LAGOS JUNE 9TH (NEWSRANGERS)-The 2026 FIFA World Cup starts on Thursday. Running from June 11th to July 19th, the much-anticipated tournament will bring exciting matches in the world’s sport. 48 teams, through 104 fixtures, will give their all to achieve world glory. Ahead of Thursday’s start of the tournament, here are the top 10 teams.
- Argentina
Argentina enters the 2026 World Cup as the defending champion. After defeating France in penalty kicks, the nation is ready to repeat as World Cup champions. Lionel Messi, in his final World Cup, will look to lead Argentina to back-to-back glory.
- Spain
Spain enters the tournament having last won the World Cup in 2010. They begin the tournament in Group H with Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay. Ahead of the team’s first match, eyes are on Lamine Yamal as he works his way back from a hamstring injury suffered on April 22nd while scoring a penalty for Barcelona.
- France
France reached the previous two World Cup Finals (2018 & 2022), winning the golden trophy in 2018. Les Bleus start in a feisty Group I with Iraq, Norway, and Senegal. World class forward Kylian Mbappe finished the 2022 World Cup as the tournament’s leading goal scorer.
- England
The Three Lions enter the 2026 World Cup with their eyes on the Final. England’s last World Cup came in 1966, and the team fell to France during the 2022 quarter-finals. The team starts in Group L with Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, and Bukayo Saka will be relied upon to find the back of the net as they did in 2022.
- Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo joins Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa in a record sixth World Cup. In his last World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo wants nothing more than to bring Portugal its first World Cup. The nation will start in a winnable Group K featuring Colombia, Congo DR, and Uzbekistan.
- Brazil
Brazil has won the most World Cups (5) but has failed to reach the Final since winning the tournament in 2002. The 2026 World Cup Final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and Brazil won the 1994 World Cup that was held in the United States. The 24-year wait can be over as the next wave of Brazilian stars takes the pitch.
- Netherlands
Oranje have never won a World Cup but suffered back-to-back Finals losses in 1974 and 1978. In 2010, the Netherlands reached the Final but lost to Spain. The nation’s 2026 quest starts in Group F with Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia.
- Germany
Die Mannschaft features a veteran squad looking to repeat the glory achieved in 2014. Germany’s success in the 2026 World Cup will rely on stout defense and increased form from its attackers. Germany will feature in Group E with Curacao, Ecuador, and the Ivory Coast.
- Belgium
Belgium has been a dark horse in previous World Cups. The nation’s golden era is ending, but the squad can give one last push to reach the 2026 World Cup Final. This will be the country’s final World Cup with Thibaut Courtois, Kevin De Bruyne, and Romelu Lukaku on the pitch.
- Morocco
Morocco was a Cinderella story during the 2022 World Cup. The team finished the tournament in 4th place. Team captain and PSG defender Achraf Hakimi will lead the Lions of the Atlas in Group C, which features Brazil, Haiti, and Scotland.
The Big Lead
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