The 2026 World Cup can be right here earlier than it. With the opening match precisely one yr away, we’re taking an early take a look at the highest 48 contenders. Nations which have already certified for the expanded occasion, together with co-hosts the USA, Canada, and Mexico, are denoted with a “Q.”
1. Argentina (Q) 🇦🇷
Lionel Messi is perhaps on the tail finish of his illustrious profession, however count on him and reigning world champion Argentina to be within the hunt for the nation’s fourth World Cup subsequent yr.
2. Spain 🇪🇸
Regardless of shedding the UEFA Nations League ultimate to Portugal, the longer term stays vivid for the reigning European champion, which is able to quickly get a lift from Ballon d’Or holder Rodri’s return.
3. France 🇫🇷
After a collection of shut calls in current tournaments, Didier Deschamps’ France squad has the expertise able to creating the proper send-off for the departing coach subsequent yr.
4. Portugal 🇵🇹
Portugal’s spectacular Nations League triumph was proof that Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. must be taken critically. Whereas Ronaldo’s influence might be restricted subsequent yr, Portugal continues to be a significant menace.
5. England 🏴
Thomas Tuchel has favored evolution over revolution since he took the England job, however his irritation with the sloppiness and sluggishness that is plagued the Three Lions for many years is already clear.
6. Brazil (Q) 🇧🇷
Successful the World Cup is the one goal for soccer’s most adorned nation. Instances have been robust of late, however the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti ought to convey a way of calm to the Selecao.
7. Germany 🇩🇪
Germany hasn’t made the ultimate of a significant match in virtually 10 years. However, after surprising group stage eliminations previously two World Cups, 2026 might be the yr the nation’s subsequent technology of stars figures it out.
8. Morocco 🇲🇦
Morocco, which completed fourth on the 2022 World Cup, is in fantastic type. The Atlas Lions scored 26 targets as they received all six of their Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches in 2024.
9. Netherlands 🇳🇱
The Netherlands seems to be on track to make it far on the 2026 World Cup. After a troublesome begin to qualifying, the Dutch are again on monitor and seem to have their most balanced squad in years.
10. Croatia 🇭🇷
No one ever needs to play the Croatians. They’ve gone on some miraculous runs at main tournaments, pulling off epic upsets. However will it’s a distinct story in 2026 with an older squad that faces a troublesome qualifying path?
11. Norway 🇳🇴
The drought ought to be coming to an finish. Led by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, Norway has made an ideal begin to qualifying, hammering Italy alongside the best way, and is poised to make its first World Cup since 1998.
12. Belgium 🇧🇪
Regardless of being largely written off after the golden technology’s failure to succeed in a significant ultimate, an getting older Belgian facet nonetheless has the talent and expertise wanted to forge a deep run subsequent summer season.
13. Japan (Q) 🇯🇵
It is an thrilling period for soccer in Japan, and the likes of Kaoru Mitoma and Takefusa Kubo can earn the Samurai Blue extra admirers subsequent summer season with technically spectacular and energetic attacking play.
14. Ecuador (Q) 🇪🇨
With assist from Independiente del Valle’s unimaginable academy, Ecuador boasts what might be one of many best squads in its historical past. Enner Valencia continues to be round at 35, however it is a younger group with frighteningly excessive potential.
15. Uruguay 🇺🇾
Getting there should not be a difficulty. The actual take a look at can be whether or not Uruguay, the perennial darkish horse, can exceed expectations after years of developing brief with a staff composed of gamers equivalent to Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
16. Colombia 🇨🇴
Colombia, which missed out in 2022, is struggling in CONMEBOL qualifying, however that is nonetheless the staff that just about dethroned Argentina within the 2024 Copa America ultimate and will attain the expanded match.
17. Sweden 🇸🇪
If Sweden can get to the World Cup, the devastating striker duo of Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak – supported by Dejan Kulusevski – is greater than able to inflicting severe issues for any opponent.
18. Paraguay 🇵🇾
Gustavo Alfaro has been a revelation as Paraguay boss. The staff, led by Miguel Almiron and Diego Gomez, is effectively on monitor to finish the nation’s 16-year wait to play at a World Cup.
19. Mexico (Q) 🇲🇽
Acquainted face Javier Aguirre appeared to convey some stability to the risky nationwide staff by main Mexico to the CONCACAF Nations League title, however poor ends in current friendlies threaten that progress.
20. Canada (Q) 🇨🇦
Jesse Marsch has reworked the Canadian males’s program, including extra tactical nous and wherewithal to hassle the massive boys. The following step for the 2026 co-host is proving able to persistently beating them.
21. Switzerland 🇨🇭
Navigating a qualification group that features Sweden and Slovenia can be difficult, however Switzerland has been a continuing World Cup presence over the previous 20 years. A deep run continues to elude the Swiss, although.
22. Turkey 🇹🇷
With rising superstars Arda Guler (Actual Madrid) and Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) main the best way, Turkey has real perception it may shed its perennial darkish horse label going ahead.
23. Italy 🇮🇹
There is a very actual likelihood Italy will as soon as once more fail to qualify for the World Cup. The Azzurri, at present with out a coach, are determined to keep away from lacking the match for an unthinkable third time in a row.
24. United States (Q) 🇺🇸
Mauricio Pochettino’s slumping USMNT should flip issues round rapidly to be prepared for the match on house soil. The U.S. facet that hosted the 1994 World Cup made the spherical of 16. Something much less this time can be a failure.
25. South Korea (Q) 🇰🇷
Can South Korea get previous the spherical of 16 for the primary time since its fourth-place end in 2002? Captain Son Heung-min is the star of the squad, whereas Lee Kang-in can also be an underrated determine for Paris Saint-Germain.
