With just days to go until the World Cup, the football chat is reaching fever pitch. But for those who aren't superfans, the BBC has published nine easy conversation starters designed to make anyone sound like an expert.
The 2026 edition is already historic: it will be staged across the US, Canada and Mexico – the first time the tournament has been co-hosted by three nations. And with the field expanded from 32 to 48 teams, there will be more matches than ever. Critics accuse Fifa of watering down the contest, but fans of debutants such as Cape Verde, Curacao, Jordan and Uzbekistan are delighted.
“Nine conversation starters to bluff your way through the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by three nations with an expanded 48-team field.”
The final will be held in New Jersey and will include, for the first time, a glitzy half-time show akin to the Super Bowl. Madonna, Shakira and BTS are all set to perform.
On the pitch, two living legends could make history. Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, and Lionel Messi, who will turn 39 during the tournament, have been selected to captain Portugal and Argentina respectively. Ronaldo has confirmed this will be his final World Cup; many believe it could also be Messi's last, after he led Argentina to glory in 2022. Both could become 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 has not always played.
Hosting historically gives a nation an edge – about one in four tournaments have been won by the host since 1930. But recent editions have not been kind: South Africa (2010) and Qatar (2022) were eliminated early, and Brazil (2014) suffered a humiliating 7-1 semi-final defeat to Germany. Mexico reached the last eight in both 1970 and 1986, while the USA made the last 16 in 1994. Canada is hosting for the first time.
The supporters of world champions Argentina are something special, says BBC Sport's chief football writer, Phil McNulty. He recalls thousands of passionate fans snaking in long, noisy lines into and out of metro stations in Qatar. Brazil's fans bring a carnival atmosphere, with samba bands following them everywhere. And Mexico's games at the magnificent Estadio Azteca will revive memories of Brazil winning the 1970 final against Italy there, as well as Diego Maradona's infamous 'Hand of God' against England in the 1986 quarter-final, followed by his spectacular second goal.
If the cards fall right for England, they could end up playing at that iconic stadium in the last 16.