The World Cup will be here before you know it.
World Cup 2026 kicks off on Thursday, June 11 and the countdown to the summer's action in the United States, Canada and Mexico has begun.
Argentina will be looking to defend their crown following their epic penalty shootout win over France in the 2022 final, but how are each of the leading contenders looking as the 2026 tournament approaches? FourFourTwo ranks each of the big boys.
World Cup 2026 power rankings
With some of the possible contenders failing to qualify for the World Cup this time around, the stage is set for everyone else to go at it hammer and tongs across a bumper schedule of 104 World Cup fixtures in June and July.
10. Belgium
Belgium have a history of flattering to deceive when it comes to their performances in major international tournaments and their apparent golden generation has begun to exit the stage, but the Red Devils have fired a warning shot ahead of World Cup 2026.
While European nations winning football's biggest honour on other continents is never guaranteed, Belgium's thumping friendly win over co-hosts the United States in March served as a reminder that they remain a very capable unit at the highest level.
9. Netherlands
It's always risky to count three-time runners-up the Netherlands among the favourites for the World Cup but the fact of the matter is they qualified emphatically ahead of Poland and are regular participants in the last four of major tournaments.
Two years ago, they reached the semi-finals of the European Championship despite not pulling up any trees in their performances at the group stage.
Ronald Koeman still lacks an outstanding scorer, though, and the strength of Group F adds the very slightest doubt over their progress. The Netherlands should be comfortable qualifiers against Sweden, Japan and Tunisia in a 48-team competition but they are also prone to just being the Netherlands at times.
8. Uruguay
Uruguay won the World Cup in 1930 and 1950 but suffered a chastening group stage exit in Qatar in 2022. A semi-final in 2010 represents the high point of the modern era for a South American nation that has punched above its population weight throughout international football history.
Yet if you're looking for a dark horse, picking the team coached by Marcelo Bielsa is as sensible a methodology as any. Uruguay appointed Bielsa in 2023 and defeated Brazil on the way to the semi-finals of Copa America in 2024.
With a more reliable source of goals, Uruguay might have been fancied to reach the last four against the odds. Without one, a side with a solid base and a top-class coach would really have to go some.
7. Brazil
There are certain rules to the World Cup. Here's one: When a tournament is played in the Americas, Brazil have a shot at winning it. That's just how it is.
They're boosted this time around by the leadership of one of football's most successful managers. Carlo Ancelotti's record at club level is unimpeachable and his first stint as an international manager promises to add a new string to his bow.
A disappointing Copa America in 2024 was followed by a rather unconvincing World Cup qualification campaign but the Selecao got the job done – they always do – and Ancelotti now has the chance to work his magic on the likes of Vinicius Jr, Endrick and Raphinha this summer.
6. Portugal
Portugal landed a winnable World Cup group when the draw was made in December. They'd qualified without much fuss by their standards, though the lack of a play-off on this occasion was somewhat offset by the need to take the edge of Cristiano Ronaldo's suspension for a red card against the Republic of Ireland.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner remains Portugal's main man at the age of 41 but translating that into a meaningful tilt at the World Cup would require a gargantuan effort. The likes of Rafael Leao, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes and Vitinha make for a very potent supporting cast.
5. England
World Cup qualification was a breeze again for England, who won every qualifier without conceding a goal under new manager Thomas Tuchel.
The campaign revealed little about what Tuchel's England are likely to be. They faced some tests largely of their own making and came through relatively well in competitive games but friendly losses against Senegal and Japan certainly pose some significant questions.
The Three Lions do have one ace up their sleeve, albeit not one that's particularly well concealed: Captain and striker Harry Kane has scored more than a goal per game in both the Bundesliga and the Champions League this season.
4. Germany
World Cup 2014 winners Germany are masters of the major tournament but a quarter-final defeat against eventual winners Spain was a sour way to end the European Championship two years ago.
A young and hungry generation has now replaced the likes of Manuel Neuer, Ilkay Gundogan, Toni Kroos and Thomas Muller, with the likes of Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz capable of performing on the biggest of all stages under head coach Julian Nagelsmann.
Ivory Coast, Ecuador and Curacao stand in their way in Group E.
3. France
Didier Deschamps will step away from his role as France manager after the World Cup and has achieved a huge amount since taking over in 2012.
Les Bleus reached the finals of each of the last two World Cups, winning the tournament in 2018 and taking Argentina to penalties in Qatar in 2022.
France's great strengths also included the incredible World Cup record of captain Kylian Mbappe and their extraordinary squad depth. It seems like a very long time since France didn't take the strongest overall squad to a major tournament. Deschamps will be desperate to turn that advantage into gold again in 2026.
2. Spain
If France were disappointing at the European Championship in 2024, Spain were triumphant. Their victory was credited to the balanced nature of the squad, exciting up top but pragmatic elsewhere, but Luis de la Fuente has pushed his team to be a more attacking unit over the last couple of years.
Spain scored 21 times in their six World Cup qualifiers, not the highest tally among European teams by any stretch, but their attacking talent pool means they're sure to pose a threat in the summer and they're no joke defensively either.
They should have no problem getting through a group that pits them against Cape Verde, South Africa and Uruguay, and as European champions there's no doubt Spain will fancy themselves among the favourites to go one better.
1. Argentina
Reigning champions Argentina are at or near the top of the list again this summer, three and a half years on from their success in Qatar.
They qualified at a canter, still have Lionel Messi and head coach Lionel Scaloni leading the charge, and have world-class quality all over the pitch as they prepare to defend their title.
With group stage fixtures against Algeria, Austria and Jordan, the Albiceleste should have no problem progressing past the first hurdle. After that, the muscle memory of champions could take them all the way.
