World Cup Preview: Team By Team Predictions

The 2026 World Cup will soon be upon us, as FIFA aim to deliver the biggest tournament in the history of football. The traditional format has expanded to 48 teams for this tournament and will emanate from the USA, Canada and Mexico.

The tournament will kick off on the 11th June and will run until the 19th of July. The current holders of the World Cup are Argentina, meanwhile, pre-tournament favourites France will be looking to reach a third consecutive final

Below, we have compiled a brief guide on each team and our assessment of their chances in this competition. Additionally, we have identified the key players who could make an impact for their side and provided the best bookmaker offers for the World Cup.

Manager: Javier Aguirre

Expected Finish: Round of 16

Tournament Preview: Mexico are one of the home nations for the tournament, so the favourable weather conditions could be beneficial. Mexico will be led by the experienced Javier Aguirre who has managed at the likes of Atletico Madrid and Osasuna. The Mexico team is full of experienced names, including Edson Alvarez (formerly of West Ham), Santiago Gimenez (Milan), and Raul Jimenez. With a favourable group, Mexico could be on course for the round of 16, where they could potentially meet England in the round of 16

Player To Watch: Raul Jimenez of Fulham will be the player that Mexico will lean on for goals in this World Cup. A full international since 2013, Jiménez has represented his country at three FIFA World Cups (2014, 2018 and 2022), three CONCACAF Gold Cups (2013, 2019 and 2025, winning the latter two), two FIFA Confederations Cups (2013 and 2017), and two Copa América tournaments (2015 and 2016). Jimenez scored nine goals for Fulham this season.

Manager: Hugo Broos

Best Tournament Finish: Group Stage: 1998, 2002 & 2010.

Expected Finish: Group Stage

Tournament Preview: South Africa are making their first tournament appearance in the FIFA World Cup since their home nation tournament of 2010. In that tournament, they managed to beat France in the final group game but have never made it past the Group Stages, a pattern likely to repeat itself here. South Africa finished top of their qualification group, one point clear of Nigeria. One of South Africa’s most notable squad members is Burnley forward Lyle Foster.

Player To Watch: Oswin Appollis may not be a name familiar to World Football, but the Orlando Pirates midfielder has been one of the standout performers for his club side this season. The 24-year-old has provided 15 goal contributions (9G & 6A) in 30 league games for the Orlando Pirates.

Manager: Hong Myong-bo

Best Tournament Finish: Fourth place: 2002

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: South Korea qualified for the World Cup following an impressive qualification campaign, which saw them finish with 16 points in the initial qualifying phase and, in the third round, edge out Jordan by six points while remaining unbeaten. South Korea is primed with ready-made internationals who can make a difference, including Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich), Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves) and Son Heung-min.

Player To Watch: It’s no surprise that we are picking former Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-min as the player to watch for South Korea in this tournament. The South Korea captain is only four goals away from matching the all-time record for South Korea of 58 set by Cha Bum-kun. Son Heung-min famously scored a winning goal past Germany in the 2018 World Cup, to knock the four-time holders from the competition.

Manager: Miroslav Koubek

Best Tournament Finish: Czechoslovakia: Runners Up 1934 & 1962. Czech Republic: Group Stage 2006.

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: Czechia finished in second in their qualifying campaign, six points behind Croatia and four points clear of the Faroe Islands. Managed by Miroslav Koubek, the Czechs have found themselves in a favourable group with only South Korea being the main obstacle in the pursuit of a second-place finish. The squad boasts notable names such as Tomas Soucek (West Ham) and Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen).

Player To Watch: Bayer Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick will be seen as the key player for Czechia in this tournament. Schick made his impact on the world stage in the 2020 European Championships when he scored five goals, including a brace past Scotland. Schick had five goals in qualifying for the Czechs and for Bayer Leverkusen, he has been lethal with 16 goals in 23 league starts.

Manager: Jesse Marsch

Best Tournament Finish: Group Stage: 1986 & 2022

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: Canada will be making their third appearance at the FIFA World Cup, having previously qualified in 1986 & most recently, in Qatar four years ago. Former Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch will lead Les Rouges (the Reds) this summer as one of the tournament's host nations. Canada are in Group B, and their likely route to a knockout place will involve beating Qatar and securing a favourable result against Bosnia.

Player To Watch: While Alphonso Davies is the most recognisable player during his current stint at Bayern Munich, Jonathan David will be expected to lead the line for Canada in their home World Cup. Jonathan David is the all-time leading scorer for Canada with 39 goals, and the former Lille man will be expected to carry the burden of goals for Jesse Marsch.

Manager: Sergej Barbarez

Best Tournament Finish: Group Stage: 2014

Expected Finish: Round of 16

Tournament Preview: Bosnia & Herzegovina reached their second World Cup following a playoff route which had seen them overcome four-time champions Italy and then narrowly beat Wales in a penalty shootout in Cardiff. Bosnia’s tactical plan is built on aggressive defending, direct football and quick transitions from out wide, while being spearheaded by stalwart Edin Dzeko.

Player To Watch: Edin Dzeko’s time for Bosnia will likely reach its conclusion this summer, so there is an opportunity for any youngster to step up, and that could be Kerim Alajbegovic. The RB Salzburg winger is one of the better young prospects in European football, and for his club side, he has been superb this season. Kerim Alajbegovic scored nine goals and provided three assists in 22 league games this season.

