Shaka Hislop — former Trinidad & Tobago international goalkeeper, 2006 World Cup participant, and current ESPN analyst — sat down with SportsCasting.com to give his expert verdict on the opening days of the 2026 World Cup.
Hislop shared his views on the tournament’s biggest talking points, from goalkeeping standouts and tactical controversies to England’s prospects and the home-nation advantages enjoyed by the USA and Mexico.
Key Angles
- The former goalkeeper defends the controversial hydration breaks, calling them a matter of player welfare rather than commercial interference.
- Hislop says he would pick David Raya over Unai Simón for Spain, and Jude Bellingham over Morgan Rogers for England — if the relationship with Tuchel can be managed.
- The USA’s opening win over Paraguay has blown Group B wide open and shifted the home-nation spotlight away from Mexico.
- Hislop warns that fatigue, altitude and heat will separate the contenders from the pretenders as the tournament progresses.
- Cape Verde’s draw with Spain is the shock result of the tournament so far — and Hislop says nobody saw it coming.
- Hislop backs France to win the World Cup, citing squad depth as the decisive edge in a 48-team, 39-day tournament.
SportsCasting: As a previous World Cup player yourself — 2006 in Germany, how have you enjoyed this tournament so far Shaka?
Shaka: It’s been pretty good. Just looking at yesterday in particular, the Cape Verde result against Spain is the one that stands out. I’ll be honest — coming into this tournament, my concern was that with 48 teams it was just a little too many, and we’d see too many heavy, one-sided results. We saw one with Curaçao against Germany, and you wondered if Cape Verde against Spain might be the next. But this is the beauty of the game — you take absolutely nothing for granted. Cape Verde did themselves proud, surprised the world of football with a performance and a result I don’t think anybody saw coming. And having a goalkeeper in the headlines is something I don’t often get to enjoy, so it’s been a good tournament.
SportsCasting: Lots of attacking football too. New Zealand vs Iran was an end-to-end game — far more open than you’d expect from an opening World Cup fixture.
Shaka: It really was. It was far more open than you’d expect from international football, and particularly from an opening game where teams are usually more worried about not losing than going out to win. New Zealand–Iran was anything but that, and I started watching it and just couldn’t take my eyes off it.
SportsCasting: With 48 teams and a 39-day schedule, do you think fatigue will start to play a part as we reach the knockout rounds — particularly given the temperature and weather conditions?
Shaka: I think so, yes. France were my pre-tournament favourites, and part of the reason was the depth of their squad. You’re right to flag the number of extra games and the conditions — having played here in the US, I understand the impact the heat and humidity can have, and they shouldn’t be underestimated. As we go deeper, it will be a factor for any nation with a long run in the tournament.
SportsCasting: On the subject of squad depth, Tino Livramento has unfortunately had to go home through injury, and Thomas Tuchel has called up Trevoh Chalobah as his replacement. What’s your reaction to that?
Shaka: A little bit surprising, I’ll be honest. But then so many of Tuchel’s picks have been a little surprising. As a former Newcastle player myself, it’s a blow to see Livramento ruled out. Chalobah has had an up-and-down season. The fair question, though, is who the other realistic options were in those positions. England always get billed highly by their own fans, but when you look at the squad, there isn’t a great deal of depth — especially when you compare it to some of the other favourites in the tournament.
SportsCasting: As an Arsenal fan, I was wondering about Myles Lewis-Skelly — he can play left back, which is the same versatility Livramento gave Tuchel.
Shaka: Good point. That ability to play on either flank was certainly part of what Livramento offered.
SportsCasting: Going back to the warm-up games, Jordan Henderson went on record saying the performance against Costa Rica was one of the best he’s seen from an England side ahead of a major tournament. Are you buying into the hype that England might be peaking at just the right time?
Shaka: Short answer: no. Pre-tournament games are really just an opportunity to get a feel for the ball, find some rhythm. They don’t reflect what’s coming. When England play their first competitive game and get that out of the way, then you start taking things a little more seriously. Pre-tournament friendlies are like pre-season — hard to read too much into them.
SportsCasting: Which way do you think Tuchel will go with Bukayo Saka or Noni Madueke on the right tomorrow?
Shaka: It has to be Bukayo Saka. He’s the preferred choice for Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, and I don’t see it being any different for Tuchel. With great respect to Madueke, who is a really good option to have, Saka is the standout player in that position.
SportsCasting: And what about Jude Bellingham versus Morgan Rogers?
