10 "bests" that will heat up the 2026 World Cup.

(NLĐO) - A series of remarkable statistics are attracting attention from football fans ahead of the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The World Cup is the largest in history.

The 2026 World Cup marks the biggest turning point since the tournament's inception. For the first time, the finals will feature 48 teams, an increase of 16 teams compared to the format maintained from 1998 to 2022.

The tournament took place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States from June 11 to July 19, marking the first time the World Cup was co-hosted by three countries.

A total of 104 matches were held, 40 more than the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. This expanded scale resulted in an unprecedentedly large list of players. FIFA confirmed a total of 1,248 players were registered to compete.

A team wishing to reach the final must play a maximum of eight matches, instead of the previous seven.

The highest-rated squad for the 2026 World Cup.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has the best average height among the 2026 World Cup squad. Striker Edin Dzeko and his teammates have an average height of 1.8723 m.

The Balkan representatives were only slightly better than Norway, who came in second with 1.8715 m. Sweden followed with an average of 1.8619 m.

The Northern and Central European teams have a clear advantage in terms of physique, with Belgium, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Switzerland all ranking in the top 7. France and the Netherlands are tied for 8th place with an average height of 1.8492 m.

Possessing a squad with ideal height gives Bosnia and Herzegovina a significant advantage in aerial duels, set pieces, and moments in the match that demand physical strength.

Shortest squad for the 2026 World Cup

The West Asian team has an average height of 1.7842 m among its 26-player roster. The average height of the Saudi Arabian team is lower than that of South Africa (1.7885 m), Qatar (1.7938 m), and Mexico (1.7950 m).

The height difference between the shortest and tallest teams in the Bosnia and Herzegovina league is as much as 8.81 cm. This is a significant difference, especially considering that top-level matches are often decided by aerial balls or challenges in the penalty area.

However, it's worth remembering that Saudi Arabia caused a sensation when they defeated Argentina at the 2022 World Cup with their organization, speed, and fierce fighting spirit.

Tallest player at the 2026 World Cup

Austrian goalkeeper Florian Wiegele, standing at 2.05 meters tall, is the tallest player at the 2026 World Cup. According to FIFA, he also became the tallest player ever registered in the history of the World Cup finals.

Following goalkeeper Wiegele are defender Stjepan Radeljic of Bosnia and Herzegovina and goalkeeper Alvaro Montero of Colombia, both standing at 2.01 m tall.

In the top 10 tallest players in the tournament, goalkeepers occupy the majority of the positions. This is understandable because height provides a clear advantage in controlling the penalty area, handling high balls, and dealing with crosses.

Several strikers and center-backs with superior physiques, such as Sasa Kalajdzic, Tomas Chory, and Harry Souttar, are also among the tallest players at the 2026 World Cup.

Shortest player at the 2026 World Cup

Panama's midfielder Cesar Yanis is the shortest player at the 2026 World Cup, standing at 1.60 m. Yanis is 45 cm shorter than Austrian goalkeeper Florian Wiegele. This difference creates one of the most interesting statistics leading up to the tournament.

However, height is not an absolute disadvantage in football. For players who play in midfield or on the wings, a low center of gravity can sometimes help them turn quickly, maintain good balance, and handle the ball flexibly in tight spaces.

The inclusion of midfielder Yanis in the 2026 World Cup also shows that the biggest stage on the planet is not just for players with superior physiques. Each position and each tactical system requires specific qualities.

The oldest team at the 2026 World Cup.

Iran entered the tournament with the most experienced squad. The average age of the Asian representatives was 30.46. Colombia and Panama were close behind with an average age of 30.38.

The fact that all three leading teams are over 30 years old shows that some teams still place great faith in competitive experience rather than aggressively rejuvenating their squads.

Qatar, Scotland, and Brazil are also among the six oldest teams in the tournament, with average ages ranging from 29.27 to 29.58.

Defending champions Argentina are ranked 9th with an average age of 29.04.

The youngest team at the 2026 World Cup.

Ivory Coast boasts the youngest squad at the 2026 World Cup, with an average age of just 25.92. Next is Ecuador with an average age of 26.08.

Bosnia and Herzegovina, in addition to being the tallest team, are also among the youngest in the tournament with an average age of 26.42.

Morocco has an average age of 26.46, while Tunisia is 26.65. Spain, a team known for its policy of utilizing young talent, ranks 43rd in the age group with an average age of 26.73.

The youthful energy and ability to create game-changing moments could help Ivory Coast become one of the most noteworthy teams in North America.

The oldest player at the 2026 World Cup.

Scotland's goalkeeper Craig Gordon is the oldest player at the 2026 World Cup. When the tournament begins, the veteran will be 43 years and 162 days old.

Striker Cristiano Ronaldo is right behind him at the age of 41. The list of older players also includes Mexico's goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa, Croatia's midfielder Luka Modric, Bosnia and Herzegovina's striker Edin Dzeko, and Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, all of whom have reached the age of 40.

Notably, six of the ten oldest players in the tournament are goalkeepers. This position relies less on acceleration but still demands reflexes, concentration, and experience in handling situations. The inclusion of a 43-year-old goalkeeper in the 2026 World Cup is proof of the rare endurance in top-level football.

The youngest player at the 2026 World Cup.

Mexican midfielder Gilberto Mora is the youngest player at the 2026 World Cup. When the tournament begins, this talented player will be just 17 years and 240 days old.

Interestingly, Mora was born just about two months before Cristiano Ronaldo won his first Ballon d'Or at the end of 2008.

At the 2026 World Cup, both will appear on the squad list, but they represent two completely different generations. The age difference between Mora and goalkeeper Craig Gordon, the oldest player in the tournament, is nearly 26 years.

When the Scottish goalkeeper began his professional career, the Mexican midfielder hadn't even been born yet.

The 2026 World Cup also showcased many young talents such as Hugo Sochurek, Lennart Karl, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Ayyoub Bouaddi.

The Premier League is expected to contribute the most players to the 2026 World Cup.

A total of 163 players currently playing in England's top flight have been called up for the 2026 World Cup.

The Bundesliga ranks second with 101 representatives, 62 fewer than the Premier League.

La Liga comes next with 81 players, Ligue 1 has 80 representatives, and Serie A contributes 62 players.

The Saudi Pro League ranks sixth with 47 players, surpassing Major League Soccer (MLS), which has 44 representatives.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/10-cai-nhat-lam-nong-world-cup-2026-196260603185316545.htm