Manager: Julen Lopetegui

Best Tournament Finish: Group Stage: 2022

Expected Finish: Group Stage

Tournament Preview: Qatar are making their second World Cup appearance, following their only appearance at the home tournament in 2022. Qatar has seen a significant improvement in their standing in world football following two AFC Asian Cups in 2019 & 2023. Qatar eventually made it through the qualification stage, edging out the UAE for top spot in the final round of group games. Admittedly, Qatar are looking at another group-stage exit, given the quality of the opponents in this group.

Player To Watch: Almoez Ali is the all-time top scorer for Qatar with 60 goals in 126 appearances for the National side. The 29-year-old, who plays for Al Duhail, provided 17 goal contributions in 21 appearances in the 2024/25 season and provided four goal contributions in Qatar’s 2023 Asian Cup triumph.

Manager: Murat Yakin

Best Tournament Finish: Group Stage: 1934, 1938 & 1954

Expected Finish: Round of 16

Tournament Preview: Switzerland are probably the best equipped to top this group, considering the wealth of tournament experience in this squad. Previously, Switzerland had reached the quarter finals of the European Championships in 2024 where they were defeated by England. Noah Okafor can offer pace out wide, whilst the defensive steel of Manuel Akanji will be key. Switzerland maintained an unbeaten record during qualifying and are likely to reach the round of 16 stages of this World Cup.

Player To Watch: Granit Xhaka has been one of the standout performers for Sunderland this season in the centre of midfield. His calmness and positional acumen, accompanied by his leadership has guided the Black Cats to a Europa League finish in their first season back in the Premier League since 2017.

Manager: Carlo Ancelotti

Best Tournament Finish: Winners: 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 & 2002

Expected Finish: Runners Up

Tournament Preview: Brazil’s pedigree in this competition is well known as statistically they are the best performing team in the World Cup with five trophies to their name. Managed by Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian brings a wealth of experience in knockout competitions, which could benefit Brazil who are chasing their first World Cup triumph since 2002. The conditions will favour Brazil, and a possible route to the final against France could see a repeat of the final of 1998.

Player To Watch: Raphinha has had an injury-hit campaign for Barcelona this season but the numbers still show that he will be one of the ones to watch this summer. The former Leeds United forward scored 13 goals in 18 league starts which helped Barcelona capture the league title. Raphinha will provide pace and skill on the flanks, accompanied by Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr.

Manager: Mohamed Ouahbi

Best Tournament Finish: Fourth Place: 2022

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: Morocco’s rise in the world of football started in the last World Cup where they were an excellent surprise package, reaching the semi-finals where they was beaten by France. Since then, Morocco were controversially awarded the Africa Cup of Nations from Senegal but their team for the World Cup still has notable names and will likely see them qualify from this group consisting of Brazil, Scotland and Haiti.

Player To Watch: Achraf Hakimi of PSG is arguably the best right-back in the world. Hakimi’s explosive pace and work rate will be a welcome addition to the Morocco side, especially against teams who are lacking in pace, particularly Haiti.

Manager: Sébastien Migné

Best Tournament Finish: Group Stage: 1974

Expected Finish: Group Stage

Tournament Preview: Haiti will be making their second appearance in the FIFA World Cup, having previously competed in the 1974 edition. Haiti will be seen as the least equipped team in this group, and will likely struggle to adapt against better opposition, especially with Brazil and Morocco. Haiti achieved qualification for the World Cup by finishing top of their final qualifying group which involved the likes of Honduras and Costa Rica.

Player To Watch: Haiti’s squad is not exactly littered with household names but one that Premier League fans will recognise is Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor. The Black Cats striker switched allegiances to Haiti in time for the World Cup and will be expected to lead the line for the Caribbean nation this tournament.

Manager: Steve Clarke

Best Tournament Finish: Group Stage: 1954, 1958, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1986. 1990 & 1998.

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: Scotland have now qualified for their third major tournament under Steve Clarke and the Tartan Army have reached their first World Cup since 1998. Scotland’s qualification was secured following a wonderful night against Denmark, where the Danes were put to the sword with four goals. Scotland should be looking for a potential second-place finish in the group, but most certainly be a best third-place finish should be viable for the Tartan Army.

Player To Watch: Scott McTominay’s resurgence following his move to Napoli from Manchester United is evident, as he has become one of the better box-crashers in modern football. In his debut season, his goals spearheaded Napoli to the league title and the former Manchester United midfielder scored the first goal in Scotland’s crucial game against Denmark which secured qualification.

Manager: Mauricio Pochettino

Best Tournament Finish: Third Place :1930 Quarter Finals: 2002 (Tournament expansion)

Expected Finish: Round of 16

Tournament Preview: The USA are considered one of the dark horses of the tournament, with former Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino leading the host nation into this tournament. Pochettino’s teams usually rely on expansive attacking play and the squad will be bolstered by Premier League players such as Tyler Adams (Bournemouth), Chris Richards (Crystal Palace), Antonee Robinson (Fulham) and Brendan Aaronsen (Leeds United). The USA could feasibly reach the round of 16 in this tournament but don’t be surprised to potentially see them reach the last eight as a surprise package.

