What will you remember from the World Cup in 2026 next year?

NEW YORK — Allow me to imagine a scenario for a moment. Indulge in this fantasy. Months from now. Maybe years. When the World Cup is long over. I will drink coffee at my favorite place in downtown Manhattan, a Puerto Rican establishment right on historic Stone Street, paved in the late 1700s and one of the oldest streets in the city.

I sit down with Erling Haaland, Vozhinha, Jude Bellingham and Rodri and drink Mazapán lattes (look it up). Bad Bunny’s “Nuevayol” plays in the background and we listen. Sit. And then remember the summer of 2026 and the World Cup that was.

“Fellas,” I want to say. “Let me ask you all something.”

And they will look up, put down their morning brew and listen to what follows.

Do you remember Gio Reyna’s trivela against Paraguay? How did it swing beautifully from the outside of his foot and thus electrify all of America?

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

Was Raúl Jiménez’s first World Cup goal months after his father’s death a piece of poetry that made you sink to the ground with emotion? Was the story of Julián Quiñones – a Colombian-born player transformed into one of Mexico’s brightest stars – a blueprint for identity to be more than just a birth certificate?

Or Canada’s Stephen Eustáquio, who also dealt with the heartbreak of losing both parents (something I sadly know all too well), did his winner against South Africa in the Round of 32 shake you to your core?

Or how about Morocco’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, aged 18, how is it possible that he produced that level of midfield magic 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?

Did you hear Azteca wherever you were 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 may come? Maybe he could join you in Madrid one day, Jude?

Also, Jude? How did it feel to sing Wonderwall in the heights of Mexico City or listen to your country serenade you with a song so iconic as “Hey Jude” that it now has two meanings because of your name. Do you realize how much you are loved? Was England’s incredible victory against El Tri the ultimate display of sacrifice, will and courage?

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

Why can’t I go to bed without thinking about Amad Diallo’s historic goal for his Ivory Coast or Julián Álvarez’s majestic winner against Switzerland? Why do I care if Norway’s Andreas Schjelderup meant it or not? Or if I can’t help but analyze the genius Michael Olise’s famous creativity?

Is there a better highlight to showcase young players than Cucho Hernandez’s relentless struggle to win the ball from Uzbekistan’s Jakhongir Urozov near the corner flag, win it back and then place a pinpoint assist for Jaminton Campaz?

Is there a better display of strength and determination than Holland’s Brian Brobbey? With Swiss Johan Manzambi’s tenacity and dynamic ability, can we keep playing on a loop?

Should I reflect more on Lionel Messi’s feelings after the final or can I just remember everything else before? Can I save his magic, including Argentina’s first goal at the World Cup, which was against Algeria? And in the end it was a historic hat-trick?

Is Golden Boot winner and all-time leader Kylian Mbappé real or is this a simulation? What target can I pick that makes me think he might not be mortal? His stoppage-time winner against Senegal, making him France’s all-time goalscorer? Or the history-breaker against England in third place?

Speaking of that fight, Jude – my goodness? Have you recovered? Was your goal so good that it took a part of you?

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

Are you aware of the commotion and excitement you created for 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 make you put it in the basement?

Did you also know Erling – that in my Peru almost 500 Peruvian babies born this summer now have your name? Now that is DEDICATION. It is influence.

When you stop sipping your latte, Erling, striker, can you explain to me how Haiti’s Wilson Isidor was able to produce that kind of power with his goal against Morocco? Or the work of art that was Cape Verde’s Sidny Lopes Cabral against Argentina? Does anyone realize that the latter essentially broke the internet? It made us all believe in something bigger than ourselves, right?

What about the incredible comebacks? From Belgium’s over Senegal or Gabriel Martinelli’s winner against Japan? Did you feel alive with Ecuador’s historic victory over Germany? Or Paraguay’s?

How about Curaçao’s Eloy Room? 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 a beauty to see so much resilience?

(Photo by Marcel Bonte/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Speaking of robustness. Hello Vozinha? Would you like another cup of coffee? By the way, how is your life now? No, really? Do you understand that your heroics, your insane performances and that of your teammates at this World Cup affected so many of us? Do you wish you went back to normal? Maybe a part of you does?

Or do you take it all with you? Is it okay for me to tell you that what you did, for me and millions of us, absolutely became a reminder of why we love this game in the first place? Are you okay with your life never being the same again? Is it fine for me to tell you that we are so grateful for what you and the Blue Sharks did? Is there a perfect way to express the fact that your national team became the muse, the well-known star of this World Cup?

Do you also remind Rodri, the World Cup champion next to you, that he may have won it all, but La Roja never passed you by? Are you rudely reminding him?

Speaking of Spain, Rodri, what makes this team so special? Why should the rest of the football world not only admire the way you play football, but the way you treat others and the game – do you think about your influence? How does it feel to know that you are the ultimate general in an army that amazes us all with possession and intoxicates you with the relentless pursuit of getting it back? Are you considering another way or is this the only way to live? Is this how we should all see the game?

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

What was Pau Cubarsí born with that makes him such a giant, despite being only 19? Speaking of that generation, is Lamine Yamal okay with his three-year-old brother Keyne being the real hero? Do 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 ended up deeply embedded in history? Can we put it in our photo album?

Finally guys. Is there a perfect, singular way to describe what we witnessed this summer? Or is it really just a mosaic of reflections? An island of treasures? Or should we just use a Pearl Jam lyric here and simply say, “Hey, hail the lucky ones, I’m referring to those in love, yeah…”

For simply WC moments. I want you to know: we all fell in love with you.

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