26. Egypt 🇪🇬
With Mohamed Salah main the best way, Egypt is near securing a World Cup spot, and presumably making historical past. Egypt’s fundamental purpose in 2026 can be profitable its first World Cup recreation after three winless appearances.
27. Denmark 🇩🇰
One other of the European darkish horses, Denmark is a supremely balanced staff with excessive upside. If striker Mika Biereth can replicate his Monaco scoring type, Rasmus Hojlund’s struggles can be overshadowed and forgotten.
28. Ivory Coast 🇨🇮
Undefeated up to now within the ultimate spherical of African World Cup qualifying, the reigning AFCON winner has put all of the items collectively underneath younger supervisor Emerse Fae, who has a wonderful roster to work with.
29. Austria 🇦🇹
Ralf Rangnick’s facet has bounced again effectively from a heartbreaking loss in certainly one of Euro 2024’s most thrilling video games, with final October’s 5-1 win over Norway a selected spotlight for Austria.
30. Senegal 🇸🇳
Senegal is in a battle with DR Congo and Sudan to succeed in the World Cup. However the Lions of Teranga, who simply beat England, have probably the most proficient squad of the trio. In the event that they get there, they will make loads of noise on the World Cup.
31. Iran (Q) 🇮🇷
Iran is changing into a part of the World Cup furnishings after reaching its fourth straight match. This journey might mark the top of an period. Sardar Azmoun, Saman Ghoddos, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, and Mehdi Taremi are 30 or older.
32. Algeria 🇩🇿
Algeria boasts loads of gamers acquainted to viewers of Europe’s high leagues, and Marseille striker Amine Gouiri provides it a scoring menace who could make good on the possibilities crafted by captain Riyad Mahrez.
33. Panama 🇵🇦
Panama made its case to be thought-about extra than simply the “better of the remainder” in CONCACAF by upsetting the USA within the Nations League semis earlier this yr. Los Canaleros practically beat Mexico within the ultimate, too.
34. Ukraine 🇺🇦
Touchdown in the identical qualification group as France was a tricky break, however Serhiy Rebrov’s staff has a rock-solid backbone and can proceed to have widespread help from impartial followers because it seems to be to succeed in the World Cup.
35. Wales 🏴
Wales has misplaced simply as soon as in 10 video games underneath supervisor Craig Bellamy. That setback, a wild 4-3 defeat in Belgium, highlighted the never-say-die angle that may serve the staff effectively because it seems to be to succeed in the World Cup once more.
36. Scotland 🏴
Regardless of being drawn into a tricky qualification group, the Tartan Military can be hoping new Napoli hero Scott McTominay can carry his membership type over and lead the nation to its first World Cup since 1998.
37. Cameroon 🇨🇲
It is important the Indomitable Lions beat present group chief Cape Verde of their World Cup qualifying conflict in September. Bryan Mbeumo, Carlos Baleba, and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa ought to get them over the road.
38. Poland 🇵🇱
The primary order of enterprise for Poland is mending the connection with star striker and all-time high scorer Robert Lewandowski, who says he will not play for the staff so long as Michal Probierz stays coach.
39. Tunisia 🇹🇳
The Eagles of Carthage are rolling in qualifying, and will lock up their berth later this yr. The 2026 match will probably current Tunisia’s finest likelihood but to succeed in the World Cup knockout stage for the primary time.
40. Serbia 🇷🇸
Serbia all the time arrives at main tournaments with a loaded squad on paper, nevertheless it persistently manages to be lower than the sum of its components. Can the Serbians qualify for subsequent summer season’s match and buck that development?
41. Czechia 🇨🇿
Getting smoked 5-1 by Croatia this week put a damper on the Czechs’ qualifying marketing campaign, however a possible spot within the UEFA playoffs supplies a security internet for a staff seeking to attain its first World Cup since 2006.
42. Ghana 🇬🇭
Ghana was in disaster after failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, however the proficient, if inconsistent, Black Stars are in a robust place to qualify for subsequent summer season’s occasion.
43. Australia (Q) 🇦🇺
Australia is headed again to the World Cup after sealing its spot Tuesday. Tony Popovic’s staff won’t be probably the most intimidating on paper, however the Aussies all the time appear to be concerned in high-profile moments on the match.
44. South Africa 🇿🇦
A robust run has South Africa in place to qualify for the World Cup for the primary time because it was the host in 2010. Protection might show to be a difficulty, however the assault is potent sufficient to make issues thrilling for Bafana Bafana.
45. Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Costa Rica, nonetheless boasting loads of veteran management, has reached 5 of the previous six World Cups and is totally anticipated to safe one of many remaining CONCACAF slots behind the three co-hosts.
46. Uzbekistan (Q) 🇺🇿
Manchester Metropolis’s Abdukodir Khusanov starred in protection whereas Roma’s Eldor Shomurodov tallied 5 targets and 5 assists in qualifying to assist safe the White Wolves’ first World Cup berth.
47. New Zealand (Q) 🇳🇿
The 86th-best staff on the earth scored 29 targets in 5 qualification matches. That is extra of a mirrored image of how weak New Zealand’s Oceanic opponents are slightly than the All Whites being grossly underrated in FIFA’s rating.
48. Jordan (Q) 🇯🇴
First-time qualifier Jordan will lean on head coach Jamal Sellami for World Cup expertise. The previous midfielder featured for Morocco, albeit briefly, on the 1998 match in France.
On the bubble: Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Venezuela, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jamaica
