By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will crown a new champion without any of its three co-host nations after the US, Canada and Mexico were all eliminated before the quarter-finals, bringing an end to the home supporters’ hopes of witnessing a fairytale run.
The US became the last of the three hosts to bow out after suffering a crushing 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16. The result followed Mexico’s narrow 3-2 loss to England and Canada’s heavy 3-0 defeat against Morocco, ensuring that none of the tournament’s hosts progressed to the last eight.
The unprecedented 48-team World Cup, jointly staged by the US, Canada and Mexico, had generated enormous excitement with all three co-hosts advancing to the knockout stage. Their progress was widely hailed as a sign of football’s growing popularity across North America.
Canada emerged as one of the surprise packages of the tournament. After reaching the Round of 16 for the first time, the Canadians saw their dream end against a disciplined Moroccan side that capitalized on defensive lapses.
Mexico, buoyed by passionate home crowds and a convincing Round of 32 victory over Ecuador, looked capable of making a deep run. However, England’s experience and clinical finishing proved decisive in a thrilling five-goal contest that ended the hosts’ campaign.
The US carried the greatest expectations after comfortably defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32. But Belgium produced one of its finest performances of the tournament, exposing defensive weaknesses and dominating the second half to seal an emphatic victory.
US coach Mauricio Pochettino said he was disappointed and frustrated by the backlash over Folarin Balogun’s ban but insisted it was no excuse for his side’s World Cup exit at the hands of Belgium on Monday.
Striker Balogun was cleared by FIFA to play in the co-hosts’ pivotal round-of-16 clash despite having earned a red card in the previous game, following a call by US President Donald Trump to soccer’s global governing body.
Although the exits of the three host nations may disappoint local fans, tournament organizers can still take satisfaction from the enthusiastic crowds, vibrant atmosphere and record-breaking attendance witnessed across venues in North America. The successful organization and passionate support have showcased the region’s growing stature in world football.
With the hosts out of contention, the race for the World Cup trophy now shifts entirely to the traditional football powers and emerging challengers such as France, England, Spain, Belgium, Morocco and Norway.
For the first time in this expanded World Cup, the tournament will move into its decisive stages without a single host nation still alive, underlining the unforgiving nature of knockout football where home advantage alone is never enough to guarantee success.