Sports Summary: 2026 World Cup, Brilliant Messi and More
The last month of the year was full of significant events in the world of sports. From the draw for the 2026 World Cup to the consecration of Lionel Messi in the MLS, passing through exciting finals in South America and the Bolivarian Games, the action did not stop.2026 FIFA World Cup: Groups Defined
The draw for the 2026 World Cup took place in Washington, where the twelve groups and the schedule that the 48 qualified teams will have to face were revealed. The United States, Mexico, and Canada, as hosts, will head groups D, A, and B, respectively.
The tournament will feature Brazil in group C, Uruguay in H, along with Spain, Ecuador and Curaçao in E with Germany, Paraguay in D with the United States and Panama in L with England.
Argentina, the current world champion, will be in group J, while Colombia will go to group K with Portugal.
Bolivia and Suriname, along with Jamaica and New Caledonia, will play the repechage on March 26. The winners will compete on March 31 for the last two tickets to the tournament. The opening match will be on June 11 between Mexico and South Africa at the Azteca Stadium.Messi: MVP and Champion in MLS
Lionel Messi was chosen as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the MLS for the second consecutive year. This historic achievement was realized after Inter Miami’s 3-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps at Chase Stadium.
With this title, Messi adds 48 in his career, solidifying himself as the most decorated footballer in history. The Argentine star closed an impressive season with 35 goals and 28 assists in 34 matches.Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets announced their retirement from soccer after winning the MLS title with Inter Miami.
Both players, trained at Barcelona, arrived in MLS in 2023 and won the Conference Cup, the MLS Cup, and the Supporters’ Shield 2024.Flamengo: Dominance in South America
Flamengo was crowned champion of the Brazilian Championship with one match to spare after defeating Ceará 1-0. The team reached 79 points in 38 matches, securing the title and leaving Palmeiras in second place.
The ‘Mengao’ achieved a poker of titles this year, including the Copa Libertadores, the Brazilian Super Cup, and the Carioca tournament. Filipe Luís, Flamengo’s coach, has had an exceptional start.Champion Students in Argentina
Estudiantes de La Plata won the Clausura in Argentina after winning on penalties against Racing.
In the penalty shootout, Facundo Cambeses and Fernando Muslera saved one shot each, securing the victory for Estudiantes, who also qualified for the Copa Libertadores.Colombia: Dominance in the Bolivarian Games
Colombia was crowned champion of the Bolivarian Games for the fourth consecutive time.
The Colombian delegation obtained 341 medals: 142 gold, 122 silver, and 77 bronze. Venezuela and Peru took second and third place, respectively.
