Roger Bennett on what to expect at the World Cup

By — Geoff Bennett Geoff Bennett By — Karina Cuevas Karina Cuevas Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/roger-bennett-on-what-to-expect-at-the-world-cup Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Transcript Audio The countdown is on to the start of the World Cup. The tournament is the biggest in the event's history, with 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada and Mexico. But organizers have faced criticism over ticket prices and geopolitical tensions have complicated travel for some teams and their supporters. Geoff Bennett discussed more with Roger Bennett of Men in Blazers. Read the Full Transcript Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy. They may contain errors. Geoff Bennett: Well, the countdown is on to the start of a 2026 FIFA World Cup. The tournament is expected to be the biggest in the event's history, with 48 teams competing across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico in 104 matches over 39 days. But the road to kickoff has been anything but smooth. Organizers have faced criticism over soaring ticket prices, concerns about logistics and transportation, and geopolitical tensions that have complicated travel for some teams and their supporters. We are joined once again by Roger Bennett, no relation, founder and CEO of the Men in Blazers Media Network and author of "We Are the World (Cup)." (Laughter) Geoff Bennett: Roger, always great to see you. Roger Bennett, Soccer Analyst: Oh, big Geoff, it's great to be with you. Geoff Bennett: So the opening match is Thursday in Mexico City. It's Mexico v. South Africa. Let's start with the soccer itself. What are the handful of countries you see as genuine contenders to lift the trophy a month from now? Roger Bennett: I know I sound like I'm from England, but I have to legally say the United States of America, just because this is the moment when we all dream the American dream. Unfortunately, the 47 other teams who are arriving in the United States, Canada and Mexico, dreaming the very same thing. World Cups are hard to win. Only eight nations have ever won it. And the big teams again are highly amongst the favorites, Argentina looking to go back to back with that tiny little joyful Ewok Lionel Messi. Spain play an abundantly joyous form of football. France are more stacked than any cast outside of Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey." And then England always dream at this point, always self-sabotage, but you don't have to look much further than that pack to see the winner. Geoff Bennett: I have to say it's the first time I have ever heard anyone describe Lionel Messi as a joyful Ewok. That's... (Laughter) Roger Bennett: He is, though. He is, though. Geoff Bennett: So... Roger Bennett: He's at 39 going back to back. We are blessed to watch such a GOAT play the game. Geoff Bennett: Yes. And, look, this is the first World Cup with 48 teams up from 32 back in Qatar. How does that chan