The 2026 World Cup will be here before you know it. With the opening match exactly one year away, we're taking an early look at the top 48 contenders. Nations that have already qualified for the expanded event, including co-hosts the United States, Canada, and Mexico, are denoted with a "Q."
1. Argentina (Q) ๐ฆ๐ท
Lionel Messi might be at the tail end of his illustrious career, but expect him and reigning world champion Argentina to be in the hunt for the nation's fourth World Cup next year.
2. Spain ๐ช๐ธ
Despite losing the UEFA Nations League final to Portugal, the future remains bright for the reigning European champion, which will soon get a boost from Ballon d'Or holder Rodri's return.
3. France ๐ซ๐ท
After a series of close calls in recent tournaments, Didier Deschamps' France squad has the talent capable of creating the perfect send-off for the departing coach next year.
4. Portugal ๐ต๐น
Portugal's impressive Nations League triumph was evidence that Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. need to be taken seriously. While Ronaldo's impact could be limited next year, Portugal is still a major threat.
5. England ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ
Thomas Tuchel has favored evolution over revolution since he took the England job, but his irritation with the sloppiness and sluggishness that's plagued the Three Lions for decades is already clear.
6. Brazil (Q) ๐ง๐ท
Winning the World Cup is the only objective for soccer's most decorated nation. Times have been tough of late, but the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti should bring a sense of calm to the Selecao.
7. Germany ๐ฉ๐ช
Germany hasn't made the final of a major tournament in almost 10 years. But, after shocking group stage eliminations in the past two World Cups, 2026 could be the year the country's next generation of stars figures it out.
8. Morocco ๐ฒ๐ฆ
Morocco, which finished fourth at the 2022 World Cup, is in fine form. The Atlas Lions scored 26 goals as they won all six of their Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches in 2024.
9. Netherlands ๐ณ๐ฑ
The Netherlands appears to be on course to make it far at the 2026 World Cup. After a difficult start to qualifying, the Dutch are back on track and appear to have their most balanced squad in years.
10. Croatia ๐ญ๐ท
Nobody ever wants to play the Croatians. They've gone on some miraculous runs at major tournaments, pulling off epic upsets. But will it be a different story in 2026 with an older squad that faces a difficult qualifying path?
11. Norway ๐ณ๐ด
The drought should be coming to an end. Led by Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard, Norway has made a perfect start to qualifying, hammering Italy along the way, and is poised to make its first World Cup since 1998.
12. Belgium ๐ง๐ช
Despite being mostly written off after the golden generation's failure to reach a major final, an aging Belgian side still has the skill and experience needed to forge a deep run next summer.
13. Japan (Q) ๐ฏ๐ต
It's an exciting era for soccer in Japan, and the likes of Kaoru Mitoma and Takefusa Kubo can earn the Samurai Blue more admirers next summer with technically impressive and energetic attacking play.
14. Ecuador (Q) ๐ช๐จ
With help from Independiente del Valle's incredible academy, Ecuador boasts what could be one of the greatest squads in its history. Enner Valencia is still around at 35, but this is a young group with frighteningly high potential.
15. Uruguay ๐บ๐พ
Getting there shouldn't be an issue. The real test will be whether Uruguay, the perennial dark horse, can exceed expectations after years of coming up short with a team composed of players such as Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.
16. Colombia ๐จ๐ด
Colombia, which missed out in 2022, is struggling in CONMEBOL qualifying, but this is still the team that nearly dethroned Argentina in the 2024 Copa America final and should reach the expanded tournament.
17. Sweden ๐ธ๐ช
If Sweden can get to the World Cup, the devastating striker duo of Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak - supported by Dejan Kulusevski - is more than capable of causing serious problems for any opponent.
18. Paraguay ๐ต๐พ
Gustavo Alfaro has been a revelation as Paraguay boss. The team, led by Miguel Almiron and Diego Gomez, is well on track to end the country's 16-year wait to play at a World Cup.
19. Mexico (Q) ๐ฒ๐ฝ
Familiar face Javier Aguirre appeared to bring some stability to the volatile national team by leading Mexico to the CONCACAF Nations League title, but poor results in recent friendlies threaten that progress.
20. Canada (Q) ๐จ๐ฆ
Jesse Marsch has transformed the Canadian men's program, adding more tactical nous and wherewithal to trouble the big boys. The next step for the 2026 co-host is proving capable of consistently beating them.
21. Switzerland ๐จ๐ญ
Navigating a qualification group that includes Sweden and Slovenia will be tricky, but Switzerland has been a constant World Cup presence over the past two decades. A deep run continues to elude the Swiss, though.
22. Turkey ๐น๐ท
With rising superstars Arda Guler (Real Madrid) and Kenan Yildiz (Juventus) leading the way, Turkey has genuine belief it can shed its perennial dark horse label going forward.
23. Italy ๐ฎ๐น
There's a very real chance Italy will once again fail to qualify for the World Cup. The Azzurri, currently without a coach, are desperate to avoid missing the tournament for an unthinkable third time in a row.
24. United States (Q) ๐บ๐ธ
Mauricio Pochettino's slumping USMNT must turn things around quickly to be ready for the tournament on home soil. The U.S. side that hosted the 1994 World Cup made the round of 16. Anything less this time would be a failure.
25. South Korea (Q) ๐ฐ๐ท
Can South Korea get past the round of 16 for the first time since its fourth-place finish in 2002? Captain Son Heung-min is the star of the squad, while Lee Kang-in is also an underrated figure for Paris Saint-Germain.
