100 days until the 2026 World Cup - why it's time to get excited

Today marks 100 days until the 2026 World Cup kicks off in Mexico City, when co-hosts Mexico take on South Africa to begin the biggest ever finals. 

Over the next 100 days, DAZN News will count down to the festivities in Mexico, Canada and the USA, with our series 'World Cup Stories', where every day until the tournament begins, we'll feature a story on football's biggest showpiece. 

To celebrate the 100th day mark and to kick off our series, here are five reasons why this summer will be the most memorable World Cup ever... 

It's the biggest finals ever 

Whatever you think of FIFA's decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams, we can't see many complaining come the summer when there are glorious days of endless football to watch. 

The group stage will see days of up to four live games to consume, including those who love early-hours action, as we get set for a whole month of an international football feast. 

The bigger pool also means debuts for several new nations, opening up the global game further and introducing new names and potentially new stars to the world. 

Some have concerns over the dilution of the tournament, but when proceedings begin in June, the excitement over so much football will be at fever pitch, and our knowledge of Curacao's unsung hero or Jordan's next big thing will be unrivalled. 

FIFA

It's an open field 

There may be more teams, but who the winners will be this summer will probably still come down to a select few, but within that group, it feels quite an open field. 

With 100 days to go, the bookies' money is on Spain adding to their Euros win two years ago, by scooping another World Cup win akin to their dominating days of the early 2010s. 

With Lamine Yamal the centrepiece of a young and vibrant side, it's no surprise to see them as favourites, but close behind are France and England. 

The French possibly have a greater squad depth than any other national right now, and a coaching staff who have already been there and done it in 2018. While England, under serial winner Thomas Tuchel have reached two Euros finals in a row and looks to have the quality to end 60 years of hurt. 

However, European nations traditionally struggle in tournaments outside the continent, and so attention could turn to the South Americans. Argentina will be the defending champions and led by you know who, while Brazil have the talent and Carlo Ancelotti in charge, so can they triumph for the first time since 2002? 

Or could there be a dark horse like Portugal, the Netherlands or even the impressive Norwegian side to really upset the natural order? Getty Image

It's America, and they go big 

If there's one thing we can guarantee this summer, that the World Cup will feel even bigger because America don't normally do things by halves. 

Those of a certain vintage will remember USA 94 and all the pomp and circumstance that came with that tournament. Well, 32 years later, it's set to supersede that - especially over three countries. 

So, forget Diana Ross taking the worst penalty you've ever seen, because things are about to get much, much grander. From the opening ceremony to the coverage and use of social media, the US, FIFA and all about making this World Cup as big as possible - and we're all here for it. 

Let's just hope the US President doesn't ruin it all beforehand, though, first. 

Getty

A last dance 

The tournament will be an emotional one for football fans because it's almost guaranteed to be the last hurrah for arguably the greatest talent pool the game has ever seen. 

The headline acts of that group are Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, arguably football's two very best, who will strut their stuff on the global stage one last time. 

For Messi, it's almost like a free pass. The Argentine icon has already cemented his place in World Cup folklore after leading his country's win in 2022, but that doesn't mean there's still not one more moment of magic to come from the Inter Miami megastar. 

As for Ronaldo, the World Cup remains the one thing missing from one of football's greatest-ever CVS. As part of a talented Portugal side, could the 41-year-old finally add a World Cup moment to his legacy? 

Yet, the two old rivals aren't the ones saying goodbye. The finals will also no doubt say a farewell to Luka Modric, Kevin De Bruyne and Mo Salah, all hoping to go out with a bang. 

The sheer amount of talent on display 

With so many teams involved, everywhich way you turn this summer, it will feature a footballing megastar.

It's a rare chance to see the collective of the world's very best in the same place, with them all trying to add to their own legacies as well as help their side make waves on football's biggest stage. 

So whether your flavour is Mbappe, Yamal or Vinicius, or you prefer a Haaland, Kane or Van Dijk, World Cup 2026 is the 'superstar' World Cup. 

Yet, there's also the excitement of a new name bursting onto the world scene, as the tournament so often gives us. Who's ready to step up to the plate and shine in football's showpiece? 

Michael Regan - The FA/The FA via Getty Images

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