To straight away to her, she introduced the subject right away. And so about a personal situation, i thought quite broad terms about life in general. And they strive to as a very curious woman, interested in every detail of the affairs of state under dave personal lives as well. But that was a very special relationship. It seems that have been 14 us president s during her 70 get. Shes met 13 of them. All right, thanks so much andrew. Lets go back to christopher wilson. Hes a royal historian and biographer, is some london joins us from there now. And you were talking early about how unprecedented it is to have this sort of turn out of world lee, this what, why then is it all down to just ease of travel . Is it also partly down to the power of media in social media these days that can make an event in something you just dont want to be left out of . Well, i think it may be a cynical way of looking at it, but i think youre absolutely right. Yeah. We live in a world of real politic and you know, these, these moments dont come very often. I cant think, you know, even if the president of the United States were to die now forgive me, americans for saying that. Im not sure that you would get the same response. I dont know quite what the magic was all elizabeth, i think at the fact that the most powerful man in the world describes her as decent, honorable and a life of service. I think that sort of shows that, you know, there are still values in the world. Its as a harder, well, we live in now. Theyre still values to be had. And its just nice to celebrate life of somebody who upheld such values. But its more than that, of course, its a global event, and its unprecedented, as weve said. And i really will see the like of it again its, its just one of those moments in history. Yeah, i didnt mean to be too set to go just man. The media now really puts it in your face and theres a big event and maybe ready prompts you to think about whether you want to make a double essence go. What kind of opportunities i think thats up to, right . Because what youve got to you about 2000000 people lining the route, but i just heard before i came on at the the estimate now is the full point. 1000000000 people will watch all parts of the Memorial Service tomorrow, and thats just extraordinary. No other event in history could possibly equal. Well, right, that isnt a big number. I think we can agree on that. Thanks so much christopher. That brings us to the end of this show. Ill do 0 continues after world cup countdown will be back at the top of the and of course as al jazeera dot com to continue following on this story and the many others weve been talking to you about stay with us. Ah ah hello and far as smile. Welcome to our latest world cub countdown program. As we build up, the cats are 2020 to the middle east, 1st world cup, which kicks off. In november. Each month were focusing on a different region and this time is north and Central America. Oh, canadas bands are excited after their country finished as regions talk qualifier. Well take a closer look at their teen. United states are also in the mix up. Theyre missing the last finals in russia, but will they be able to surpass the success of their womens world cup winners . Mexico and costa rica are representing the Central America will have a special reports from both countries and catch up with fans preparing to make the journey to support their teams. Here in hats are joining us to talk through it all. Our former u. S. International and caribbean sports analyst christophers sullivan, whos near of palo alto in california, and canadian sports analysts bought ruins. Whos in vancouver . Ah, with a lot, lots to get through with 4 teams having qualified from the north and Central American region. Canada finished top of the table followed by their 2026 world cup co host mexico and the United States, costa rica, qualified via the playoff. Heres how theyve been drawn in the group phase. For the final here encounter. Well take a closer look at each one shortly. Lets 1st focus on the inform team. Canada will be making just theres the 2nd world comp appearance. Jody bands reports from vancouver. Oh, canadians are passionate about their sports teams. Generally those playing baseball, basketball, and of course ice hockey. But more recently, fans are turning to a different game with the success of the mens and womens sides has caused a massive spike and interest in the sport. The canadian womens team, one olympic gold in tokyo, followed by the mens team qualifying for just their 2nd world cop. Much of this success is down to the influence of coach john herdman. John herdman has brought so much confidence to the Canadian National team program that it attracts winners, right . Winners attract, winners. He had metal success as an olympic a coach for the canadian women. Hes more than brought that to the canadian men. This group of players is much more diverse than the team that played at the 1986 world cup and mexico. Among them, the Canadian Immigrant from ghana, alfonso davies, the buyer and munich player has captured the attention of the soccer world and his thriving under heard men, while croatian born b, land bori, and tells everyone how proud he is to be part of this team. Happy to agree to give back something to canada, the gemini, give it to me, you know, new life, new everything. Experts thank