Player To Watch: Christian Pulisic is seen as the holy grail by the American fanbase and pundits alike. The former Chelsea forward couldn’t quite reach the predicted levels from his time at Borussia Dortmund, however he has since found his home in Italy at Milan. This season, Pulisic has provided 12 goal contributions in 18 league starts, averaging 1.8 shots per game.

Manager: Gustavo Alfaro

Best Tournament Finish: Quarter Finals: 2010

Expected Finish: Group Stage

Tournament Preview: Paraguay finished sixth in the qualifying process for this tournament and under Gustavo Alfaro, they proved to be a resolute defensive outfit with only 0.6 goals conceded per game. However, their defensive prowess has come at the expense of their attacking output, considering they only produced 0.8 goals per game in qualifying. Paraguay are likely to finish third in this group, between them and Australia but may not have enough to secure a route to the round of 32.

Player To Watch: Julio Enciso is part of the BlueCO group and has been linked with a move to parent club Chelsea from Strasbourg. The former Brighton wide man can provide a creative flair, having provided six assists for Strasbourg this season. Enciso ended his season in spectacular fashion with three assists in Strasbourg’s final league match against AS Monaco.

Manager: Tony Popovic

Best Tournament Finish: Round of 16: 2006 & 2022

Expected Finish: Group Stage

Tournament Preview: Australia have been handed a relatively difficult group with Turkey and the USA likely to be the frontrunners for Group D. The Socceroos are managed by former Crystal Palace defender Tony Popovic and secured qualification by finishing second to Japan. The Australian squad has notable names such as Harry Souttar and Matthew Ryan but will likely finish towards the bottom of this group.

Player To Watch: Nestory Irankunda was picked up by Bayern Munich as a youngster and despite not making the grade at the Allianz Arena, the Australian international has found a home at Watford in the Championship. This season, Irankunda provided eight goal contributions in 22 league starts for the Hornets, with 1.7 shots per game in the Championship.

Manager: Vincenzo Montella

Best Tournament Finish: Third Place: 2002

Expected Finish: Round of 16

Tournament Preview: Turkey have an impressive squad at their disposal through defence to attack. At the back, the likes of Merih Demiral and Ferdi Kadioglu, whilst Hakan Çalhanoğlu is expected to provide creativity for the forward line. Turkey’s squad is better than the likes of Paraguay and Australia and will likely be battling it out for top spot with the USA before reaching the round of 16.

Player To Watch: Football Manager gamers will know about the mercurial talents of Can Uzun and this season his stock has risen at Eintracht Frankfurt. The young starlet has featured predominantly in the Champions League and in the Bundesliga, he has provided 12 goal contributions for his club side. We have seen in previous tournaments with the likes of James Rodriguez, that a player can put himself in the shop window with a big tournament and that could be the case for Uzun here.

Manager: Julian Nagelsmann

Best Tournament Finish: Winners: 1954, 1974, 1990, 2014

Expected Finish: Round of 16

Tournament Preview: Germany are one of the first nations any football fan thinks about when they remember past World Cups. Germany have reached the quarter-finals in 17 of their 20 World Cup appearances, but poor performances at each of the last two tournaments suggest that a top eight finish is very unlikely. The current squad is packed with experience, has plenty of creativity and goals through the midfield and attack, but a lack of a traditional No.9 could be their downfall during the knockout phase.

Player To Watch: With 10 goals in 39 caps for his country, Wirtz provides creativity and goals from midfield, a vital element of this current Germany side, which lacks an out-and-out centre forward. The 23-year-old moved to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for £100m last summer, and while it has taken some time to settle into Premier League football, Wirtz continues to shine for his country, scoring two goals and providing four assists in his last three appearances.

Manager: Dick Advocaat

Best Tournament Finish: N/A

Expected Finish: Group Stage

Tournament Preview: The most recognisable aspect of the Curacao team has to be their manager, Dick Advocaat. 'The Little General' has been in charge of eight different countries, including the Netherlands, on three separate occasions. Despite resigning from his post as Curacao manager for personal reasons, Advocaat made a surprise return to the team with the hope that his experience will guide The Blue Wave through a very tough group stage. Not much is expected of Curacao at their debut World Cup finals, as they have been drawn against Germany, Ivory Coast and Ecuador in Group E, three extremely talented and experienced teams.

Player To Watch: The former Aston Villa, Reading, Cardiff and Watford midfielder represented the Netherlands at U19 and U21 levels before stating his allegiance to Curacao in 2016. Since then, Bacuna has racked up 70 caps and scored 16 goals for his country, providing four goal contributions during the qualifiers. The 34-year-old has the honour of captaining Curacao at the first World Cup and will add creativity and a goal threat from the heart of The Blue Waves' midfield.

Manager: Emerse Faé

Best Tournament Finish: Group stage: 2006, 2010, 2014

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: The Elephants make their return to the big stage after failing to qualify for the last two World Cups. This could be the tournament that finally sees Ivory Coast make it through the group stage. Still, they will probably have to go through the third-place play-off to achieve that goal, as Germany and Ecuador are expected to claim the automatic promotion spots. The Elephants squad blends youth and experience with talent, and most of the players play their club football in established European leagues. There is plenty of pace and power in the forward line, enough to cause issues for any defence.

Player To Watch: Franck Kessié - The Ivory Coast captain has scored 15 goals in 102 appearances from the heart of the Elephants' midfield. Now plying his trade in the Saudi Pro League, the 29-year-old played a key role during the World Cup qualifiers, scoring two goals and providing two assists. Cool and calm from the penalty spot, a leader who has played for both AC Milan and Barcelona, Kessie will be key to the Ivory Coast's chances of making history and qualifying for the Round of 32.

