World Cup 2026: The Transfer of Power

Argentina, France, and Spain are strong contenders, but it's not certain that any of them will lift the trophy on July 20th.

The 2026 World Cup is just weeks away. Many teams have already finalized their 26-member rosters, awaiting official confirmation from FIFA on June 2nd.

Prioritize balance.

The list of teams participating in the North American World Cup shows that many title contenders are entering a transitional phase, with significant personnel changes.

Of all the teams, England is perhaps the most controversial ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Coach Thomas Tuchel has been ruthless in dropping a number of stars such as Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Harry Maguire from the official squad.

Germany is back on track after two disappointing World Cup campaigns (Photo: BFW)

Foden and Palmer's absence came as a surprise to many, as both were once considered the future of the "Three Lions". However, coach Tuchel understands very well that building a team with high energy and organization is more important than a team that relies on individual inspiration.

Jude Bellingham has become a new central figure for England, alongside Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, and Harry Kane. The decision to give opportunities to Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze, and Ivan Toney also shows Tuchel's preference for balance and intensity in the game.

Defending runners-up France enter the 2026 World Cup with several notable changes. Eduardo Camavinga is absent from the squad after a season marred by injuries and inconsistent form. Instead, coach Didier Deschamps is placing his faith in a younger generation including Warren Zaire-Emery, Desire Doue, Rayan Cherki, and Michael Olise.

Nevertheless, the French team remains formidable thanks to its squad depth. Kylian Mbappe is at the peak of his career, while Ousmane Dembele, Bradley Barcola, and Marcus Thuram offer speed and excellent transitional abilities. The defense, with William Saliba, Ibrahima Konate, and Dayot Upamecano, continues to be the foundation of "Les Bleus'" ambitions to win the championship.

Many "dark horses" have emerged.

Meanwhile, Spain probably boasts the most attractive young squad in the tournament. Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Pedri, Gavi, and Cubarsi help "La Roja" maintain their ball-controlling style but with significantly more speed than in previous stages. After winning EURO 2024, Spain is no longer seen as a team that only knows how to pass the ball, but has become more direct and effective.

Argentina continues to be considered a top contender for the title thanks to their stability under coach Lionel Scaloni. Lionel Messi is no longer the sole focal point, as Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez, and Mac Allister have matured. This could be Messi's last World Cup, which makes Argentina even more dangerous mentally and makes their journey to defend their title truly memorable.

Germany and Brazil also represent a generational transition. Germany places its hopes on Musiala and Florian Wirtz; while Brazil awaits the emergence of Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, and Endrick under coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Besides the traditional contenders, the 2026 World Cup is likely to see the rise of several "dark horses" such as Morocco, Japan, and Portugal. Morocco is no longer a fleeting phenomenon, while Japan currently boasts the largest generation of players playing in Europe in its history.

Looking at the strength of the major teams, the 2026 World Cup could be the tournament that marks the end of an old generation and ushers in a new era of world football.

Opta supercomputer predicts that the Spanish national team is the number one contender for the 2026 World Cup title. Based on 10,000 simulations, Spain has a 75.01% chance of advancing from the group stage, a 72.40% chance of reaching the round of 16, and a 15.43% chance of winning the gold trophy.

France has a 12.54% chance of winning the championship thanks to its well-balanced squad and competitiveness, which is no less than that of Spain. England ranks third on the list of contenders, with a 10.88% chance of winning.

Defending champions Argentina only ranked 4th on this list with 10.28%. Lionel Messi's upcoming 40th birthday may have somewhat affected "La Albiceleste's" chances of defending their title. Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal ranked 5th with 6.73%, while Brazil came in 6th with 6.62%.

The other teams in the top 10 are Germany in 7th place (5.62%), Netherlands in 8th place (3.88%), Norway in 9th place (3.59%), and Belgium in 10th place (2.26%).

Source: https://nld.com.vn/world-cup-2026-cuoc-chuyen-giao-quyen-luc-19626052820401817.htm