play1:40Young Messi’s dreams: ‘To win a World Cup would be incredible’In an interview from 2004, a 15-year-old Lionel Messi speaks of his ambition to win the World Cup for Argentina. Stream “Messi: The Forgotten Tape” on ESPN+.
play2:20Does Christian Pulisic need to improve his form before the World Cup?The ‘Futbol Americas’ crew discuss Christian Pulisic’s form leading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Which host nation is the most ready for the World Cup? (2:47)The ‘Futbol Americas’ crew debate which host nation is the most ready to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (2:47)
Young Messi’s dreams: ‘To win a World Cup would be incredible’In an interview from 2004, a 15-year-old Lionel Messi speaks of his ambition to win the World Cup for Argentina. Stream “Messi: The Forgotten Tape” on ESPN+.
In an interview from 2004, a 15-year-old Lionel Messi speaks of his ambition to win the World Cup for Argentina. Stream “Messi: The Forgotten Tape” on ESPN+.
Does Christian Pulisic need to improve his form before the World Cup?The ‘Futbol Americas’ crew discuss Christian Pulisic’s form leading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
It’s official: Tuesday marks 30 days until the 2026 World Cup kicks off in earnest, when Mexico host South Africa in Mexico City on June 11.
Consider this your short-hand guide to the favorites next month, with some adjustments noted based on form, injuries and other intangibles.
– World Cup injury tracker: Which stars are going to miss out? – World Cup kit ranking: Which teams will look best in 2026? – Aggravation prompts fans to ask: Is World Cup worth it?
– FIFA Rank as of April 1: 2 – Group H games: vs. Cape Verde (June 15, Atlanta); vs. Saudi Arabia (June 21, Atlanta); vs. Uruguay (June 26, Guadalajara)
La Roja are still our collective favorites to win the World Cup this summer, but our voters distributed their first-place votes a little more equitably this time around considering the significant hamstring injury suffered by teenage winger Lamine Yamal, the player everyone can’t wait to watch. It’s likely the Barcelona star will recover in time to make the Spain squad, but any setback and it could be a difficult tournament.
Spain still boast an abundance of quality and should be able to play their way into the World Cup given they have a gentler group than some of their peers, but nobody takes anything for granted at this level and upsets are very much part of the competition’s enduring mystique.
– FIFA Rank as of April 1: 1 – Group I games: vs. Senegal (June 16, New York/New Jersey); vs. Iraq (June 22, Philadelphia); vs. Norway (June 26, Boston)
This squad has arguably the most depth of any team taking part this summer, but will Deschamps pick the right combinations? A difficult group stage will show us whether they have what it takes to send their manager off on a high note, or whether the external stress becomes too much to overcome.
Young Messi’s dreams: ‘To win a World Cup would be incredible’
– FIFA Rank as of April 1: 3 – Group J games: vs. Algeria (June 16, Kansas City); vs. Austria (June 22, Dallas); vs. Jordan (June 27, Dallas)
For a start, projected defensive starters Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez are both carrying injuries and fatigue, while expected key contributors in midfield like Alexis Mac Allister and Rodrigo De Paul have not had brilliant seasons. Manager Lionel Scaloni is arguably well equipped to handle such turmoil, but someone other than Messi will need to rise. (Our money is on Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez to come to the fore.)
– FIFA Rank as of April 1: 4 – Group L games: vs. Croatia (June 17, Dallas); vs. Ghana (June 23, Boston); vs. Panama (June 27, New York/New Jersey)
As always, England have an abundance of talent and an unhelpful amount of pressure on their shoulders. Thomas Tuchel as manager feels like an upgrade to Gareth Southgate given his tactical nous, which is something that will come in very handy against three aggressive, physical and hard-working opponents in Group L.
– FIFA Rank as of April 1: 6 – Group C games: vs. Morocco (June 13, New York/New Jersey); vs. Haiti (June 19, Philadelphia); vs. Scotland (June 24, Miami)
The Selecao haven’t won the World Cup since 2002, and bar one first-place vote in our Power Ranking, it doesn’t seem like our voters think this will be their year, either.
Since then, they’ve managed just one semifinal in five attempts, and injuries to several expected starters or impact subs — Éder Militão, Rodrygo, Estêvão — have blunted what was promising to be an exciting side. (First-choice keeper Alisson is also fighting to get fit in time, having suffered yet another muscle injury with Liverpool in 2026.) The lovable Carlo Ancelotti is their manager now, but without knowing if he’ll be there for the long term, this World Cup is one big question mark.
The good? Star forward Vinicius Jr. is ready to lead, Raphinha (if fully fit) is coming off a great year with Barcelona, 34-year-old Casemiro has returned to his best form at the base of midfield, and the Gabriel/Marquinhos central defensive pairing is as good as any at this level. As always for Brazil, it’ll come down to whether the talent can outshine the chaos.