Manager: Sebastián Beccacece

Best Tournament Finish: Round of 16: 2006

Expected Finish: Round of 16

Tournament Preview: Ecuador only scored 14 goals in their 18 qualifying matches and still managed to claim the runners-up spot behind Argentina. La Tri's success during the South American World Cup qualifiers was all based on their defensive solidity. Conceding just five goals, Ecuador proved a tough nut to crack in the qualifiers, losing just two games, both by 1-0 scorelines away at Argentina and Brazil, and they will be looking to use that strong defence to progress through to the knockout stages at the 2026 World Cup.

Player To Watch: 36-year-old Enner Valencia is still Ecuador's talisman, having provided eight goal contributions during the qualifiers. The former West Ham and Everton forward plays in Mexico these days, where he managed to score five goals in 17 matches for Pachuca. Valencia scored six of his nation's 14 goals during the qualifiers, and has scored six goals at World Cups in the past, showing that he knows how to do the job on the big stage.

Manager: Ronald Koeman

Best Tournament Finish: Runners up: 1974, 1978, 2010

Expected Finish: Quarter Finals

Tournament Preview: Possibly, the best nation never to have won the World Cup, the Netherlands are expected to reach the latter stages in 2026. Ronald Koeman's side finished top during the qualifiers, going undefeated, but their only real test was Poland. With the experience of Virgil van Dijk in defence, Denzel Dumfries marauding down the right wing, and Memphis Depay providing the flair up front, the Netherlands possess an experienced squad that has all the components to go deep into this competition, but probably lacks the star power needed to finally put an end to their World Cup woes.

Player To Watch: Corinthians forward, Memphis Depay was key to the Netherlands' making it to the 2026 World Cup, scoring eight goals and providing four assists during the qualifiers. The 32-year-old hasn't played a lot of club football since moving to Brazil and hasn't scored double figures in the league since his first season with Barcelona back in 2021/22. However, Depay continues to impress for Ronald Koeman, and his experience and ability could prove vital for his country. The former Manchester United forward has scored three World Cup goals before and only failed to score in two of his eight appearances during the qualifiers.

Manager: Hajime Moriyasu

Best Tournament Finish: Round of 16: 2002, 2010, 2018, 2022

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: Japan qualified for the first World Cup in 1998 and have been at each instalment of the competition since, reaching the last 16 on four occasions. The current squad is packed with talented, technical players who produce plenty of goals. While Ayase Ueda led the line well, scoring eight goals during the qualifiers, it was the midfield that really shone. Takefusa Kubo ended with 12 goal contributions, four goals and eight assists, while Junya Ito chipped in with 11 goal contributions, one goal and 10 assists. Ritsu Doan, Takumi Minamino and Crystal Palace's Daichi Kamada each produced six goal contributions from midfield, and this is where Japan will be at their strongest in the 2026 World Cup.

Player To Watch: Takefusa Kubo - The Real Sociedad midfielder possesses high-level skill and creativity. The 24-year-old has scored seven times in 48 international caps, four of which arrived during the qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Kubo didn't have the best of seasons with his club side, but still managed two goals and four assists in 24 La Liga appearances. However, he has starred for Japan and was arguably their most influential player during the qualifiers, and that i why he is our player to watch.

Manager: Graham Potter

Best Tournament Finish: Runners- up: 1958

Expected Finish: Third-place playoff

Tournament Preview: Sweden are going to have to be at their very best to get out of Group F ahead of the Netherlands and Japan. After failing to qualify for three of the last four tournaments, Sweden failed to win a single game during the qualifiers, finishing in last place. Instead, earning their spot at the 2026 World Cup due to their performance at the Nations League. Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres are the two big-name players in the current squad, but a lack of star quality in the rest of the team means the Scandinavians are, at best, going to finish third in Group F ahead of Tunisia.

Player To Watch: Viktor Gyökeres - The Arsenal centre-forward will make his World Cup debut at the age of 28, and after scoring four goals during a poor qualifying campaign for Sweden, but success with Arsenal, Gyökeres will have the weight of a nation on his shoulders. The former Sporting striker netted a hat trick against Ukraine in the playoff semi-final and then scored a dramatic 88th-minute winner against Poland in the final to book Sweden's place at the 2026 World Cup, so you can see why the Swedish fans will be looking to Gyökeres for inspiration this summer.

Manager: Sabri Lamouchi

Best Tournament Finish: Group stage: 1978, 1998, 2002, 2006, 2018, 2022

Expected Finish: Group stage

Tournament Preview: Tunisia are the underdogs of Group F and will be aiming to finish third ahead of Sweden, with the hopes of qualifying for the knockout stage via the play-offs. The current squad doesn't consist of any real household names, though, captain Ellyes Skhiri has spent his entire career playing in France and Germany and is enjoying his third season with Eintracht Frankfurt. Tunisia lack a goalscorer, often relying on midfielders like Mohamed Ali Ben Romdhane and Elias Saad to come up with the goals to win them games, and that probably isn't going to be enough to see them qualify from Group F this summer.

