The 2026 men’s World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada kicks off in 442 days on June 11, 2026. It may seem a lot of days remaining but trust me, time goes fast and before you know it, the largest and most ambitious World Cup in history will kick off in Mexico City.
As a result, here’s a special Onside/Offside where I give my top 11 contenders and assess who’s right on track for a deep run in the tournament and who’s currently in need of more work. As a bonus, I also break down the current state of the host nations.
Welcome to Onside/Offside: a World Cup contenders special edition!
THE TOP CONTENDERS
ONSIDE: Spain
It’s simple, really: Spain truly are the real deal, and in my humble opinion, they’re the current favorites to win next summer’s World Cup. Since their Euro 2024 victory against England last summer, La Roja haven’t lost a game, and scarily for everyone else, they continue to evolve.
The wins haven’t always been perfect, but that’s the thing about Luis de la Fuente’s Spain, and what makes them different from other Spanish sides in the past: it’s not perfection or tiki-taka aesthetics that matter. All they care about is getting the job done, and that’s what you saw in this window against the Netherlands, where two fantastic matches saw them win on penalties to book their a place in June’s UEFA Nations League semifinals. They are also versatile in their system, meaning that they are quite happy and comfortable changing ideas mid-game.
And here’s the other component that is so unique: Due to the drop in average age (from 27 at the Euros to 25 in 2025) they have this air of unapologetic swagger. For example, when former Dutch international Rafael van der Vaart criticized Lamine Yamal for his attitude and for wearing his shorts too low during the first leg of their game with the Dutch, the 17-year-old star posted a gallery on his Instagram account celebrating the victory with the caption: “Shorts down, a goal, a missed penalty and INTO THE SEMIFINAL, COME ON SPAIN!”
My point is less about Yamal’s response on social media and more about the fact that this Spanish side is young, hungry and confident, and they could care less what you think of them.
Oh, and just wait until Rodri returns.
1:10
Are Spain still the best team in Europe?
Gabriele Marcotti and Julien Laurens discuss if Spain are still the best team in Europe nine months after winning EURO 2024.
ONSIDE: England
The Thomas Tuchel era has just begun, so it’s difficult to place the Three Lions in either category because there are still many questions left unanswered. Their first two matches under the German manager were wins against Albania and Latvia — with all due respect to these European nations, it wasn’t exactly a challenging window, but I’ll place England in the Onside category for two reasons.
First, this is an insanely talented squad — perhaps the most talented in recent years when you also consider the overwhelming depth and the fact that some of the younger members still have one more season to get even better. From Arsenal‘s Myles Lewis-Skelly (who became the youngest player in history to score on his senior England debut with his goal against Albania) to Aston Villa‘s Morgan Rogers, there is no shortage of legitimate quality.
Second, I like the Tuchel appointment because he is a pragmatist. He doesn’t romanticize a particular style of play, but rather focuses on building an environment that appeals to his squad. He wants to instill a club-focused mentality where the fast-paced aggression of the English game is implemented. It’s not about pretty patterns or possession, but rather entering the box, recovering the ball and finding different ways to threaten the opponent.
“The Premier League is a very physical league, a very direct league. We should be proud enough of the culture and the style of English football and the English league to implement this,” Tuchel said in his first news conference as manager. “We have to increase the intensity in our games. I want to have more touches in the opponent’s box. I want to have more ball recoveries in the opponent’s half.”
You saw some of those things in this window, but again, it’s too early to tell. However, I do believe this philosophy is what’s necessary for England to actually win major competitions.
1:39
What to make of Thomas Tuchel’s start with England
Mario Melchiot reacts after Thomas Tuchel and England’s win against Latvia.
ONSIDE: France
When it comes to going deep in a competition, I never worry about France. Ever. Even if they looked terrible right before the tournament, it wouldn’t mean anything to me because their talent and mental foundation is made of alloy steel. As my colleague Julien Laurens puts it: the habit of winning is strong throughout the squad. An opponent’s momentum to France doesn’t exist, because it’s all about what they do.
So, as Didier Deschamps prepares for the World Cup and his final hurrah as manager — we reported back in January that he was stepping down following that competition — I am sure this team will be more than motivated to give him a good send-off next summer.
What intrigues me about France is that when it comes to goals, there is currently little reliance on Kylian Mbappé, who hasn’t scored in his past seven appearances for the national team. He remains very much involved in all that’s good for France, but it’s not just about him anymore. From Ousmane Dembélé, Bradley Barcola and Michael Olise, their offensive firepower is scary.
