Futbol Americas: 2026 FIFA World Cup Draw Special

22:57So he's already stressed enough. There are whoever you think the regulars are here. These European players, they don't exist for me. This is my team. So I think he's stressing that again. And we shouldn't be surprised come World Cup time if those big European players that we think are the main players here aren't there. Do you know what the best coaches do? The best coaches make their best players the right players. Because you don't have the luxury to just go, hey, let's just play this guy and see how it goes. You need your best players to be your best players. And that's what good coaches do.

23:34They don't just get to, hey, let's give this guy a shot and this guy a shot. Because then when he always talks about, I want this football culture. Yeah, you go to Argentina and you just throw some guy in. 14 months away. And you lose a World Cup match. Thanks for coming. We'll get somebody in here who actually knows what they're doing. So you need your best players to shine for you. And then you need a couple guys to show up that kind of surprise you. But it has to start with your best players. Mau, I saw you over there looking very pensive. Yeah. Implementing culture takes time. And it doesn't take a year, a year and a half.

24:13It takes a long time. It takes generations. Especially for a national team when you have limited time to work with the players. So I have a really, really hard time picturing the U.S. men's national team at SoFi Stadium with the likes of Weston McKinney. Chris Impulisic is going to be a part of that. Timothy Goya, all of those great European players. I have a really hard time picturing the U.S. playing in the World Cup at home. So without those players, I'm with what what kind of what kind of conflict is that going to create inside the squad? So I agree with you. It's Mauricio Pochettino's job to somehow bring those players to the same culture that he wants to be translated then on the field.

25:08And if he's not able to do that, then he won't succeed as the manager of this team. Or you've got to be very hopeful that you do. Because if it fails without your best players, then you are absolutely destroyed. What has Maricio Pochettino shown us to make us feel like he's not going to do what he's been doing? What has he shown us? You said it yourself. It's very different. A friendly match. A test match. From the opening match. But I could say it to you. It's what he is doing. Of one of the home teams. I could say it to you. It's what he is doing. What has he shown us to make us think, come World Cup time, everything is going to be different?

25:46What do you think is going to happen? I think he's going to do the same thing he's been doing. Yeah. I think he's going to do the same thing. You know, I'm a little bit torn here in that it is such a thin line that Mauricio Pochettino is trending here. And winning kind of answers all those questions. But to that point, you see that team that makes light work of Uruguay. You make changes as we expect. I can sit here in the comfort of this chair. Trying to be going to work up. I can say whatever I want.

26:17Kasey Keller:He's a bit salty still. Yeah, no, yeah, yeah. Yeah, that's, that's, go on, I'm getting therapy. But I could sit here and say that Pochettino has to play, you know, these big name stars that he has. But you go out and you lose your opening game of the World Cup, having made wholesale changes from that. So not when people then start to question, well, why do you make those changes? Not only do people on the outside question that, you've got those players who put up those performances because the old cliche in this game is possession is nine-tenths of the low. And so those players who put out those performances go out, have a performance that has people questioning.

26:57Similarly, you don't make changes and you lose. Everybody's asking, well, how come you didn't go with Mr. McKinney and Gio Reyna? But again, to his earlier point, that's part of the pressure that this team has to be willing to take on. That's part of the pressure that he as coach has inherited. But Shaka, I'm going to go back to the conversation we had just a few minutes ago because none of these games have mattered. Yeah. If you're in a 16-game qualifying schedule, you can't afford to just be, hey, let's try this guy or let's try this formation. You have to have some sort of consistency to give yourself an opportunity to play consistently.

27:42And the one consistency in Mauricio Pochettino has been inconsistency. And that is, and that, so we keep thinking, where are we going to start to see kind of eight players, nine players of this? Okay, here's my back line. And then maybe there's one change. Here's my midfield. And then there's maybe one change, not eight changes, nine changes every time the team. So it feels like he has no idea who is starting lineup, which then gives us the feeling like we have no idea what the starting lineup is.

28:22Kasey Keller:Well, Jeff, I think we have a couple more months for us to continue debating what team Mauricio Pochettino will field come June 12th in California when the USA opened their World Cup against Paraguay. We talked about Paraguay being a familiar opponent for the USA, as Herc pointed out. It's not going to be an easy game. It's going to be nitty. It's going to be gritty. They're going to leave something on them, especially when we're expecting to see a much stronger Paraguay than we saw last time out in November against the USA. So is it a good thing or a bad thing that the USA will be opening their World Cup against such an opponent as Paraguay?

28:58I think it's a good thing. I mean, I think, you know, when you're playing a team like Paraguay that, like you said, is gritty, is going to bring the physicality, is going to bring the intensity every single time. You're going into that game knowing that you have to bring your A game. Yet if you slack off the slightest bit, you know, Paraguay is going to take advantage. And so, you know, I think it's something that, you know, will get the players attention. as if playing at a World Cup wasn't enough to get their attention on its own, I think the opponent will take it up another notch and really force the U.S.

29:37to mentally be engaged, physically be engaged, and really be intent on taking the game to Paraguay and getting out of there with three points.

29:49Kasey Keller:Kirk, as you said, you're expecting a much different Paraguay from this one. And as we said, it's going to be a nitty and gritty thing. So for you, is it a good thing that the USA will be opening against them? Maybe in a sense that you get them out of the way. Yeah. That if you can get a favorable result, the worst is over. Because I think Paraguay would be the trickiest of the bunch in terms of how they defend and how they sit low block and how the U.S. Men's National Team has historically not fared well in opening up those type of teams. Turkea, if we look at the summer series that the U.S. National Team had, for 20 minutes they were in that game.