Player To Watch: Ali Abdi - The veteran Nice defender has scored seven times in 45 appearances for his country, finishing the World Cup qualifiers with the joint-highest number of goal contributions (4). Abdi scored three times in Ligue 1 this season and certainly has an eye for a goal and an assist, and could be a good player to add to your fantasy football team. The left-back scored on his last appearance for Tunisia during the qualifiers and got an assist in the match before, so he could prove to be the key player for his country at the World Cup.

Manager: Rudi Garcia

Best Tournament Finish: Third place: 2018

Expected Finish: Quarter Finals

Tournament Preview: Belgium's 'Golden Generation' may be enjoying the twilight of their international careers, but there is certainly enough quality within the ranks to take the Red Devils into the latter stages of the 2026 World Cup. The likes of Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne, Alex Witsel, Thomas Meunier and Thibaut Courtois remain key players in the team, providing plenty of big tournament experience, while Jeremy Doku, Leandro Trossard, Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans have had excellent campaigns with their club sides and will be raring to go in North America. An easy group, if there ever is such a thing, suggests that Belgium will claim top spot in their group, setting them up for a good run in the knockout stage.

Player To Watch: Kevin De Bruyne - It could only really be Kevin De Bruyne as our pick for the 'player to watch' within the Belgium squad. Even at the age of 34, the Napoli midfielder oozes quality on the ball, with unmatched vision and the knack of scoring important goals. De Bruyne has scored 36 goals in 117 caps for Belgium; only Lukaku has scored more goals for the Red Devils. The former Manchester City star provided seven goal contributions during the qualifiers, six goals and one assist, and during his 18 Serie A appearances, scored five times and set up two goals.

Manager: Hossam Hassan

Best Tournament Finish: Round of 16: 1934

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: Egypt have a solid squad with plenty of experience for the 2026 World Cup, including 37-year-old goalkeeper, Mohamed El Shenawy. The majority of the squad is based in Egypt, with Mohamed Abdelmonem the only defender playing his club football in Europe with Ligue 1 side Nice. Midfield is probably the weak area of the Egypt squad, but their attack is packed with creativity and goals. Along with the talisman Mo Salah, who has 67 goals for his country, Egypt have Manchester City's Omar Marmoush with 11 goals in 47 caps and the experienced Trezeguet, who has scored 23 times for Egypt and could reach a century of caps during the World Cup. Egypt only have to finish above Iran and New Zealand to earn automatic qualification for the knockout stage.

Player To Watch: Mohamed Salah - 33-year-old Salah has called time on his career with Liverpool, which spanned nine seasons and produced 191 Premier League goals in 315 appearances. Salah was Egypt's main man during the qualifiers once again, scoring nine times and setting up three goals to make a total of 12 goal contributions. The Egyptian legend scored twice at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, Egypt's third World Cup appearance and their first since Italia 90. The goals may well have dried up in his final season with Liverpool, but Salah's nine goals during the qualifiers arrived in nine appearances and included four goals in one game against Djibouti.

Manager: Amir Ghalenoei

Best Tournament Finish: First Round: 1978

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: We're expecting Iran to be solid and competitive at the 2026 World Cup, and could see Team Melli finishing third and making it through the play-offs to reach the last 32. With an almost entirely home-based squad, Iran has a passionate and experienced squad, with some great technical players. Along with star player Mehdi Taremi, there is defender Ehsan Hajsafi, who has over 100 caps for his country, Alireza Jahanbakhsh and Mohammad Mohebi providing goals and creativity from the midfield, and Al-Nasr forward Mehdi Ghayedi, who has a one in three goals record at international level. Iran will certainly give Egypt and New Zealand a run for their money in Group G, and if they do make it through to the knockout stage, then it will have been a very positive tournament for Team Melli.

Player To Watch: Mehdi Taremi - Now playing his football with Greek giants Olympiacos, Mehdi Taremi is one of the best Iranian players of all time. While nobody will probably ever get close to dislodging Ali Daei as Iran's all-time top goalscorer, the former Porto and Inter Milan forward has scored 59 times in just over 100 caps. Taremi, 33, was in fantastic form during the World Cup qualifiers, scoring 10 goals and providing seven assists. The Iranian talisman managed 10 goals and two assists in the 2025/26 Greek Super League, featuring in 24 matches as Olympiacos finished runners-up to AEK Athens. Taremi has featured in two World Cups for Iran, scoring two goals in six appearances, both of which arrived in Qatar 2022.

Manager: Darren Bazeley

Best Tournament Finish: Group Stage

Expected Finish: Group Stage

Tournament Preview: There isn't a lot of expectation regarding New Zealand and their chances of qualifying from Group G at the 2026 World Cup. The All Whites have never made it out of the group at either of their two previous appearances at the World Cup, the last of which was South Africa 2010. New Zealand's squad is very workmanlike and lacks flair and creativity, but with Chris Wood leading the line, they always pose a threat in the final third. Going up against Belgium, Egypt and Iran, there is little chance of automatic qualification, so the All Whites will be aiming to finish third and perhaps get lucky in their play-off tie, but we're not convinced they will have what it takes to finish anywhere but bottom.

Player To Watch: Chris Wood - New Zealand's veteran forward has scored 45 times for his country, top-scoring during the qualifiers with nine goals. Wood scored 20 goals for Nottingham Forest as the club finished 7th in the Premier League during the 2024/25 campaign, but this season he was ravaged by injury and only managed to score three goals in 15 appearances. However, the 34-year-old target man is fit again, and the lack of football during the season may mean he has plenty left in the tank for his country at the World Cup.

