The 2026 World Cup – the biggest football event on the planet – will officially kick off from June 11th to July 19th in three countries: the United States, Canada, and Mexico. That means only nine days remain before the ball rolls on the pitches of North America, marking the beginning of competition among 48 national teams. With its unprecedented scale, the tournament promises to deliver top-tier matches and fierce competition for the prestigious gold trophy.
Based on their strength, form, and recent achievements, several teams are considered by experts to be contenders for the championship, including: Spain, France, Argentina, England, and Portugal.
First and foremost, we must mention the reigning champions, Argentina. According to statistics from Transfermarkt, the total value of the Argentina squad is currently around 762 million euros, ranking 8th among the 10 most valuable national teams in the world . Judging Argentina's strength solely based on this ranking would be a mistake. Under coach Lionel Scaloni, La Albiceleste (Argentina's nickname) has been playing exceptionally well, becoming a very difficult team to beat. The defending champions come to this year's tournament with the unfortunate absence of star player Di Maria, but still boast quality players such as Messi, Enzo Fernandez, and Mac Allister...
Under the leadership of "maestro" Messi, Argentina displayed a very fast-paced style of play, with constant pressing and lightning-fast transitions to create high-impact moments. If they can continue to demonstrate the cohesion, tenacity, and desire to win that created the miracle in Qatar, the South American representatives could very well write another chapter in history.
However, their journey to defend their title will face a series of formidable opponents, most notably the French national team. They bring to this year's World Cup a squad worth a total of 1.41 billion euros, ranking second among the 10 most expensive teams in the world (only behind England).
In terms of personnel quality, France probably has the deepest and most balanced squad across all three lines, with a host of stars in their prime such as Mbappe, Dembele, Tchouameni, and Saliba…
Physical strength, speed, and top-level experience make the French national team a formidable opponent for any team they face. The French team reached the finals of the last two World Cups, winning in 2018 and finishing as runners-up in 2022. They continue to maintain their status as a top contender in this World Cup. Many experts believe France is a strong contender for the championship this year.
Arriving at the 2026 World Cup with the world's most valuable squad (€1.62 billion), England is considered one of the strong contenders for the title. They had a perfect qualifying campaign with a perfect record, winning all their matches and conceding none, becoming the first European team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Many England stars are not only outstanding domestically but also make a big impact in major European tournaments, such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Eberechi Eze, and Bukayo Saka...
More importantly, the current England squad are all in the prime of their careers. Many of them have already experienced the biggest matches at both club and national team levels. And now is the time for them to realize their dream of bringing "football home".
The next contender is the Spanish national team. After their convincing victory at EURO 2024, Spain continues its strong development under the leadership of coach Luis de la Fuente. The Spanish team stands out for its impressive ball control, coupled with flexible, fast-paced, and effective attacking play in transitional situations.
Spain's greatest strength lies in their midfield, featuring world-class stars such as Rodri, Pedri, Gavi, and Fabian Ruiz. Their ability to control the tempo, distribute the ball, and initiate attacks is truly impressive.
In attack, players like Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres bring great dynamism, with Yamal frequently making a difference against tight defensive systems. He will be a great source of inspiration for the Spanish national team in this year's tournament.
Another contender for this year's championship is the Portuguese national team. They boast a host of big stars such as Nuno Mendes, Ruben Dias, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leao... The total value of the Portuguese squad is over 864 million euros (ranked 4th in the world).
Under coach Roberto Martinez, the "European Brazil" plays more consistently and cohesively. What makes the Portuguese national team even more formidable is their burning desire for the World Cup. They have won the EURO and the UEFA Nations League twice, but have never tasted glory in the World Cup.
In what is considered Ronaldo's final World Cup, his teammates are determined to win the championship to dedicate it to him. Although Cristiano Ronaldo is in the twilight of his career, the experience and composure of this superstar remain a crucial pillar for Portugal.
Furthermore, the maturation of the younger generation of players gives Portugal impressive squad depth and the ability to compete on equal footing with top contenders. If they maintain their consistency and composure in big matches, Portugal can absolutely dream of winning the World Cup for the first time.
With the participation of numerous top teams from around the world, the 2026 World Cup is expected to deliver one of the most exciting and unpredictable championship races in history. While Spain, France, Argentina, England, and Portugal are considered favorites, football always holds surprises. Will the golden trophy continue to belong to Argentina, or will a new owner emerge? The answer will be revealed after more than a month of emotional competition in North America.
Source: https://baohatinh.vn/5-ung-vien-sang-gia-cho-chuc-vo-dich-world-cup-2026-post311601.html
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