'Surprised' Messi Expects USA To Deliver 'Extraordinary' FIFA World Cup: 'They Are Used To...'

Last Updated:December 06, 2025, 10:09 IST

Lionel Messi, who plays club football for Inter Miami, admits he was surprised by the passion for football in USA.

Lionel Messi will lead Argentina's title defense next year. (AFP Photo)

Football icon Lionel Messi has high expectations from the USA, the co-hosts of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Messi, who plies his trade in club football for Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami, was initially surprised by the passion for football in USA while claiming that there’s been a growth in the sport in the country.

Football’s showpiece event will be co-hosted next year by USA, Mexico and Canada from 11 June to 19 July. “Well, although I already knew it, especially about Mexico, as I said before, I was a little more surprised about the passion that exists for soccer in the United States and in Canada," Messi said.

“I also believe that in the last few years, in my opinion, or because I didn’t know so much about it, I believe that there has been a growth and an important change in the number of fans of the game, who like to enjoy the show, who are also passionate, who have a lot of passion for their teams, where soccer is truly consumed above all else. Mexico has always had a great league, that also has a lot of great teams within its league in terms of player quality, financially, and that will be very enjoyable," he added.

Messi also expects US to do a stellar job with regards to organising the world cup.

“And then talking about the organisation in the United States, both I and the people, I believe, expect something extraordinary because [in the US] they are used to doing big events and this is the most important event in soccer and I believe that they are going to be up to the task so that people can come and enjoy everything," he said.

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