The 2026 FIFA World Cup is officially one year old. So this is the time to start a conversation around potential contenders to bring home a talented trophy.
Defending champion Argentina has a good chance to repeat, but there are some other squads that are more likely to claim trophy. With 365 days to reach the kickoff, there are teams with the best obstacles to win the World Cup.
10 teams have the best difference to win 2026 World Cup1 year out?
Uruguay won his first World Cup on home turf, defeating Argentina in the final of the tournament in 1930. He won his last title in 1950 and tolerated the drought of more than 70 years since then. Uruguay finished third during the latest Copa America tournament in 2024 – a competition he has not won since 2011.
The Uruguay squads may appear very different from their roster during the 2022 World Cup as international legends such as Luis Suarez and Diego Godin have retired from international football. Federico Walverde, a midfielder who plays for real madrid, makes the headlines of his young talents in the headlines. Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez will try to fill Suarez shoes at the top of the formation. But Uruguay’s greatest strength is in the center-pair of Ronald Arujo and Jose Maria Gimanez.
Italy won the back-to-back World Cup in 1934 and 1938 before failing to bring a cup home for 40 years. He ended the drought that was winning the 1982 tournament, and recently won the World Cup in 2006, such as the Great team like Gianlouigi Buffon, Alesandro Nesta and Fabio Canviro led the team.
In 2024 euros, despite a spotted performance in group stages, Italy naps in the knockout round, but lost 2–0 to Switzerland in 16 periods.
The competition for the 2026 FIFA World Cup to go to Italy’s initial lineup can be high with a sleep of young players trying to solidify themselves. Midfielder Lorenzo Palegrini has a safe place as the Inter Milan Defenders Francesko Essebi and Matio Darmaron.
The World Cup final, despite three different times, the Netherlands never won the trophy. In 2022, he lost to Argentina in a penalty shootout in the quarter -finals. He built a performance in 2024 euros that became one of the last four teams to compete to win the tournament, but eventually lost 2–1 to England.
Team captain Virgil van Dijak is a superstar of the Dutch team, and is the foundation of a strong defense, including Stephen de Vrij and Denzel Dumphries. Memphis Deepe, the country’s leading goalkeeper, should return to the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He will collect an attack that can go in many ways in the striker, selecting between Kodi Gakpo, Wout Vehorst and Donil Malan.
Portugal is away from a UEFA Nessions League title, where he has demonstrated the skills of his squad that introduces many players in his head. Cristiano Ronaldo proved that he still has more to give more as he has created a wonderful volley to help sending games against Spain in extra time and can contest for a place on the World Cup roster. Portugal’s strength, however, is located in its midfield, with a middle -fledged midaling by UEFA Champions League winner Witinha, Brono Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.
Portugal had a spectacular appearance at 2024 euros as he lost in the quarter -finals in a penalty shootout in France. He lost in the same phase in the team of Destiny, Morocco in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. So, a Portugal squad that is at the height of its powers, hungry for a deep run in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Germany has claimed four World Cup titles and finally won the tournament in 2014, defeating Brazil behind a squad which included great such as Bastian Schinestiger, Philip Laham and Tony Cross. In 2024, Germany lost to the final champion Spain in the Euro quarter -finals.
Given further for 2026, Germany has limited options in front with nickels Phulkarg and Kai Huartz, which prefer a false-nine role, as their only real options. He will rely a lot on his midfield with Leon Gratzka and Jamal Musiala, while sometimes Joshua Kimich made his backline in the headlines.
Argentina, the champion, ruled, claimed his third World Cup win in Qatar. Two others came in 1978 and 1986. He also took the latest Copa America Trophy in 2024, who won the game of Lutaro Martinez in 2024.
Lionel Messi, Argentina’s all-time leading goal-scorer and the greatest football player ever, examined the remaining box when he helped Argentina win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but he could play again in 2026 despite declaring his retirement after Copa America. Martinez and Julian Alverez are also part of a strong strike-force, while midfielders Alexis Mac Alastair, Rodrigo de Paul and Enzo Fernandez scored the squad.
England won just one World Cup title in 1966, as the next year’s tournament will mark the 60 -year drought. They have reduced buses in the last two European championships, lost to the finals in Italy in 2021, and in Spain in 2024.
Midfielder Jude Bellingham, who finished third in voting for the 2024 Ballon D’Or Award, is headliner and Declan Rice will sit behind him as a holding midfielder. Harry Kane, the country’s major goal-scorer, should return to another crack in the trophy.
Brazil has won the most World Cup trophy of any international federation with five. However, they have not won since 2002, which was also finished in the third or better way last time, so it is a cold run late. He was also knocked in the quarter -finals of the 2024 Copa America tournament, who lost in Uruguay firing.
Vineasius is at the right time for Junior Brazil as Winger finished second in Bellon D’Or in 2024, while Real Madrid was taken to the UEFA Champions League Trophy. Brazil is to run a single striker formation and Richarlison should slot in that role. Marquinhos will provoke their defense and try to move their form from the Champions League of Paris Saint German to the World Cup.
France was away from repeating the World Cup champion in 2018 and 2022, but one disadvantage to Argentina maintains its tally of trophy in two. He also fell in the final-champion Spain in the 2024 euro semi-finals.
Les Blace created a group of attackers rapidly with Kylian MBAPE, wish Daue, and 2025 Bellon D’Or, Ousmen Dambale, leading it to lead. He will also have studs like William Saliba and Theo Hernandez in his defense.
The Spain FIFA comes as a favorite for winning the 2026 World Cup, which he has done only once before in 2010. They have the load of talented young players and have strong speed as they have been removed from winning a year 2024 European Championships.
Vingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams will hurt any backline. Winners from Rodari, Bellon D’Or 2024, should also be recovered from their torn ACL and are available for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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