mexico are more familiar with the World Cup and have even advanced to the knockout stage a couple of times, so they cannot be underestimated on home turf.
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