novembers world cap. Could be a turning point for the sport in canada. Now this is an opportunity to be there in, in, in cutter this year. And then in canada, United States, mexico, in 4 years, this will set a real transition for canada to the next level. The recent success is already paying off with greater enrollments in Youth Programs and fans ready for a taste of world cup. Lori were gorgeous. Oh, with hopes of being a dark horse. Canadians are counting down to the tournament in guitar with excitement not felt in a generation. Jodi vance, al jazeera vancouver. And heres whats facing canada when the world hub starts in november. Theyre in group f with belgium who were until recently the top rank side in the world, morocco and co asia are the other teams in my group. Whats bring in our guests now and scott, i want to start with you because canada have never even scored a world cup goal before. Can this team cause an upset tier . Do you think . Well far are the short answer is yes, but it will certainly be an upset if canada and specifically can take a point or perhaps even a win against either the european side in the group manager, john herdman is already laying the groundwork of canada, being a massive underdog in his group, he began today in the media, saying it would be a Monumental Task in the group. Or if an upset is to occur, it will happen for a couple of reasons. One is that fearless, cohesive approach that we saw from canada during this last round of qualifying candidate were not intimidated by raining powers, like mexico and the United States even away from their home pitch. And the other factor would be the ability to generate goals from a variety of sources. Canada led the group for the last stage with 23 goals across 14 matches. And those goals came from 8 different sources. Yes, it will be an upset of canada. Can find a way through this group or perhaps earn a result against one of those european side, but it most certainly as possible. And Christopher Kennedy co, sean herdman, scott just mentioned to him hes had quite an unusual career up until now. Has any absolutely. I think its been a fascinating path to this point right here. I mean, hes coached for 7 years where the womens team and hes won every competition that hes been in or place battle around in olympic qualified in pen american. They won the gold. Its very interesting, you know, i agree with scott unequivocally a 100 percent. I think they were the best the and merited qualifying top of the group we for the 1st time youve seen mexico, thats been a power along with the u. S. Sub. Busy par performance throughout the whole, qualify another hereto martino, the u. S. Normally never looked past canada because ive been canada. The us are very similar. Similar when you look at the composition of what they brave, but kept canada and even more diverse. When youre talking about the diversity of the players from where they have all over the world is really impressed. And unfortunately, i think costa rican and kind of are in the toughest groups and cuts. Are they come up against belgium creation morocco . I think they can get 3 points against morocco having watch laraca without resides against the us. Been a recent friendly. The tough one is going to be belgium and much like 86. 00 when they played again. That great french team with the star started midfield. The plot can use your sd going on fernandez. Youre looking at the best midfielder and kevin bruner. So if they can get a point, i actually believe that they get a point between belgium and corporation. One of those to the way that they played in perform. You know, were talking about a year ago and qualifying will they be up to the performance of the day at Optimal Performance . Canada could take anyone in this competition or surprise, anyone the way they play. And scott cannot and demographics have changed a lot since they last qualified in 1986. How much of an impact has that had on the Current National teen bar . Its had a Significant Impact and you need look no further than the roster. And the squad that was named by john herdman earlier today for the upcoming friendliest, leading up to the top 2 months from now. More than a 3rd of the team are players born outside of canada is back. If you look at Immigration Trends in canada, over the last 30 to 40 years, you can see a significant uptick. This is a country that is more than 20 percent immigrants, and the vast majority of canadians are very proud of the fact that were multicultural. And when you look at john herdman, being an immigrant himself, a story that he has mention, alfonso davey. That was mentioned in jodys report, being a refugee who came from gone to this country. They are the faces of this team. But they lead a very strong contingent of immigrants, so yes, it has had a Significant Impact on candidate soccer portions on the mens side. Ok, well, but shift our focus to the other team from north america, the United States. Theyre back of finals up. Theyre missing the last world cup in russia. The further theyve ever gone to the semi finals back at the very 1st edition in 1930. Since then, its been the us womens team that has enjoyed the most success with for worldcom title when the us will be taking on iran in their groups. Countries havent had formal diplomatic relations for more than 40 years around one. Theyre only previous world cup