Elsewhere in the squad, there is no shortage of energy, and Mike Maignan is one of the best goalkeepers in the game. So, yeah. France? Not worried at all.
I think if anything, this is more about Deschamps and his managerial expertise because sometimes, he overplays his hand with team selection and strategy. There’s no need to get cute here, Didi: Just play the hits, and everything else will follow.
ONSIDE: Morocco
Let me tell you something. Morocco’s historic run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semifinals, was no fluke, and it’s also something that should be noted for 2026.
After losing in disappointing fashion to South Africa in the round of 16 of AFCON in 2023, Walid Regragui’s team pressed the reset button and have been on a mission ever since to elevate their game. They are perfect in World Cup qualifiers — the latest victory being a 2-0 win over Tanzania — has the Atlas Lions looking good for another spot at next year’s tournament.
In four of their past six games in all competitions, they have scored at least four goals and conceded only twice. We already know about their depth, which includes Yassine Bounou, Achraf Hakimi, Azzedine Ounahi and Youssef En-Nesyri, but last year, another member entered the frame when Real Madrid‘s Brahim Díaz switched allegiance from Spain to Morocco (his father is Moroccan), and the rewards have been great as the winger/attacker has eight goals since joining.
To me, however, this is about Regragui, who is a tremendous manager. Under him, who’s to say the Atlas Lions can’t roar at the World Cup once again?
ONSIDE: Netherlands
I’ll make this one brief, but not without value. The Netherlands, who have never won the World Cup (but have gone to three finals), are so close to being a legitimate contender.
The first few years under Ronald Koeman were not great, and despite earning a semifinal place at last summer’s Euros, he remains somewhat of an unpopular figure with the fanbase, mainly because he is extremely stubborn. But this recent loss to Spain in the Nations League was some of the best football I have seen them play, and it’s because Koeman was forced to experiment due to injuries.
There is so much talent in this squad, and it is capable of causing damage in 2026, but they need a reliable striker. If they can find that next season, they will make some noise. That’s why I have you in the Onside column, Oranje. I believe you can find that No. 9.
ONSIDE: Argentina
Alongside Spain, the defending champions are favorites to win the World Cup as Lionel Scaloni’s side — the first CONMEBOL nation to qualify for 2026 in this international window — is more complete than ever before. They have a tremendous chance to defend their title and at this point, it’s actually scary to say that they keep getting better.
Argentina are a machine, completely in sync where every single member of the squad knows their role. They’re the football version of a fraternity where everyone one fights for each other. They have confidence, style and one single objective: to win.
Have you noticed something else here? I went a whole paragraph without even mentioning Lionel Messi and that’s the truly terrifying part for anyone who comes their way. Argentina are great with and without Messi as that’s something they have had to adjust to in the last few months due to their captain’s absence as a result of injury and muscle fatigue.
Their latest victims were Brazil, who were destroyed 4-1 on Tuesday night at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires. The swagger was so evident, I mean — Emiliano Martínez started juggling in the middle of the game, for crying out loud!
1:22
Scaloni: We don’t need Raphinha’s statement to hype a game
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni says he “forgives” Raphinha after the Brazilian made pre-match comments in the lead up to Argentina’s 4-1 win over Brazil.
So there’s not much to say about Argentina aside from the fact that with qualification sorted, Scaloni can now continue to build and strengthen this already impressive roster. Messi or not, whoever is in their group better watch out.
OFFSIDE: Brazil
To be perfectly honest, I know what you’re all thinking, and yes, I was very close to omitting them from this list because there are other South American contenders — Colombia, Uruguay, Ecuador and even Paraguay — more worthy than the Seleção right now. We have also seen this demise for the last two years, and I even warned you about it.
After Tuesday’s embarrassing loss to Argentina, Vinicius Jr. said they have to “rethink everything.” Matheus Cunha talked about a “collective problem,” while fans and critics continue to pressure the need for Dorival Junior’s resignation. He himself called it the most “delicate moment of his career,” but he has no doubt that they will find a way.
Here’s what I think. Brazil, the five-time World Cup champions, have been here before. In 1966, when England won, the Brazilians were terrible, unable to compete with the physicality of the tournament and eliminated in the first round for the first time since 1934. But there was talent. So in the following four years, they transformed into what is known as the greatest World Cup squad in history. Between 1974 and 1990, Brazil also went through a dry spell as big as the grand canyon, with zero World Cups/Olympic gold medals and only one Copa America (1989) title.