30:25Jack McGlynn scores a worldly. It's 1-0. It's not until Johnny Cardoso wants to play inside his own six across the face of the goal. You know, a ball with the outside of his foot that goes right into Arta Guler, and then it's a goal. It's not until that moment that Turkea starts taking over. They're going to let you play a bit in this game. Australia's going to be, like Paraguay, I just don't think as gritty, as do or die, as knife in between the teeth, as Paraguay. Paraguay is going to be very tricky. Defensively very sound, organized, killer mentality. Set pieces are very difficult to deal with.

30:59I think it's the most difficult team of the bunch because of how they could be defensively difficult to break down, which has always been very difficult for the U.S. men's national team. So you get them out of the way. Here's my concern with playing Paraguay opening game. Opening games are generally cagey affairs.

31:15Kasey Keller:Emotional ones too? of course. People are coming into, teams are coming into that opening game thinking, well, we can't afford to lose it. Primarily here, unless you're in Argentina or Spain, you can't afford to lose your opening game. And now you have this team in Paraguay who that kind of quieter, more defensive game suits them. That's how they play. They are going to sit on the low block and hope for that moment. And it will be a game of moments. And now, how do the U.S. approach in terms of their own openness? How high do they press? How free-flowing does this game become? And so I just wonder if playing against who I think will be the most defensive of the other three teams in this group, how does that feel kind of given the personality that opening games generally come with?

32:10Kasey Keller:Casey, of course, Paraguay, Australia, and I think everyone is feeling it's going to be Turkey. Nobody's giving Slovakia any hope, but looking at those, if that is going to be the three set opponents for the U.S. men's national team, who are you expecting the biggest threat from? I think the firepower that Turkey has probably is the biggest threat that could put maybe the most fear in you in the way that they can score goals. Now, what you have to be worried about with a Paraguay and with an Australia is that you have a lot of the ball and then you kind of lose your balance. And then you get hit on a counterattack when you've had 60, 65 percent possession.

32:52Then all of a sudden you're like, wait a minute, we had two, three shots. And then how are we a goal down right now? And then to Herk's point is they then, you know, get into more of a block because they have something to hold on to. So, yeah, I think Turquia probably would have the best opportunity to really kind of maybe be, you know, more of a team that could maybe even have like an advantage in possession and score goals. But again, I like the draw. I mean, you're not going up against. Yes, we can say it's a trap. It's this and these teams. But there's still there's no Germany in there. There's no Italy in there.

33:33from years past. There's not that real, oh boy, okay, here we go. Here's a club that you're like, this team can win the World Cup. Nobody in this group is going, somebody from Group D is going to win the World Cup. So it's manageable.

33:54Kasey Keller:In this manageable group, Mao, who do you think would pose the USA the most threat if Turkey is the one that gets through as well? I honestly think it's Paraguay. Okay. Styles make fights, and this is a style that does not really fit the U.S. well. I go back to the latest international window. Paraguay played the U.S., but they also played Mexico, and I remember that game really well. Paraguay beat Mexico 2-1, and to be completely honest, they should have won that game 4-1 if it wasn't for Mexico's goalkeeper. Paraguay played the second half, Julio and Cecil. They're playing Mexico, Mau. I mean, come on.

34:31What does that mean? What does that even mean? I'll see myself out. I'll see myself out now. The World Cup has just started for Football Americas right now. Casey Keller just kicked it up. And I'm here for it. I'm here for it. I'll roll the sleeves up. I am so sure.

34:53Kasey Keller:Now he's ready. Now I'm going deep with my breakdown. How about Paraguay in transition is going to beat the U.S. 3-0? Here's why. Okay. When the U.S. men's national team steps in that field at SoFi Stadium, they know they have to beat Paraguay. Paraguay, in order to advance, they don't have to beat the U.S. they would go back to their hotel happy with a nil-nil, with a 1-1. And then they can try their luck against Australia and against another team that is going to have the ball and is going to attack like Turkia, which, again, will play to Paraguay's strengths. The way they have those long passes, the transitions, that's going to hurt the U.S.

35:46They don't need the ball, and the U.S. is going to have the ball. So I'm calling it right now. It's Paraguay for the U.S.

35:58Kasey Keller:Jeff Carlisle is with us, and I'll be interested to hear what he has to think. Jeff, we've heard potentially Turquia, but Mauricio, and I nearly call you Mauricio Pochettino, Mauricio Pedrosa, is saying that it's actually Paraguay and that first game that's going to be the biggest threat for the U.S. How do you see it?

36:17I mean, I think it depends on if Turkey gets through. I mean, I think, you know, Turkey is the team that I think is going to give the U.S. the biggest problems. I think, you know, they've got the attacking talent with, you know, Gouler and Yildiz. And so, you know, I think, you know, they've got the quality. That's not to say that Paraguay doesn't have any attacking talent. I mean, everyone knows about Miguel Almiron. But I just think, you know, Turkey's attacking weapons are playing for bigger clubs at a higher level. and they showed how much the U.S. could struggle back in June. Now, granted, that was not the full U.S.

36:55squad. So you have to take that result with a little bit of a grain of salt. But I just look at the players that Turkey has and I think that's going to be the biggest challenge. But each group, as it progresses, kind of takes on its own personality. You know, last time it was the U.S. tying Wales in a game that they probably should have won. And, you know, then they had to play England, but then they got a good result out of that one, and that set them up for the game against Iran. So, you know, you just have to take these things game by game. Certainly it's important for the U.S. to try to get three points in that opening game, but it's not a death sentence if they end up drawing that game.

