"For the first time ever, all three host countries were eliminated before the quarterfinals."
The 2026 World Cup was already a tournament for the history books, with its expanded 48-team format and three host nations. Now it will be remembered for something else entirely: the "triple curse". All three hosts came through the group stage and the round of 32, yet the round of 16 proved a barrier none of them could clear.
"The 2026 World Cup no longer has any host nations in the competition."
The collapse began on Saturday with Canada's 0-3 defeat. On Sunday it was Mexico's turn. Having not conceded a single goal until then, they fell 2-3 to England at the legendary Azteca, in front of 80,000 of their own supporters. The final blow landed on Monday, when Belgium dismantled the United States 4-1.
The historical contrast is stark. Six nations have lifted the trophy on home soil in the past, yet this time playing at home offered no advantage at all. Each of the three hosts conceded at least three goals against sides ranked in FIFA's top ten, and that proved decisive. Whether this precedent leaves a mark on future multi-nation tournaments, or goes down as a mere statistical anomaly, remains to be seen.
