By Benjamin Grover, May 5, 2026
In 38 days, the World Cup will be making the trip to Mexico, Canada and the United States to take part in the most popular sporting tournament in the world.
Despite controversy surrounding the overpriced tickets, billions of people will still be tuning in all around the world to see which country will bring home the 23rd World Cup. Out of the 48 qualified teams, there are six favorites who have a chance to win the World Cup: Argentina, England, Portugal, Germany, France and Spain.
Argentina
As defending champions, the Argentina national team will come into this World Cup with less pressure since Lionel Messi finally lifted the trophy in 2022 after five World Cups.
Players like Cristian Romero, Enzo Fernández and, Nicolás Otamendi and Emiliano Martínez embody Argentina’s solid and hotheaded defensive.
Romero, Fernández and Otamendi led the team in defensive contributions, interceptions, clearances and blocks per 90 minutes while tallying a combined eight yellow cards during qualification. Martínez also lead the qualification tournament in clean sheets with 10
The four could play a big factor to crown Argentina back-to-back champions.
England
For the England national team, it seems like the same story unfolds in every tournament, always underperforming.
In Euro 2024, England played seven matches and only managed to score eight goals with a squad filled with high market valued players like Harry Kane, Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham who combined for 94 goals during the 2023/2024 season.
England has not been able to win a major international trophy since its only World Cup back in 1966. Despite the major talent the country has developed since its World Cup win, like Gary Lineker, David Beckham and Frank Lampard, England has only made it to the semi-finals six times, have failed to qualify for seven tournaments, and only featured in two finals.
Known as one of the biggest fumblers in international soccer, it is embarrassing England hasn’t won a final yet. However, England does have a chance to make a deep run in World Cup 2026.
Kane has been in the form of his life since joining Bayern München in 2023, scoring 139 goals in 143 matches. However, besides Kane, most other England stars like Cole Palmer and Bellingham have hit a cold streak at club level, combining for 30 goals and assists this season at their current clubs this season . They will need to return to form soon and take advantage of Kane’s current form if England wants to have a chance in the tournament.
Portugal
If I had to pick a team to catch fire at the world cup, it would be Portugal.
The team is sprinkled with talent in every position with the likes of Vitinha, João Neves and Nuno Mendes who all ranked in the top 20 of the Ballon d’Or in 2025. Bruno Fernandes is also in amazing form this season with 19 assists in the Premier League, the most of any player.
A World Cup win would also complete the legendary career of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won five Champions Leagues, five Ballon d’Ors, three Premier Leagues, two La Ligas, two Serie As, two UEFA Nation Leagues, and one EURO.
Germany
Despite ranking 10th in the FIFA rankings, the Germans house an abundance of talent like Nick Woltemade, Kevin Schade and Nathaniel Brown who all have a market value of over $50 million.
Despite not playing up to his price tag in a Liverpool jersey, midfielder Florian Wirtz comes alive every time he puts on a Germany jersey. Joshua Kimmich and Aleksander Pavlović have also been in amazing form. Pavlović is third in the Bundesliga for accurate passes for 90 with 93 in his third season with the club and could be the key to a deep run for Germany.
France
France is one of the two teams I believe will win the World Cup.
France’s attack is the best in best in world right now with household names like current Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, Kylian Mbappé, Michael Olise and 20-year-old Désiré Doué all listing over $100 million on the transfer market. France’s biggest problem in attack will be finding a way to fit everyone in a starting lineup.
France also has a world-class midfield. Rayan Cherki has been in amazing form in his first Premier League season, ranking second in assists with 11. Warren Zaïre-Emery, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Adrien Rabiot can also create a nightmare for any other team to break into France’s final third.
Ultimately, France’s squad depth sets it apart from all other teams. France houses so many names that could start and be a star player in any other national team. Marcus Thuram, Eduardo Camavinga and Malo Gusto are all very recognizable names to soccer fans but won’t start for the French because they’re second-string choices.
