In 1986, when I was 14 years old, I sat in Azteca Stadium on June 15th – three days before my 15th birthday – and watched Manuel Negrete score a gorgeous scissor-kick goal against Bulgaria in that year’s World Cup in Mexico City.

I was sitting high up in the stands, and while celebrating, I almost fell on top of the person below me. I will never forget the excitement and energy in the stadium: 120,000 Mexican flags waved in unison, creating a tsunami of healthy patriotism.

Mexico went on to win the match 2-0 but lost in the quarterfinals against Germany in the city of Monterrey.

That year, my father bought for us the entire series of matches in Mexico City, including all the games at Azteca Stadium and Ciudad Universitaria, along with a couple more in other places. Among those games, I saw Maradona score with the Hand of God against England – scoring another gorgeous, dribbling beauty in the same match. I also watched Argentina defeat Germany in the final in a 3-2 masterpiece, and also when Spain scored five goals against Denmark in the city of Querétaro. In all, I saw 13 matches live during the World Cup, memories I will cherish all my life (I still have those ticket stubs, along with one from Italy 1990, when I witnessed Uruguay defeat South Korea in the city of Udine).

My passion for the World Cup grew exponentially over time. Like many other passions, it started with a book: A Mexico 1970 picture book that was lying around my house and that I browsed often. It acquainted me with Brazilian players like Pelé, the tournament king who led his team to the championship. I also became familiar with the Azzurri, what the Italian national team is called because of its blue jersey, and its striker Paolo Rossi, who was the top scorer in the tournament – and shared a last name with my grandfather, whose Mom hailed from the Mediterranean country.

Then, in 1982, when I turned 11, I obsessively collected newspaper clippings of the tournament in Spain – hoping to create a book similar to the 1970 one I had at home. Italy went on to win the tournament. Later, in 2002, I woke up late at off hours – like 2 in the morning – to enjoy the cup in Japan and Korea from my apartment in Jersey City, NJ. I try to watch as many games as I can every four years, and naming all World Cup host countries and winners is still one of my only party tricks. (If interested, I’ve written before about my World Cup passion.)

Since then, I’ve enjoyed the World Cup from a distance, watching every game possible every four years. I remember in 2010 while waiting for my car at the shop, witnessing Landon Donovan’s last-minute goal against Algeria to advance the USMNT beyond the group stage, or how I screamed when Hirving “Chucky” Lozano scored against Germany in 2018, leading El Tri to an unthinkable 1-0 victory, and my neighbors to complain about the noise.

One of my regrets was not trying harder to attend the 1994 championship on American soil, but now that I live in this country, I am eagerly anticipating the chance to replicate my experience. So, you won’t be surprised when I tell you how excited I was to learn that the US, Mexico, and Canada would host the 2026 tournament.

I know I am not alone. This tournament will be unique for multiple reasons: It will be the third played on Mexican soil, the second in the United States, and the first hosted by three countries. More importantly, it will include 48 teams (16 more than previous World Cups). This means that many nations that haven’t had many opportunities to qualify for the competition will play in the finals, including teams such as Venezuela, Honduras, and Ukraine. Also, it means there will be 108 matches, a huge amount.

For people like me who grew up in Latin America, there is nothing like the World Cup, and I want to share that excitement, passion, and emotion with people in the US, my adopted country.

For all these reasons, I launched COUNTDOWN TO 2026 to connect with everyone who hopes to enjoy the World Cup in 2026 as much as I did in Mexico 1986.

I will focus on three things:

Let’s embark on an exhilarating journey as we witness the road to the 2026 World Cup unfold: From the early steps of teams and players to the final moments of glory on the world stage, we’ll be there every step of the way. Join us as we dive into the excitement of individual performances, the intensity of qualifiers, and the thrill of regional tournaments like Copa America. Together, we’ll experience the highs and lows of international football, building anticipation for the ultimate showdown in 2026.

For many of us, the World Cup is much more than a sporting event. It is an opportunity to embrace our culture and participate in a global experience with millions more. Together, we’ll explore the rich tapestry of World Cup history and legacy and delve into captivating features, stories, and columns that will bring the tournament’s past to life. From unforgettable moments to iconic players, we’ll uncover the untold stories that shaped the World Cup into a global phenomenon. Prepare to be inspired, entertained, and awed as we journey through football history.

And, most importantly, let’s ensure that the 2026 World Cup becomes an unforgettable experience. I will assist you in navigating every twist and turn of the tournament, from purchasing tickets to understanding what’s happening in the host cities, as well as how to explore and enjoy each one. I’ll guide you through every aspect of the World Cup experience: From insider tips on host cities and recommendations for the best sports bars and restaurants to watch the games, to opportunities for enjoyment and discovery beyond the stadiums to express passion for the beautiful game. Additionally, I’ll provide a comprehensive calendar, match schedule, group and team analysis, jersey and kit critiques, streaming recommendations, and much more, ensuring that this coverage surpasses anything else available.

If you’re like me, you’re counting every minute toward the start of the next World Cup. I can only hope that COUNTDOWN TO 2026 will provide the information you need to enjoy, experience, and share the World Cup in a meaningful and fulfilling way with others, starting with the people you love, as my dad did for me back in 1986.