With just 21 days remaining until the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first-ever 48-team edition hosted across North America, attention is turning to how the pre-tournament favorites are shaping up ahead of football’s biggest global stage. AFP Sport has broken down the prospects of the leading title contenders, ranked by their current FIFA positions:
### France (1st)
Two-time World Cup winners France enter the tournament with a historic legacy of strong performances, having reached four finals in the last seven editions – though two of those ended in heartbreaking penalty shootout defeats. This tournament will mark the end of an era for Les Bleus, as long-serving manager Didier Deschamps, who has led the national side since 2012, will step down after the conclusion of the competition. “It’s a strange feeling,” Deschamps admitted of his final tournament in charge.
Unbeaten in nine consecutive matches since June 2025, France have proven their depth and quality in recent outings: in March, they defeated Brazil 2-1 and followed that up with a 3-1 win over Colombia using an entirely changed starting lineup, both matches played on American soil. Their attacking unit is one of the most feared in the competition, featuring reigning Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele, superstar Kylian Mbappe, rising talents Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki – a combination that many analysts argue will be nearly impossible to contain.
### Spain (2nd)
Current European champions Spain have remained undefeated since claiming the Euro 2024 title, emerging as a well-drilled, consistent unit under manager Luis de la Fuente. The breakout star of their recent run has been 18-year-old Barcelona winger Lamine Yamal, the teenage phenomenon who has redefined what young players can achieve at the highest level. However, injury concerns have cast a shadow over La Roja’s preparations: Yamal is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury, and early reports indicate he could miss Spain’s opening two group stage matches.
In further bad luck, Yamal’s Barcelona teammate Fermin Lopez will miss the entire tournament with a foot fracture, while Mikel Merino – the Arsenal midfielder who has scored eight goals in 10 Spain appearances since 2025 – has not played since January due to his own injury issue. Despite these setbacks, Spain still retain world-class quality across the pitch, anchored by 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and creative midfield star Pedri.
### Argentina (3rd)
The 2022 champions are targeting back-to-back World Cup titles under manager Lionel Scaloni, a feat only a handful of nations have ever achieved. The 2022 tournament will forever be remembered as Lionel Messi’s career crowning glory, but questions remain over whether the 38-year-old can replicate that form this summer, just a month out from his 39th birthday.
Still, Messi has shown no signs of slowing down since joining Inter Miami, notching 12 goals in 13 MLS matches so far this season and feeling fully settled in the United States, where the knockout stage of the tournament will be played. Beyond Messi, Argentina enter the tournament in strong form: they claimed the 2024 Copa America title on American soil and finished top of South American qualifying without breaking a sweat. Their attacking depth remains impressive, with Inter Milan’s Lautaro Martinez, Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez and rising Como attacking midfielder Nico Paz all ready to contribute.
### England (4th)
After three consecutive major tournament deep runs ended in heartbreak under former manager Gareth Southgate – including back-to-back Euro final defeats and quarter-final exit at the 2022 World Cup – the Three Lions are pinning their hopes on German manager Thomas Tuchel to end the nation’s 60-year wait for a major men’s title.
England cruised through their qualifying campaign and boast arguably the deepest squad of any contender, but lingering question marks remain over their form. The side drew with Uruguay and suffered an unexpected defeat to Japan in March friendlies, while key stars including Jude Bellingham and Cole Palmer have had inconsistent club campaigns this season. All eyes will be on captain Harry Kane, who will look to carry his red-hot Bayern Munich form – 58 goals this season already – to the World Cup.
### Portugal (5th)
Portugal, who have never advanced past the World Cup semi-finals in their history, enter the 2026 edition as legitimate dark horse contenders – though their prospects may hinge on whether the presence of 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, set to play in his sixth World Cup, disrupts the team’s balance.
Portugal’s greatest strength lies in their elite midfield unit, featuring Vitinha, teen star Joao Neves, Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes, a group that can compete with any in the tournament. They claimed the UEFA Nations League title in 2024, but stuttered during qualifying, suffering a loss to Ireland that saw Ronaldo sent off. The superstar did not feature in Portugal’s most recent outing, a 2-0 friendly win over the United States in Atlanta.
### Brazil (6th)
All eyes will be on how Brazil performs under legendary Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti, who was hired to turn the nation’s footballing fortunes around after years of underperformance. The decision to hire a foreign coach has sparked discussion about Brazil’s ongoing identity crisis, with Ancelotti’s choice to include 34-year-old Neymar – out of international action since 2023 and now playing for Santos back in Brazil – highlighting the Selecao’s current lack of depth in attacking areas. Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior now leads Brazil’s attack as their undisputed first option.
Brazil have not won the World Cup since their fifth title in 2002, and have only reached one semi-final in that period – the infamous 7-1 home defeat to Germany in 2014. They finished a lowly fifth in South American qualifying this cycle, losing six of their 18 qualifying matches. Ancelotti, however, remains optimistic: “The World Cup won’t be won by a perfect team — because a perfect team doesn’t exist. It will be won by the most resilient team.”
### Germany (10th)
Ranked 10th in the world, behind the Netherlands, Morocco and Belgium, Germany entering the title conversation may seem like a stretch after back-to-back group stage exits in 2018 and 2022, followed by a quarter-final exit as hosts of Euro 2024. But under young manager Julian Nagelsmann, the class of players including Joshua Kimmich, Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz means the four-time champions should not be written off ahead of the tournament.