No country has ever hosted the FIFA World Cup three separate times. As the 2026 tournament kicks off, Mexico joins the United States and Canada as co-hosts. Correspondent Alasdair Baverstock looks at what this historic milestone means for the country and the beautiful game.
How Uruguay, with 3 million people, became a football powerhouse
Uruguay won the very first FIFA World Cup in 1930, and nearly a century later, its passion for football is undiminished. With a population of fewer than four million people, this small South American nation consistently produces world-class players and competitive clubs. Joel Richards explores the culture, tradition, and infrastructure behind Uruguay's enduring success.
The football academy powering Ecuador's 2026 World Cup dream
Ecuador is one of twelve nations from the Americas to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Much of the national team's talent flows from a single trailblazing youth academy. As co-host nations and powerhouses dominate the spotlight, Ecuador's grassroots football system is quietly shaping the country's competitive future on the world stage.
United on the pitch, divided off it: The political tensions behind the 2026 World Cup
When the United States, Canada, and Mexico won the right to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the bid was built on a message of unity. But in the years since, political tensions among the three nations have grown significantly. Correspondent Dan Williams reports on how geopolitics is complicating what was meant to be a celebration of the beautiful game.