meeting to one in 1998. England and wales are the other 2 teens in fruit o christopher, are you confident that the u. S. Can get out of the group stage . I think you definitely dont want to be arrogant. And you want to take your opponents, you know, with, with, with certain credibility. And i think wales will be a very interesting battle. I think both teams are on similar levels. When you look at start power, garrett, vale and others like ramsey and its a well coach team and they had to fight to get here the game against iran. We last thing is iran in 98. I think that that team under carlos kiddos thats just come back and get it streamline. Well, theyve got 4 point than in 2018 where they beat. They tied portugal and they beat morocco out of the gate. And then last 2, i think they lost the 2nd game. I can remember who that was again, but they have players that can score and they have top forwards equally like the United States. We have a young generation that has an american in each group of champions league, but the game is not played on paper and thats what makes it so excited. We have a team that finally starting to take shape, play a little bit better, but the pool is deeper than its ever been. Of scott canada did beat the usa at the start of the year. What did you think of the u ss . Qualifying campaign . I thought a times the group showed its youth and christophers point is very well made. This is not a lack of talent on this us roster. This is a deep pool and a very talented one. Falsifying round. The final one that the us struggled when they played outside of the United States to generate results. Im not sure if that was a lack of experience or perhaps a little over confidence after what was an extremely successful 2021 campaign in which the us won. The con cap nations cup and gold cup. Its not a lack of talent. It may be a lack of experience, but the u. S. Does have the potential to rise up on the biggest age football has to offer. And to me, this group really comes down to that 1st match against wales. Im not discounting iran by any means. And the political ramifications, as you mentioned, are coming in to this topic. Well certainly plan to that match as well. But its a lot of pressure on the us and well side coming into that 1st match together. But yes, i agree with christopher esteem is certainly talented enough to make its way through the group. Can it come together at the right time and will that youth serve them well, instead of being a lack of experience, thanks guys will come back to bo shortly. But now lets take a look ahead. The 2026 world cup will be vastly different from novembers here in cap har. The tournament is spread over 3 countries, the us, mexico and canada. And for the 1st time ever will feature 48. 00. At supporters in washington, d. C are unhappy that the u. S capital wasnt chosen as one of the health city. Mike, hannah spoke to fans there. Ah, you as fans, excitedly awaiting the beginning of the cut, a world cup in a matter of weeks, interest all the more intense here. Because the game is part of washingtons culture, almost every school place it at all levels. And the local professional t, d. C, united has substantial support and groups like the screaming eagles could be described as fanatical. Theres a lot of fandom, a lot of support, a lot of passion for the game. And its so its important to us. Given this passion, this a degree of anger that dc was not selected as a host city, as it was in 1994. The last time the us hosted the tournament and we are the nate, the nations capital, that i mean that to me is just i dont know what the thinking behind that was, but i mean, how many other countries do not host from their nation has happened. Theres a place to play in virtually every washington neighbourhood. Its important to note that in the us, the name of the game is soccer ball is a different sport entirely. But then theres a team called into miami, c f. The c. F stands for club to put bowl, a knob to the many hispanic supportive and in miami. Each game is like a festival. The party has been ongoing since the city was selected as one of the 2026 venues. Were excited about the world to have coming down here. Ah, just because its finally happening in our backyard, the kids day, you know, the lobbying the on was for your and how are you know, everybody so excited a lot of work up millions of us bands like these will be watching when the cutter will come get turned away, but already theres a sense of anticipation about what happens beyond when the world cup come to the region in just over 4 years time. Mike hannah, out his era washington. Christopher, what do you think of the 4800 format . Do you think its too many countries . Well, i think most clements and certainly my colleague, richard keys and then the great way to live. And in the United States, they play the agency to a tournament where you get to the sweet 16. It starts at 64. 