Although any changes would not come until after the 2026 season, preparation for the 2026 World Cup has been a priority for CONCACAF and MLS, with the tournament being hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“We have this opportunity with our (USMNT) — as the women have managed to do with so many World Cup victories — for this to be all about sports,” Garber said. “You have to have that. If the U.S. team doesn’t do well, it will definitely be a disappointment because of the high expectations.”
Montagliani, meanwhile, said CONCACAF as a whole expects to perform in this event at a competitive level, both in the group stage and in the round of 16.
“I expect eight of our countries to be there – six direct and two playoffs to get out of the group,” Montagliani said. “Two of them to reach the quarter-finals and one of them to reach at least the semi-final.”
Despite some concerns that North America would not be ready to host the event, Garber dismissed the idea.
“I’m not really worried about it,” Garber said. “I’ve been in the events business for a long, long time. The fear and hatred of what you have to do and then all the challenges of running your plan always come up, but it always succeeds.”
