The 2026 World Cup kicks off inMexicoCitys Azteca Stadium on Thursday, with a record 48 teams vying for the biggest prize in football.Lionel Messi's title holders Argentina feature in our trio of hot favourites, along with European champions Spain and 2022 finalistsFrance.
But there are plenty of other title contenders, from England and Portugal to Senegal and Morocco, along with five-time winners Brazil. Heres a look at who might get their hands on the famous gold trophy when the tournament wraps up in the MetLife Stadium near New York City on July 19.
Read moreWorld Cup 2026: The full match schedule
A Spanish one-two?
Led by Barcelona prodigyLamine Yamaland confident in their collective strength, Spain, the reigning European champions, are hoping to bag their second world title, 16 years after their triumph in South Africa. Spain have moved on from pure tiki-taka to adopt a more clinical approach. They are still capable of confiscating the ball, but also of punishing opponents on the break.
Their favourites tag is vindication for manager Luis de la Fuente, who has worked his way from Spain's grassroots programmes to the senior squad, masterminding their Euros success two years ago. He will be counting on the return from injury of his two deadly wingers, Yamal and Athletic Bilbaos Nico Williams, though their fitness after missing the end of the club season remains a question mark for La Roja.
Frances daunting attack
Les Bleushave played in four of the past seven World Cup finals, including the last two, effectively making them the team to beat. The two-time champions boast a star-studded squad, particularly up front, withKylian Mbappand the current Ballon dOrOusmane Dembljoined by the likes of Rayan Cherki, Dsir Dou andMichael Olise, whoscored a hat-trickin their final warm-up game.
Michael Olise celebrates with teammates after scoring his third goal against Ireland days ahead of the tournament.
The abundance of talent means managerDidier Deschampswill be spoilt for choice as he wraps up his 14-year tenure, hoping to become the first coach to win two World Cups since Italys Vittorio Pozzo bagged a second back in 1938. Deschamps cannot field all his attackers at once but the ability to bring added firepower from the bench will be a huge bonus in hot weather against tired legs.
Argentina eye back-to-back titles
Tired legs may be a concern for the title holders, whose talismanic captain Lionel Messi will turn 39 during his record sixth World Cup. After nursing a muscle injury, the eight-time Ballon dOr winner has returned in the nick of time, scoring just moments after coming off the bench in Argentinas final warm-up game. Others are also suffering from niggles, while Marseille defender Lo Balerdi has been ruled out with a calf injury.
Still, Lionel Scalonis men are brimming with confidence after breezing through the World Cup qualifiers, which saw them grab a rare win in Brazil. The Albiceleste boasta solid defence and creative options aplenty, with Como revelation Nico Paz joining the likes of Julin Alvarez, Thiago Almada and established star Lautaro Martinez in a formidable attack that is no longer Messi-dependent.
Portugal buoyed by Nations League win
Another record-setter, PortugalsCristiano Ronaldois aiming to become the first player to score in six different World Cups. But at 41, the veteran striker is no longer the driving force in a Portuguese squad still chasing their first final on football's biggest stage after twice reaching the semis.
Anchored by the trio of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes, Portugals midfield is arguably the finest in the tournament, providing control and creativity behind an attack that also features Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix and Rafael Leao. Victory over mighty Spain in the Nations League final last year should give Roberto Martnezs side belief that they can beat any team on their day.
Brazil aim to regain lost aura
The other Seleao in the draw, Brazil have lost much of their lustre since their last title back in 2002 and the prospect of a sixth World Cup title seems somewhat remote. The five-time champions have seen three different managers come and go since their quarter-final exit in a penalty shootout four years ago, recording their worst-ever qualifying campaign with defeats in Argentina, Colombia, Uruguay, Paraguay and Bolivia.
Bowing to public pressure, their latest managerial recruit Carlo Ancelotti has recalledNeymarafter a near three-year absence from the national team, though a calf injury may yet sideline him for much of the tournament. Brazil will be hoping the Italian coach can get the best out of Vinicius Jr as he did at Real Madrid while the rock-solid duo of Champions League finalists Marquinhos and Gabriel Magalhes keep opponents at bay.
Englands 60 years of hurt
Bowing to pressure from fans is not something Englands German coach is ready to countenance. Thomas Tuchel surprised many by axing the likes of Foden, Palmer and Alexander-Arnold, but some have welcomed the arrival of a coach willing to choose players based on his game plan rather than the other way round.
Thomas Tuchel's bold squad choices caused a stir in England.
After reaching the final at the last two Euros, the perennial World Cup underachievers are rightly seen as title contenders. But lacklustre performances in recent warm-ups have exposed Englands overreliance on their goalscoring captain Harry Kane, meaning Tuchel will need more from the likes of Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka to add a second star to the Three Lions shirt.
Morocco building on 2022 breakthrough
Four years on from their historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar, Morocco are hoping to go one further and become the first African and Arab team to reach a World Cup final. Their new manager Mohamed Ouahbi has pedigree, having coached the under-20 World Cup winners last year.
Appointed just three months ago, Ouahbi has retained the core of the squad that lost a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) final against Senegal in January, only for their opponents to be later stripped of the title. A prolific goalscorer, captain Achraf Hakimi leads from the back, with rising star Neil El Aynaoui adding a creative edge that was previously lacking in midfield. Up front, Real Madrid forward Brahim Diaz will be looking to redeem himself after his costly Panenka penalty miss against Senegal.
Senegal spurred by AFCON drama
The Lions of Teranga arrive in North America still smarting from the controversial decision to strip them of the AFCON title. Their campaign kicks off with a mouthwatering clash with France, a rematch of their famous 2002 win against the then-defending champions. That year saw Senegal reach their first World Cup quarter-final, a feat they are yet to repeat.
Manager Pape Thiaw, who was part of the 2002 team, has injected fresh talent into his squad, including 18-year-old Amara Diouf. The young prodigy brings further pace to a team that can already count on the speed of wingers Ismala Sarr and Nicolas Jackson. Veteran defender Kalidou Koulibaly remains captain and Lamine Camara anchors the midfield, with the greatSadio Manhoping to carry the hopes of a nation and a continent on his last dance.
Originally published on France24