Manager: Luis de la Fuente

Best Tournament Finish: Winners: 2010

Expected Finish: Semi-Finals

Tournament Preview: Spain are one of the favourites to win the 2026 World Cup, but being on the same side of the draw as France could see their tournament come to an end in the semi-finals. With the youth and exuberance of Lamine Yamal in attack and a midfield packed with skill, quality and creativity, you wouldn't bet against Spain coming close to their second World Cup title this year. However, their defence doesn't look as strong as it did a few years ago, so keeping clean sheets could prove to be an issue and their eventual downfall in the latter stages.

Player To Watch: Lamine Yamal - 18-year-old Lamine Yamal has scored six goals in 25 caps for Spain. which doesn't sound all that impressive, but his performances for club and country have made him a star. The teenager didn't score during the qualifiers but did create three goals in his two appearances. Yamal did manage to score 16 goals in La Liga for Barcelona, as well as providing 11 assists, and claimed 10 goal contributions in the Champions League. So much is expected of this young star, and we believe that he will shine at in North America this summer.

Manager: Bubista

Best Tournament Finish: N/A

Expected Finish: Group Stage

Tournament Preview: Cape Verde head into their first-ever World Cup with an ageing squad. Nine players are aged 31 or older, with the oldest being goalkeeper Zozinha at 39. A selection of the Cape Verde squad play in Portugal's top flight, with defender Sidny Lopes Cabral plying his trade at Benfica. Another defender, Pico, plays for Shamrock Rovers in the Irish Premier League, while their captain and all-time top goalscorer, Ryan Mendes, plays in the second tier of Turkish football. It's hard to see Cape Verde getting a point during the group stage when they face the likes of Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia, all of whom have experience at the World Cup.

Player To Watch: Dailon Livramento - Livramento finished the World Cup qualifiers as Cape Verde's top goalscorer with four goals, despite not scoring a single goal in his 24 Primeira Liga appearances for Casa Pia. The 25-year-old striker has performed much better at international level compared to club. Livramento has scored seven times in just 20 international caps and at that rate, could go on to become Cape Verde's all-time top goalscorer.

Manager: Georgios Donis

Best Tournament Finish: Round of 16: 1994

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: Saudi Arabia have made it to their third consecutive World Cup but will be looking to go one better than they did on those occasions, and qualify for the knockout round. All but one of the players picked to go to the 2026 World Cup play their club football in Saudi Arabia, with the exception being Saud Abdulhamid, who plays for Lens in France. Captain Salem Al-Dawsari is the most experienced player in the squad with over 100 international caps, and provides a goal threat from midfield. Up front, the onus will be on the likes of Firas Al-Buraikan, Saleh Al-Shehri and Abdullah Al-Hamdan to score the goals that will hopefully be enough to see Saudi Arabia make it through to the knockouts for only the second time in their history.

Player To Watch: Musab Al Juwayr - The 22-year-old midfielder played a starring role during the World Cup qualifiers, scoring three times and providing three assists. The Al-Qadsiah player has already racked up 32 caps and scored six goals for his country, and will surely go on to be another of their centurians in a few years. Al Juwayr heads into the World Cup on the back of an excellent season with his club side, in which he produced 11 assists and six goals in 31 appearances in the Saudi Pro League.

Manager: Marcelo Bielsa

Best Tournament Finish: Winners: 1930, 1950

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: This is Uruguay's fifth consecutive appearance at the World Cup, since qualifying for South Africa 2010. Marcelo Bielsa's side finished fourth in the qualifying campaign with the third-best defensive record. 39-year-old goalkeeper Fernando Muslera has been recalled to the squad, and with 134 caps, he brings plenty of experience at major tournaments. Atlético Madrid's José María Giménez will command the defence as Uruguay's captain, Federico Valverde will pull the strings in midfield, and Darwin Núñez will be tasked with scoring the goals. We can see Uruguay making it through to the knockout stage, but they have little chance of making it any further based on the overall quality of their players.

Player To Watch: Federico Valverde - Valverde will be most remembered this season for scoring a hat trick against Manchester City for Real Madrid in the Champions League. The 27-year-old midfielder has nine goals in 73 caps for Uruguay, netting twice during the World Cup qualifiers. Valverde managed eight assists and five goals in La Liga this season, and will be looking to take that form into the World Cup for his country.

Manager: Didier Deschamps

Best Tournament Finish: Champions: 1998, 2018

Expected Finish: Champions

Tournament Preview: France enter the tournament as most peoples' favourites. Les Bues boast a star-studded front line with an arsenal of firepower few others can match, and with a history of success under their current manager it's hard to look past them. The French have reached the final in both of the last two editions of this tournament and it'll take quite the team to stop them doing it for the third time running.

Player To Watch: Kylian Mbappe comes to the US with a point to prove. The star has taken notable flack for Real Madrid's underperformance this season, despite notching 42 goals in all competitions. The World Cup is Mbappe's stomping ground, however, with the forward having scored 12 goals in 14 games across two tournaments. His record for France is undeniable, and with a chip on his shoulder he'll be a fearsome proposition.

