The 2026 FIFA World Cup is underway. For the first time, 48 teams are contesting 104 matches across three North American co-host nations. With this brand-new format, what truly sets this tournament apart? Who are the dark horses this year? And who will ultimately lift the World Cup trophy? 

In this special episode of Media Chats, host Xu Yawen is joined by CGTN Radio sports journalist Yang Guang, CGTN sports journalist Damion Jones, British Musician and football fan Josh Cotterill, and Khalid Bakri, a football coach with over a decade of experience training young Chinese players in Beijing. They break down all the hottest talking points surrounding the tournament.