Which team is the strongest at the 2026 World Cup?

Right now, in order, Spain, France, England, Brazil, Argentina, and Portugal are the six strongest contenders for the 2026 World Cup title. Germany and the Netherlands are the second-tier contenders.

A NEARLY INTACT RGENTINA

Never before has a team entered the World Cup with a roster of 17 players who had lifted the trophy four years prior, like Argentina did this year. The list could have been 21 if Angel Di Maria hadn't withdrawn, Juan Foyth hadn't suffered an injury, and Giovani Lo Celso and Nico Gonzalez hadn't had to withdraw due to last-minute injuries at the 2022 World Cup.

Argentina and Messi have always been highly regarded.

Photo: Reuters

Of the nine players excluded from the 2022 World Cup squad, eight are over 30 years old (the other being Foyth who is injured). This is natural, rather than a matter of professional selection. Coach Lionel Scaloni essentially didn't need to make any choices. He has complete faith in the existing squad; or in other words, Coach Scaloni prioritizes familiarity. No player who played more than one match in the qualifying rounds was left out of the finals squad.

The question is, with all the best aspects, including Lionel Messi's signature "walk and strike" move, already thoroughly analyzed, does Argentina still have a chance of winning this tournament? Keeping a nearly intact squad (Angel Di Maria would have been selected if he hadn't retired at 38) seems a bit unusual, especially considering Argentina's football tradition of producing new stars.

For 64 years, no team has successfully defended their World Cup title. It's no coincidence that Argentina is ranked as the "fifth favorite," even though they currently hold the trophy.

In contrast, Spain has changed considerably since four years ago, although their roster is still full of Barcelona players. While the cohesion of the Argentinian team evokes a family atmosphere, the cohesion of the Spanish team resembles an "extended Barcelona." There are eight Barcelona stars on the Spanish roster, and none from Real Madrid. Spain is considered the strongest team because they are entering the tournament as the reigning European champions, possessing the "prodigy" Lamine Yamal, the captain Rodri, and a host of young talents who play very well together.

THE NEW FRENCH IS TRULY FORMIDABLE

Spain's strengths are always evident, but at the highest level, that can sometimes be a weakness. Everyone knows how they will attack, where they will strike, and through which stars. France is more dangerous than Spain in terms of tactical diversity and the explosive potential of its individual players. Kylian Mbappe is undoubtedly the most famous star, but France doesn't depend on him.

According to transfermarkt.com , a squad composed solely of players not selected by France for the World Cup was worth more than Portugal, Brazil, the Netherlands, and even the reigning champions Argentina. This demonstrates the strength of France's selection pool. In fact, while France was considered the "second favorite," they were almost on par with Spain. Furthermore, with Argentina (not France) as the defending champion, the difference was minimal (the 2022 World Cup final was decided by a penalty shootout).

If we had to predict the World Cup champion before the ball even rolls using the process of elimination, Brazil, England, and Portugal all have too many weaknesses to be considered inferior to the three "giants" mentioned above.

History is against England and Brazil. If either England or Brazil wins this World Cup, it would be a huge milestone (or even a surprise), completely changing World Cup history. The historical detail is that no team has ever won the World Cup under the leadership of a foreign coach. A footballing nation so short of coaching talent that it has to hire a foreign coach will find it very difficult to conquer the World Cup. Because success in the World Cup requires not only exceptional tactics but also a long-term strategy, and an understanding of the smallest details of the footballing nation, its people, and its culture in general.

Apart from Harry Kane, England has no other players who could be called big stars. For Brazil, the biggest problem is how to connect their star players into a real team (and even those Brazilian stars aren't really big stars anymore). Portugal, on the other hand, needs no introduction: being included among the World Cup title contenders is already a step forward.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doi-nao-manh-nhat-world-cup-2026-185260531214557296.htm