The 2026 World Cup is one yr away, and the countdown is on to see which groups will qualify for the largest-ever version of the world’s hottest sporting occasion.
Up to now, solely 13 of the 48 groups – together with the co-hosts Canada, Mexico and the USA – are formally in. Argentina, winner of the 2022 World Cup, can also be set. However though the total subject remains to be not full – qualification will undergo subsequent March 2026 earlier than the primary recreation kicks off on June 11 – we’re anticipating the world’s finest sides to be vying for the trophy.
There shall be loads of twists and turns as groups struggle for these coveted spots, however we have recognized 12 sides to keep watch over, together with the three co-hosts. These groups are filled with a number of the world’s largest stars and embrace a number of the heavy favorites to win all of it. Let’s dive into why we hope (and anticipate) to see them subsequent summer season.
The highway to ’26: Argentina are nonetheless basking within the glow from their triumph in Qatar and virtually each match this cycle has had the texture of a victory tour. Lionel Scaloni’s males added one other Copa América title to their assortment and cruised by South American qualifying, securing a World Cup berth with 5 rounds to spare.
The chance now beckons to turn out to be the primary repeat World Cup winners since Brazil in 1962, whereas Scaloni can be part of Italy’s Vittorio Pozzo as the one managers to win two World Cups. Not a lot has modified since Qatar, save for Ángel Di María’s worldwide retirement and the emergence of proficient kids like Franco Mastantuono.
Lionel Messi nonetheless instructions the highlight, although Argentina proved they’re much greater than Messi by dismantling Brazil this previous March with out their injured star. With prolific strikers Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez, and a midfield constructed across the likes of Rodrigo De Paul and Alexis Mac Allister, Argentina has no intention of relinquishing their crown. – Mosse
Lionel Messi is anticipated to be again to defend Argentina’s World Cup title subsequent yr. (Photograph by Daniel Jayo/Getty Photos)
The keys to success: The place to start? What we discovered from the Copa América final yr is that this can be a crew that does not want Lionel Messi to be a celebrity to win trophies. After all, Lionel Scaloni has mentioned Lionel Messi can and shall be a part of the nationwide crew for so long as he needs. However Argentina has a laundry record of expertise taking part in on the highest ranges round Europe who could lead on La Albiceleste to a different World Cup title.
As among the finest goalkeepers on the earth, Emiliano Martinez has confirmed it for each membership (Aston Villa) and nation. He has a spotlight reel and trophy cupboard to show it. Alexis Mac Allister could solely be 26, however he performs extra like a veteran within the midfield for each Argentina and Liverpool, who he simply helped win the Premier League. After which there’s Julián Alvarez, the younger and gifted ahead who has been killing it for brand new membership Atlético Madrid, the place he scored 29 objectives throughout all competitions this season. – Litman
The highway to ‘26: Brazil lastly obtained their man in Carlo Ancelotti, hiring the five-time UEFA Champions League winner because the crew’s new supervisor earlier this month. However the Italian has loads of work to do to restore the injury from what’s been a disastrous cycle to this point. A quarterfinal elimination on the Copa América and disappointing ends in qualifying have Brazil at their lowest ebb in a really very long time.
Ancelotti’s first precedence is to construct a midfield that may exert management over video games. The coach who jumpstarted Vinícius Júnior’s Actual Madrid profession should additionally resolve the riddle of why the proficient winger can’t reproduce the identical kind for his nation. And it wouldn’t harm to have a wholesome Neymar again within the fold, although that appears much less seemingly by the day.
