For the first time ever, the FIFA World Cup will be held across three nations. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are on co-hosting duties, and while none of them will realistically be hoisting the trophy aloft at the MetLife Stadium come July, each arrives with their own targets and expectations.
Before diving into the FIFA World Cup match odds to find value across all three nations with your betting offers, let’s take a realistic look at what success actually looks like for each host.
USMNT: Pochettino’s moment of opportunity
The United States head into the tournament under Mauricio Pochettino, a manager whose profile has rarely been far from Premier League speculation since he took the job. Whether those constant links back to former club Tottenham Hotspur prove to be a distraction remains to be seen, but the USMNT arrive in decent shape.
The US have reached the round of 16 in three of the last four World Cups, with the 2018 edition the exception, given they did not qualify. Their group draw has been kind, with Paraguay, Australia, and a third side still to be confirmed at the time of writing. Ranked 15th in the world and as the top seed in their group, the expanded format works in their favour too.
With a round of 32 now in place and a number of third-placed sides progressing, reaching the first knockout round feels like a minimum requirement. Anything beyond the round of 16 would be a genuine achievement.
Mexico: Redemption after Qatar
Mexico set the benchmark among these three nations at the World Cup. El Tri reached the round of 16 at every tournament from 1994 to 2018 before a disappointing group stage exit in Qatar ended that remarkable run. The pressure to bounce back on home soil is enormous.
Ranked 16th in the world, one place behind the US, Mexico face South Korea (22nd) and South Africa as their most significant group challengers. South Africa return to the World Cup for the first time since they hosted in 2010 and, ranked 60th, will not be taken lightly.
Mexico should navigate the groups, however, and realistically are targeting a similar trajectory to the United States. A round of 16 exit would represent a recovery from Qatar. Anything more would be cause for celebration.
Canada: History in the making
Canada are making just their third ever World Cup appearance, and for the first time in their history, they will appear at back-to-back tournaments, having qualified for Qatar four years ago after an absence stretching back to Mexico 1986. The co-hosts arrive with genuine optimism but also a significant obstacle: unlike their fellow hosts, they are not the top-ranked side in their group.
That honour belongs to Switzerland, who sit 11 places above Canada at 18th in the world. Qatar are 56th, however, giving Canada a strong platform to progress. Making it out of the group stage for the first time in their history is the realistic and exciting target.
So much of Canada’s potential rests on Alphonso Davies. The Bayern Munich star is their talisman, but his injury record is a growing concern. He missed recent friendlies after yet another setback, and Jesse Marsch will be hoping his star man arrives in North America fit and firing. If Davies is not available, Canada will need answers elsewhere, and quickly.
—
Three hosts, three different sets of expectations. The United States and Mexico are chasing knockout runs, Canada are chasing history. All three have the potential to deliver something meaningful for their supporters on the biggest stage the sport has to offer.
