With just over a month before the 2026 World Cup commences there is plenty of chatter around the footballing world. From the nations who are only just putting their stamp in the history books to those who have been here from the beginning, there are plenty of fascinating facts and discussions that you can bring up with your co-workers, friends and family about this year's World Cup. 1. For the first time ever in Canadian history, Canada will be a co-host of the World Cup. Now, this won’t be the first time that Canada has hosted the historic competition. Back in 2015, Canada hosted the Women’s World Cup, unfortunately for them they were knocked out of contention in the quarter-finals and finished 6th. 2. While some countries like Argentina and Brazil have been a part of the World Cup since it began back in 1930. This year there are some new faces that will enter the competition for the first time in their history. Countries like Cape Verde, Curaçao, Jordan and Uzbekistan will play in their inaugural World Cup.3. When Tunisia and Japan play in the Group Stage this year it’ll mark an important and historic match. This match will mark the 1000th World Cup match to be played. 4. This World Cup will be the longest competition in the tournament's history. With the tournament increasing the number of nations competing from 32 nations to 48 nations this year, the tournament will be played over a period of 39 days, and a jaw dropping 104 matches will be played in that timeframe. 5. Cristiano Ronaldo will enter this year’s World Cup with a chance to extend his own historic record. Ronaldo is the only player to score in five different World Cups. 6. Speaking of records, Lionel Messi will come into this year’s World Cup with Argentina as the sole leader in most World Cup matches played in history. Having broken the record in the 2022 in Qatar which was previously held by Germany’s Lothar Matthaus. Messi has the opportunity to further extend his record, how far that may be we will soon find out. 7. This World Cup is about to get more North American (so to speak). For the first time ever, the World Cup will have a halftime show performance in the finals of the World Cup. Now this has stirred up lots of discussion as many oppose having a halftime show and calling it “American” to do so. Regardless, it marks a new chapter in the tournament’s history. ,