No non-Brazilian supervisor has ever gained a males’s World Cup with this crew, so Brazil are hoping Ancelotti could make historical past subsequent yr. One constructive omen is that Brazil captured the 1994 World Cup in the USA, ending a 24-year title drought. The five-time champions will go into subsequent summer season precisely 24 years faraway from their final triumph. – Mosse
The strain is on Vincius Junior to ship a sixth World Cup title for Brazil, who have not gained all of it since 2002. (Photograph by Buda Mendes/Getty Photos)
The keys to success: The five-time champions have been in a rut – simply final summer season the squad was eradicated within the Copa América quarterfinal after shedding to a 10-man Uruguay crew in a penalty shootout. Regardless of an insanely proficient and entertaining roster, the Seleção should discover one other degree to be able to make a deep run.
That may require gamers like Vinícius (the 2024 Finest FIFA Males’s Participant), Neymar (who has battled accidents and been out of the current highlight), Alisson Becker(one of many high goalkeepers on the earth who simply gained the Premier League with Liverpool) and Raphinha (the Barcelona ahead scored a career-high 34 objectives in all competitions this season) to paved the way and shed any detrimental stigma at the moment related to the crew. – Litman
The highway to ’26: Gareth Southgate’s tenure ended with one other close to miss, as England completed runners-up to Spain at Euro 2024. The duty now falls to Thomas Tuchel to information the Three Lions to their first main trophy because the 1966 World Cup.
Tuchel is the third non-English coach this century for this crew, following Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. The German could have loads of expertise at his disposal, significantly upfront with Harry Kane nonetheless one of many best strikers on the planet. Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are able to controlling the middle of the park, whereas England’s conveyor belt has produced one other dazzling left-footed winger in Cole Palmer to go along with Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka.
There are questions on the again, however these didn’t forestall the Three Lions from reaching the ultimate of the final two Euros. England has solely ever lifted the World Cup on dwelling soil, and there can be a scrumptious irony if that drought ended within the very summer season by which the USA is celebrating 250 years of independence. – Mosse
England has come shut in current tournaments, however Harry Kane and Co. are nonetheless vying for a serious trophy. (Photograph by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar by way of Getty Photos)
The keys to success: One of many largest storylines surrounding this crew is the truth that we’re now within the Thomas Tuchel period after Gareth Southgate’s resignation. One other shall be how determined England needs to win a serious event after falling brief at Euro 2024. On the final World Cup, the Three Lions ran right into a sizzling France crew within the quarterfinal.
If the crew is to go additional this time and win, it would want the perfect performances out of what’s arguably one of the crucial proficient and deep rosters on the earth. There’s Harry Kane, who gained the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich this season and is anxious to win a World Cup at his age (he’ll be 32 subsequent summer season). Jude Bellingham, who is just 21 years previous and has already gained a LaLiga championship and Champions League with Actual Madrid. Bukayo Saka, who has turn out to be Arsenal’s most deadly attacker, can even be a key playmaker. – Litman
The highway to ’26: France got here agonizingly near retaining the World Cup crown in Qatar, and their pedigree in current a long time is the envy of each different nation. Les Bleus have reached the ultimate in 4 of the final seven World Cups, successful two and dropping the opposite two on penalties. Their focus is on reclaiming the trophy subsequent yr.
Didier Deschamps will handle in his fourth and remaining World Cup, bringing the curtain down on a tenure that, remarkably, stretches again to July 2012. Such is the wealth of expertise at Deschamps’ disposal that Ousmane Dembele could very effectively win the Ballon d’Or this yr and nonetheless find yourself taking part in second fiddle to Kylian Mbappe in 2026.
Mbappé has discovered the again of the web 12 instances within the final two World Cups, together with a hat-trick towards Argentina within the 2022 remaining. Miroslav Klose’s report of 16 World Cup objectives may be very a lot in sight, and whereas Mbappé was unable to forestall semifinal defeats to Spain in each Euro 2024 and final week’s UEFA Nations League, the Actual Madrid star has his eyes on the last word prize. – Mosse
Will France and Kylian Mbappe make it three World Cup remaining appearances in row? (Photograph by Christian Kaspar-Bartke – UEFA/UEFA by way of Getty Photos)
The keys to success: The factor about France is you may by no means rely this crew out. Who may neglect the 2022 World Cup remaining when it appeared like Argentina had the trophy wrapped up till Kylian Mbappé scored that memorable hat -trick (just for Argentina to win on penalties) in what’s going to in all probability all the time be thought of the wildest World Cup remaining in historical past?
