Les Bleus enter the 2026 World Cup as the tournament favourites — and with good reason. Kylian Mbappé, at 27, is arguably the best player on the planet and will be desperate to finally claim the one major honour that has so far eluded him individually. France reached the final in 2022 where they pushed Argentina to the limit, and their squad depth is unmatched. Marcus Thuram, Antoine Griezmann, Ousmane Dembélé and Eduardo Camavinga provide world-class support throughout the team.

France’s biggest vulnerability has historically been inconsistency and internal squad politics. At Euro 2024 they reached the semi-finals despite looking uninspiring throughout. However, when Mbappé is fully fit and motivated, France are simply the best team in the world. If he reaches his potential in this tournament, it will take something extraordinary to stop them.

The defending champions arrive at 2026 knowing that Lionel Messi, at 38 years old, is almost certainly playing in his final World Cup. The emotional pull of Messi’s farewell has the potential to drive Argentina to an unprecedented back-to-back titles — stranger things have happened in football. Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez form one of the most dynamic striking partnerships in world football, and Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister provide a formidable midfield engine.

Argentina’s biggest concern is Messi’s age and fitness over the course of a long tournament. At the 2022 World Cup he was magnificent, but a 2026 tournament lasting 39 days across 64 matches will test him physically. If Messi can stay fit and Argentina can protect him properly, they have every chance of becoming only the third team in history to win back-to-back World Cups.

England have one of the most talented generations of players in their history. Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid, Phil Foden at Manchester City, Bukayo Saka at Arsenal, and Harry Kane at Bayern Munich — no previous England side has had four players of this quality at their peak simultaneously. The Three Lions reached the Euro 2024 final and have been building consistently under their management.

And yet — England. The nation that invented the game and has won the World Cup exactly once, in 1966 on home soil. Penalties. Heartbreak. Tournament nerves. The question is always whether this England side can finally overcome the mental barrier that has haunted the team for 60 years. The 2026 World Cup, played largely in front of millions of American fans of English descent, gives them as good a chance as they’ve had since ’66.

Brazil haven’t won a World Cup since 2002 and the wait has become increasingly painful for the most successful nation in the tournament’s history. Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and Endrick form one of the most exciting attacking trios in world football, and Brazil have rebuilt their squad with a blend of experienced professionals and exceptional young talent. The expectation of an entire nation weighs heavily on every Brazilian squad, but the talent in this group is undeniable.

A strong run deep into a tournament played on the same continent as South America — with millions of Brazilian fans easily able to travel — could make 2026 the year the five-time champions finally end their 24-year wait. The samba football is back, and the world is ready to embrace it.

Spain won Euro 2024 playing some of the most attractive football seen in years. Lamine Yamal, at just 17 during that tournament, announced himself to the world with performances that drew comparisons to a young Messi. Now 19, Yamal enters 2026 as one of the most exciting players on the planet. Spain’s conveyor belt of technically gifted players from La Masia and Spanish academies means they never lack quality in any position.

Spain’s tiki-taka era may be over but their technical DNA remains. They are capable of defeating any team in the world on their day, and with the right draw and momentum, a second World Cup title is entirely plausible.

Germany’s group stage exits at 2018 and 2022 were shocking for a nation that expects to compete for every title. But Florian Wirtz — arguably the most gifted German player since Mesut Özil — leads a new generation that is rebuilding with genuine purpose. Wirtz at Bayer Leverkusen produced one of the greatest individual seasons in Bundesliga history. Germany also have the psychological fuel of two consecutive disappointments to drive them forward. Never write off Germany.

The USA have never reached a World Cup semi-final but have never co-hosted one with this level of talent either. Christian Pulisic leads a young, hungry squad that plays its club football across Europe’s top leagues. The home advantage is real and powerful in sport — and in a 48-team tournament where upsets are more likely than ever, a deep run for the hosts is entirely possible. The question is whether American football has matured enough to challenge the world’s best over six matches.

The first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final, Morocco proved in 2022 that they can beat the very best on the biggest stage. Achraf Hakimi, Hakim Ziyech and goalkeeper Yassine Bounou lead a squad of experienced professionals who know how to win under pressure. The entire African continent will be behind them, and the enormous Moroccan diaspora in the USA will give them a passionate home-away-from-home support. Don’t underestimate Morocco.