The 2026 World Cup is already producing crazy quirks and hilarious headlines – with the co-host trio of Canada, Mexico and the USA leading the way.

The USMNT have a star striker who gained citizenship by pure coincidence, while the American and Canadian tournament mascots have inspired a Peruvian drug bust and a Mexican duck wearing a national team shirt has gone viral across the world.

Meanwhile, Algeria have begun a love affair with the people of host state Kansas, who have completely thrown their support behind the team, while Scotland are BBQing with AirBnB hosts in Boston and South Korean fans are forging a tequila-based bond in Mexico City.

Plus: Cape Verde stun the football world against Spain, Brazil and Mexico contest the ‘Non-European European Border Derby’, Australia’s refugee strikeforce make a flying start and Algeria top the ‘World Cup Sleep Tax’ table.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

00:50 – Cape Verde’s heroics

04:45 – Curious citizenships

10:20 – Glorious geography

14:10 – Strange statistics

20:26 – Beautiful bonds

25:40 – Amazing animals

Uzbekistan are on the cusp of making their long-awaited World Cup bow.

With former Ballon d’Or winner Fabio Cannavaro at the helm, the former Soviet republic is about to become the first Central Asian country and the first double-landlocked nation to take part in the greatest show on earth.

But what else do you need to know about the White Wolves before they have even kicked a ball in North America?

In the final episode of our four-part series on the 2026 World Cup debutants, it is all about Uzbekistan, who have shed their decades-long nearly-men tag and arguably boast the best chances of any of the newcomers to the competition.

Plus, DR Congo’s preparations are disrupted by the Ebola outbreak and Bosnia bring the largest coffee pot on the planet to North America.

Join our Curaçao v Germany watch-along on Sunday 14 June at 6pm UK time here.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

01:45 – The coach: Cannavaro’s playing pedigree

04:00 – The players: Khusanov the star man

08:45 – Qualifying: Nearly men no more

11:09 – Group: Portugal, Colombia & DR Congo

13:16 – DR Congo: Ebola outbreak at home

16:44 – Bosnia: The world’s largest coffee pot

Jordan are at the World Cup finals for the first time ever!

Led by coach Jamal Sellami in the dugout and captain Musa Al-Taamari on the pitch – who do not appear to agree when it comes to tactics – Jordan are set to become the country with the lowest land point to ever play at the finals.

But what else do you need to know about the wonderfully nicknamed Chivalrous Ones ahead of their opening match?

In the third instalment of our four-part series on the 2026 World Cup debutants, we’re turning our attentions to Jordan, who are known for their culinary goal celebrations and seemingly missed the memo for the group-stage draw...

Plus, Panama’s decision to hold an opening training session completely backfires and Norway go full-Viking with their pre-tournament team photo.

Join our Curaçao v Germany watchalong on Sunday 14 June at 6pm UK time here.

Chapters:

00:00 – Intro

01:45 – The coach: Naturalised citizen Sellami

04:30 – The players: Mutinous captain Al-Taamari

10:40 – Qualifying: Sweet revenge on Iraq

13:05 – Group: Algeria, Argentina & Austria

16:12 – Panama: An opening training session to forget

19:08 – Norway: The epic pre-tournament Viking pic