Simply try the wealth of expertise that just about helped France pull off a shocking comeback towards Spain within the UEFA Nations League semifinals final week. Mbappé scored, as did Rayan Cherki (linked with a transfer from Lyon to Manchester Metropolis) and Juventus striker Randal Kolo Muani. PSG duo Ousmane Dembélé and Need Doue have been additionally harmful within the assault towards Spain, hoping to capitalize on their current Champions League success. We may probably see this matchup as soon as once more in a World Cup remaining, and anticipate these stars to shine if Les Bleus are there. – Litman
The highway to ’26: It appears exhausting to consider that Germany’s 2014 remaining victory over Argentina represents their final World Cup knockout match. After crashing out within the group stage in each Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, the Germans could have a lot to show subsequent summer season. The query is whether or not this squad boasts sufficient high quality to recapture previous glory.
Germany fell to Spain within the Euro 2024 quarterfinals and to Portugal within the semifinals of final week’s UEFA Nations League, each on dwelling soil, and their trophy drought stretches again to the 2017 Confederations Cup. The excellent news is that each Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz have emerged as real stars who can command the highlight in 2026.
The pair shall be counted on for inspiration, whereas veterans Antonio Rudiger and Joshua Kimmich ought to anchor the again line. However the lack of an elite middle ahead could show expensive, and the worldwide retirements of Manuel Neuer, Thomas Muller and Toni Kroos have robbed Germany of any hyperlinks to their final period of success. – Mosse
Germany hasn’t stay as much as its normal expectations at current World Cup tournaments. Can Florian Wirtz change that? (Photograph by Marvin Ibo Guengoer – GES Sportfoto/Getty Photos)
The keys to success: It’s nonetheless exhausting to consider that four-time champion Germany didn’t make it out of the group stage on the 2022 World Cup. For what it’s value, that squad didn’t have Bayern Leverkusan’s Florian Wirtz, the 22-year-old attacking midfielder who might be taking part in for Liverpool by the point he fits up for Germany on the 2026 World Cup.
Wirtz is a flexible participant who can play on both wing or as a No. 9 or No. 10 and scored the lone objective for Die Mannschaft within the 2-1 loss final week to Portugal within the UEFA Nations League. Moreover, Actual Madrid middle again Antonio Rüdiger is dependable within the again line and Marc-André ter Stegen, among the finest goalkeepers on the earth, will play key roles if Germany is to make any form of run subsequent summer season. – Litman
The highway to ’26: Step one in direction of success in 2026 is qualifying for the event, one thing no Italian will take without any consideration after lacking out on the final two World Cups. Offered the four-time champions can punch their ticket for 2026, Italy will then have to search out some real options in assault.
For all their fame because the land of Catenaccio, Italy have produced a number of the most gifted gamers on the earth in current a long time, from Roberto Baggio to Alessandro Del Piero to Francesco Totti. However these gamers have seemingly vanished from Italian soccer, leaving the nationwide crew shockingly bereft of concepts in recent times.
The remainder of the image is much less gloomy. Sandro Tonali and Nico Barella are the lynchpins of a top quality midfield, whereas Alessandro Bastoni will anchor a again line taking part in in entrance of essentially the most in-form goalkeeper on the planet in Gianluigi Donnarumma. However extra is required if Italy are to make any form of deep run subsequent summer season. – Mosse
Italy has missed out on the 2 earlier World Cup tournaments, and Sando Tonali is concentrated on ensuring it will not be a 3rd. (Photograph by Picture Photograph Company/Getty Photos)
The keys to success: After the outstanding run to the Euro 2020 title, this crew then misplaced a playoff semifinal match to North Macedonia that stored the Italians out of the 2022 World Cup (they didn’t qualify for 2018, both).