– FIFA Rank as of April 1: 5 – Group K games: vs. DR Congo (June 17, Houston); vs. Uzbekistan (June 23, Houston); vs. Colombia (June 27, Miami)
The key for manager Roberto Martinez will be keeping the noise around Ronaldo to a minimum while putting his in-form stars in the best positions to excel.
– FIFA Rank as of April 1: 10 – Group E games: vs. Curacao (June 14, Houston); vs. Ivory Coast (June 20, Toronto); vs. Ecuador (June 25, New York/New Jersey)
There is a big voting gulf from Portugal down to Germany, which means Die Mannschaft are firmly the best of the rest in our estimation. They have one of the better tacticians in charge at this World Cup in Julian Nagelsmann, and he’ll need to use all of his magic to get a tune out of a squad with plenty of question marks hanging over them.
Will goalkeeper Oliver Baumann be able to handle the pressure between the posts? Who will score the goals given the wobbly form of Nick Woltemade and Kai Havertz up front? Can Nagelsmann get attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz back to his incandescent best after a difficult first year in Liverpool?
With a winnable group, there are chances to iron out the wrinkles before the knockouts begin, but things will need to run perfectly for Germany to add to their trophy cabinet.
– FIFA Rank as of April 1: 7 – Group F games: vs. Japan (June 14, Dallas); vs. Sweden (June 20, Houston); vs. Tunisia (June 25, Kansas City)
Alongside him, injuries have sapped Van de Ven and Timber of the kind of momentum they’d want in the final weeks before the World Cup, and we’re not sure where the goals are coming from, with Cody Gakpo and Donyell Malen hardly in the conversation for elite scorers at this level. Set pieces and organization will be their keys if they’re to perform well, but one of the tougher group draws make us skeptical.
– FIFA Rank as of April 1: 8 – Group C games: vs. Brazil (June 13, New York/New Jersey); vs. Scotland (June 19, Boston); vs. Haiti (June 24, Atlanta)
Our highest-ranking African team, Morocco are in the midst of a golden moment for the national team. Their U20 team won their first-ever FIFA U-20 World Cup title in 2025, and their senior team are coming off a fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup, and a run to the Africa Cup of Nations title (albeit controversially, when appeals judges overturned Senegal’s victory after a chaotic final in January).
However, new manager Mohamed Ouahbi is the biggest wildcard as to their future success, as he has turned the Atlas Lions into a more front-foot, attacking team compared to the pragmatism of Walid Regragui. Much will depend on the form and fitness of full back Achraf Hakimi, as well as Ouahbi’s ability to mesh his new style — and new players — with the old guard.
– FIFA Rank as of April 1: 31 – Group H games: vs. Iraq (June 16, Boston); vs. Senegal (June 22, New York/New Jersey); vs. France (June 26, Boston)
– FIFA Rank as of April 1: 9 – Group G games: vs. Egypt (June 15, Seattle); vs. Iran (June 21, Los Angeles); vs. New Zealand (June 26, Vancouver)
Belgium might not be as threatening as they were one or two World Cups ago, given the age and fitness of their top players (Romelu Lukaku, Kevin De Bruyne), but they are to be taken seriously. Recent friendlies against two of the three World Cup hosts ended well for them — a 5-2 win over the U.S. and 1-1 draw with Mexico — and their group should give them a chance to play into form.
The return to the squad of Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who quit the Belgium team due to issues with the previous manager Domenico Tedesco in 2023, is a major boost. On his day, Courtois is like an octopus between the posts, and he might need to be with a largely untested defense in front of him.
The biggest plus for this team is Jérémy Doku, who’s taken his game to new heights under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and will fear no full back in front of him on the left wing. However, 32-year-old striker Lukaku has barely featured for Inter Milan in their Serie A winning season given injuries, and someone will need to step up and convert the good work of Doku and Charles De Ketelaere in wide areas.
Does Christian Pulisic need to improve his form before the World Cup?
The ‘Futbol Americas’ crew discuss Christian Pulisic’s form leading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
– FIFA Rank as of April 1: 13 – Group H games: vs. Uzbekistan (June 17, Mexico City); vs. DR Congo (June 23, Guadalajara); vs. Portugal (June 27, Miami)
Colombia dipped slightly in our standings and it may have something to do with the lackluster form of James Rodríguez, who still has the keys to Los Cafeteros’ attack. He joined MLS side Minnesota United in February on a short-term deal to get some competitive minutes and U.S. experience, but had endured a slow start until two assists this past weekend in a 2-2 draw with Austin FC.