It’s surprising how quickly it seems to come around, but we are again fast approaching the next World Cup. The 2026 tournament will be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the US and you can be sure that these hosts will be keen to deliver a first-rate footballing experience.
This tournament will be the first to feature 48 teams, rather than the usual 32. With more teams, there’s the chance for drama and surprises along the way. Let’s take a look at how things stand right now and which team has the potential to be crowned world champions.
European Powerhouses
Teams from Europe have a great history when it comes to success on the world stage. Out of the last 5 World Cup’s, 4 have been won by a European team. That means that a team from this continent is heavily favoured to win again. The likes of France, England, Spain, and Germany are all countries that feature among the favourites. Let’s take a look at these in more detail:
France
France has long been seen as a formidable footballing nation. Today, it has the talents of Kylian Mbappe, Eduardo Camavinga, and Aurelien Tchouameni. Looking across the squad, there’s a perfect combination of youth and experience. However, where France may fall short is when it comes to the number of attacking options that it has. It’s now down to Didier Deschamps to find a striker who is reliable and can be seen as an adequate replacement for Olivier Giroud. This replacement needs to be able to support Mbappe to ensure that there are real goal scoring opportunities.
England
The England team may be frustrated with so many near misses, but the squad is still regarded as one of the most talented in the world. Of course, one consideration here is the age of some of the team right now. By 2026, it’s fair to say that veterans, such as Kane, Pickford, and Walker will be in the twilight of their careers. Maintaining fitness levels will be key if they are to play a part. The good news for England is that it also has a new generation of stars coming through. The likes of Bellingham, Saka, and Rice are likely to play vital roles. However, with a new manager on the scene, we now need to wait and see what style of play will be adopted and who will make the grade.
Spain
This country has been through a process of rebuilding of late. This process has allowed for an amazing resurgence on the international scene. The fact that Spain reached, and won, the final of the 2024 Euros has shown just how far this team has come. There could be challenges ahead though with Rodri out of action for the rest of the 2024/2025 season following injury. A fall in form following a return may put more pressure on the young superstar Lamine Yamal.
Germany
Germany had previously struggled under the leadership of Flick. With Nagelsmann now in charge, things have started to turn. Players such as Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz have the potential to drive things forward and see Germany excel. However, there are challenges here too. Perhaps the most significant of these is replacing Toni Kroos. A failure to address this, and vulnerabilities in defence, will put an end to any dreams.
Contenders from South America
There are 2 giants that come from South America, and these teams can never be dismissed. Let’s take a look:
Brazil
When you ask anyone to name a top footballing nation, you can be sure that Brazil will always be near the top of the list. This country has a huge pool of talent, and this means that it will always be a viable contender. Yes, there have been struggles of late, particularly with the lacklustre performance during the Copa America campaign, but there are still elements of attacking flair and a solid defence. While history is not enough to create a team today, it’s something that can’t be dismissed when looking at Brazil.
Argentia
The 2022 World Cup gave the perfect end to Messi’s international career. There has been some talk of him making a return in 2026, but this is becoming increasingly unlikely. Known for its solid defence, the team will have work to do up front. The biggest challenge will be finding someone to fill Messi’s boots. Any likely candidate will be under immense pressure to deliver.
Outsiders to Watch
Any sportsbet enthusiast is likely to assess the outsiders and any opportunity to win. Here are 2 countries that we’d suggest keeping an eye on:
Columbia
Columbia can be seen as one of the most consistent teams in international football. You just need to look back to the 28-game unbeaten run that was enjoyed during the 2023 Copa America campaign to see the capabilities. Finding the same form during the World Cup may be challenging, but this is a team that shouldn’t be written off.
Japan
It’s taken time, but Japan has shown dramatic improvements when it comes to its international team. Topping their group during 2022 goes to show that there is real potential here. With a disciplined approach, Japan could well be a surprise performer in 2026. There’s the potential here to make it well into the knockout stages and a final win could be on the cards.