37:37I mean, they just got to try to manage the group, manage the games as best that they can, and manage results as well. So, you know, I think Turkey is going to be, again, the biggest challenge for the U.S.

37:49Kasey Keller:All right, Jeff Carlyle, thank you so much for putting on a tie and a blazer and dressing up just to hang out with us on Football Americas. I know it's hard because I've got some very well-dressed men here, but thank you so much, Jeff, and we'll catch up with you another time.

38:06Kasey Keller:Look how smart he looks. We love that. Our Jeff Carlyle there. All right, well, I'm going to try and simmer things down between Casey and Mauricio because we haven't even started talking about Mexico yet. But let's continue speaking about the U.S. men's national team. Christian Pulisic is also giving his thoughts on the draw. Doesn't matter who we're playing. I mean, first match of the World Cup, obviously playing in L.A. I mean, we're going to be ready for that game. I think, you know, we'll be looking forward to that for a while. And, of course, getting three points right off the bat like that would be an amazing start for us and just put us in a great position in the group.

38:45So, yeah, we're definitely looking forward to that one. Obviously, the first goal is to make it out of the group. We know our opponents, well, two of them at least. And we know we're going to play against and we have to finish, obviously, the top half of that group. And that's our first goal. And then once we get there, it's a knockout tournament. And from there, no matter what round we lose in, we won't be happy. So you want to push as hard as we can. And, yeah, we're going to try to make a good run.

39:18Kasey Keller:No matter what round we lose in, we won't be happy. That's what Christian Pulisic has to say. But, Herc, we talked about it yesterday on the show, and you referenced how far Casey's team managed to get. And that has been the standard, at least for the USA, back in 2002 when they made it that far. So is this current setup of the U.S. men's national team, I suppose, programmed to make it that far, if not further? No. And Tyler Adams had an interesting quote in this very same interview right there where he says, the goal, our idea is to win it. That's the goal. But I think setting a benchmark of the furthest the U.S.

39:52team has gone is also realistic. If they advance in first place, all things go to plan. First place, the U.S. Men's National Team goes into the next round. They beat whoever that best third-place team is. Everything goes to plan. The first place in the other crossover would be Belgium. And if you beat Belgium to go to the quarterfinals, it would be Spain. So to go as far as Casey Keller's U.S. Men's National Team, they would have to beat Spain.

40:23Kasey Keller:Moses, forget about it. Why are you staring at me like that? Well, I'm just hoping that's because somewhere in the permeation, we'll get Mexico in the round of 16, and then it'll be a lot easier. But what I'm saying is in the midst of this tournament, in adding more teams, we thought we were going to get dilution, and that may be the case in the group phase. It is not the case anymore in the knockout rounds. Well, I think it will be the round of 32, though. Yes, yes. But the way it's seeded now, with the top four teams being protected, if everybody goes – you're going to get scenarios where these deep runs, like we saw with Morocco last World Cup edition, now throwing another heavyweight hitter there.

41:02I think it's asking a lot, and I want people to be objective. I love Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic saying that's the goal. We want to achieve history. That should be the mentality. Every time. But to do it, to do it, you're going to have to beat some big hitters, and it's easier said than done.

41:20Kasey Keller:That is easier said than done. Now, before we let in Mau and Shaka on this one, I do have another question. France after Spain. Exactly. After Herc has kind of just set out that map, I think a lot of us are going, probably not already saw Mao shaking his head in this one. So that just leaves me now with the fact that I guess the most they can aim for now is to just get out of the group. But surely that is all how it ends, Casey. That's a failure. Yes, but I think you still need to get out of the group and then see who the next opponent is. And then you have to judge that opponent based off of, is this a should win, a could win, or it's going to be one of the biggest results we've ever had in the history of our program.

42:05And I think because of the way teams are protected, I think it gives you a pretty good chance in that round of 32. Correct. To get to, you know, that round of 16. You're playing a best third place team if you get first place. Yeah, you can put yourself in a good position to continue in the tournament. This tournament, because of the expanded field, really quarterfinals, roundest. Now, I'm going to go round to 16 is where it really starts to get interesting. Can I just, Marisa Pochettino is looking for his miracle on ice moment. Spain in a quarterfinal would be his miracle on ice moment. And if memory serves me correctly, there was a ridiculous Spanish generation that won two Euro championships and a World Cup sandwich in between with a 35-game unbeaten streak.

42:52And who ended it? It was Bob Bradley's U.S. Men's National Team and the Confederations Cup. So if you want your miracle on ice moment, there it is.

43:01Kasey Keller:All right. Well, guess what? There's a lot more reaction that we're going to get to now. Don't worry, Mau. The next segment is all about... I'm good. I'm a feeling I need to steal the lot, too. We're going to have to get to the next segment, but not before I remind you that there's plenty more talk Talk and reaction about the draw on ESPN FC, especially if you want things from the European perspective. A fresh episode dropped today.

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46:11Kasey Keller:All right, let's get into it, shall we? Let's talk about the other hosts, and we have to go to Group A for that, and it's El Tri Mexico. This is who they were drawn with, South Africa, South Korea, and whoever wins the UEFA playoffs there. So, Mauricio, my question for you is, Is this, as we talked about, the U.S. men's national team, is this a manageable group for Mexico? Or are you feeling that this could be a banana peel and they could be embarrassed by some of the opponents? This is an easy group for Mexico. Oh, wow. Remember three years ago after the draw, Argentina's goalkeeper, El Divo Martinez, when he saw that Argentina was going to play Mexico, and he went, easy, easy.