00. So for american, you know, i think that they would understand it for the rest of the world. Its one of those new rules that is different from the traditions, but weve jumped to 32 from 24 and now theyre going to 48. And i think it will be a shorter term for some teams before they go out. And we just have to deal with, and i mean thats the only thing that i could say. I do believe that with god said, canada has 3 places. I think its vancouver, toronto, and montreal. And then you have in mexico, they have mexico city long. Todays and then one of the hot i believe, and then you have all the cities in the United States. So really 3 countries and big countries as well will be able to accommodate so many teens. And so many cultures watching this fantastic event in 2026, its going to be amazing. Oh scott, what sort of legacy you hope the 2026 world cup will leave for the game in canada . Hopefully something that resembles the improved results and increased the expectations that we saw from our olympic programs following the 20 to 2010, pardon me, winter games in vancouver, leading up to those games, there was an influx of money and resources made possible by a lot of different sponsors across canada and a lot of different organizations and our athletes benefited tremendously. That is increased the expectation across this country when it comes to the olympics. And i think we could see something similar on the soccer side. Our womens t that team has certainly led from the front much like our neighbors to the south in the United States, canada on the women side, current olympic champion that started back as chris for rent reference earlier. When john herdman took over the womens side and the surprise to everyone in london in 2012, by winning an olympic bronze and taking the americans to their limits at that point in time, the number one country in the world. So our women have laid out a template that hopefully our men can emulate, and hopefully 2026 is a springboard into future results that resemble those. Lets take a look at mexico now. They finish 2nd in their qualifying table, behind canada. And theyve got quite a match coming up in the group stage against lena masseys argentina. Also be placing saudi arabia and poland. Mexico is woven into the history of the world. The stadium packet in mexico city was the 1st venue to host to world cup finals. And it was also where diego mer donna scored the famous hand of god goal and goal of the century. And the same game against england in 1986. Our correspondent john holman, has more from mexico city. This is the cathedral of met confirm. Thats perhaps the real way to describe what is quite a rule kiss around the ground. Pick a stadium and its got a long history with the world cup to finals were played in 97986 in general. This is a tournament the mexican get excited about about 80000 people are expected to travel from here to kick off. The cheer on that team. 3 co lot. Thats the nickname for the national. So i, based on the 3 colors in the mexican flag, that doesnt necessarily mean that people are expecting that much from the mexico never been past the quota, final of any will cost. And this is generally regarded as not a particularly vintage crop of players. The country in general actually is only the biggest trophy drought in 15 years and that the mens women and the youth teams. But despite that, whenever they go to woke up, met because know how to celebrate to the point where the Mexican Foreign minister is actually explicit. Evil, not to take any tequila in the suitcases to guitar. Its not going to be a problem in 4 years time when the woke up is actually held on home ground here together with the United States and canada. Chris her not a great run for mexico. Theyve gone out in the round of 16 and left 7 world. Can this year be their year . Well, i mean, they call it l. So part of the 5th match in mexico and its been stuck in their head. Qualifying as, as scott mentioned earlier, was not a very good performance under head. I thought that mark, you know, in fact the fans have been chanting, what i thought that, what i thought that, and, you know, theyve had the recent injury of, hey, sues l i t t o corona, what nickname that is to cut the corona to beard. So, you know, is the party, boy, we dont know, but hes from port out. He wont be there to be locked on. Napoli is one of their star players, him and it hasnt caught his best form since they had injury that he had with wounds. So theyre having problems with the star players that theyve under performed. Theres been a drought of gold for mexico. And i think mexico, you know, that 1st game against poland is going to tell the story of the group. They have pulling argentina, saudi arabia, theyll be playing against poland for that 2nd place. This, in my opinion, i think with the fans the sentiment and they are, some of the greatest fans in the world is really dire. You know, i mean, they really feel that mexico is not going to do well. The guy only wants have mexico be in canada or the us in the last 3 years. Do they have a chance . Well, they have a chance to get out of their group because thats what mexico traditionally does 7 consecutive world cup to the round of 16 getting past that hurdle. As chris per mentioned, has been somewhat of a challenge, a daunting one. Whats interesting about mexico is that despite their poor qualification round in the final stage, they still finish with the same record in canada. But that tells you the different standards between the 2 countries. What surprised everyone, including me, was mac, mexicos lack of english. In the last round, mexico is the comcast squad that you depend on for goals and you have known traditionally as one that does not lack often, but that was not the case. Over the past year, mexico scoring just 17 goals in the 14 matches