Mexico, USA and Canada make most of home advantage at World Cup

PARIS: The three host nations of the 2026 FIFA World Cup have all enjoyed strong runs in the tournament, with Mexico and the United States pushing toward potentially matching or improving some of their best performances, while Canada have already broken new ground.

Home support and familiarity with conditions have helped the co-hosts thrive in a tournament spread across three countries and 17 cities, even as other teams have found the expanded event demanding.

Mexico build momentum on home soil

Mexico have already ended a four-decade wait for a win in the knockout phase after defeating Ecuador to reach the last 16. Javier Aguirre's team had earlier advanced smoothly through the group stage with victories over South Africa, South Korea and the Czech Republic.

Mexico's first-half display against Ecuador served as a warning ahead of their meeting with England on Sunday. Ecuador had beaten Germany in the group stage and finished second to Argentina in South American qualifying.

Julian Quinones has emerged as one of Mexico's standout performers, scoring three goals in four matches. Veteran forward Raul Jimenez also marked the opening game of the tournament by scoring his first World Cup goal, after which he was reported to have broken down in tears.

Aguirre, now in his third stint as coach, is seeking to take Mexico into the quarter-finals, something he did not manage in 2002 or 2010. Reaching the last eight would equal the country's best World Cup showing, achieved at home in 1970 and 1986.

After celebrations involving around one million people in Mexico City following the Ecuador win, Aguirre said the team's progress reflected both their performances and bond with supporters.

“I can tell you that this team deserves what is happening,” he said after a reported one million people took to the streets of Mexico City to celebrate the win over Ecuador. “This big connection with the fans and playing the World Cup”, he stated.

United States draw record audience

Any concern that the United States might fail to capture public attention at its home World Cup has, been dispelled by Mauricio Pochettino's side.

The Americans opened with a 4-1 win over Paraguay, a team that later went on to knock out Germany and reach the last 16. Their round-of-32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina, by a score of 2-0, became the most-watched football match in US television history, averaging 33.5 million viewers across all networks.

Pochettino has successfully brought his high-energy, attack-minded approach from club football into the international game. Folarin Balogun has been among the USA's leading performers, scoring three goals in the tournament, although he was sent off against Bosnia.

Even with Balogun suspended, the United States are set to face Belgium in the last 16 with hopes of reaching the quarter-finals for only the second time.

Canada reach new heights

Canada have already secured their best-ever World Cup campaign by reaching the knockout rounds for the first time. They did so emphatically by routing Qatar 6-0 and then finishing second in Group B behind Switzerland.

That placing meant Canada moved to the United States for the remainder of the tournament. Their first knockout-stage victory then followed in Los Angeles, where Stephen Eustaquio scored late to seal a win over South Africa.

Canada now face a sterner challenge against Morocco in Houston on Saturday. Morocco as highly fancied and noted that coach Jesse Marsch had praised his players for what they had already achieved.

Marsch, an American, said his squad were already deserving of acclaim for reaching this stage and described the match against the 2022 semi-finalists as an opportunity to chase another notable result without pressure.

Outspoken American Marsch has branded his team “ Canadian heroes ” just for making it this far and said taking on the 2022 semi-finalists was a “free hit” at more glory.