46:57That was my exact same reaction after the draw. Easy. Easy. Number one. Okay. Eric, as my witness, how long ago did I say June 11, Estadio Azteca, opening match for the World Cup, Mexico's going to play South Africa? That's all you've been talking about. For a long time. So I knew what was going on. It happened.

47:21Kasey Keller:It's your fortune teller. It happened. Then, South Korea. Mexico has played five times against Asian nations in the World Cup. Five wins, no draws, no losses. Mexico has already beat South Korea twice in the World Cup. Once in 1998, once in 2018. Even South Korea was an amigo team when they beat Germany, and Mexico advanced to the round of 16. Not the amigo team. It was an amigo team. And whoever advances from the European playoff most likely will be Denmark. This is not the strongest Denmark. That's not 1992 Denmark squad. There's no loud group playing for this Denmark. There's a Rasmus Schmeichel.

48:07There might be a Kasper Schmeichel, but there won't be a Peter Schmeichel. He has been all right playing in Italy, but this is a very, very winnable group for Mexico. But my only concern, and we have talked about this many times, and you all guys faced Mexico. For some reason, especially in World Cups, when Mexico plays tougher opposition. The likes of Germany. Italy. Argentina. Argentina. No, not with Argentina. That's what I wanted to remind you of. That's the exception to the rule. Exactly. That's the exception to the rule. Croatia, even African teams, they step up their game. They do. They do step up their game.

48:50But when they're supposed to be the favorites, they haven't always delivered. I believe that playing at Estadio Azteca with the altitude, with the heat of Mexico City, that's going to be a big, big factor. So all things considered, I believe Mexico will win their group and will face one of the best third places in the round of 32.

49:15Kasey Keller:Well, let me go then to Xhaka quickly on this one, Xhaka, because we need a level head once again. And, I mean, we have all been on Football Americas, I think, all year long where we have talked about how, yes, Mexico is Mexico, but we're not seeing the Mexico that we are used to seeing on the world stage. Not even on the world stage, but let alone in just CONCACAF as well, Xhaka. So Maui is saying an easy group for Mexico. Are you saying easy, manageable, or where do you stand with it? Easy. This is an easy group. What? Okay, so much for my level here. Mexico needs – Chaka. Chaka's just trying to get some Margarita Santacos after this at Mao's house.

49:48You always get Margarita Santacos. That doesn't have to say anything. Maybe some lasagna. Dead Margarita from Mao isn't that easy. Oh. Not as easy as this group.

50:02I'm with Mao on this. And while you can look at the USA's group and see potential stumbling blocks there, and maybe that kind of prepares you for what's to come later, this, you look at this, and if Mexico do not only advance, if they do not top this group, they are the only ones to blame here. It's not that anybody else stepped up and anybody else was that good and there was a surprise. And if Mexico do not top this group, it's their own fault. And again, if you want to draw that comparison to the U.S. group, which at the very least Casey was very confident about, there are stumbling blocks. There is potential for Turkey to be simply outstanding.

50:47We've spoken about Paraguay and Australia and the threats that they have. When you look at this group, they can be good, but not good enough to depose Mexico. That's their doing or undoing if they don't qualify.

51:03Kasey Keller:Well, Herc, you're not with the level head. So what do you think? So tomorrow we're going to get schedule. Yeah. We're going to get times. I wouldn't be surprised if you start getting for Mexico some of these daytime games. And I can tell you from personal experience, Case, you can as well from being there. You've covered the games under the sun with the smog at altitude. El Estadio Azteca full. That is a difficult setting. I don't care who you are. And we saw these European teams at the Club World Cup complaining about the heat in the East Coast and the travel to the East Coast. Wait till they're in the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

51:37They will melt under the Azteca sun. South Africa might be used to it, though. But, but I go back to what Mal said. When Mexico is in a position of being the obligated winner, they don't perform. They perform well in a position of being the victim. Nobody believes in us. Si se puede. We can do it. That's when they perform. But when they're the ones who have to go out there and put the show on and in front of their people especially, and you've seen the relationship right now with the Mexican national team and their general public, I think they're going to go past their group. I think it's a given.

52:15They'd have to lose every single game not to be one of the best third-place teams. In the U-17 World Cup, Mexico won one game, and they went in because of fair play. Least red cards, least yellow cards. That's how they advance to the next round. And they won their game in the next round. Argentina. Argentina. Yes. So they will advance.

52:33Kasey Keller:Yeah. But can they do it in the way everybody expects them to? That's where I have my doubts. All right. So, Casey, we got two easies and another kind of manageable, but still kind of leaning towards easy. I think they comfortably get through this group. Do you think they're lucky that they avoided a big European superpower? Yeah, of course. Of course. But that also helped being seeded like the U.S. did as well. But they will also have some of the same issues that the U.S. has. No competitive matches. A squad that has not really inspired anybody in this last year. Look, we've watched Mexico a bunch of times.

53:13And at no time have we, where's the creative factor in midfield? Where's the pace on the wings to get past somebody? It's a team that has to play very well to get results. They don't have the individuals that can take a game over and be the person that says, oh, wow, okay, that guy made a difference. So, yes, the draw was favorable. Yes, they'll get through. Yes, they should win the group. It's only their fault if they don't, to Shaka's point. But I'm still waiting for that Mexico that I remember playing against. And seeing a more dynamic, a more just team that you feared to play against. You know why you don't see that team?