Manager: Pape Thiaw

Best Tournament Finish: Quarter-finals: 2002

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: The reigning African champions (though no longer officially), Senegal will be a tricky opponent for most sides this summer. They will, though, feel fairly aggrieved to have been drawn in many people’s group of death alongside France and Norway. The teams finishing 2nd and 3rd in Group I have a strong chance of facing a tough opponent in the opening knockout round, so bad luck could cost Senegal in what might have been a deep run in a more favourable situation.

Player To Watch: Senegal aren’t short of talent at top clubs around Europe, but one name that’s been standing out this season is Monaco’s Lamine Camara. A do-it-all midfielder with a deep toolkit, Camara is attracting interest from clubs all across Europe’s top five leagues and may well be the subject of a major transfer this summer. At just 22, he already has 31 caps and five goals for Senegal and he’s in perfect shape to make a mark this summer.

Manager: Graham Arnold

Best Tournament Finish: Group stage: 1986

Expected Finish: Group stage

Tournament Preview: Iraq have qualified for just their second-ever World Cup, and their first in 50 years. Given the strength of their group it’s hard to imagine them playing any more than three games this summer, but they’ll be determined to give a good account of themselves.

Player To Watch: Iraq will be relying on the exploits of star striker Aymen Hussein this summer, who has 33 goals in 93 caps for the national team. Hussein is 30-years-old and bang in his prime, and a goal at the World Cup for Iraq would surely be the highlight of his career.

Manager: Stale Solbakken

Best Tournament Finish: Round of 16: 1938, 1998

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: Norway powered through qualifying and helped condemn Italy to yet another World Cup absence with two crushing defeats of the Azzurri. Competing in their first World Cup since 1998, Norway aren’t short of individual quality, with a squad featuring the likes of Erling Haaland and Martin Odegaard. However, being drawn into what many regard as the group of death could see them forced to settle for third in the group and while that might still see them through to the knockout rounds, it’ll mean facing a difficult opponent in the final 32.

Player To Watch: Who else but Erling Haaland? The striker has scored over 30 goals for four seasons running and has an utterly outstanding record at international level, scoring 55 goals in 49 caps for Norway. If Norway are to do anything of any note in this tournament, they’ll need their star man to produce.

Manager: Lionel Scaloni

Best Tournament Finish: Champions: 1978, 1986, 2022

Expected Finish: Fourth place

Tournament Preview: Holders Argentina are looking to become only the third team in World Cup history to defend the crown. With Lionel Messi now 39 years old, their path to gold looks more difficult, but the squad contains enough top quality players to give any nation a run for their money. Given how settled and familiar they are under the guidance of Scaloni, they’re undoubtedly one of the tournament favourites.

Player To Watch: Given Messi is now in the final stretch of his career, we’ll go for a more left field pick and say keep an eye out for Nico Paz. He’s unlikely to start in the early games, but 21-year-old Paz is seen as Argentina’s next big thing and has been tearing up Serie A, helping guide Como to a top four finish. Reports suggest the attacking midfielder will be heading back to parent club Real Madrid in the summer to be a part of next season’s senior squad, and a good World Cup will only aid his prospects.

Manager: Vladimir Petkovic

Best Tournament Finish: Round of 16: 2014

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: Algeria are set to take part in their 5th World Cup this summer and their first since 2014, having missed the last two. The team will be pleased to have been drawn in a group that gives them a good chance of reaching the knockout rounds, but it’s hard to see them making a dent in this competition given there are a handful of stronger African teams.

Player To Watch: Riyad Mahrez is still a firm presence in the team at the age of 35, but Ibrahim Maza is regarded by many as the heir to his throne. Only 20 years old, German-born Maza is a top quality prospect and was a huge dual national recruit for Algeria. The Bayer Leverkusen forward is attracting serious interest from around Europe this summer and a strong showing this summer will likely see clubs court him more aggressively.

Manager: Ralf Rangnick

Best Tournament Finish: Third place: 1954

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: Austria are taking part in their first World Cup since 1998 and are well prepared for the competition. They’ve been an impressive team under former Man United manager Rangnick and a handful of dual national recruits from major European nations in the past few months have strengthened their options. We do, though, expect them to face tough opposition in the last 32, so their tournament may not be a long one.

Player To Watch: David Alaba is arguably the biggest name in the squad, but Marcel Sabitzer is the needle mover for Austria. With 97 caps and 25 goals, the midfielder is a talisman for his national team and at the age of 32, it’s likely his last chance to have a major impact at a World Cup.

Manager: Jamal Sellami

Best Tournament Finish: First appearance

Expected Finish: Group stage

Tournament Preview: World Cup debutants Jordan will be looking to spring a few shocks this summer. The West Asian team finished as runners up in the Asian Cup in 2023, losing to champions Qatar, so they’ll feel well prepared for this competition. Player quality will be an issue, though, and it would be a big surprise to see them make it out of the group.

Player To Watch: Rennes forward Musa Al-Taamari is the main man for Jordan. The team captain will carry a great deal of the attacking burden and at the age of 27, he’s well in his prime years. This World Cup is timed perfectly from his perspective and he’ll no doubt be desperate to make a mark.

Manager: Roberto Martinez

Best Tournament Finish: Third place: 1966

Expected Finish: Quarter-finals

Tournament Preview: Portugal enter the competition as one of the pre-tournament favourites. Boasting a midfield containing the likes of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes, their quality in certain areas is undeniable. There is, however, some concern over their forward options, which still sees them relying on a 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo as one of the main sources of goals.

