Home FIFA 2026 WORLD CUP WORLD CUP Holders Argentina, Rising Spain: The Nations Defining the 2026 World Cup

Holders Argentina, Rising Spain: The Nations Defining the 2026 World Cup

Read
Didier Deschamp
2026 World Cup favorites, top 7 nations analyzed 

From Messi’s Argentina to Mbappe’s France and Yamal’s Spain, meet the teams and stars set to headline the expanded 2026 World Cup.


As the 2026 World Cup approaches, we assess the form and key players of the world’s top contenders from Argentina to Germany...


Holders Argentina and favourites Spain are among the leading teams preparing for the 2026 World Cup.  


With the tournament in North America now just over three weeks away, we assess the main contenders for the first 48-team World Cup. World rankings are shown in brackets.


Top nations set for the 2026 World Cup...


France arrive as the team to beat  (1)

Les Bleus are two-time World Cup winners and have reached the final in two of the last three tournaments, losing both on penalties. The 2026 edition will be Didier Deschamps’ final campaign after leading the team since 2012. “It’s a strange feeling,” said the coach.


France showed their depth in March, beating Brazil 2-1 and then Colombia 3-1 with a completely changed starting XI, both matches played in the US. They are unbeaten in nine games since June last year. Their attack is stacked with Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Kylian Mbappe, Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki, making them a tough side to contain.




Spain aim to extend their winning run (2)
 
The European champions have not lost a match since lifting Euro 2024. Under Luis de la Fuente, the side functions like a well-drilled unit, with teenage star Lamine Yamal as the standout performer. The 18-year-old Barcelona winger is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, and reports indicate he could miss Spain’s opening two group games.


Yamal’s Barcelona teammate Fermin Lopez will miss the tournament entirely after suffering a foot fracture. Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino, who scored eight goals for Spain in 10 appearances in 2025, has been out since January with injury. Even with those absences, La Roja still have significant quality, including 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Pedri.





Argentina chase back-to-back World Cup titles (3)

Lionel Scaloni’s side are aiming to defend the crown they won in 2022. That tournament was the defining moment of Lionel Messi’s career, though matching that level will be difficult as he approaches his 39th birthday next month.


Messi has settled well in the US and has scored 12 goals in 13 MLS games for Inter Miami this season. Argentina also won the 2024 Copa America in the United States and finished top of South American qualifying with ease. 




Beyond Messi, the squad has plenty of firepower up front. Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, and Como’s Tenerife-born attacking midfielder Nico Paz give Scaloni multiple attacking options.



England look to Tuchel to end the wait (4)
  
After falling short multiple times under Gareth Southgate, England are hoping Thomas Tuchel can guide them to a first major trophy since 1966. Southgate’s tenure included final defeats at the last two European Championships, a semi-final exit at the 2018 World Cup, and a quarter-final loss in 2022.




England made light work of qualifying and have strong squad depth, though some questions remain. They drew with Uruguay and lost to Japan in March friendlies, and key players like Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer have had inconsistent seasons. The team will be relying on Harry Kane to carry over his exceptional form from Bayern Munich, where he has scored 58 goals this season.


Portugal rely on midfield strength and Ronaldo’s experience (5)

Portugal have never advanced past the World Cup semi-finals, but this squad has the quality to go further if they balance the influence of Cristiano Ronaldo. At 41, this will be his sixth World Cup.


The midfield may be their biggest asset. Vitinha, Joao Neves, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes give Portugal control and creativity in the center of the pitch.




Portugal won the UEFA Nations League last year, though qualifying was less smooth. They lost in Ireland in a match where Ronaldo was sent off. He did not feature in their most recent game, a 2-0 friendly win over the USA in Atlanta.



Brazil begin a new era under Ancelotti  (6)

Brazil’s direction under Carlo Ancelotti is one of the biggest storylines heading into the tournament. Hiring an Italian coach highlights how much the Selecao have struggled with their footballing identity recently, and a lack of depth was clear when Ancelotti recalled Neymar.


Neymar is now 34 and playing for Santos, and has not played for Brazil since 2023. Vinicius Junior has taken over as the main attacking threat.




Since their fifth title in 2002, Brazil have reached the semi-finals only once, suffering a 7-1 loss to Germany as hosts in 2014. They finished fifth in South American qualifying, losing six of 18 matches. 


“The World Cup won't be won by a perfect team — because a perfect team doesn't exist,” insists Ancelotti. “It will be won by the most resilient team.”


Germany (7) 

Under Julian Nagelsmann, Germany sit below the Netherlands, Morocco and Belgium in the rankings, and a fourth World Cup title looks unlikely. Their recent record offers little encouragement after group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022, and a quarter-final loss to Spain as hosts at Euro 2024.


Despite that, the presence of Joshua Kimmich, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz gives them enough quality to remain a threat.

Tags :

No comments:

Leave comment here

Subscribe to: Post Comments ( Atom )
Powered by Blogger.