Now, my point here is that this Brazilian side remains insanely talented, and despite the issues, they will qualify for the World Cup and still think that they have the DNA components to turn it around because — well, their résumé speaks for itself. But they have to do three things: bring back their resilience and joy (both on and off the pitch), find a way to reenergize Neymar Jr. as a leader, and finally, replace Dorival Junior. He’s a very nice man and a good manager, but to make these Brazilians into champions, you need someone who can reinvigorate their confidence and ignite the fire.
They need charisma and leadership. I think you all know who I am talking about.
ONSIDE: Japan
I don’t know about you, but I have a furtive feeling that we’re going to see some very surprising contenders in 2026. Conservative wisdom often pressures us to pick European teams in this category, but I think this expanded 48-team field, the new format and the fact that it’s being played across three nations in North America is going to throw a major curveball to many nations. I also think that the way international teams play these days rely so much more on being more direct and smarter without the ball. Commitment, therefore, is more important than philosophy.
May I present to you: Japan.
Back in Qatar, the Samurai Blue earned historic wins against Germany and Spain in Group E and were so close to reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Croatia on penalties in the round of 16. Since then, their project has continued under the same strategy: fast, fluid, physical, relentless football under Hajime Moriyasu. Now, thanks to their undefeated run in qualifying, they became the first team to earn a place for next summer. But they have way bigger aspirations as the federation officially announced its intent to win the World Cup by 2050, hopefully sooner.
“Now that we know we’re going to the World Cup, from today, we have to use this time to do whatever we need so that we can become champions of the World Cup,” said captain and Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endǒ earlier this week.
It may seem like a far-fetched dream as they’ve never gone beyond the round of 16 and winning it is obviously a big ask, but as I said at the start, next summer could offer more than one shocking story in the knockout stages, and there’s no reason why a determined, very talented Japan couldn’t cause some noise.
OFFSIDE: Germany
Okay, Deutschland. Just know that despite the obvious talent, attractive style and your safe passage to this summer’s Nations League semifinals, you are in the Offside column for one main reason, which remains by biggest question mark under Julian Nagelsmann: Germany are a sprinter, not a marathon runner. What do I mean by that? Well, at the beginning they’re almost unstoppable, but the deeper they go into a competition, the more vulnerable they become. Back in the day, it used to be the other way around.
1:05
What are the takeaways from Italy’s 2-1 defeat to Germany?
Gab Marcotti details Italy’s performance in their 2-1 defeat against Germany in the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal.
I use the same metaphor in the scope of 90 minutes, as we saw in this window when Die Mannschaft overcame Italy (which included a bizarre goal from a corner where Italy fell asleep) in the aforementioned Nations League, but not without some major defensive mishaps of their own. Nagelsmann loves to play in a fluid, passing style with a high press and when things are clicking, it’s great to watch. But because there is no real attention given to protecting the midfield, his team almost always finds itself in precarious situations upon losing the ball in the final third. It’s literally what happened against the Italians in the second leg at Dortmund.
If that can be solved, then I think they’re on course for an intriguing World Cup, but this is Germany we’re talking about, the four-time World Cup champion. They’re not looking for an intriguing World Cup: they want to win it. At this point, I don’t see it happening unless some of the mentioned issues are resolved.
OFFSIDE: Portugal
This is a tricky one to decipher because Portugal’s qualification and path to glory partly depends on what Roberto Martínez decides to do with Cristiano Ronaldo — or rather, what Cristiano Ronaldo decides to do with Portugal, because let’s face it, the only one who will determine a place in Portugal’s lineup is the 40-year-old star.
There’s no denying that the impact of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner and the all-time scorer in international football is colossal within Portugal’s line-up because for better or worse, he demands so much attention. However I think this can be a problem because when you look at the rest of the squad — and combine it with Martínez’s pragmatic approach — Portugal is at its best when there is no specific target man. With Ronaldo on the field, the fluidity often disappears.
They ended up winning against Denmark to make it into the Nations League semifinals, but the first leg when they lost 1-0? That was one of the worst performances I have ever seen from them. This inconsistency is partly down to the fact that they still have Ronaldo in the starting line-up, but next summer — if they indeed make it — his role needs to be seriously revised.
I’ll finish this in the same manner as I started: this decision is only down to Ronaldo so Portugal’s fate, therefore, is largely dependent on what he wants.
OFFSIDE: Belgium
Since the departure of Martínez after failing to escape the group stage in 2022, the Red Devils have been going through a major identity crisis. They just simply don’t know who they are right now.