54:00Because the players are not the same. The quality of the players has really diminished in the last four to five years. Now, and if we're drawing comparisons between the U.S. and Mexico, I find a bigger one, which is when you talk about Mauricio Pochettino relying on younger players, domestic league players, major league soccer players. He's comfortable with that. I don't believe Javier Aguirre is comfortable yet with any of the players that he has given chances to so far. He gave an interview after the draw, and he said, I already have my three goalkeepers. The rest, still a lot of question marks.

54:41And that shouldn't be the case six months out of the World Cup. And when you think of, as Kay said, who is going to be that player that you can rely on when the game gets tough? Mexico, they don't have, we don't have a playmaker of that level. There's no few new sons. They're hoping Gilberto Mora can be that, but you're hoping. You cannot. That's what I'm talking about. You're hinging your hopes on a 17-year-old. I mean, you cannot believe that. The question is, which Mexico? And Mora's not Luminium Hall. Correct. Yet. He doesn't have to be Laminya Mal. He just has to be Mexico's hope. And he's got to do something.

55:21It takes one goal, one play to get to that type of status. Not the Laminya Mal status, but in Mexico. What type of Mexico are you going to get? Are you going to get the Mexico that in one year won Nations League and won the Gold Cup and inspired their fan base to think that something was possible? Or are you going to get the Mexico that since that Gold Cup final, that win against the U.S. men's national team, has won zero games? What Mexico are you going to get?

55:44Kasey Keller:Mau, what Mexico are we going to get? I don't know. And I don't think Javier Aguirre knows. If I don't know, that's totally all right. It doesn't matter. But it matters that the manager doesn't know. And he does not know. At this point, he does not know how fit Santi Jimenez will be. Where is Santi Jimenez will play starting in January? Raul Jimenez, he plays a lot of men's for Fulham. He barely scores. And the other big question mark is the relationship between the team and the fans. I have no doubt, zero doubts, that when the game starts against South Africa, you will hear Mexico, Mexico extremely loud.

56:22But if it gets to the second half, 60th minute, and the team does not connect with the crowd, it can get ugly. Because it has happened. And if that's the case, I'm still hesitant, but it can happen, Shaq. I mean, I got to witness it because I've witnessed it myself. But at a World Cup, you just feel, well, I want to feel that the fan base brings a different expectation, a different expectation of themselves and how to support the team. And so that's what I'm asking you here. And I understand you're playing South Africa in October and it's not going well. You can see the Mexican fans turning and you can almost sympathize with it.

57:08But at the World Cup, on home soil, do your fans turn after no, if it's nil-nil? After paying$600 per ticket? Yeah, I don't think it's going to happen, Shaq. But what we've seen recently, right? That's only what we can go with. What we have seen in the last two or three years. The players have admitted it. What Raul Jimenez said after the game in Torreon, what Edson Alvarez, the two leaders. Those are the two leaders of this squad. But they don't want to go play in Mexico. Yes, friendlies, test matches. The World Cup should be different. Can I guarantee that it's going to be different? No, I can't.

57:47Kasey Keller:If Mexico stumble in that opener, I know it is unlikely, of course, as we have all said. But if they do or if the performance is not up to par, knowing that you want to see a strong performance because Mexico's expectations in the tournament are not South Africa's, probably not even South Korea's. but can the World Cup then become toxic based on what Maui is saying for Mexico in terms of the relationship with the fans? It can because that's the relationship the fan base and the players have shown us throughout the years, but I seriously doubt it. I'm with Shaka here. I think come World Cup and I've experienced this, you don't get to experience the World Cup really being a player, and I'm sure the guys around me will attest to this.

58:25When you go cover a World Cup, you say, oh my God, this is what happens when I'm not a trainer. This is what happens when I'm not on the field. It is amazing. It is a party. It is a celebration. And the fans show out. And Mexico fans are so well-traveled. Mexico fans are so loyal. And Mexico fans just want so little. And I do think if you give them that little bit of what they want, they will back you. And El Estadio Azteca, it doesn't matter if it's the Mexican national team or a club team. The first time you were in Estadio Azteca as a player, it is imposing. You're looking up and you're like, what is this?

59:01I really think they can use that. And then the first time you make the first sprint. Yeah, oh, you feel it in your lungs. They're going to use that to their advantage. Well, yeah. But I think equally with the points you guys made about the U.S.'s group, that South Africa, Korea, and the qualifier from Europe as well are looking at this going, yeah, this is an okay group. Absolutely. We can get out of here. So I think the combination is – Do you think so, Case? I do. 100%. Or do you think you've got to play Bolivia to get into this tournament? And you're like, yeah, in Bolivia. Oh. Well, yeah, I mean that's – You know, I think it changes things.

59:42It definitely changes. Because when you experience it, yes. You will look at tape and you will look at things and players will tell you about playing in Azteca against Mexico and knowing that it is a different environment. But still, it's not the Mexico that's scaring teams 10 years ago.

1:00:03Kasey Keller:Well, with or without that Mexico or that Mexico that has the fear factor that we're used to seeing from Mexico, we talked about expectations for the U.S. men's national team. What are the realistic expectations now for Mexico in this one? We always talk about ese quinto partido, as Art pointed out yesterday. It's now a sexto partido. So what are the realistic expectations for El Trina? I hate that you are using the word realistic. Yeah, because we all hope for the best. You used it twice, and you emphasized it. You didn't go realistic. You went realistic. What are you feeling? Because we know that the atmosphere right now between the players, between the federation, between the fans is a little different.

