The anticipation surrounding the 2026 World Cup has reached unprecedented levels: with 48 teams and a scale never seen before, the tournament promises to rewrite the history of football. Less than two weeks before the kickoff, fans and experts are trying to predict who might lift the trophy, but with a new format – allowing eight out of twelve third-placed teams to advance to the knockout stage – every national team dreams of improbable feats and epic falls of the favorites.
The 2026 World Cup, organized by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marks a 50% increase in the number of participants compared to the previous tournament. Although only a dozen teams are seen as realistic title contenders, the new structure opens the door for surprises and allows traditionally lesser teams to go far, fueling excitement and debate among fans worldwide.
THE 2026 WORLD CUP COMES ALIVE WITH LEGO
In a context where global football has never been more competitive, leading bookmakers are citing France, Spain, Argentina, England, Portugal, and Brazil as the top favorites for the title. France, the runner-up in 2022 and the winner in 2018, boasts a squad full of stars, with Didier Deschamps preparing for his final adventure as coach. If he decides to unleash the full attacking potential of Mbappé, Olise, Dembélé, Cherki, Thuram, and company, the French team could crush any opponent, but Deschamps’ conservative tendencies may limit the spectacle. “The question is to what extent Deschamps will open up the game in this last tournament,” noted an analyst from the technical team.
In Spain, the winners of the 2024 EURO and with the best football in the tournament, have lost some of their favoritism following the injury of Lamine Yamal, but they remain serious contenders. “This is not the Spain of tiki-taka, but rather a team that knows how to impose its rhythm and has an almost perfect track record on the big stages,” commented Luis de la Fuente, the Spanish coach, ahead of the competition’s kickoff.
In South America, Argentina is attempting a feat that has eluded world football since 1962: winning two consecutive World Cups. Lionel Messi, who will turn 39 during the tournament, will no longer have to bear the offensive burden alone, thanks to the depth of the squad. However, injuries in defense could weaken the reigning champions. “We don’t need the Messi of four years ago, but rather a cohesive team,” said Scaloni, the Argentine coach, at a press conference.
With the arrival of Thomas Tuchel at the helm, England is finally looking to end its title drought since 1966 and promises a more offensive approach, although doubts remain about the consistency of the defensive axis. Portugal, led by a Bruno Fernandes in fine form and surrounded by talents like Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto, and João Félix, is once again relying on Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41 years old. “Ronaldo is still a game-changer, but he also limits the versatility of the attack,” emphasized a member of the Portuguese federation.
Brazil, with Ancelotti at the helm and a luxury attacking front – Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, and perhaps Neymar – may find itself betrayed by a lack of solutions in midfield, where Casemiro and Fabinho no longer possess the vigor of previous times. “Eventually, this limitation will be fatal for Brazil, perhaps as early as the round of 16,” predicted a former Brazilian international.
Germany, under the management of Nagelsmann, is trying to regain its lost status after consecutive group stage eliminations. The unexpected return of Manuel Neuer, at 40 years old, could be the necessary tonic to inspire a less flamboyant but still dangerous national team. The Netherlands, semi-finalists in 2022, boasts the best squad in over a decade and dreams of another final appearance, while Belgium seeks to reinvent itself after the end of the golden generation.
As the tournament approaches, the debate also focuses on potential “outsiders.” Morocco, a surprising semi-finalist in 2022, continues to grow and is now seen as a legitimate candidate to repeat that feat. “We have the ambition and quality to surprise again,” assured Achraf Hakimi after an open training session. Senegal is banking on experience, with Sadio Mané leading a quality but aging group, while Ecuador presents one of the most solid defenses from the qualifiers, although it relies heavily on Enner Valencia.
Uruguay, Croatia, Japan, Norway, and Switzerland emerge as possible “Cinderellas,” ready to exploit the new format and benefit from less thorny paths to the quarter-finals. Norway, driven by Haaland and Ødegaard, returns to the World Cup after decades of absence, and Japan is betting on speed and tactical organization to finally try to win a knockout game.
In the Americas, hosts the United States and Mexico are dreaming of memorable campaigns in front of their fans. “The absence of a shark in the group gives us hope for a historic run,” said Gregg Berhalter, head coach of the U.S. team, after their victory in a preparatory friendly.
The new format also creates opportunities for teams less accustomed to this level of competition: Ghana, Iran, Austria, Ivory Coast, Paraguay, Sweden, Egypt, Algeria, Canada, and Australia are betting on defensive solidity and small stars to surprise, while Panama, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Haiti are looking to take advantage of the context to make history.
With four debutants – Cape Verde, Curaçao, Congo, and Uzbekistan – and teams like New Zealand, Qatar, Jordan, and Iraq trying to secure their first points or victories, the 2026 World Cup could be the stage for some of the biggest surprises ever.
As the ball begins to roll, attention will be focused on the favorites, but the real drama may arise from the intermediate tiers and the “smaller” teams, especially thanks to the more permissive format that allows for dreams of a place in the knockout stage. The impact of this competitive revolution will be measured by the results, but one thing is certain: never has a World Cup offered so many possibilities and so many dreams to fulfill. The world of football is preparing for an unforgettable summer, where glory and disappointment will walk hand in hand on every North American pitch.
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