From the get-go, the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup, which opens next Thursday, was always going to be very different from all previous editions.

To begin with, it’s being hosted by three nations — United States, Mexico and Canada, representing Concacaf.

Also, 48 participants, up from 32 in the last World Cup in Qatar, make this World Cup the biggest in the tournament’s 96-year history.

But what has made this edition stranger than fiction is ongoing war between host nation, USA, and tournament participant Iran.

When the USA and its ally Israel attacked Iran in late February the popular projection was of a short conflict, over and done with long before the World Cup, though ongoing tensions would obviously have cast a pall.

Instead, war has dragged on despite a ceasefire — breached much too often — since April. Attempts at peace negotiations have seemingly done little to ease hostilities.

The unprecedented situation has triggered organisational headaches with Iran’s tournament training camp now switched from the United States to Mexico.

But Iran’s first-round games against New Zealand, Belgium, and Egypt will still be played as originally scheduled in the USA.

The nightmare will only get worse in the unlikely event that both the USA and Iran advance from the group stage and somehow meet in the knockout phases.

War apart, visa issues and high ticket prices have also cast a damper on the World Cup.

Yet, for all that, anticipation of, and interest in actual competition is very high.

In all corners of the globe, including Jamaica — where disappointment from the Reggae Boyz missing out on a spot at the beautiful game’s showpiece is gradually fading — speculative questions abound.

In a World Cup brimming with aging stars, can legendary Mr Lionel Messi, who turns 39 in late June, repeat heroics of four years ago and inspire Argentina to back-to-back World Cup titles?

Can talented Portugal, with 41-year-old super star Mr Cristiano Ronaldo, finally break the glass ceiling?

Can Brazil, a favourite for so many Jamaicans dating back decades, regain lost lustre and even win for the first time since 2002?

Can 2018 winners France live up to its early tag as favourites? Or will stylish Spain dominate as it did so impressively in 2010?

And what of always dangerous, but understated Germany, among the World Cup’s most successful nations?

Can England, searching in vain since its lone World Cup title in 1966, come good?

Can Concacaf finally find its place in the sun?

For all of the above, no one will be taking their eyes off the 10 participating teams from Africa — a continent invariably blessed with exceptional talent but mostly falling short.

Four years ago Morocco reached the World semi-finals, finishing fourth — a highest-ever placing for Africa.

And, while too much should not be read into warm-up games and friendlies, the fact is that this week Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) beat France 2-1 in that country. There have been other very impressive results, including a year ago when Senegal beat England 3-1 in Nottingham.

It should be recalled that, more recently, Senegal were controversially denied the Africa Cup of Nations title after defeating Morocco 1-0 in Rabat, Morocco.

Dare we hope that Africa’s time atop global football is finally at hand?

We wait.