26. Egypt ๐ช๐ฌ
With Mohamed Salah leading the way, Egypt is close to securing a World Cup spot, and possibly making history. Egypt's main goal in 2026 will be winning its first World Cup game after three winless appearances.
27. Denmark ๐ฉ๐ฐ
Another of the European dark horses, Denmark is a supremely balanced team with high upside. If striker Mika Biereth can replicate his Monaco scoring form, Rasmus Hojlund's struggles will be overshadowed and forgotten.
28. Ivory Coast ๐จ๐ฎ
Undefeated thus far in the final round of African World Cup qualifying, the reigning AFCON winner has put all the pieces together under young manager Emerse Fae, who has an excellent roster to work with.
29. Austria ๐ฆ๐น
Ralf Rangnick's side has bounced back well from a heartbreaking loss in one of Euro 2024's most thrilling games, with last October's 5-1 win over Norway a particular highlight for Austria.
30. Senegal ๐ธ๐ณ
Senegal is in a battle with DR Congo and Sudan to reach the World Cup. But the Lions of Teranga, who just beat England, have the most talented squad of the trio. If they get there, they can make plenty of noise at the World Cup.
31. Iran (Q) ๐ฎ๐ท
Iran is becoming part of the World Cup furniture after reaching its fourth straight tournament. This trip could mark the end of an era. Sardar Azmoun, Saman Ghoddos, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, and Mehdi Taremi are 30 or older.
32. Algeria ๐ฉ๐ฟ
Algeria boasts plenty of players familiar to viewers of Europe's top leagues, and Marseille striker Amine Gouiri gives it a scoring threat who can make good on the chances crafted by captain Riyad Mahrez.
33. Panama ๐ต๐ฆ
Panama made its case to be considered more than just the "best of the rest" in CONCACAF by upsetting the United States in the Nations League semis earlier this year. Los Canaleros nearly beat Mexico in the final, too.
34. Ukraine ๐บ๐ฆ
Landing in the same qualification group as France was a tough break, but Serhiy Rebrov's team has a rock-solid spine and will continue to have widespread support from neutral fans as it looks to reach the World Cup.
35. Wales ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ท๓ ฌ๓ ณ๓ ฟ
Wales has lost just once in 10 games under manager Craig Bellamy. That setback, a wild 4-3 defeat in Belgium, highlighted the never-say-die attitude that will serve the team well as it looks to reach the World Cup again.
36. Scotland ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ณ๓ ฃ๓ ด๓ ฟ
Despite being drawn into a tough qualification group, the Tartan Army will be hoping new Napoli hero Scott McTominay can carry his club form over and lead the nation to its first World Cup since 1998.
37. Cameroon ๐จ๐ฒ
It's essential the Indomitable Lions beat current group leader Cape Verde in their World Cup qualifying clash in September. Bryan Mbeumo, Carlos Baleba, and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa should get them over the line.
38. Poland ๐ต๐ฑ
The first order of business for Poland is mending the relationship with star striker and all-time top scorer Robert Lewandowski, who says he won't play for the team as long as Michal Probierz remains coach.
39. Tunisia ๐น๐ณ
The Eagles of Carthage are rolling in qualifying, and should lock up their berth later this year. The 2026 tournament will likely present Tunisia's best chance yet to reach the World Cup knockout stage for the first time.
40. Serbia ๐ท๐ธ
Serbia always arrives at major tournaments with a loaded squad on paper, but it consistently manages to be less than the sum of its parts. Can the Serbians qualify for next summer's tournament and buck that trend?
41. Czechia ๐จ๐ฟ
Getting smoked 5-1 by Croatia this week put a damper on the Czechs' qualifying campaign, but a likely spot in the UEFA playoffs provides a safety net for a team looking to reach its first World Cup since 2006.
42. Ghana ๐ฌ๐ญ
Ghana was in crisis after failing to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, but the talented, if inconsistent, Black Stars are in a strong position to qualify for next summer's event.
43. Australia (Q) ๐ฆ๐บ
Australia is headed back to the World Cup after sealing its spot Tuesday. Tony Popovic's team might not be the most intimidating on paper, but the Aussies always seem to be involved in high-profile moments at the tournament.
44. South Africa ๐ฟ๐ฆ
A strong run has South Africa in position to qualify for the World Cup for the first time since it was the host in 2010. Defense could prove to be an issue, but the attack is potent enough to make things exciting for Bafana Bafana.
45. Costa Rica ๐จ๐ท
Costa Rica, still boasting plenty of veteran leadership, has reached five of the past six World Cups and is fully expected to secure one of the remaining CONCACAF slots behind the three co-hosts.
46. Uzbekistan (Q) ๐บ๐ฟ
Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov starred in defense while Roma's Eldor Shomurodov tallied five goals and five assists in qualifying to help secure the White Wolves' first World Cup berth.
47. New Zealand (Q) ๐ณ๐ฟ
The 86th-best team in the world scored 29 goals in five qualification matches. That's more of a reflection of how weak New Zealand's Oceanic opponents are rather than the All Whites being grossly underrated in FIFA's ranking.
48. Jordan (Q) ๐ฏ๐ด
First-time qualifier Jordan will lean on head coach Jamal Sellami for World Cup experience. The former midfielder featured for Morocco, albeit briefly, at the 1998 tournament in France.
On the bubble: Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Venezuela, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jamaica
