play1:33ESPN FC crew not having England as second favourites to win World CupFrank Leboeuf and Craig Burley question England’s place as second favourites in the bookmakers’ odds to win the 2026 World Cup.
play1:07Keller: No one will want to face Norway at the World CupKasey Keller warns the top teams against underestimating Norway after they booked their place at the 2026 World Cup.
play2:33Do Vinicius Jr & Rodrygo play with more freedom for Brazil?The ESPN FC crew debate if Vinicius Jr & Rodrygo play with more freedom for Brazil than Real Madrid.
play0:27Paraguay fans take the streets in celebration after World Cup qualificationParaguay fans flood the streets of the capital Asuncion after they qualified for their first FIFA World Cup in 20 years.
play1:11Thabo Moloisane says Bafana have a winning mentality nowHeading into AFCON, on the back of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Africa have developed a winning instinct that was lacking before, says defender Thabo Moloisane.
Are the new FIFA rankings unfair? (1:51)The ‘ESPN FC TV’ crew react to FIFA’s new ranking system ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw next week. (1:51)
ESPN FC crew not having England as second favourites to win World CupFrank Leboeuf and Craig Burley question England’s place as second favourites in the bookmakers’ odds to win the 2026 World Cup.
Frank Leboeuf and Craig Burley question England’s place as second favourites in the bookmakers’ odds to win the 2026 World Cup.
Keller: No one will want to face Norway at the World CupKasey Keller warns the top teams against underestimating Norway after they booked their place at the 2026 World Cup.
Kasey Keller warns the top teams against underestimating Norway after they booked their place at the 2026 World Cup.
Do Vinicius Jr & Rodrygo play with more freedom for Brazil?The ESPN FC crew debate if Vinicius Jr & Rodrygo play with more freedom for Brazil than Real Madrid.
The ESPN FC crew debate if Vinicius Jr & Rodrygo play with more freedom for Brazil than Real Madrid.
Paraguay fans take the streets in celebration after World Cup qualificationParaguay fans flood the streets of the capital Asuncion after they qualified for their first FIFA World Cup in 20 years.
Paraguay fans flood the streets of the capital Asuncion after they qualified for their first FIFA World Cup in 20 years.
Thabo Moloisane says Bafana have a winning mentality nowHeading into AFCON, on the back of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Africa have developed a winning instinct that was lacking before, says defender Thabo Moloisane.
Heading into AFCON, on the back of qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, South Africa have developed a winning instinct that was lacking before, says defender Thabo Moloisane.
Head coach Julen Lopetegui says he is “very proud” after Qatar qualified for the 2026 World Cup for the first time
play2:06Lopetegui on Qatar’s World Cup qualification: Best day of my careerHead coach Julen Lopetegui says he is “very proud” after Qatar qualified for the 2026 World Cup for the first time
Here, we look at one thing that defines the way each team plays — whether it’s tactical, statistical or just plain interesting.
– 2026 World Cup: Match schedule plan revealed for day after draw – 2026 World Cup draw: When does it start? How does it work? – 2026 World Cup: Who has qualified, and how the rest can make it
ESPN FC crew not having England as second favourites to win World Cup
Keller: No one will want to face Norway at the World Cup
Do Vinicius Jr & Rodrygo play with more freedom for Brazil?
Paraguay fans take the streets in celebration after World Cup qualification
Thabo Moloisane says Bafana have a winning mentality now
SOUTH AFRICA (4-2-3-1/4-3-3): “Sundowns DNA.” South Africa lean heavily on a core of players from Mamelodi Sundowns — the country’s perennial champions — which gives them a rare cohesion at international level. Hugo Broos has built a nearly organized, well-drilled side which allowed just 5.8 shots per 90 minutes in qualifying, one of the stingiest records across Africa.
Lopetegui on Qatar’s World Cup qualification: Best day of my careerHead coach Julen Lopetegui says he is “very proud” after Qatar qualified for the 2026 World Cup for the first time
Lopetegui on Qatar’s World Cup qualification: Best day of my career
The remaining six teams will come from two routes: the UEFA playoffs (4) and the inter-confederation playoff (2).
1. Italy/Northern Ireland vs. Wales/Bosnia and Herzegovina 2. Ukraine/Sweden vs. Poland/Albania 3. Turkey/Romania vs. Slovakia/Kosovo 4. Denmark/North Macedonia vs. Czechia/Republic of Ireland
CANADA (4-4-2): “The Maplepress revolution.” Ten games into the Jesse Marsch era and Canada already have a tactical trademark — albeit niche — named “Maplepressing.” In a tight, aggressive 4-4-2 (or 4-2-2-2), Canada defend on the front foot with a high line, minimal spacing between the units and a high pressing unit that stays narrow to shut down central passing options. The idea is arguably simpler than is sounds: to force opponents wide, trap them on the touchline and regain the ball early. Even with top talent like Jonathan David in attacking roles, Marsch has built the hosts on intensity, discipline and a clear pressing ID.