Spain
If there is one team that has the potential to rival the star-studded power of the French national team, it is Spain.
Before the start of Euro 2024, Spain ranked in at eight on the FIFA rankings, now it is ranked second. Spain has become a powerhouse since the 2024 Euros and will have two keys if it wants to win the World Cup.
Spain has the best midfield in soccer, with names like Pedri, Martín Zubimendi, Rodri, Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez and Gavi being projected to be healthy at the start of the World Cup. If one of Spain’s starting three in the midfield picks up an injury during the tournament, any one of those players can replace the other and play at a world-class level.
Lamine Yamal could also propel Spain to victory, if he can make a return.
Yamal suffered a hamstring injury April 22 in a match against RC Celta de Vigo but is expected to make a return for the World Cup. Yamal was playing the best soccer of his career this season with 27 goals and assists in 28 games, emerging as Barcelona’s best player in the past three seasons.
Yamal is also not shy to the big moment, iconically known for the egotistical swagger he brings to the field and numerous trash-talking Instagram posts he makes before big games. This will also be Yamal’s first World Cup if he is fit. He will want all the eyes on him in the biggest moment, and there is none bigger than the World Cup.
Dark Horses
The three dark horses for World Cup 2026 are Colombia, Senegal and Ecuador.
Colombia and Ecuador surprised a lot of people with their performances in the CONMEBOL South American qualifiers. Ecuador finished in second, and Colombia finished third.
Both teams display a lot of passion in their matches; The type only usually found in South American teams with Colombia committing the most fouls per match with 14.1 and Ecuador following close behind with 12.9.
Colombia has Luis Díaz, who has flourished at Bayern München this season with 43 goals and assists, 20 more than his second-best season in 2018. Colombia also has James Rodríguez who tied second for most goals and assists during the qualification period with 10.
Ecuador is very strong defensively with Moisés Caicedo who can make an argument for being one of the best defensive midfielders this year, leading the Premier League with 56 interceptions. They also have Willian Pacho, a consistent starter for PSG and has the most minutes played and defensive contributions in the Champions League this season.
Senegal enters World Cup 2026 after a very controversial African Cup of Nations final against Morocco where it was stripped of their tournament win March 17. The team walked off the field in protest for 15 minutes after Morocco was awarded a penalty in the last minute of the game with a score of 0-0.
However, throughout the tournament the Senegalese showed the team is filled with quality. Iliman Ndiaye is tied for second-most goals and assists for Everton this season, and Pape Matar Sarr is a starter for Tottenham Hotspur. Sadio Mané also showed he can still play with the best, winning player of the tournament at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025.
I wouldn’t be shocked if Senegal makes a deep run to the tournament.
Important Matchups
Match four between USA and Paraguay June 12 will be the defining moment to see if the USMNT will prosper or falter as the home country. The host suffered defeats to Belgium and Portugal in March and will need to make a big statement in their first game to show they can compete.
Match 17 between France and Senegal June 16 looks like a game that could feature many goal on paper with both teams averaging almost three goal per game in qualifying. It will also be a key match for both teams; France will need to cement their dominance in this match to show they are ready and can get a result against a strong team. For Senegal, getting a result against France in their opening match will be massive confidence boost for the team to make a deep run.
Match 22 between England and Croatia June 17 will give England the chance to have its revenge, after Croatia knocked it out in the semifinals in World Cup 2018. England will need to take this match as a chance to make a statement it can win it all.
Match 56 between Ecuador and Germany June 25 will most likely be a battle to win Group E. Both teams have high quality defenses, which will probably result in a low scoring game.
Match 69 on between Colombia and Portugal June 27 will be the best game of the tournament’s group stage. Colombia’s undeniable passion against Portugal’s squad that is full of talent will result in probably the most complete game of the group stage and is a must watch. The teams will also most likely be battling for the winner of Group K.
Feature graphic courtesy of Cael Cross