of qualifying. They do have spur entirely that game against poland is the one that stands out in mexico gets off to a good start in that game and wins that game and takes 3 points. You feel very good about their chances of getting to the round at 16, but to hearken back whats happened in the past year and this particular group of players. Im not particularly optimistic about their chances of going beyond the round of 16. And now to the final team from the north and Central American region, and thats costa rica. They were the last team to qualify for the tournaments through the inter continental play, all dating new zealand here and catherine, back in june. And they find themselves in a very tough world cup group, again for time winner in germany, 2010 champions thing and japan. I was sad her ramp had. He spoke to fans who are hoping to win their way to encounter costa rica classic match between separate hes saying a lot will in say, always brings out the strongest of emotions among football crazed fans known as thick goes her cache. Shaky Economic Conditions in the country of men to reduction in the sale of world cup packages. For many fans, their only chance of getting to katara is by participating in ruffles. Like this said in saying, are you really wanting it would be a dream come true. Football fascinates me. And in such a spectacular location, but price is a state so we can only hope. Travel agency say only around 500. 00 of costa rica as 5000000. 00 inhabitants will make the trip to doha. Those will be watching from home, say they will still be cheering on their team. Guitar will be there because 6 participation in a world cup overall, the 3rd consecutive time in a row that they qualify. Not bad for such a small country was by the rocky Qualification Campaign fans. Hope the team will repeat. Its historic performance from 2014 in brazil where they reached the quarter finals. The site earned the label of giant killers. After finishing top of the group, they shared with italy, england, and uruguay. Le, former defender and national legend, michael pneumonia scored the winning penalty that sent close that he came to the quarter finals and brazil. He says the current team has what it takes to get out of the group stage. Once again, been a lot of that as an endo, sat in the truces. We like being in a group like this one to compete with the best. Thats what you do in a world camp faced the best i feel optimistic. I know our National Team shows its best when it faces the worlds most powerful. The next generation of players hoping for another strong showing and guitar allison the yeti. Ill just era san jose, costa rica, christopher 10 memories of what that team achieved in 2014 help them here. I mean, thats the big question. I think that they track costa rica are very. Ready similar to that goldman generation from killing that wont be in cut are under jorge luis, been taught in 2014 in brazil. I was there. I mean, they taught the group with uruguay. Anyone in italy and then they got to the quarter finals. And last for 3 and penalties against another and now they have a different, you know, they have a history of having columbia coach the coach. I have now, Louise Fernando swatted. Hes a little more defensive, but he has just has history and experience in a world cup. So i mean, this is a team of old player can hes we that final bit of juice from the 11. From the limit of these players, kaylor novice was a legend in costa rica and then you have sell. So borges, why does with 150 cas . And that was brian luis as well. Your campbell who scored the goal is to get them there. If they sprinkle enough fresh Young Players from costa rica, it could be put, be the and they can go through, but the odds are against them. Scott, what do you think . Are costa rica facing an Impossible Task . Far it certainly feels like it in a group with spain, germany, and japan. And while they have all of that veteran experienced, the christopher talked about they do struggle to score goals and you can expect los, he goes to try to frustrate their opponents, to play physical brand of football, to play very defensive brand of football as well. And hope to generate the odd chance here, or there be opportunistic, perhaps go to penalties as well. Its spain off the hop. And then it, its japan, finishing with germany as well. If the upset is to occur, you would think it would have to be early in their group stage of matches. But it does not look very promising. Theyve drawn an extremely tough group and well see if their experience pays off. But im not very optimistic about that. Happening this time around, lets just had shop on whats been happening here in the house country catera. The venue for the world cup final. The sales stadium is undergone a major stress test ahead of the tournament. It staged the super caught between the champions of egypt and saudi arabia with a near capacity crowd of 75000 supporters. Thats all we have time for so big. Thank you to our guest, christopher sullivan, and scott rental. Next month well be switching continents to focus on the asian teams. Ill be heading to qatar as we get ever closer to novembers mid event. And of course, al jazeera will keep you right up to date. Every step of the with ah, a president bids fair . Well, joe biden and the 1st lady jill pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth lying in