Not a football fan? Here's how to sound like a World Cup expert

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. A bluffer's guide to the 2026 World Cup20 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleJames FitzGeraldBBCWith just days to go until the World Cup, you're probably hearing a lot more football chat than usual. But if you're not a superfan, how can you keep up? Our nine easy conversation starters will make you sound like an expert.

It'll be bigger than everGetty ImagesThe 2026 edition takes place across the US, Canada and Mexico - marking the first time that the world's top football competition has been co-hosted by three nations. There'll also be more matches than ever, as the tournament has been expanded from 32 to 48 teams. Critics accuse Fifa organisers of watering down the contest, but fans of Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan are happy to see their countries making their debuts.

The Details

The final will be held in New Jersey and will include, for the first time, a glitzy half-time show, much like the Super Bowl - American football's biggest fixture. Madonna, Shakira and BTS are all set to perform. Two icons are expected to bow outGetty ImagesCristiano Ronaldo, 41, and Lionel Messi, who'll turn 39 during the tournament, have been selected to captain Portugal and Argentina respectively.

Ronaldo has confirmed that this will be his final outing on the global stage. Many think it could also be the last tournament for Messi, whose nation won the competition in 2022. The two living legends could both make history as the first male players to appear at six World Cups.

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, 40, has also been selected for a sixth tournament, though he hasn't had time on the pitch on each occasion. There's pressure on the hostsGetty ImagesHosting historically gives a nation an edge - and since the first World Cup in 1930, about one in four tournaments have been won by a country staging the competition. But recent editions haven't been kind to host nations: South Africa (in 2010) and Qatar (in 2022) were eliminated early in the tournament, and Brazil (in 2014) suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Germany in the semi-finals.

What Experts Say

Mexico made the last eight both times they hosted, in 1970 and in 1986, and the USA made the last 16 in 1994. The Canadians are hosting for the first time. Latin America will bring the vibesGetty ImagesThe supporters of world champions Argentina are something special, says Sport's chief football writer, Phil McNulty.

One of his top sights at the Qatar tournament was thousands of their passionate fans snaking in long, noisy lines into and out of metro stations. But, Phil adds, Brazil's fans bring a carnival atmosphere to every city they play in - literally. The samba bands and their rhythms follow them around, and the World Cup is a combination of the things they love most.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.