Domenico Tedesco’s side lost to France in the Round of 16 in last summer’s Euros and after an underwhelming start in the Nations League last year, Tedesco was gone in January. Shortly after, Rudy Garcia came in and much like Tuchel and England, these are early days still when it comes to figuring out what he can do with this team.
Unlike the Three Lions, there isn’t a sea of young, dynamic talent in every position at Garcia’s disposal. Romelu Lukaku remains one of the most lethal strikers in international football, but he will be 33 when the World Cup starts. Kevin De Bruyne will be 35 and perhaps not even playing in Europe by then. They have other key players, of course, such as Jérémy Doku, Youri Tielemans and Leandro Trossard, and they have younger stars such as RB Leipzig‘s Loïs Openda and Club Brugge‘s Maxim De Cuyper, who is the summer target of many major teams in Europe.
They have to be in the conversation whenever we talk about World Cup contenders. But can they resuscitate the hopes that were never achieved by the golden generation?
Doubtful.
HEAT CHECK FOR THE WORLD CUP HOSTS
OFFSIDE: United States
2:02
Burley: Ronaldo is no longer good enough for Portugal
Craig Burley believes Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer at the level of international football.
As my colleague Jeff Carlisle put it after this disastrous Nations League campaign, USMNT fans have every right to worry. They should thank Gianni Infantino for being named co-hosts so they didn’t have to qualify: If I’m being honest, even in a 48-team competition and with an expanded qualifying pool, I feel that right now, the U.S. might have struggled to seal a place.
Mauricio Pochettino has a lot of work to do because at this point, out of the three hosts, the United States are the least likely to progress out of their group. I don’t even need to know who else is in at this point; all I know is that this team needs drastic improvements. The “home” advantage also proved to be a mirage in this window as the USMNT opened the Nations League to an almost-empty SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.
It’s not that soccer isn’t popular in the country. Of course it is. It’s massive and continues to grow. But the support for the USMNT? That’s different, and it’s up to the federation to be more strategic about the situation.
The reason why I bring up the lack of support — as shown by the mostly empty SoFi Stadium for Sunday’s third-place game, a space that quickly filled up for Mexico vs. Panama in the Concacaf Nations League final — is because the USMNT needs the fans’ energy. They are a team who shine from that support.
From a tactical perspective, Pochettino has to make them more relentless and have them fighting for everything, so goals can occur through their counterattacking resiliency. You don’t need superstars — just a collective will to score in a more direct approach. They need to be the international version of this season’s Nottingham Forest.
With just over 14 months left until the World Cup, the USMNT has a lot to do.
ONSIDE: Mexico
2:09
Del Valle: There’s no giant in Concacaf right now
José del Valle says Mexico’s Concacaf Nations League win over Panama wasn’t convincing enough to brand them as the standout Concacaf team.
As a complete contrast, Mexico are finally feeling good. Thanks to Javier Aguirre (his third stint as manager), El Tri won their first ever Nations League title with two strong victories over Canada and Panama. Amid a noise of Mexican criticism and exaggeration that often causes the national team to underperform, Aguirre has simplified everything.
For Sunday’s final, he had an old-school 4-4-2 system where Santiago Gimenez and Raúl Jiménez complemented each other upfront — the former scoring all of Mexico’s goals in the tournament, including both in the final — backed by an experienced midfield that included West Ham’s Edson Álvarez and Luis Romo, who recently moved to Chivas. Together they make up for more than 160 appearances for the national team.
This type of experience represents Aguirre’s ultimate message: “In an official match, the great obligation we have is to make the Mexican player see that they have that obligation to run, to fight for their jersey, for their country, and to make their people proud,” said the manager prior to the final.
Time will tell if they can continue to succeed this summer at the Gold Cup, or against tougher opponents at the World Cup. The overall objective is to reach and indeed go beyond the quinto partido (fifth match), something they’ve never done. The last time they made it to the quarterfinal stages was in 1986, where they lost to West Germany on penalties.
Just like next summer, that was a World Cup they hosted so maybe, just maybe, with the crowd overwhelmingly behind them — whether it’s Mexico City, Guadalajara or anywhere in the U.S., Mexico could finally go beyond el quinto partido.
ONSIDE: Canada
In this international window, Canada earned third place in the Nations League with a win over the USMNT — that’s two straight wins over the U.S. for the first time since 1985 — but overall, I am a fan of their progress under Jesse Marsch. At last summer’s Copa América, they reached a historic semifinal in their first-ever appearance before losing to eventual champions Argentina.
This is a vibrant, young, talented and willing Canadian team, and as long as they continue to evolve and develop — and remain healthy — I think Canada can surprise a few people in 2026.