MEXICO (4-2-3-1/4-3-3): “The double No. 9 problem.” The hosts face 2026 with unresolved issues. While the general idea might be in place, the results aren’t. Since beating the U.S. in the 2025 Gold Cup final, they’ve failed to win a single game, even as Javier Aguirre doubled down on a possession-first, “defend with the ball” model. The most discussed dilemma to address, however, is how to pair strikers Raúl Jiménez and Santi Giménez without unbalancing the team structure — Aguirre has used both together in a 4-4-2 in the past, but that doesn’t appear to be his preferred system.
UNITED STATES (3-4-3/4-2-3-1): “Stick or twist?” Mauricio Pochettino’s biggest challenge — or advantage — is choosing between two credible formations. While the USMNT primarily operates in a 4-2-3-1 that becomes a 3-2-5 in possession, built around Christian Pulisic drifting inside as the main creator, a 3-4-3 remains a fully viable alternative when Pochettino wants more control in buildup or additional threat from the wingers. The trade-off fluctuates between extra flexibility vs. continuity. Recent results suggest the balancing act works — the USMNT is unbeaten in five against 2026-bound teams (plus-8 goal difference) — but the final tournament shape is still up for debate; stay with one scheme or embrace the flexibility?
AUSTRIA (4-2-3-1): “Europe’s relentless pressing machine.” Ralf Rangnick has shaped Austria into a full-throttle Red Bull national team, built on aggression, directness and suffocating pressure. No European side pressed with more intensity in World Cup qualifying as Austria registered the continent’s highest number of tackles (144), second highest recoveries (365), and lowest Passes Per Defensive Action (PPDA) of 7.14, edging even England and Germany. Rangnick favors front-foot pressure and immediate transitions; they don’t just defend high, they force turnovers and once the ball is won, it’s a matter of one or two passes before a chance is created. Few teams at this World Cup will bring more pure intensity.
BELGIUM (4-3-3): “When Belgium attack, they dribble.” Though finally free of the “Golden Generation” label, Belgium are still one of the most dynamic teams in the world. No side attacked the opposition box more in UEFA qualifying — 491 touches, 101 clear of Croatia in second — or attempted more take-ons (201), a direct reflection of their world-class wide talent. Under Rudi Garcia they feature stretches of intense pressing, quick regaining of the ball and longer spells of possession, but the general idea is designed to open lanes for Jérémy Doku and Kevin De Bruyne to run at the defense.
CROATIA (4-2-3-1): “Control through measured, quality possession.” Croatia cruised through qualifying, dropping just two points, but Zlatko Dalic’s approach bucks the trend of Europe’s mid-tier/top sides. Rather than pressing to maximum lung capacity, they dominate the ball — a 69.7% possession share places them fifth, just behind Spain — and build patiently through a veteran midfield. Croatia also ranked among Europe’s leaders in key passes (124) and crosses attempted (241), yet their methodical tempo has drawn domestic criticism, with some dubbing them “the new Greece” [after the pragmatic win at Euro 2004.]
ENGLAND (4-2-3-1/4-1-4-1): “The unexpected kings of possession.” England have quietly become Europe’s most ball-dominant national team. Under Thomas Tuchel they averaged a remarkable 73.9% possession in qualifying — the highest in UEFA, ahead of Germany with 72.7% — a transformation that would have sounded implausible a few years ago. The shift is by no means cosmetic, though, as long periods of controlled circulation have doubled as a defensive weapon, helping England win all eight qualifiers without conceding a goal. While at times it does lead to labored sequences against low blocks, Tuchel’s clear message is that he wants England to impose the rhythm, not react to it.
FRANCE (4-2-3-1): “Defense first.” Thirteen years into the Didier Deschamps era, France remain exactly what they’ve always been: utterly disciplined, compact and brutally hard to break down. The qualifiers backed up that narrative once again. No team in Europe allowed fewer shots — just 23 in six games, an absurdly low 3.83 per 90 — with England a distant second at 4.25. The shape may read 4-2-3-1, but their priorities rarely change. There’s a double pivot in midfield shielding the back line, wide players working both ways and enough on-ball control to keep games in Deschamps’ preferred rhythm. Predictable? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.
GERMANY (4-1-3-2/4-2-3-1): “Press high, let the No. 10s create.” Julian Nagelsmann has restored structure to Germany, straightening up distances and clarifying roles, but the team’s real breakthrough lies in the double No. 10 pairing of Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala. Their input and reception/passing between the lines are the catalyst of Germany’s fluidity, freeing full backs and reducing reliance on a prolific No. 9 striker up front. With 72.7% possession in qualifying, they prefer to take charge of games centrally, while they’re one of Europe’s most intense pressing sides off the ball (7.50 PPDA).