As the FIFA World Cup 2026 kicks off tonight, the world’s top six teams — Argentina (World No. 1), Spain (No. 2), France (No. 3), England (No. 4), Portugal (No. 5), and Brazil (No. 6) — are in prime position to get their hands on football’s biggest prize.
Brazil’s briliance
No nation embodies World Cup success quite like Brazil (World No. 6). The five-time champions have traditionally been were the flag-bearers of international football across the late 20th century and early 2000s. Between 1994 and 2006, Brazil reached three World Cup finals, winning two. However, the years that followed brought disappointment. The painful 1-7 semi-final defeat to Germany in 2014 followed by quarter-final exits in 2018 and 2022, have left Brazilian fans waiting for a return to their golden age. Experienced manager, Carlo Ancelotti has some world-class performer this time in Neymar Junior, Raphinha, and Vinicius Junior, among others.
Spain on song
Spain struggled a lot, before winning the 2010 World Cup in South Africa which was sandwiched between back-to-back European Championship titles in 2008 and 2012. Despite their tiki-taka play they made a shocking group stage exit in 2014 and failed to go past the round of 16 in 2018 and 2022. This time however, the 2023 Nations League and 2024 European champions have not lost a competitive match in the last three years and have topped their World Cup qualification group, scoring 21 goals and conceding just two. The team has some exciting talent, topping all of which is Lamine Yamal.
Mesmerising Messi
Argentina ended their 36-year wait for World Cup glory at 2022 in Qatar, with Lionel Messi at the helm. They are now faced with the Champions Curse. No nation has successfully defended a World Cup title since Brazil, in 1962. Much of the spotlight remains on skipper Messi, who despite being in the evening of his extraordinary career, continues to influence matches. He scored seven goals in 2022 besides making crucial assists, and fans will expect another magical performance from their ‘Messiah’.
France in form
France are another star-studded outfit. Led by the Kylian Mbappe, the Frenchmen will be looking to storm into their third consecutive World Cup final, and given the fact that the current Champions League-winners are a French Club and of course France’s Ousmane Dembele holds the Ballon d’Or, this World Cup trophy may not be to far from their reach.
Kane England do it?
England stormed to back-to-back European Championship finals (2020 and 2024) and are in good touch. However, their super skipper Harry Kane will have to deliver a Geoff Hurst-like heroic hat-trick burst to repeat their 1966 success.
Portugal’s midfield masters
Portugal will be headlined by Cristiano Ronaldo once again, but it’s their midfield magicians who could shine. With names like Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Bruno Never, Joao Neves and Bernardo Silva in the fray, the midfield could set up Ronaldo for the ultimate prize.
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