Secret sauce? Could mayonnaise be the key to winning World Cup 2026?

**SPEAKER_1** (0:02)
This is a podcast by The Straits Times.

**Deepenraj Ganesan** (0:11)
Three host nations, 48 teams, one golden trophy. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is almost here. Hi, I'm Deepenraj Ganesan, and welcome to The Straits Times World Cup Team Talk.

**Ziaul Rao Shan** (0:22)
And I'm Ziaul Rao Shan from Money FM 89.3. Deepen, look around the room, the fans have assembled, the flags are out. As I mentioned, we've got a whole fan zone with plenty of fans, but first, we'd like to thank Adidas for kicking us out quite nicely, for kicking the studio out with the latest jerseys, boots and even the ball.

**Deepenraj Ganesan** (0:41)
Yes, and before we get to the fans who are always the most important people when it comes to football, we have got the one and only Neil Humphreys. He's covered the World Cup in Brazil before. Neil, are you excited for the World Cup? It's just around the corner.

**Neil Humphreys** (0:54)
So I'm the least important person in this room. If they're the most important, I'm the least important, right? Am I excited for this World Cup? Yes, I think it will be terrific. I'm not entirely convinced by the increase in games. What is it, 104 or something like that?
This World Cup to me feels a bit too big, a bit too bloated. It's like having too many mistresses. It's a good idea in the beginning, but after a while you're exhausted, you're tired, and you just can't get the performance going anymore. So good idea in paper. I hope the consistency is there throughout. I hope the quality supersedes the quantity. I hope President Trump stays quiet. He won't, but I hope he does.
And yeah, it could be a good World Cup, yeah.

**Ziaul Rao Shan** (1:35)
Count on Neil to address the elephants in the room right away. Neil, you're absolutely right. But bigger should be better, no? I'm talking about football.

**Neil Humphreys** (1:44)
Well, I'm 6'4, so I'm going to say yes.
I'm not sure. I'm not sure. I thought the World Cup was fine as it was before. And look, don't get me on all this FIFA nonsense about inclusivity and diversity. That's rubbish. This is about money. It's only about money. The qualifying stages, that's your diversity part. That's your inclusivity part. These are the finals for a reason. They're called the finals. I want to see the elite, the underdogs around the place.
I think it's too many teams. We'll wait and see. And the climate will come into it as well. It's going to be a really sapping hot summer in North America. I hope you're right, Raul Shan. I hope you're right. I don't know. I don't know.

**Deepenraj Ganesan** (2:26)
So Raul Shan, I had arranged this show to get fans excited for the show. Brilliant way to... Off to a great start, I guess. Off to a great start.

**Neil Humphreys** (2:31)
It'll be great. It'll be great.

**Deepenraj Ganesan** (2:33)
But I love the honesty.
Let's head over to the hosts in term, not us, but of course Mexico, the United States and the Canada are hosting this World Cup together. And we're lucky enough to have a fan from Mexico here with us today. Mauricio, welcome to the show. How are you feeling?

**Mauricio** (2:50)
I'm excited. I cannot wait. I'm a bit sad because I'll be watching the games from Singapore. But back home, everybody's excited. Everybody's ready.
Mexico and South America, we're proud. Of, you know, the heritage from football. Like, we follow everybody from Brazil, Argentina, you know, of course, Mexico, you know, my team.
We're excited. And it's very cool to see Mexico for the third time being a host. The first time, I believe, they did it in 1970 and then in 1986 And then my friend over here, he also supports Mexico. Thank you so much, sir.

**Neil Humphreys** (3:34)
That's all right. Mexico, in 1986, best World Cup ever. And we won.

**Mauricio** (3:39)
Yes. I was two years old.

**Deepenraj Ganesan** (3:40)
I was two years old back then. But you should be quite excited that the world is going to see more of Mexico. Because like my friend here, the only thing he knows about Mexico is tacos. So, at least an opportunity for you to learn more.

**Ziaul Rao Shan** (3:50)
I know Eddie Guerrero.

**Deepenraj Ganesan** (3:52)
Eddie Guerrero.

**Mauricio** (3:54)
But so now, Mexico will be playing in three different cities. One of the main cities, which is Mexico City, and then they go all the way to Alahara, and then cross to the US, which is Monterrey. People will get to see different parts of Mexico, different vibes, different food, different, you know, the heat of how we love football.