How are the favourites shaping up for the 2026 World Cup title? | OneFootball

With just over six months to go before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, which will take place from June 11 to July 19 in North America, the main title contenders are experiencing very different moments.

We analyze the situation of each of them ahead of the group stage draw, which will take place on Friday (5) in Washington.

Argentina: Champions in Great Form

The current champions have kept up the pace after winning their third World Cup title in Qatar in 2022.

Under the leadership of Lionel Messi, in excellent physical shape at 38, Argentina dominated the South American Qualifiers and secured their spot in the tournament as early as March this year.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, who shines for Inter Miami, remains somewhat mysterious about his participation, but it's hard to imagine him missing his last chance to shine in the United States, the country he chose for the final stretch of his spectacular career.

Spain: The ‘Invincible Armada’

The European champions, unbeaten in 31 matches, arrive at the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in top condition.

But their performance will inevitably depend on the form of their star, 18-year-old Lamine Yamal.

The brilliant Barcelona forward has struggled with injuries at the start of this season, and his behavior off the pitch has also drawn criticism.

The question is whether he will be able to handle the immense pressure awaiting him in his first World Cup as the standout player of the FIFA number one ranked team.

France: Ready for Deschamps’ Last Battle

Coach Didier Deschamps will take part in his seventh and final major international tournament at the helm of the French national team, and he has no intention of tarnishing his legacy after keeping France among the world football elite for over 13 years.

Having won the world title in 2018 and reached the final in 2022, the coach has raised expectations to an extremely high level and knows much is expected of him after a disappointing Euro 2024, despite reaching the semifinals.

The same applies to Kylian Mbappé, who made history by scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 final.

The captain, who rose to international prominence at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, is counting on his return to his favorite competition to erase the bitter memory of his performance at Euro 2024 (in which he scored only one goal, from the penalty spot).

England: Talent in Every Position

Runners-up at Euro 2024 and the first European team to secure a spot in North America, England present themselves as strong title contenders.

Now under the command of German coach Thomas Tuchel, the team boasts a squad full of talent (Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Declan Rice) in their quest to finally win an international trophy that has eluded them since the 1966 World Cup.

Portugal: CR7’s Last Bullet

Portugal will be one of the big favorites at the World Cup. With a squad full of high-level players, coach Roberto Martínez achieved his first successes by winning the 2025 Nations League.

To give Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40, a fitting farewell, nothing would be better than a first world title for a team that has suffered setbacks since finishing third in 1966.

Germany: In Limbo

The German national team is coming off two monumental World Cup disappointments, having been eliminated in the group stage in both 2018 and 2022—results unworthy of a four-time world champion.

After home defeats to Portugal (2-1) and France (2-0) during the Nations League Final Four, the ‘Mannschaft’ failed to impress in the Qualifiers, struggling to qualify from a rather weak group (with Slovakia, Northern Ireland, and Luxembourg).

Brazil: A Sea of Doubts

The arrival of Carlo Ancelotti at the helm in June has yet to bring a significant leap in quality for the Brazilian national team.

The five-time world champions, seeking their first title since 2002, no longer reign supreme in South America and, on their road to the 2026 World Cup, had their worst campaign in the current Qualifiers format, in addition to recording several negative milestones.

The prestigious 66-year-old Italian coach, who will be making his World Cup debut as a manager, is looking to build a squad worthy of Pelé’s legacy.

But the uncertainty regarding Neymar’s physical condition, who hasn’t played for the national team since October 2023, does little to reassure the fans, whose pride was wounded by the victorious campaign of their great rival, Argentina.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.