1:00:46So, realistic expectations. Win the group. I think that's a realistic expectation. face one of the best third places. It's really hard now to picture what exact team that could be. It's impossible at this point. But if it's a third place, then you're thinking you're going to play again at Estadio Azteca. That should be a game in which you are competitive at the least. I would say Mexico advances to the round of 16. That's a realistic expectation. Who's in the round of 16? If they advance and all the teams first places advance as well, that would be England. England against Mexico, round of 16, Arestado Azteca.

1:01:31Would it be realistic that Mexico would advance? The answer is no. That would not be realistic. But nevertheless, this is the third time that Mexico will play a World Cup at home. Both instances, 1970, 1986, they advance for the quarterfinals. I know, different format. We went from 24 teams to 48 now. I believe Mexico can get to the round of 16. And then if everything goes according to plan, play England. And before the game, we make a march to La Basilica de Guadalupe. Pray, we're a very Catholic country. Play to La Virgencita de Guadalupe. That Cole Palmer plays really bad. that they heed the altitude place against England.

1:02:19And we'll see what happens. You might need some Santeria for that one. You might need to. Casey, I know a guy. Don't talk about your dad. I will take you to Inca, Catemato, if needed, for that match.

1:02:36Kasey Keller:Kirk, what do you think in terms of realistic ceiling for Mexico in this World Cup? Well, if it is England, where is England going to play? Where are they going to start? Are they going to be in Mexico the whole time? or whether they have to travel from Canada, the United States, to Mexico, I think that plays a massive part in. And now if there's any parallel I can draw in world football to how toxic Mexican football is, the club level, and at the national team level, it would be the English national team. It would be English football. Can I see a realistic situation where we'll find out the schedule, we'll find out where they play, where on short notice, England has to go to Mexico in that type of environment with that type of altitude and maybe a day game, and Mexico get a favorite.

1:03:21Call me crazy, but three World Cups? Hold on. That's a huge leveler. It definitely would be a leveler. That's a leveler. That's a leveler. 100%. I think especially for England. Yeah, exactly. European teams, or the big European teams, where weather can be a factor, the English, I think will be definitely affected. And our Scottish friends. We're not really thinking about Scotland that far. But, yeah, but to that point, I think similarly, the expectation is that Mexico gets there. I also think that just getting to the quarterfinal and even if you lose to England would suffice. I also feel, and while I've kind of defended the fans and their support of the team, I still think that this Mexico team has to be convincing.

1:04:09Kasey Keller:Yeah. Limping to the quarterfinals is not going to be received well. I think, and given this group, you have an opportunity to play well, to put down a marker, to set a standard that maybe those fans have not been able to experience for the last few years. Anything short of that, I sympathize with the two. Now, have you guys realized that we've been speaking of the Mexican national team for the past 25 minutes? Yes, and our producer says I need to move on. We have only named one player, Gilberto Mora. We've talked about the altitude. We've talked about the Estadio Azteca. Ask question marks. Ask question marks.

1:04:53We have not named one player that we can all agree and go, but this guy can make the difference. That's the biggest thing. The Rafa Marquez's, the Pavel Pardo's. The Guardado's. Yeah, yeah.

1:05:05Kasey Keller:The Memo Ochoas. Kind of shows some goalkeeper's love, right? All right, well, if you want more reaction from the World Cup drop, but this time en español, you can definitely check out our other show, Ahora o Nunca. Mauricio is on that one, as well as Herc. It's available weekdays.

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1:07:05Kasey Keller:All right, let's head a bit north now to talk about the third and final host of next year's World Cup. Canada, they were drawn in Group B. They are also awaiting a team from the UEFA playoff, and they got Qatar as well as Switzerland. So let's hear with Canadian manager Jesse Marsh. had to say. It's a little bit weird not knowing what your third opponent is, but in general, I think we're excited about the opportunity to play against these opponents. And I said this going in, we were confident in our team and whoever we were going to draw, we were going to be ready for those games and know that we can win, we can beat anyone.

1:07:42So that still remains. And the only extra factor for me right now is Coach Joaquin for Switzerland and then coach Amategui for Qatar. It's two really good coaches, so I'll have my hands for the preparation. What are some of the challenges and some of the positives to get to play two European teams in the world? Well, look, in theory, these opponents like the ball. So with us being very intensive against the ball, it could be a good matchup for us, but there's still a lot of quality in the teams. And so we'll have to do all of our preparation and make sure that we want to get our team healthy, we want to get our team in good form, in good fitness, and make sure that for a whole world competitive way that we're going to be at our best.

1:08:28So how do you think about that? I don't like it. I don't love it. But I think it's obviously a bigger disadvantage for that team. We'll spend a heavy amount of our preparation in the next three months on specifically Switzerland and Qatar, and that will give us a little bit of time then to see what exactly comes out of the other group. But, yeah, it's not ideal, but whatever, man. Be ready. Would you want to do it? I think playing Italy would be outstanding, especially the first game at home. I know that there would be a lot of Italian-Canadians at the match, and they'd better root for Canada, that's all I'm saying.

1:09:06Coach, I live in Italy. Are you living in Italy? Yes. A bit, in Italy. A bit, in Italy? Yes, a bit. So, you know, you're trying to strive in Italy, but you're not going to be interested.

