In a few years, what will you remember about the 2026 World Cup?

NEW YORK – Let me imagine a scenario for a moment. Give me this fantasy. In a few months. Maybe years. When the World Cup is long over. I’ll have coffee at my favorite place in downtown Manhattan, a Puerto Rican establishment located just off historic Stone Street, paved in the late 1700s and one of the oldest streets in the city.

I’m going to sit with Erling Haaland, Vozhinha, Jude Bellingham and Rodri and drink Mazapán lattes (search). Bad Bunny’s “Nuevayol” plays in the background, and so we listen. Sit. And then remember the summer of 2026 and the World Cup.

“Guys,” I’ll say. “Let me ask you all something.”

And they will look up and put down the morning drink and listen to what follows.

Do you remember Gio Reyna’s trivela against Paraguay? How did he beautifully deflect from the outside of his foot, electrifying all of America?

Has Folarin Balogun’s story made you proud, not only as a fan of the game, but also of what the game represents? Is John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” the anthem or should it be Aliveof my hero Eddie Vedder and my favorite band of all time, Pearl Jam?

Was Raúl Jiménez’s first goal in the World Cup a few months after his father’s death a piece of poetry that made you fall with emotion? Has the story of Julián Quiñones, a Colombian-born player who became one of Mexico’s brightest stars, become an example of how identity is more than just a birth certificate?

Or did Canadian Stephen Eustáquio, also dealing with the grief of losing both parents (something I unfortunately know all too well), his winner against South Africa in the round of 16 shake you to your core?

Or what do you think of 18 year old Moroccan Ayyoub Bouaddi, how is it possible that he created this level of magic in midfield against the Brazilians? Or anyone? Did you feel a little Congolese when Yoanne Wissa scored the nation’s first ever World Cup goal in the draw against Portugal?

Have you heard Azteca anywhere on the continent? Did you feel the intensity of its people when the anthem and “Cielito Lindo” were played through millions of Mexican voices? How good is 17-year-old Gilberto Mora? No, really. Aren’t you inspired by his journey and what could happen? Could he maybe join you in Madrid one day, Jude?

And Jude too? How did it feel singing Wonderwall in the altitudes of Mexico or listening to your country serenade you with a song so iconic like “Hey Jude” that it now has two meanings because of your name, do you realize how much you are loved? Did England’s incredible victory against El Tri become the ultimate display of sacrifice, will and courage?

Speaking of love, is there a better word to describe the Tartan Army’s relationship with its Scottish team? Or Boston? Or Miami? Or anywhere in America?

Why can’t I go to sleep without thinking about Amad Diallo’s historic goal for his Ivory Coast or Julián Álvarez’s majestic winner against Switzerland? Why do I care whether Norwegian Andreas Schjelderup thought so or not? Or what if I can’t help but analyze the illustrious creativity of genius Michael Olise?

Is there a better highlight to show young players than Cucho Hernández’s fierce struggle to win the ball from Uzbekistan’s Jakhongir Urozov near the corner flag, collect it and then place an assist for Jaminton Campaz?

Is there a better display of strength and will than that of Dutchman Brian Brobbey? Can we continue to play in a loop with the perseverance and dynamism of the Swiss Johan Manzambi?

Should I think more about Lionel Messi’s emotions after the final, or can I just remember everything else before? Can I keep his magic alive, including Argentina’s first World Cup goal against Algeria? And in the end, it became a historic hat-trick?

Is Golden Boot winner and all-time leader Kylian Mbappé real or a simulation? What lens can I choose to make me think it might not be deadly? His winner in stoppage time against Senegal, which made him the top scorer in French history? Or the history breaker against England in the third place playoff?

Speaking of that match, Jude – my God? Have you recovered? Was your aim so good that it took a chunk out of you?

Back to you Erling. Do you realize that your goals, especially the one against Brazil, ignited a nation towards a global Viking feud? Is your social media presence tired of generating more and more fans?

Do you realize the excitement and enthusiasm you have aroused in millions of people and turned them into Haaland disciples? Does your partner, Isabel, approve of your “Whiskey Raccoon” holding an empty liquor bottle that you brought home and will she let you keep it in the house or will she force you to put it in the basement?

Also, did you know Erling – that in my Peru, almost 500 Peruvian babies born this summer now bear your name? Now it’s DEVOTION. That’s the impact.

When you stop sipping your latte, Erling, as a striker, can you explain to me how Haitian Wilson Isidor was able to produce this kind of power with his goal against Morocco? Or the work of art that represented Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral against Argentina? Does anyone realize that this one basically broke the internet? It made us all believe in something bigger than ourselves, didn’t it?

And these incredible returns? Belgium against Senegal or Gabriel Martinelli’s winner against Japan? Did you feel alive after Ecuador’s historic victory against Germany? Or that of Paraguay?

How about the Eloy Room in Curaçao? Did his 15 saves against the aforementioned Ecuador suddenly create a window for him and his beautiful island to gain global recognition? Wasn’t it just beauty to see so much resilience?

(Photo by Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Speaking of resilience. Hello Vozinha? Do you want another coffee? By the way, how is your life now? No, really? Do you understand that your exploits, your crazy performances and those of your teammates during this World Cup have impacted many of us? Would you like to return to normal? Maybe part of you does?

Or do you take everything into account? Can I tell you that what you have done, for me and millions of us, has become an absolute reminder of why we love our game in the first place? Do you agree that your life will never be the same? Can I tell you we are so grateful for what you and the Blue Sharks have done? Is there a perfect way to express the fact that your national team has become the muse, the proverbial star of this World Cup?

Also remember Rodri, the world champion sitting next to you, that he may have won everything but La Roja never overtook you? Are you reminding him of this insolently?

Speaking of Spain, Rodri, what makes this team so special? Why should the rest of the football world admire not only the way you play football, but also the way you treat others and the game? Are you thinking about your impact? How does it feel to know that you are the ultimate general of an army that surprises us all with possession and intoxicates you with the never-ending quest to get it back? Are you considering another way, or is this the only way to live? East This the way we should all view the game?

(Photo by Maja Hitij – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

What was Pau Cubarsí born with that makes him such a giant, even though he is only 19? Speaking of this generation, does Lamine Yamal agree that his three-year-old brother Keyne is the real hero? Can we remember the words you said about Ferran Torres, how he was so unappreciated by so many Spanish fans but in the end his winner remained deeply ingrained in history? Can we put this in our photo album?

Finally, guys. Is there a perfect, singular way to describe what we witnessed this summer? Or is it just a mosaic of reflections? A treasure island? Or should we just use some Pearl Jam lyrics here and just say, “Hey, hello lucky ones, I’m referring to those in love, yeah…”

Because quite simply, World Cup moments. I want you to know: we all fell in love with you.

Don’t worry, boys. I’ll get the check.