Maybe the luck of Gli Azzurri will change. For one, they’ve Gianluigi Donnarumma in objective, who had six clear sheets for PSG within the Champions League this season, together with within the 5-0 win over Inter Milan within the remaining. They don’t name him “The Wall” for nothing.
Then there’s Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella, the center of the Italian midfield who may fairly actually cowl a whole pitch if he wanted to. If Italy qualifies this time – and will get out of its group – these guys shall be a serious purpose why. – Litman
The highway to ’26: A lot of the discourse round Portugal in recent times has centered on Cristiano Ronaldo’s position, provided that he failed to search out the again of the web within the knockout stage of the final two World Cups and the final two Euros. However supervisor Roberto Martinez has continued to position his religion in Ronaldo and that seemingly gained’t change subsequent summer season.
The 40-year-old is poised to play in his sixth World Cup, having scored within the earlier 5, and the excellent news is he’ll be surrounded by a supporting solid glowing with expertise. Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leao can all be counted on to supply inspiration, whereas Vitinha is likely one of the best possible midfielders on the planet.
Ruben Dias anchors the again line and Diogo Costa represents a secure pair of palms in objective. All of it provides as much as a crew greater than able to making a deep run, as evidenced by their current UEFA Nations League triumph. However a lot will rely on Ronaldo as soon as once more turning again the clock and delivering when it issues most. – Mosse
The lacking piece to Cristiano Ronaldo’s glittering résumé? A coveted World Cup victory with Portugal. (Photograph by Lars Baron/2025 Getty Photos)
The keys to success: The apparent reply right here is Cristiano Ronaldo. We will’t neglect the drama that adopted him on the 2022 World Cup – he was benched and later introduced on as a sub; then he left the pitch in tears following Portugal’s quarterfinal loss to Morocco.
However he did rating in Portugal’s Nations League remaining victory over Spain, and remains to be the nationwide crew captain. He’ll be 41 on the 2026 World Cup and nothing would imply greater than to win the nation’s first-ever trophy within the event.
Different key gamers for this Portugal aspect shall be goalkeeper Diogo Costa, who additionally confirmed off his heroics towards Germany within the UEFA Nations League, in addition to PSG midfielder Vitinha, who simply helped his membership win the Champions League. – Litman
The highway to ’26: The Netherlands stay essentially the most completed soccer nation but to win a World Cup. The Dutch have been runners-up 3 times and fell on penalties to eventual champions Argentina within the quarterfinals in Qatar. This cycle has already featured one other close to miss within the type of a semifinal exit at Euro 2024.
Whether or not the Netherlands can lastly recover from the hump subsequent yr could rely on whether or not Cody Gakpo scores sufficient objectives to take a number of the strain off the ageing Memphis Depay. Neither one shall be starved for service because of the rising Xavi Simons, and the dynamic Denzel Dumfries flying down the wing.
Frenkie de Jong, Tijjani Reijnders and Ryan Gravenberch present loads of high quality within the midfield, whereas Virgil van Dijk remains to be an imposing determine on the again. The Dutch gained’t be missing in expertise, and the hope is that, in the event that they as soon as once more arrive on the latter phases of a World Cup, the breaks would possibly simply go their method for a change. – Mosse
Virgil van Dijk and the Netherlands have the expertise to lastly break by and win the crew’s first World Cup. (Photograph by Marcel ter Bals/DeFodi Photos/DeFodi by way of Getty Photos)
The keys to success: The Netherlands have come oh-so-close to successful a World Cup – they’ve made the ultimate 3 times – however to no avail. The Oranje have been knocked out in Qatar by eventual champions Argentina following a dramatic quarterfinal penalty shootout, in any other case there’s an excellent likelihood they’d have made a deeper run.
