More than three decades ago, the United States hosted a football World Cup that changed the sport's place in the country forever. Now, with 30 days to go, America will once again stand at the centre of football's biggest celebration, and this time, the tournament may carry the emotional weight of a farewell for some of the game's greatest legends.
One memory from USA 1994 still defines the tournament. It was a blazing afternoon at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. More than 94,000 spectators watched the World Cup final between Italy and Brazil. At the end of the penalty shootout stood Roberto Baggio; motionless, hands on his waist, head bowed. The famous 'Divine Ponytail' rested behind his neck after his miss handed Brazil their fourth world title. Someone later remarked that he had "died standing".
That image became one of the defining moments in World Cup history.
The tournament that transformed football in America
The 1994 World Cup left behind more than nostalgia. It planted the seeds of a football culture in the United States. Two years later, Major League Soccer was launched, giving the sport a long-term domestic structure.
Now, the country returns as a host in a very different football era. The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest ever, with 48 teams competing across the United States, Canada and Mexico. It will also mark the first time three nations jointly host the tournament.
The scale itself is extraordinary. Vancouver, the northernmost host city, sits more than 5,400 kilometre away from Mexico City, the southernmost venue.
A World Cup of legends
The upcoming tournament is expected to bring together one of the strongest collections of footballing talent in recent history. Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane are likely to headline the competition, while younger stars such as Lamine Yamal, Erling Haaland and Arda Guler prepare for their first taste of football's grandest stage.
The memories of USA 1994 also remain tied to the final World Cup appearance of Diego Maradona. After two matches, the Argentine icon was expelled from the tournament after banned substances were found in his urine samples, bringing a controversial end to his World Cup journey.
One last dance?
32 years later, football may once again be preparing for a farewell. Messi and Ronaldo are both expected to play their final World Cups in 2026. There is also the tantalising possibility that Argentina and Portugal could meet during the knockout stages, setting up the first World Cup clash between the two modern GOATs.
Also Read | Lionel Messi names Spain and France as World Cup 2026 favourites
USA 1994 became the final act of Maradona. USA 2026 now carries the feeling of another "final dance", this time for Messi and Ronaldo, two players who shaped an entire football generation.
