INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 12: United States fans celebrate after the third goal by Folarin Balogun #20 during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Matt McNulty - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
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FIFA via Getty ImagesOne of the biggest storylines of this FIFA World Cup has been the three co-hosts. The United States, Mexico and Canada have not only had to organize the tournament, but they’re also taking full advantage of playing at home.
Historically, hosting the World Cup has provided a competitive edge. Host nations frequently outperform expectations thanks to reduced travel demands, home crowds and the psychological comfort of playing at home.
The 2026 edition is unique because those advantages have effectively been shared among three nations, the first time in World Cup history the tournament has been played in three countries. The result has been a tournament in which these three CONCACAF representatives have all looked both competitive and comfortable.
The United States has looked transformed by the home conditions. The Americans began their campaign with a 4–1 victory against Paraguay, then followed it with a 2–0 win over Australia. Those performances (and the pro-U.S. crowds in both Los Angeles and Seattle) helped the U.S. win Group D, reinforcing the belief that this may be the nation’s strongest World Cup team of the modern era.
The U.S. attack has been energetic, confidence levels very high with the connection between players and fans has proven to be a major boost. For a team that can’t always claim to have the support of the home crowd, this World Cup has seen packed stadiums and high TV ratings.
“Amazing. I was just saying [on Thursday] Argentina have amazing fans, but I think we are matching Argentina,” Pochettino told Fox Sports after the win against Australia. “It’s amazing, our fans. So happy for them.”
Unlike past World Cups, where travel and unfamiliar environments were unavoidable, this tournament has allowed the USMNT to remain within a familiar sporting and cultural landscape.
The U.S.’s two convincing wins to open the tournament are a sign that the Americans are thriving under these conditions. It’s final group game – against already-eliminated Turkey – provides Pochettino with the chance to rest key players ahead of the round of 32.
‘Nothing Like Playing At Home’
Mexico, meanwhile, have also been big beneficiaries of playing at home. El Tri opened the tournament with a 2–0 victory over South Africa in front of a raucous crowd and followed it with a hard-fought 1–0 win against South Korea. Those results secured top spot in Group A and made Mexico the first team to reach the knockout stage.
Just as important, finishing first guarantees that Mexico will continue playing on home soil as it enters the knockout round, preserving the atmosphere that has helped drive their early success. Mexican manager Javier Aguirre acknowledged the value of remaining in familiar surroundings.
“There’s nothing like playing at home. It’s priceless,” he said. “The Mexico factor is hugely important for us.”
The emotional impact of Mexico’s home support cannot be overstated. Every Mexico game has felt like a national celebration. The stadiums in Mexico City and Guadalajara have packed plenty of intensity. Even when performances have not been spectacular, the crowd has helped sustain momentum and created pressure on opponents.
TOPSHOT - Mexico supporters gather ahead of the 2026 World Cup Group A football match between Mexico and South Africa at the Mexico City Stadium in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. (Photo by Alfredo ESTRELLA / AFP via Getty Images)
AFP via Getty ImagesCanada’s tournament has offered a different, but equally compelling example of home-field advantage. Entering the World Cup, Canada carried the burden of expectation after several years of rapid growth. They had also never won a World Cup game after making two previous appearances in 1986 and 2022.
Canada’s opening Group B draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina was solid rather than spectacular. They followed up that 1-1 draw with a 6-0 rout of Qatar, producing one of the most dominant performances of any team during the group stage. The victory generated enormous excitement across the country and strengthened the belief that Canada can make its deepest-ever World Cup run ever.
For Canada, being a host has also accelerated the development of soccer culture nationwide. The crowds in both Toronto and Vancouver created an atmosphere that feels dramatically different from previous tournaments in which Canada participated as a visitor. Instead of merely hoping to compete, the Canadians are playing with real confidence.
Beyond these positive results, the structure of the tournament has amplified the hosts’ advantages. FIFA ensured that each co-host would play its group-stage matches within its own country, reducing travel and allowing fans to easily follow their teams throughout the group stage.
The World Cup’s expanded 48-team format has also created more opportunities for hosts to advance, particularly with the inclusion of third-place qualification routes. However, those benefits may not be something any of these teams need in order to reach the round of 32.
The most remarkable aspect of the tournament so far is that all three hosts have delivered. Often, host nations enter the World Cup burdened by expectation and struggle under the spotlight. Not this time.
The knockout round will determine how successful this tournament becomes for the hosts. For now, the evidence is clear: Home-field advantage remains key at this World Cup.
Clemente Lisi is the author of “The World Cup: A History of the Planet’s Biggest Sporting Event, 2026 Edition.”
This article was originally published on Forbes.com