Player To Watch: The aforementioned Vitinha is one of Europe’s most revered players at the moment. The midfielder embodies class and glides across the pitch, and he’ll be a certain starter in the middle of the park. In hot conditions that will demand teams keep hold of the ball, Vitinha’s influence will be essential

Manager: Sebastien Desabre

Best Tournament Finish: Group stage: 1974

Expected Finish: Group stage

Tournament Preview: In only their second-ever World Cup, DR Congo will be looking to impress. They’ve been drawn in a tough group, however, and will need to overperform if they’re to make it to the knockout rounds. They have some strong options including players plying their trade in top leagues in Europe, but goals could be hard to come by for the African side.

Player To Watch: Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki has had an excellent campaign in the Premier League this season. The 21-year-old defensive midfielder looks a fine player and should contribute in helping DR Congo remain tough to beat.

Manager: Fabio Cannavaro

Best Tournament Finish: First appearance

Expected Finish: Group stage

Tournament Preview: Uzbekistan are making their first World Cup appearance and are an interesting side to follow. Managed by former World Cup-winning Italy captain Fabio Cannavaro, Uzbekistan are composed primarily of players based in their own domestic league. A strong qualification campaign has led them here, but player quality will make it hard for them to get out of what is a tough group.

Player To Watch: Abdukodir Khusanov of Manchester City comes into this competition in fine shape. Known for his searing pace and athleticism, the centre-back has established himself as a starter at Manchester City this season and is in good shape to catch the eyes of viewers this summer.

Manager: Nestor Lorenzo

Best Tournament Finish: Quarter-finals: 2014

Expected Finish: Round of 32

Tournament Preview: Colombia are one of the stronger outfits from South America this time around. They aren’t as fearsome as they were at their pomp in 2014, but they still have smatterings of quality and will give most sides a game. Being drawn into a group with a side as strong as Portugal hasn’t done them any favours though, and that could be what sees them make a somewhat early exit.

Player To Watch: Luis Diaz is unequivocally Colombia’s star man. The Bayern Munich forward is coming off the back of a fantastic season in Bavaria where his 26 goals in all competitions helped the team to a domestic double. Colombia have more quality in other parts of the pitch, but Diaz will need to show up if the team is to perform to its best.

Manager: Thomas Tuchel

Best Tournament Finish: Champions: 1966

Expected Finish: Quarter-finals

Tournament Preview: England come into the tournament with lofty ambitions but face perilous conditions. A tricky group combined with what is likely to be a hard (hypothetical) run to the final with very little time for rest means the Three Lions are up against it. Thomas Tuchel’s controversial squad selection saw several big-named England players miss out, while the form and fitness of several key players has dampened many fans’ hopes and expectations this summer. England will likely be very competitive, though, even if winning it seems like a long shot.

Player To Watch: Harry Kane enters the tournament off the back of his best individual season to date, scoring an eyewatering 61 goals in all competitions, a tally that helped him win the European Golden Shoe for the second time in his career. Tuchel has built the squad around the captain any success England might have this summer will be dependent on his contributions.

Manager: Zlatko Dalic

Best Tournament Finish: Runners-up: 2018

Expected Finish: Round of 16

Tournament Preview: Croatia have been one of international football’s most successful teams in the last 8-10 years, but they’re at a point where a cycle looks as though it’s coming to an end. Many of the biggest contributors of the last decade are either retired or are close to retiring, and while they’ll still be a big threat to most teams, it’s tough to see them making another run towards the latter rounds.

Player To Watch: With Luka Modric approaching the age of 41, it’s worth keeping an eye on Inter Milan’s Petar Sukic. The 22-year-old is a fine midfielder with bags of promise and he’s coming off the back of a good campaign with Inter. Once Modric retires he’ll be the name Croatia lean on in the middle of the park, so it’ll be interesting to see how he copes with the demands this summer.

Manager: Carlos Queiroz

Best Tournament Finish: Quarter-finals: 2010

Expected Finish: Group stage

Tournament Preview: Ghana’s preparation for this World Cup has been less than ideal. The Black Stars parted ways with their manager only in March of this year following some unimpressive friendly results, replacing him with Carlos Queiroz, who has obviously had very little time to prepare. A long-term injury to Mohammed Kudus is also a big blow, so Ghana are up against it against England and Croatia.
Player To Watch: Antoine Semenyo is the obvious choice when it comes to standout Ghana players. The forward has enjoyed an excellent season at Manchester City that was capped off by scoring the winner in the FA Cup final. With Kudus out injured, much of the attacking burden will fall on his shoulders.

Manager: Thomas Christiansen

Best Tournament Finish: Group stage: 2018

Expected Finish: Group stage

Tournament Preview: Panama will take part in their second World Cup this summer and while they’re not likely to make it out of the group, they’re unlikely to be the whipping boys like they were in 2018. The Central Americans have risen to 33rd in the world rankings over the last few years and should give a good account of themselves, even if they’re not likely to get many points.

Player To Watch: Adalberto Carrasquilla is Panama’s star player. Playing his trade for Pumas in Liga MX, Carrasquilla is an impressive playmaker with difference-making quality. Capped 73 times at the age of 27, he has plenty of international experience and fans will be relying on him to make his mark.