Andrés Cantor, the voice that has defined Spanish-language soccer for generations, is already looking ahead to 2026. In a recent conversation with LatiNation Football Club, the legendary announcer described the upcoming World Cup as a “Double XL” tournament—48 teams, 104 matches, and 39 days of competition across the United States, México, and Canadá. For Cantor, this is not just a bigger event; it is a cultural milestone that reflects how deeply the sport has taken root in the U.S. since 1994.
“In 1994, I don’t think many people knew what the World Cup was,” Cantor recalled. “This time, the fandom has grown exponentially.” That growth, he argues, is both statistical and emotional. The tournament will be the first to feature three host nations, and Cantor sees it as a moment that will unite Latino communities across the continent.
The Maradona vs. Messi Debate, Settled?
Cantor, who knew Diego Armando Maradona personally and has narrated Lionel Messi’s entire career, offered a perspective that cuts through the usual GOAT arguments. “They don’t need to be compared; each played in a very different era,” he said. But then he added a statement that is already sparking conversation: “If Diego had played today, he would have won five World Cups.”
That hypothetical doesn’t diminish Messi’s achievements. Cantor confessed he would have loved to narrate an Argentina championship at the Maracaná in 2014—a wish finally fulfilled in Qatar 2022. His emotional call of Gonzalo Montiel’s penalty in that final went viral, moving not just Argentines but fans worldwide. “People would stop me all over the world and tell me I made them cry, and many weren’t even Argentine,” he said. “They remembered watching the games with their fathers and grandfathers who are no longer here.”
For Cantor, that generational connection is the soul of soccer. A lifelong Boca Juniors fan, he joked that there was “no chance” his children would have ended up as River Plate supporters—a line that drew laughs and nods from anyone who understands the fierce loyalties of Argentine football.
Predictions for 2026: A Rematch in Atlanta
Cantor is not shy about his forecasts. He predicts Argentina will reach the final in Atlanta and face France once again. “In my prediction, Argentina will be in Atlanta for the week of the final, and I hope they go all the way from there,” he said. The quality of both squads and their experience in high-pressure tournaments, he argues, place them a step above the rest.
This bold prediction comes as part of Cantor’s role as an ambassador for Haleon’s “For the Assist” campaign, which emphasizes the importance of support and preparation—not just on the pitch, but in the daily health and well-being of fans. For Cantor, “assisting” the fan is an essential part of the upcoming World Cup experience.
The 2026 tournament will also be a moment to reflect on how far the sport has come in the U.S. From the relative obscurity of 1994 to a packed stadium culture today, Cantor sees the World Cup as a bridge between generations and nations. As he put it, the “Double XL” edition is not just about size—it’s about the stories, the memories, and the voices that carry them.
For more on the intersection of soccer and Latino identity, check out our coverage of NYC’s proposal to name streets after Pelé and Thierry Henry, and Endrick’s path at Real Madrid.