1:09:44to prepare versus this World Cup where, you know, we've known about this for quite a few years. How do you compare also the Canada that we saw in last year's Copa America and the Canada that we're going to see in next summer's World Cup? Well, we're clearly more advanced as a team than we were at that time. We also caught some teams by surprise a little bit because they didn't know everything that we were going to be about. But I think we've matured a lot. I think we've grown a lot. I think we've used the last 18 months or whatever, 17 months, to benefit the overall player pool, the performances from match to match.

1:10:17I think there's real clarity in the identity of who we are and how we want to play in the best games. So we have a lot of, I think, confidence and excitement. And I think that's led us to believe that for a home World Cup, that we'll be prepared.

1:10:32Kasey Keller:All right. So very hopeful sounding Jesse Marsh there, of course. And when we look at that third team that Canada could get. We're talking about the likes of Wales or maybe even Italy. Northern Ireland is definitely in the mix as well, but I think everybody's favorites to go through is Italy, despite the issues that they have been having over the last couple of years indeed. So if it is Italy that rounds off that group, then is this a fair group for Canada or is it a brutal one, do you think, Casey? I think it's harder than the U.S. and what Mexico have. Switzerland are strong. Yeah. Switzerland is a very good side.

1:11:10Qatar, who knows? You know, I mean, it is. It's one of those teams that could throw a couple athletes out there and cause you some problems. And then, obviously, we're all waiting for Italy to become Italy again. And if somehow they can get through this playoff and then have zero expectation from their own fan base coming in, maybe they could be a very dangerous surprise factor for Canada. I still expect Canada to get through in this group, but not as comfortably as Mexico and not as confident as I am with the U.S.

1:11:53Kasey Keller:Kirk, what do you think? Fair or brutal for Canada? Brutal. This is absolutely brutal. I love me, my Canucks, my Canadian friends, but this is, I think, worst-case scenario for Canada. without being one of the big hitters, without getting – because you can't because you're pot one. This is terrible. Qatar, you should be Qatar. If Qatar is like what we've seen in previous Gold Cup editions or last World Cup, Canada is a better team. Intensity-wise, they're going to take it to them. They should beat them. They've got better players. They'll win. Switzerland's a very good team. We've seen them against already CONCACAF opposition, the United States men's national team, and against Mexico.

1:12:33That is a very good team. And Italy is the playoff pot four team that nobody wanted to face. And now you've got them. And I can tell you from living in Toronto, from living in Canada, how massive the Italian contingent is in that country, is on that side of the world. This is as bad as it can get for Canada. You're no longer. Well, pot three, if they'd got Norway, that would have been. Then we would have went. You're crazy. It's fine, but this is literally Canada looking to not be the third best team, looking to hopefully play for second best. And that's not what you want to look for if you're a host country.

1:13:19You want some hope. We think there's a hope with the U.S. men's national team. We think there's a hope with the Mexican national team. I don't know how realistic the hope is here for the Canadian men's national team. To win their group or to go through? To win their group. To win their group. Because going through as a top third place team, I don't think that's a win for this Canadian men's national team. I think it's got to be better than we're at the show. It has to be better than you. You in the 2022 World Cup against Belgium, had Belgium on the ropes, you missed a penalty kick. You were the better team for long stretches of that game.

1:13:52Then you go off against Croatia, shoot your mouth, as John Herdman did, get the Croatians pissed off, and what happened happened. And then it's Morocco. but you were in one of the toughest groups and you held your own for long stretches. It's no longer just about being at the show. You have to prove something. And this is a scary group.

1:14:09Kasey Keller:Mau, I saw you nodding as well when Hurt said that this was worst case scenario for Canada. It is one of the worst for sure. And the way I see it is, if indeed it's Italy, the team that qualifies and completes that group, then Canada's realistic expectation is to be third. One of the best thirds. And I was there, we were there when Qatar beat Mexico in the Gold Cup a few years back. It has happened before. Wow, that was Mexico's second team. That's right. I mean, whatever it is. It has happened. It has happened. I'm not saying it will happen against Canada in the World Cup, but it has happened.

1:14:47So being one of the best third places will be Canada's realistic expectation. As you guys have said, Switzerland, it's not that they have been good now. Now they have been really good, very competitive. Yes. The past 10, 12 years. Euros, World Cup, they always make it to the next round. And players playing at big clubs around Europe. They always make it to the round of 16. The type of players they have around. They got some. Great goalkeeper. And they got some. Great goalkeeper. They got some wingers that can run in quality. And Bolo's at hand. Experience of Xhaka. The other Xhaka.

1:15:23Kasey Keller:The other Xhaka. The lesser Xhaka. Yeah, yeah. Not so great, Shaka. If there's a scenario, if Canada is one of the best third places, and if the U.S. wins their group, that match can happen. Canada playing the U.S. in the round of 32. Yeah, but honestly, I believe third place is a realistic expectation for Canada. Wow. Shaka, you agree? Yeah, I'm with Mau fully on this. I mean, what other group of the 12 can we say the Pot 4 team arguably is the favorite? And I think that's... The U.S.'s group. With the greatest respect, we're assuming Italy are going to be that team that qualifies in much the same way we're assuming that Turkey qualifies for the U.S.

1:16:12group, right? There's a playoff to be had, but we're going to assume that Italy are going to win it. They are probably favorites to win the group at this point. I also feel that, as with the U.S.'s group, less so Mexico, kind of given how easy I think that group is, the schedule plays a factor in this. Canada opens with Italy against, again, who I think are the favorites in this tournament. Now, Italy kind of how they limped into – Sorry? Your favorites in this group. Italy's favorites in this group. Italy's favorites in this group. And kind of given how they've limped into this tournament, Again, I know there's a playoff to come.

