Overview ahead of 2026 World Cup draw
With a little more than six months until the start of the 2026 World Cup (June 11 – July 19), the main favorites are not in the same form.
Here is an overview ahead of Friday’s draw in Washington, CE Report quotes ATA.
Argentina: the champion 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 at Inter Miami, is keeping some mystery around his participation in the tournament, but it is hard to imagine that at age 38 he would miss one last triumph in his adopted country.
Spain: the unbeaten army
The European champions, unbeaten in 31 matches, will enter the World Cup in superb form. But their performance will inevitably depend on their star, Lamine Yamal. The brilliant 18-year-old forward has been held back by early-season injuries, and his off-field behavior has also drawn criticism. The key question is whether he will be able to handle the enormous pressure awaiting him in his first World Cup.
France: Les Bleus ready for Deschamps’ final tournament
Didier Deschamps will lead Les Bleus into his seventh and final international tournament, determined not to tarnish his record after keeping France among the world’s best for more than 13 years.
World champions in 2018 and finalists in 2022, the national team coach has set very high standards and knows he is under pressure after a disappointing Euro 2024 in terms of performances, despite reaching the semifinals.
The same applies to Kylian Mbappé, who made history with a hat-trick in the 2022 final. The captain, who rose to international fame in 2018, hopes that returning to his favorite competition will erase the unpleasant image left by the European Championship (only one goal, from a penalty).
England: talent at every level
Euro-2024 finalists and the first European team to secure a ticket to the US, England appear to be serious contenders for the title. Now coached by Thomas Tuchel, they 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 — their first since 1966.
Portugal: CR7’s last chance
Portugal will be one of the major contenders in the World Cup. With a wealth of top-level players at his disposal, Roberto Martínez achieved his first successes with the Nations League title in 2025.
To give Cristiano Ronaldo (40 years old) the perfect farewell, what could be better than a first-ever World Cup victory for a team that has consistently fallen short since its third-place finish in 1966?
Germany: uncertain
The Mannschaft, coming off two major World Cup failures (group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022), unworthy of a four-time world champion, still hasn’t found its rhythm.
After home defeats to Portugal (2–1) and France (2–0) in the Nations League Final Four, they did not impress in the qualifiers, struggling to dominate a very weak group (Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg).
Brazil: in doubt
The arrival of Carlo Ancelotti as coach in June has yet to transform the Seleção. The five-time world champions, searching for their sixth star since 2002, no longer dominate South America (eliminated in the 2024 Copa América quarterfinals, 5th place in the CONMEBOL qualifiers), clearly surpassed by their major rival Argentina.
While the prestigious Italian coach — who will experience his first World Cup as a manager at age 66 — is working hard to build a team worthy of Brazil’s name, uncertainty surrounding Neymar’s physical condition is bringing no calm to the Brazilian camp.