Regardless, a proficient roster shall be assembled, together with captain Virgil Van Dijk, who some would think about to be the perfect middle again on the earth. The 6’5″ Liverpool defender is robust on the ball and within the air, and isn’t a participant an attacker needs to see coming. He’s flanked by fullback Denzel Dumfries, who helped Inter Milan attain the Champions League remaining, and supported by Barcelona’s Frenkie de Jong, who controls the midfield. – Litman
The highway to ’26: With all their success in different competitions of late, it’s simple to neglect that Spain have underwhelmed in every of the final three World Cups, crashing out within the group stage in 2014, adopted by round-of-16 exits in each 2018 and 2022. However one other early elimination appears unlikely. The truth is, Spain would possibly simply be the clear-cut favourite in 2026.
It has been a outstanding trophy haul to this point on this cycle with the Spanish capturing the 2023 UEFA Nations League title, adopted by each the Euros and the Olympic gold medal in 2024. A World Cup crown can be the icing on the cake, and it’s tough to wager towards them given the presence of Lamine Yamal, a participant displaying a degree of preciousness not seen since Pele.
The Barcelona teenager headlines an explosive assault that features Nico Williams, whereas a midfield that includes Pedri and Ballon d’Or winner Rodri will seemingly be sure that Spain controls each recreation subsequent summer season. Spain captured the 2010 World Cup with one of many best groups of all-time, and this present group appears like worthy successors. – Mosse
The subsequent soccer celebrity? Lamine Yamal has made large impression for Spain, and he is solely 17. (Photograph by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Photos)
The keys to success: This crew is the favourite to win the World Cup. The reigning European champions simply appear to maintain getting higher and higher as Lamine Yamal will get extra skilled (in all probability not a coincidence!). The 17-year-old winger is coming off a stellar season with Barcelona the place at instances he seemed like the perfect participant on the earth. Yamal performs free and fearless, and exudes pleasure on the pitch.
He’s supported by high abilities like Manchester Metropolis midfielder and 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who’s at the moment getting back from a knee damage, in addition to membership teammate Pedri, who’s deadly on the dribble and is likely one of the most inventive midfielders within the recreation proper now. – Litman
The highway to ’26: After reaching the spherical of 16 in Qatar with the second-youngest squad within the event, expectations have been presupposed to be sky excessive for the USA in 2026. However considerations started to creep in after a disappointing group stage exit finally yr’s Copa América, which finally price Gregg Berhalter his job as supervisor.
His alternative Mauricio Pochettino then presided over defeats to Panama and Canada within the Concacaf Nations League, elevating additional doubts about whether or not this era of gamers is golden in spite of everything. The excellent news is Pochettino has 12 months to handle present issues and the potential nonetheless exists for a profitable marketing campaign on dwelling soil.
Christian Pulisic will should be a real match-winner to make up for the dearth of a prolific middle ahead. Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie ought to assist kind a powerful midfield, whereas Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson can present inspiration from the flanks. Query marks do stay at each middle again and in objective. – Mosse
If the USA make a deep run on the World Cup as co-hosts, it is going to be as much as Christian Pulisic to assist information that. (Photograph by Invoice Barrett/ISI Pictures/USSF/Getty Photos for USSF)
The keys to success: There’s lots to be involved about because it pertains to the 2026 World Cup co-hosts. After a disastrous Concacaf Nations League in March, which noticed the USMNT flame out in losses to Panama and Canada, the crew was closely criticized for being entitled and never caring sufficient about taking part in for his or her nation.
To make issues worse, the crew’s largest stars like Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie are amongst a bigger group that won’t play on this summer season’s Gold Cup, which is the final aggressive event the crew will play in earlier than the World Cup since they don’t need to qualify. How will new supervisor Mauricio Pochettino give you a roster for subsequent summer season that’s cohesive, understands one another’s tendencies and might win robust video games collectively? That may stay a large query for the subsequent 12 months. – Litman
The highway to ’26: Mexico entered the final World Cup with visions of getting over the round-of-16 hump, however they didn’t even make it out of the group stage. Tata Martino presided over that disastrous marketing campaign, and the dearth of success beneath him has prompted El Tri to show again to a well-recognized face on the bench.