1:16:52Let's just assume. Given everything that was said and some regard to his comments, you could understand. And just despite their failures of recent years, Italy are an incredibly experienced team at this level. How they manage that first game, what happens between Qatar and Switzerland, I think that really kind of directs a lot of what's to come from there on in. So I'm with Mo on this. I am a little bit concerned for Canada. Now, third place is there. I think Canada gets the better of Qatar, no question. But we can't just freely assume that we know all third places aren't going through. So even that is a little bit of a Russian roulette, kind of given what may or may not happen in other groups as to whether your third place in this group is enough.

1:17:43Kasey Keller:Oh, Canada. Oh, Canada, Canada, Canada. I have hope for you. I have hope for you indeed. All right. Well, there's plenty more La Liga action as club football is back on this weekend. Real Betis up against Barcelona Saturday, 12.30 p.m. Eastern time is kickoff. But, you know, we're on with the pre-show 30 minutes before on ESPN Deportes as well as ESPN Plus.

1:18:11Kasey Keller:All right. So we have gone in depth looking at each of the three CONCACAF hosts for this World Cup, the USA, Mexico and Canada. And I want to know who you guys think will be the giant of CONCACAF. Now, this is just our assimilation. We're just being optimistic and assuming everyone gets through, does their job, does it well. So which host goes the furthest? Casey, let me start with you. You know what Casey's going to say. That's true. This is. I'm always looking at him with some daggers in his eyes. Look, I see a grin. Again, this is a large assumption to extrapolate this bracket this far out.

1:19:00But do you honestly think, and I'm being 100 % honest, Canada beats the Netherlands, the U.S. beats Belgium, and Mexico beats England? I mean, if it did. Can I go?

1:19:15Kasey Keller:Of course. Can I go? I've been spot on with my prediction so far. Okay. And on this very same show, I predicted God knows how long ago the U.S. will make the semifinals. I'm not going to say right now that they will. But from that scenario, U.S. playing Belgium, this is the worst Belgium we've seen in the past 12 to 16 years. That's a winnable game. The U.S. should advance. Mexico won't beat England and Canada. First of all, Canada won't make it all the way there. But anyways, Canada won't beat the Netherlands. The U.S. can beat this Belgian team. I think I agree with you. The U.S. can beat that Belgian team should the U.S.

1:20:07beat that Belgian team. I think we were talking about the round of 16 in Qatar. It was a beatable Dutch side. It wasn't the best Dutch team over the last 10, 12 years. Hey, they took Argentina all the way. But they grew into the tournament, as did Argentina.

1:20:23Kasey Keller:True. But the U.S. played right into the Dutch's hands in that match and got beat on counterattacks. So, yeah, I mean, it's I think when you start getting to this stage, I think the big boys. As Alexis just mentioned, find a way to grow into the tournament. And I think if you start to hit one of those bigger European nations, South American nations at that stage, that'll be one of the results of U.S. soccer history. If you can get past that. Look at that. My little bit of analysis just coming in handy right there. Shaka, what say you? U.S. You're with the U.S. as well. I'm with the U.S. And I don't write off Mexico's chances against England, but I certainly have far more faith in the U.S.

1:21:13against Belgium than I do Mexico against England. So, with respect, I've kind of made my opinions known about Canada. I'm with Mao. I'm not sure they even get this far. U.S. for me is – Has the best opportunity to get the furthest. to go to Fuerza. Herky look pensive. Well, based off what we've seen in that bracket, if I got to say Mexico's playing against England, U.S. is playing against Belgium. Listen, Belgium's got Thibaut Courtois. He's going to keep any team in any tournament alive, that alone. England's going to play against Croatia June 17th, and it's going to be either in Toronto or Dallas.

1:21:47Let's say it's in Toronto. They're going to play against Ghana, Toronto or Boston. And they're going to play against Panama, either New York or Philadelphia. They're not going to have time in Mexico City. brief little story first time I played in Mexico City Puebla versus Pumas at San Azteca but it's Mexico City first four minutes of the game I score a goal it's 1-0 after that bam bam bam bam we're losing 4-1 after the game the coach in front of everybody says and you I should have taken you out minute 4

1:22:21until you're in that environment until you it's how it hits you And three days, four days is not enough time to acclimate. I can see Mexico, if they can make it there against England, with the type of pressure England's going to have upsetting England. And grow in the tournament to get to that point. Historically, it has been said that it was a mistake to schedule 1986 when Mexico lost to Germany in Monterrey, no way near the altitude of Mexico City. And the German team was spent in overtime, in extra time. And then they went all to PKs, and Hugo Sanchez didn't want to kick the PK anyways. But Herc's right.

1:23:02That plays a factor. That being said, just comparing squad to squad, the U.S. would have a more favorable matchup against Belgium than Mexico against England. I'm going factors of where one team is and where they're going to play 100%. Understood. Which I think plays a major part in this.

1:23:16Kasey Keller:All right. Well, Mother Nature and Father Time, those are the two great levelers in any sport. Indeed. All right. Well, we're about an hour and a half into our show, and now it's time to wrap things up. It's been a long day as we looked back at the World Cup draw. We cannot wait for the schedule to come out, and then we'll have plenty more analysis. But there's more Football Americas coming your way on Monday after the weekend, and we'll be seeing if Lionel Messi will lift the MLS Cup.

1:23:56Good energy in. Ah, good energy out.

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