Shaka: This one’s more difficult to call. I’d probably go with Jude Bellingham, given his experience at a big club and understanding of those pressures. His relationship with Tuchel is well-documented, of course. And you can’t take anything away from Morgan Rogers — he’s performed wonderfully well. But if it were my selection, I’d go for Bellingham every time. The key is making sure his defensive responsibilities are clearly spelled out. As long as that’s understood, Bellingham is the better of the two footballers.
SportsCasting: It’s a good problem to have, to be fair. Let’s talk about some of the controversies surrounding the tournament — the main one being the hydration breaks. Jürgen Klopp said the game is being held hostage by commercial interests. What’s your take?
Shaka: I’m not as critical of the hydration breaks as most people are. I understand we’re used to two 45-minute halves without interruption, but having played here in the US, I know what these conditions can do to players. At a time when we’re already discussing player welfare — given the number of games top European clubs play across the league, domestic cups and European competition — this feels like a sensible addition to that conversation. I also understand the counter-argument: some venues, like the Atlanta stadium and Dallas, can be covered, so the temperature isn’t a factor there. But if other games have hydration breaks, it makes sense to apply them consistently. I’m nowhere near as critical as most.
SportsCasting: You have to have a level playing field. Is there a positive angle — does the break perhaps allow players to maintain that high tempo for longer?
Shaka: Possibly. The games have generally been played at a higher tempo than we usually see, and maybe those breaks contribute to that. But for me it’s primarily about player welfare. Most of these players are coming off 60-plus game seasons. To ask them to play a five or six-week tournament, with games every five days in these conditions, makes the hydration breaks the sensible call.
SportsCasting: Do you think managers are using these breaks as a tactical timeout — essentially splitting the game into four quarters and shifting the advantage towards the more strategic coaches?
Shaka: That is a fair point, and it’s an aspect I’m not in favour of. But I’m not sure what you can do about it. Unless players are taken to the far end of the pitch and kept completely separate from their coaching staff — which would be a ridiculous ask — you have to accept that some tactical instruction will happen. It’s not something I like, but it’s unrealistic to expect otherwise.
SportsCasting: Let’s talk goalkeeping, because it’s been a good tournament for keepers so far. Iran’s goalkeeper made ten saves last night. Cape Verde’s Vazinha, at 40 years old, was outstanding against Spain.
Shaka: It really has been a good tournament for goalkeepers, and I haven’t had many opportunities to say that. Cape Verde’s performance and result against Spain has been the surprise of the tournament so far. To see goalkeepers getting their recognition — as a former goalkeeper who didn’t get too many flowers himself — I’m absolutely delighted.
SportsCasting: I haven’t heard much criticism of the ball this tournament, which is unusual. It seems like everyone’s happy with it.
Shaka: I haven’t heard any complaints either — not so far. And you’re right, it so often becomes a factor. I think back to 2006, where I genuinely felt the ball did not do that tournament justice. It flew more than you were used to. I was speaking about it with Stuart Robson this morning — there was only one direct free kick scored in that entire World Cup, David Beckham against Paraguay, and that was a near-post effort. The ball was a factor. So far, though, it hasn’t been. And there were major concerns about the pitches going in, but there haven’t been many complaints there either.
SportsCasting: On Spain’s goalkeeper situation — people have been asking why David Raya isn’t getting a start over Unai Simón. What’s your view?
Shaka: If it were my choice, I’d go David Raya. I think he’s the more solid and consistent goalkeeper. Simón arguably has better feet, but Raya has been outstanding with his feet at Arsenal too. Simón takes a few more risks that I don’t particularly like. That said, De la Fuente has always preferred Simón, and until he makes a really costly error, I don’t expect that to change. It’s the same with England and Jordan Pickford — you perform for your manager at international level, regardless of what might be happening at club level.
SportsCasting: Are you at all concerned about England building from the back with Pickford? His shot-stopping is excellent, but his distribution isn’t his strong point.
Shaka: Not really. The primary function of a goalkeeper remains keeping the ball out of the net. Better feet is a bonus in the modern game, but I’d always rather have the goalkeeper I’m most confident about in terms of shot-stopping. That hasn’t changed.
SportsCasting: What about Emi Martínez tonight with Argentina? Can we expect any antics, or is he saving those for a penalty shootout?
Shaka: You can always expect something from Emi Martínez. He established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in the world four years ago and has built on that confidence ever since. Argentina are a strong side, but for me, this is a squad that is four years older, led by a Lionel Messi who is four years older. He’s still producing heroics at Inter Miami, but that’s MLS — the quality of opposition in a World Cup is a different matter entirely. I think Argentina will go far, but I can’t see them reaching the final, let alone winning it as they did in Qatar.
