Join The Club
The 48-team tournament kicked off last Thursday, with co-hosts Mexico dismantling South Africa in a 2-0 victory.
So far, it has been a tournament of surprise underdog performances, exemplified by the determination of Egypt and Cape Verde against Belgium and Spain today in two draws.
Elsewhere, USA delivered a frighteningly strong opening game effort against Paraguay, and Japan shocked the Netherlands yesterday after coming back from a goal down twice to draw 2-2.
Play our free match predictor and win £1k
The one thing that has to happen for Gary Lineker to wear just pants at the 2026 World Cup, on The Rest Is Football
But what is the one thing that Gary Lineker must see happen to make a return to pants podcasting at the 2026 World Cup?
The ex-England international has priors in this department, having already done so for Leicester's title victory on Match of the Day.
The USA started their tournament stronger than football fans across the globe may have expected, but the idea that they could win the tournament remains a distant possibility.
That is for everyone besides Donald Trump, the USMNT and the American population... but Gary Lineker is still a doubter.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football, Lineker made another pants pledge, this time if the USMNT are to prevail at the 2026 World Cup.
"What I am going to do is I am going to double down. And I'm just going to say that if the USA win the World Cup, I'll do the last episode of this series in just my pants," said the 65-year-old.
When asked for clarification on what pants, by guest star Niall Horan who asked if they would be "naked cowboy", Lineker confirmed that they would be American flag pants.
The 65-year-old also revealed his 'dark horse' for the tournament - a nation that typically wouldn't be befitting of the label.
"I quite like saying that Germany are a dark horse," confessed Lineker. "Nobody's talking about [them], they didn't get through the group stage in the last two World Cups.
"Are they now the kind of country that you go, actually, if they get to the quarters, they're actually doing really well?" asked Lineker, who believes the Germans could spring a surprise tournament victory.
