The countdown to FIFA World Cup 2026 is well and truly underway. The hosts, the United States of America, Mexico, and Canada, are ready for the biggest football competition, which starts on 11th June, and the winners will be crowned on 19th July.
This will be the biggest FIFA World Cup to date, with 48 teams participating, making it an even bigger spectacle.
We have the old guard, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Luka Modric all featuring in what will be their last World Cup, We also have Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane the stars carrying the current generation, and we also have Lamine Yamal, Estevao Willian and Jude Bellingham the stars of tomorrow who would look to stamp their mark on the biggest stage.
There are some good squads, and there are some great squads. With just 8 months or so left, let’s look at which teams look in prime position to lift the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Who are the Favourites to win the FIFA World Cup 2026?
5. Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo has been there and done it all in his career, but if there is one trophy that has eluded him and Portugal, it is the World Cup, and if he wants to fill that void, it has to happen in the summer.
Portugal has one of the strongest squads in Europe; they have the perfect balance of experience and youth, they have a very settled and varied attack with players like Rafael Leao, Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, and of course, Cristiano Ronaldo, who is chasing the 1000 goal mark.
They have the best midfield in the form of Vitinha, Joao Neves, and Bruno Fernandes. They have solid defenders with the likes of Nuno Mendes, Ruben Diaz, and a great goalkeeper in Diego Costa; they have all the tools.
The Only thing Portugal lacks is their record in major tournaments; they have been underwhelming at the World Cups and the Euros, and with all due respect, Roberto Martinez doesn’t quite give you that confidence either.
However, Portugal has been in great form since the 2024 Euros. They won the Nations League this year, and they have a clear reason to push for the title not just because it’s Ronaldo’s last, not only for the fans back at home, but also for their late teammate Diogo Jota. If Portugal brings the trophy home, it would be a great tribute to Diogo Jota.
4. Argentina
Lionel Messi completed Football when he lifted the FIFA World Cup trophy in Qatar. Argentina had reached the peak, Messi won his 8th Ballon d’Or, and the world was at his feet.
The World Champions have gone from strength to strength. They carried their form and successfully defended their Copa America title in 2024. This Argentina team has become one of the greatest international sides in recent times, completing the 3-peat of international trophies.
Argentina will enter the World Cup as defending champions, and they still have the team to successfully defend the crown.
Scaloni is still at the helm, Argentina still has the core, and they have some of the most exciting attacking talents in the World, Lautaro Martínez, Julian Alvarez, Simione, Nico Paz, Franco Mastantuno, and on top of that, Lionel Messi.
They have stars all over the pitch: De Paul, Enzo, Thiago Almada in the midfield, Romero, Martinez, Valentine Barco at the back, and Emi Martinez is still one of the best Goalkeepers in the world.
So I won’t be surprised if Argentina are again in the semifinals or Finals.
3. England
England is one of those teams that always enter the tournaments as one of the favourites, but their performance are always underwhelming. They have been in back-to-back Euros finals and have come out as runner-up in both of them, but this time, things might be different.
England have a new manager after a very long time, and they haven’t quite hit the ground running under Thomas Tuchel, but there are positives, and Tuchel knows how to win trophies.
England has a stacked squad; they have a problem of plenty. They have multiple players for every position.
England’s attack consists of Bukayo Saka, Eze, Rashford and the Best Striker any team could have; Harry Kane. Their Midfield is even better, perhaps the best in the world. Declan Rice, Phil Foden, Adam Wharton, and Jude Bellingham to name a few.
England has the squad; they always have great players. If Tuchel is able to find the right guys in 11, this could be the year that they finally bring the trophy home.
2. France
France has been the Finalist in the last 2 editions of the World Cup, winning it once and being the runner-up in Qatar, and they have only gotten better over the years, and this time will be no different.
Their attack is any manager’s dream, with Michael Olise, one of the best wingers in the world, the current Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, and the current favourite to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or, Kylian Mbappe. With the likes of Desire Doue, Barcola, and Ekitike coming off the bench, it’s easily the best attack in Europe.
They have Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Thuram, Kone and Cherki in the Midfield. Defence has William Saliba, Upamecano, Theo Hernandez and Jules Kounde. They are stacked in all departments, and it will be a disappointment if they don’t make it to another Final.
1. Spain
Spain made a statement in the summer of 2024 by winning the Euros. They didn’t just win, they dominated, and for the first time the world realised the amount of talent Spain has, and Euro winners will be ready to put on a show at the World Cup.
Spain has ballers all over the pitch, the most attacking duo in Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams. The midfield has Pedri, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, Fabian Ruiz, and Zubimendi.
They are stacked in the defence, just look at their fullback options, Cucurella, Grimaldo, Carreras, Miguel Gutiérrez, and Balde. On the right, they have Carvajal and Pedro Porro, and Cubarsi, Huijsen, and Le Normand through the middle.
Spain doesn’t just have talent in abundance; it’s the way they play together. They are probably the most fun team to watch when they are in their element. There is no doubt that Spain will be competing for the World Cup in the summer.
To sum up
Now the World Cup is not just about winning, it’s about the stories; there are always underdogs, and this time around, it could be Norway or Egypt with their golden generation, or maybe Brazil finding its feet back under Carlo Ancelotti. There are also nations like Curacao and Haiti that would like to leave their mark on the big stage.
But when the big night comes at the MetLife Stadium, it will most likely be one of those 5 teams that would be lifting the most prestigious FIFA World Cup Trophy.
