We’re still a year away from the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, so it would be a bit premature to start making predictions now.
However, the usual culprits are expected to light up the tournament, so expect FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets to sell out fast on Seatsnet.com.
Reigning champions, Argentina will be keen to successfully defend their crown after beating France to be crowned world champions in Qatar.
Since then, they’ve defended their Copa America title and will fancy their chances of repeating that trick on the biggest stage in football.
La Albiceleste are among ten nations to have booked their ticket to the World Cup in North America, alongside Brazil, Ecuador, Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia, Jordan, Uzbekistan, and New Zealand.
The new World Cup format will see 48 teams tussle for football’s holy grail in North America next year.
Qualifiers are still ongoing to determine the identity of the other 35 nations, but we’ve singled out four teams that could light up the tournament.
Argentina
Going off their last Copa America triumph and their performance in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, Argentina will go into the World Cup as one of the tournament’s biggest threats.
Much of the headlines will surround Lionel Messi and whether he can still lead his nation to glory as he turns 38 before the tournament.
While Argentina will count on his leadership, Lionel Scaloni’s side have enough firepower to go toe to toe with the best teams in the tournament.
Scaloni has moulded Argentina into a strong, cohesive unit that looks comfortable competing both with and without the brilliance of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
Argentina won 11 of their 16 qualifiers, thrashing fierce rivals Brazil 4-1 to book their ticket.
They did so without Messi and Lautaro Martinez in the squad, proving they have what it takes to get the job done without key players.
Atletico Madrid duo Julian Alvarez and Giuliano Simeone stepped up to the plate and will back themselves to replicate their performances at the World Cup.
Historically, the task of retaining the World Cup has proven to be one of football’s most elusive feats.
Only Italy (1934 & 1938) and Brazil (1958 & 1962) have ever managed back-to-back victories.
With the 2026 tournament expanding to 48 teams and featuring an extended format, Argentina will need to navigate an even more gruelling path to triumph.
Spain
Spain will head into the 2026 World Cup as one of the most exciting teams to watch, thanks to a stunning victory at the 2024 UEFA European Championship.
After a dominant run through the tournament, they edged England 2-1 in the final to cement their place as a global powerhouse and a force to be reckoned with.
Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph was a massive statement of intent.
Claiming their fourth Euro title and third in the last five editions, Spain reminded the world of the dominance they once enjoyed during their 2008–2012 golden era.
What makes Spain’s resurgence special is the perfect balance between experience and young talents.
With Luis de la Fuente at the helm, Spain have moved away from their tiki-taka system of old and prioritised tactical control while making room for attacking flair.
The tournament also introduced the world to the next generation of Spanish stars.
Nico Williams dazzled on the flanks, while 17-year-old Lamine Yamal etched his name into history books as the youngest player to score at a European Championship.
His pace, creativity, and confidence brought a new edge to Spain’s attack.
La Roja came close to making another statement win in the Nations League, but they were edged by Portugal in the showpiece event.
That doesn’t dent their World Cup ambitions. If anything, reaching the final proves that they could be the team to beat in North America next year.
France
France may not have looked like their usual dominant selves since their heartbreaking defeat in the 2022 World Cup final.
But don’t be fooled — they’re still one of the top contenders heading into the 2026 tournament.
They still have one of the most talented teams on paper. And they have Kylian Mbappe.
Didier Deschamps’ men have had their struggles. At times, they’ve looked disjointed, easy to play through, and far from the powerhouse that came close to winning back-to-back World Cup titles.
But even in that inconsistency, France have flashed their frightening potential. They showed glimpses of the ultra-dominant team we remember in the Nations League.
Although it was a different story when they were 5-1 down against Spain in the semi-final.
However, with the quality in depth of the France squad, Deschamps’ side nearly completed the mother of all comebacks, but Spain still prevailed 5-4 to reach the final.
Les Bleus eventually dispatched Germany 2-0 to finish third. The upcoming World Cup will be Deschamps’ last hurrah with the French national team.
After winning both the World Cup and the Nations League, the decorated tactician will be keen to go out on a high and close his international chapter by being crowned world champion for a second time.
Spain might be the team to beat, and Argentina the reigning champions, but write France off at your own risk. They’re wounded but still armed to conquer.
England
Thomas Tuchel has endured a rocky start to life as England head coach. We’re just over five months into his tenure, but the cracks have started to appear.
The former Chelsea manager has guided the Three Lions to the top of their World Cup qualifying group, winning his first three games in charge without conceding a goal.
But the wins against continental minnows Albania, Latvia, and Andorra were far from convincing.
Tuchel’s Three Lions buckled at first sight of a decent opponent, falling to a disappointing 3-1 home defeat against Senegal in a friendly.
That raised questions about Tuchel’s suitability to lead England into the World Cup next summer.
Tuchel has much work to do to mould his current crop into winners. England have come agonisingly close several times, and the German has been brought in to get them over the line.
Gareth Southgate was often criticised for not making the most of the talent at his disposal. Tuchel cannot make the same mistake.
If Tuchel wants to deliver the most coveted national trophy to England, he must shed the safety-first straitjacket that has plagued the national team for decades.
Under Southgate, England developed a reputation for being cautious and rigid. Even with a golden generation of technical wizards, football often lacked imagination, spark, and risk.
Tuchel must break that cycle, and he has the tools to make England an eye-catching team to watch at the World Cup.
