Host nations Canada, Mexico and the USA were given valuable warm-ups for the FIFA World Cup 2026™ during the March international window, with fixtures against high-quality opponents including Belgium and Portugal. It was a mixed bag, with none of the teams able to record a victory.
But, as FIFA examines, the three teams will have taken much from the experience as they prepare for the global finals on home soil.
Canada
In the absence of superstar Alphonso Davies, Canada showed plenty of fight in coming back from a two-goal deficit against Iceland to secure a 2-2 tie, followed by goalless draw with fellow World Cup participants Tunisia. The performances of wiry midfielder Marcelo Flores – one of a number of dual nationals that Jesse Marsch has recruited – were a real bright spot. Flores came on as a substitute for his debut against Iceland and displayed his dazzling skills on the flanks against Tunisia.
The lack of goals in open play remains an issue, with both of their strikes in the March window coming from Jonathan David spot-kicks against Iceland. But Marsch is confident of the challenge ahead, which includes a meeting with the newly-qualified Bosnia and Herzegovina in their World Cup group.
“Guys are really willing to sacrifice themselves to do whatever to help the team be successful,” Marsch said. “It’s a pleasure to be their coach. We’ve got some tough decisions coming up over the next eight weeks, but I really like our team, I really like our chances.”
Canada will prepare for the global finals with meetings with Uzbekistan in Edmonton on 1 June and Republic of Ireland in Montreal four days later.
Mexico
Mexico headed into the March international window downhearted, following devastating injuries to goalkeeper Luis Angel Malagon and midfielder Marcel Ruiz, but left in higher spirits after draws with European heavyweights Portugal and Belgium.
The goalless tie with Portugal also marked the reopening of Mexico City Stadium after extensive refurbishment. “It’s the best possible scenario, as I’ve said; to play here, you’ve got to have guts, because the fans are demanding and want to win and see good football,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said.
El Tri looked particularly bright against Belgium at Chicago’s Soldier Field, with Jorge Sanchez seizing his chance to give them the lead before Dodi Lukebakio equalized in style. Veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa returned to the squad for both matches but did not see any action, with Raul Rangel preferred between the sticks.
Mexico will warm up for the World Cup with clashes against Ghana on 22 May, Australia at the Rose Bowl on 30 May, and Serbia on 4 June.
USA
Mauricio Pochettino has been left with much to ponder after USA suffered back-to-back defeats – a 5-2 humbling by Belgium followed by a 2-0 reverse to Portugal. Both European teams are in the top ten on the FIFA/Coca-Cola Men’s Ranking and, as such, provided the Americans much-needed tests ahead of the global finals. But it was a stern reality check for a team who went into the March window on the back of a five-match unbeaten run.
Repeated defensive frailties, coupled with Christian Pulisic’s ongoing scoring slump, have provided some cause for concern. Nonetheless, Pochettino refuses to be downhearted.
“I think this camp is very positive,” he said. “I think it was the end of our cycle… for preparation for the World Cup. Yes, I am more positive now than before because seeing the team compete, we are not far away. It’s only details that we need to prove.”
The Stars and Stripes next face Senegal in Charlotte on 31 May followed by a final World Cup tune-up against Germany in Chicago on 6 June. Meanwhile, Türkiye’s progress into USA’s World Cup group provided another indicator of the challenge ahead for the host nation.