Javier Aguirre will handle Mexico at a World Cup for the third time, having beforehand taken cost in 2002 and 2010. His expertise paid off this previous March in serving to the crew seize the Concacaf Nations League crown which, coupled with a Gold Cup title in 2023, has allowed Mexico followers to regain a few of their swagger.
The primary catalyst for Mexico’s enchancment has been the return to well being of Raul Jimenez, and the Fulham striker will seemingly be paired with Santiago Gimenez subsequent yr. The event co-hosts additionally gained’t be missing help, and with Edson Alvarez offering management on the again, the items would possibly simply be in place for a shocking run. – Mosse
Wherever they play, co-host Mexico shall be well-supported within the stands and anticipate Raul Jimenez to thrive off that benefit. (Photograph by Michael Owens/Getty Photos)
The keys to success: If the U.S. is a co-host that’s feeling unsure about its World Cup preparation, Mexico is the other. El Tri was topped Concacaf Nations League champs in March and is a favourite to dominate and defend its Gold Cup title this summer season.
Forwards Santiago Gimenez (AC Milan) and Raul Jimenez (Fulham) are constructing chemistry up high and needs to be a simple purpose for followers to really feel optimistic about 2026. Mexico has by no means made it previous the quarterfinal stage of the World Cup, but when that attacking duo is clicking and in sync, issues may get attention-grabbing. – Litman
The highway to ’26: Canada’s first World Cup look since 1986 didn’t final very lengthy, as they dropped all three video games in Qatar, exiting on the group stage. However the Canucks get a second chunk on the apple, this time as event co-hosts, and the arrival of American supervisor Jesse Marsch has raised hopes for a profitable marketing campaign.
Marsch proved his value by orchestrating a semifinal run finally yr’s Copa América, and a Concacaf Nations League win over the U.S. this previous March additionally endeared him to followers. That victory did come at a price with Alphonso Davies tearing his ACL, however the Bayern Munich standout is anticipated again effectively earlier than the beginning of the World Cup.
Davies headlines a proficient era that features midfielder Stephen Eustaquio, and the prolific strike pairing of Jonathan David and Cyle Larin. David particularly might be one among subsequent summer season’s breakout stars, and a powerful efficiency from him would go a good distance in direction of serving to Canada affirm all their current progress. – Mosse
As co-hosts, Canada will lean on Alphonso Davies and an intriguing roster for a deep run into the knockout rounds. (Photograph by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Photos)
The important thing gamers to success: Canada gained’t have defender Alphonso Davies for this summer season’s Gold Cup whereas he continues to recuperate from the torn ACL he sustained vs. the USA within the Nations League, however he’s actually anticipated to return and be at full health in time for the 2026 World Cup. Davies, who is just 24, is a powerful and speedy presence on the left aspect and has been a dependable defender for Bayern Munich since 2019.
Elsewhere, Jonathan David is a participant who may actually use this summer season’s Gold Cup as a possibility to spice up his inventory forward of what is going to be an necessary 2026 for the dynamic ahead. David has mentioned he’ll go away French membership Lille when his contract expires, and he’ll be an enormous get for a much bigger European membership. David, 25, is Canada’s males’s all-time main goalscorer (32 objectives in 61 video games) and could have loads of expectations placed on his shoulders subsequent summer season. – Litman
Laken Litman covers school soccer, school basketball and soccer for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand wrote for Sports activities Illustrated, USA At the moment and The Indianapolis Star. She is the writer of “Sturdy Like a Girl,” revealed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Observe her at @LakenLitman.
David Mosse is a researcher for FOX Sports activities and co-host of Alexi Lalas’ State of the Union Podcast.
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