The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off in North America on Thursday, with Lionel Messi and Argentina defending the title they secured in Qatar four years ago by beating France in the final. Here is a full breakdown of the eight teams most likely to lift the trophy this summer.
Spain are the favourites to win the World Cup 2026
FIFA ranking: 2. Best World Cup: Winners in 2010.
The reigning European champions are the obvious choice to go all the way in North America. Luis de la Fuente has experienced winning at major tournaments, having led Spain to European Championship glory at under-19, under-21 and senior levels. His squad has immense strength in depth from goalkeeper to attack, including what many consider the finest midfield anchor in world football in Manchester City’s Rodri and the most exciting young winger on the planet in Lamine Yamal of Barcelona. The one concern is Yamal’s hamstring injury going into the tournament, which could see him miss the opening group games. When fit, he is capable of a Diego Maradona 1986 or Kylian Mbappe 2018 level World Cup campaign.
France and their frightening attacking options
FIFA ranking: 3. Best World Cup: Winners in 1998 and 2018.
Runners-up last time out, Didier Deschamps will be hoping to go one step further in North America as his 14-year reign as France manager comes to an end. He has already written his name into the history books as one of only three men to win the World Cup as both player and coach. His attacking options are frightening: Michael Olise, Desire Doue, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki, Ousmane Dembele and Kylian Mbappe are all in the mix. At the back, William Saliba and Dayot Upamecano have both just enjoyed impressive domestic campaigns for Arsenal and Bayern Munich respectively, giving France one of the most organised defensive units in the tournament.
Argentina are defending champions and Messi is heading to a record sixth finals
FIFA ranking: 1. Best World Cup: Winners in 1978, 1986 and 2022.
Coach Lionel Scaloni is targeting back-to-back world titles to go with his 2021 and 2024 Copa America crowns. All eyes will be on captain Lionel Messi, who turns 39 during the tournament and goes into what will be a record-breaking sixth World Cup finals. Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez provide two superb centre-forward options, while Alexis Mac Allister and Enzo Fernandez give Argentina a dynamic and technically gifted midfield. Defensive fitness concerns over the likes of Cristian Romero and Nicolas Tagliafico are the primary worry heading into the competition.
Portugal’s renewed World Cup hope and the fight for Diogo Jota’s dream
FIFA ranking: 5. Best World Cup: Third place in 1966.
Cristiano Ronaldo will inevitably dominate the headlines as he joins Messi in being selected for a record-equalling sixth finals. The Al-Nassr striker carries an eight-game drought in World Cup knockout football into the tournament and will be determined to end it. Beyond Ronaldo, Roberto Martinez has serious quality throughout the squad. Joao Neves and Vitinha formed the midfield fulcrum of PSG’s successive Champions League triumphs, while Bruno Fernandes has just broken the Premier League assist record with Manchester United. Martinez has urged his team to fight for Diogo Jota’s dream following the death of the Portuguese forward in a car crash last year.
Can England finally end their long wait under Tuchel at World Cup 2026?
FIFA ranking: 4. Best World Cup: Winners in 1966.
Having come tantalisingly close under Gareth Southgate, England turned to Thomas Tuchel to finally guide the team over the finishing line. Leading the charge will be all-time top scorer Harry Kane, who has just enjoyed the season of his life at Bayern Munich with 61 goals. Tuchel has a wealth of attacking options in Anthony Gordon, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson are expected to provide a top-quality midfield base after both impressed domestically this season. The only significant concern is a lack of clarity over who starts in Tuchel’s back four.
Brazil, Ancelotti and the 24-year World Cup drought
FIFA ranking: 6. Best World Cup: Winners in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.
The most successful team in World Cup history arrive without a title since the 2019 Copa America and on the back of their worst qualification campaign. But they have one of the all-time great managers in Carlo Ancelotti, two top-level centre-backs in Arsenal’s Gabriel Magalhaes and Marquinhos, and electrifying attacking options in Vinicius Junior and Raphinha. There are question marks over whether 34-year-old Casemiro’s stamina will last after a gruelling club season. The late call-up of Ederson from Atalanta, set to replace Casemiro at Manchester United next season, could prove a blessing in disguise.
Germany and the return of Manuel Neuer at 40
FIFA ranking: 10. Best World Cup: Winners in 1954, 1974 and 1990 as West Germany and 2014 as Germany.
Germany have not played a knockout match since lifting the trophy in Brazil in 2014 and arrive with a point to prove. Julian Nagelsmann’s side lost their opening qualifier in Slovakia before winning the next five, scoring 16 and conceding just one. Manuel Neuer, 40, has come out of international retirement to take the gloves again. Their biggest strength is the attacking creativity of Florian Wirtz alongside Jamal Musiala, though Musiala is still building fitness after breaking his leg and dislocating his ankle at last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup with Bayern Munich.
Netherlands and their bid to end 48 years without a World Cup title
FIFA ranking: 8. Best World Cup: Runners-up in 1974, 1978 and 2010.
The World Cup’s nearly men, as three-time losing finalists, arrive with a strong core under Ronald Koeman. Virgil van Dijk, Denzel Dumfries, Ryan Gravenberch, Frenkie de Jong and Cody Gakpo all bring elite quality. Donyell Malen finished as the second top scorer in Serie A after a sensational loan spell with Roma, scoring 14 goals in 18 games, which earned him a permanent move. Koeman’s side went into the June warm-up games on the back of a 14-game unbeaten run having topped their qualifying group with 27 goals across eight matches.
By OkayGoal 
