The 2026 World Cup is still over a year away, but anticipation for the global showpiece will only increase as we inch closer to kick off.
With that in mind we look at some key World Cup talking points, starting with an eye-catching managerial appointment for one of the host nations.
US Appoint Former Chelsea Manager
The United States (US) will host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.
They have already started taking measures to ensure a hitch-free tournament, but their most intriguing move has come in the managerial hot seat.
After a disappointing 2024 Copa America display, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) parted ways with Gregg Berhalter and appointed Mauricio Pochettino as his successor.
The USSF initially launched an audacious move for former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, but he rejected their approach, forcing them to switch targets.
They subsequently pounced on the opportunity to secure Pochettino’s services shortly after he cut ties with Chelsea at the end of the previous Premier League season.
Landing Pochettino’s signature could turn out to be the US’ most significant move in the build-up to the World Cup, especially after their awful displays at the Copa America.
Under Berhalter’s leadership, the US failed to advance to the knockout phase after winning just one of their three group-stage games.
Their below par performances marked the end of Berhalter’s six-year tenure, but the US will feel fairly confident of reaching the latter stages of the World Cup with Pochettino in the dugout.
Ireland Struggling to Turn Things Around
The Republic of Ireland are getting run over at every turn in the 2024 Nations League, and their performances suggest they are far from ready for the World Cup qualifiers.
Ireland have lost three of their four games in the tournament, claiming a solitary 2-1 victory over fellow European minnows Finland in Helsinki.
Despite switching managers following an awful 2024 European Championship qualifying campaign, Ireland have struggled to turn their fortunes around.
Heimir Hallgrimsson’s appointment was met with scepticism among Irish supporters, but his exploits in previous jobs suggested he could be the man to restore Ireland’s hopes.
However, it hasn’t quite turned out that way, with the new manager struggling to get a tune out of a fairly youthful and talented Irish squad.
Ireland’s current performances struggle to inspire confidence, and sports bettors may not want to risk placing wagers on the team during the qualifiers.
If they somehow defy the odds to qualify for the World Cup, Irish betting sites will offer a variety of promotions and markets tailored specifically for the tournament.
However, unless Hallgrimsson masterminds a massive turnaround, Ireland’s chances of participating in the showpiece are slim at best.
Hallgrimsson has been lauded for his previous exploits with Iceland, propelling them to major tournaments and claiming historic scalps.
He needs to find a way to replicate that success with Ireland or the Irish Football Association may once again be in the market for a new manager.
Read also: Injury Prevention and Coverage: The Role of Sports Insurance in Athlete Health
England Facing Managerial Dilemma as Lee Carsley Fails to Impress
England’s Nations League campaign has been dominated by talk surrounding Gareth Southgate’s potential replacement.
The Football Association (FA) are reportedly open to working with a foreign manager, which has sparked plenty of rumours, but there is yet to be any concrete progress on that front.
The FA have tasked Lee Carsley with taking charge of the Three Lions until the end of the year. He has won three of his four games in charge.
Rumours have linked Carsley with taking the role on a permanent basis, but the Birmingham-born Irish manager has refrained from staking a strong claim on the job.
Reports suggest that the FA’s dream appointment would be Pep Guardiola, who is expected to leave Manchester City when his contract runs out next summer.
However, playing the waiting game with Guardiola means they will have to appoint an interim manager to take charge of the World Cup qualifiers in March next year.
The situation is a bit tricky considering Guardiola could still be convinced to extend his stay at the Etihad Stadium for one more year, given his close ties with Man City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
Guardiola would undoubtedly be a game-changing acquisition if England could pull it off, but the uncertainty surrounding his future puts them at a disadvantage.
They may need to consider other options, with Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe and former Chelsea managers Graham Potter and Thomas Tuchel also on their radar.
