Eric Stiens estiens

The Bandwagon Almanac

A Cheeky, Mostly-Affectionate Guide to Adopting a Second Team at the 2026 Men's World Cup

So your country didn't qualify, or your country qualified and you've already made peace with the heartbreak coming in the Round of 32, or you simply contain enough love for two. Good. This is the first 48-team World Cup, hosted across the US, Canada, and Mexico — FIFA crammed in sixteen extra teams since last time, so if this guide runs a little long, take it up with them, not me.

And if it seems like an unusual number of entries contain the phrase "miracle qualifier" or "first time in history" — well, yes. More teams means more history being made, which is lovely, and it also means more broadcast markets and more licensing fees, which is the actual reason. FIFA is the most corrupt governing body in professional sport and everyone knows it, including FIFA, who have simply decided that's fine.

A few ground rules. Adopting a team is not a marriage; it's a summer fling with a flag. You are al

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