SportsCasting: What about Mexico? There’s a chance they could face England in Mexico City if both sides win their groups. That would be a unique challenge.
Shaka: And that’s the key word — Mexico City. The altitude and the smog make it a completely different proposition. Mexico have almost an unfair home advantage in those games. Before a ball was kicked, I’d have said Mexico had the best chance of the three host nations of going deep in the tournament, largely because of those home games. The US, though, have surprised everyone with their performance against Paraguay. Before the tournament I would have backed Mexico ahead of them, but that may have to be reconsidered. Both have a real chance.
SportsCasting: The US Men’s National Team has really caught the eye. Is that down to Pochettino, the players, or both?
Shaka: Both, I think. Living here in the US, I understand the sporting landscape — there’s always competition for attention from ice hockey, the NBA and so on. It was always going to be about performance rather than pre-tournament hype to get people interested, and the performance against Paraguay was everything US Soccer needed it to be. Now they face Australia, who surprised Turkey in their opener, and that group has been blown wide open. I thought Turkey would top it comfortably. Now it’s anyone’s game.
SportsCasting: Chris Wood was outstanding for New Zealand last night. Thoughts?
Shaka: I thought it was a really impressive performance. Yes, he was given perhaps too much room at times, but his touch on those long searching balls — holding play up, bringing teammates into the game — was excellent. You saw it throughout New Zealand’s build-up play and in their goal. A genuinely outstanding display from the Nottingham Forest man.
SportsCasting: Any players to keep an eye on as the tournament progresses?
Shaka: I’m watching Nusa closely — he’ll play on the left for Norway, and he’s a genuine wide player who wants to take people on and deliver crosses. My one concern with Norway is how their front three operates, with Haaland and Sørloth both up front. Haaland does his best work as an out-and-out striker, and Sørloth isn’t a winger. So how Nusa gets the ball in space to provide service for Haaland is the key question. If Norway can unlock that, they could be a real dark horse.
SportsCasting: Norway could be interesting with Ødegaard pulling the strings too. What about the ticketing and logistics at the venues — any concerns?
Shaka: Getting into and out of the stadiums has been an issue. Most are NFL venues — well-positioned near major highways, but with 85,000 people all trying to reach those roads at the same time, it gets congested. I know it’s been a problem in Boston and New Jersey. Transport from the city centres to the out-of-town stadiums could also have been handled better, though whether that’s FIFA or the host cities I’m not sure. That said, looking at the games on screen, the stadiums are full or close to it, and that’s all you can ask for. A full stadium completely transforms the atmosphere and the viewing experience.
SportsCasting: What about VAR — they got the decisions right last night in the Iran–New Zealand game, but the time it takes is still frustrating.
Shaka: The time could come down, but largely it’s been fine. There’s been a lot made of the AI tools being used alongside VAR, and I think that’s worked well. I’d rather decisions take a little longer and come out right — especially for a side like Haiti, playing in their first World Cup since 1974, or Scotland, who haven’t been here since 1998. Getting those calls correct matters enormously for those nations.
SportsCasting: The referees also seem to be cracking down on time-wasting and dissent — yellow cards for kicking the ball away and so on. Is that coming from the top?
Shaka: Yes, that’s been a clear remit for this tournament, and I’m fully in support of it. As a neutral viewer you simply don’t want to see time-wasting. It’s the right call.
SportsCasting: Lastly, if you could sit down with Gianni Infantino right now, what would be top of your agenda — and is there anything you think he’s got wrong so far?
Shaka: If we’re talking purely about football, we’re only six days in and everything has gone about as well as you could hope. We’ve talked a lot about the playing conditions, but that’s part and parcel of a World Cup. It’s held all around the world, in all kinds of climates, and that’s one of the things that makes it great. Different teams, different playing styles, teams who want to defend and teams who want to attack. That’s the beauty of the tournament, and so far it’s been on full display.
SportsCasting: Absolutely. Final question — any advice for England fans heading to Dallas? What shouldn’t they miss while they’re over there?
Shaka: Dallas is known for its barbecue — the meats, the grilling. Go and experience that. And if you make it up to Boston for the later games, you have to get to the coast and try the seafood. I fancy myself as a bit of a foodie, and Boston’s seafood is outstanding. Enjoy every minute of it.
