ANALYSIS/ World Cup 2026: Who are the contenders?

With a little more than six months to go before the start of the 2026 World Cup (June 11 – July 19), the main favorites are not all in the same form.

Here’s a summary ahead of Friday’s draw in Washington.

Argentina: champions above the clouds

The reigning champions have maintained their momentum after winning their third title in Qatar. Victors of the 2024 Copa América and still led by Lionel Messi, the Albiceleste successfully navigated the South American qualifiers and secured their spot in March.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who is shining with Inter Miami, has kept some mystery around his participation in the tournament, but it is hard to imagine that at 38 he would miss one last triumph in his adopted country.

Spain: the unbeaten armada

The European champions, unbeaten in 31 matches, will enter the World Cup in top form. But their performance will inevitably depend on their star, Lamine Yamal. The brilliant 18-year-old forward has been slowed by injuries early in the season, and his off-field behavior has also drawn criticism. The key question is whether he will be able to withstand the enormous pressure awaiting him in his first World Cup.

France: Les Bleus ready for Deschamps’ final matches

Didier Deschamps will lead Les Bleus in his seventh and final international tournament, and he intends not to tarnish his legacy, having kept France among the world’s top nations for more than 13 years.

Crowned world champions in 2018 and finalists in 2022, the national team coach has set the bar very high and knows he is under pressure after a disappointing Euro 2024 in terms of performance, despite reaching the semifinals.

The same will apply to Kylian Mbappé, who made history by scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 final. The captain, who first emerged on the international stage in 2018, hopes that returning to his favorite competition will erase the unpleasant image left by the European Championship (one goal, from a penalty).

England: talent at every level

Euro 2024 finalists and the first European nation to secure their ticket to America, England appear to be serious contenders for the title. Now led by Thomas Tuchel, the team can rely on an exceptional group of talents (Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Declan Rice) as they hope to finally win an international trophy — something they have been missing since 1966.

Portugal: CR7’s last chance

Portugal will be one of the biggest contenders at the World Cup. With a wealth of top-level players at his disposal, Roberto Martínez has already achieved his first successes, winning the Nations League in 2025.

To properly accompany Cristiano Ronaldo (40 years old) toward his farewell, what could be better than securing a first-ever World Cup title for a team that has suffered setbacks since their third-place finish in 1966?

Germany: uncertain

The Mannschaft, coming off two major World Cup failures (group-stage eliminations in 2018 and 2022) unworthy of their status as four-time champions, still have not found their true form.

After home defeats to Portugal (2–1) and France (2–0) in the Nations League ‘Final Four,’ they failed to impress in the qualifiers, narrowly dominating a group that was, nonetheless, very weak (Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg).

Brazil: in doubt

The arrival of Carlo Ancelotti at the helm in June has yet to transform the Seleção. The five-time world champions, seeking their sixth star since 2002, no longer dominate South America (quarterfinal exit in the 2024 Copa América, 5th place in CONMEBOL qualifiers), clearly surpassed by their great rivals, Argentina.

While the prestigious Italian coach—who will experience his first World Cup as a manager at 66—is working hard to shape a team worthy of the name, the uncertainty surrounding Neymar’s physical condition is far from reassuring for the Brazilian national side.

“KORÇA BOOM”