The FIFA World Cup is considered to be the biggest sporting event in the world and it remains to be the highest form of football competition since its inception. You can always expect a different level of performance from the participating teams due to the reputation of the tournament as well as the grand prize that awaits its winner.
With the recent conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, sports fans and enthusiasts are already anticipating the next edition of the tournament 2026. This is because there is a four-year gap between World Cups.
As Argentina won in 2022, many are curious as to which team will take the victory in WC 2026. Although many teams have great odds to claim victory, only one team will triumph. Here are some teams to look out for if you decide to wager on the event:
Argentina
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As the winners of the FIFA World Cup 2022, Argentina tops the list of teams expected to thrive in the next World Cup. The team has won three times, with the last version of the tournament being their latest one. They were able to succeed thanks to their strong front and midfield that were able to score their way to the grand prize. These players include Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, and Enzo Fernandez.
Although it is expected that Messi will not be participating in the next Cup, Argentina still has great chances of winning considering their possible lineup. However, don’t completely rule him out of the equation yet as Messi has shown interest in playing again. Fans and punters will have to wait until then to see what the team will bring out.
France
As the runner-up of the previous World Cup, France performed significantly well considering they were one of the favourites of the competition. The charge was led by Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann, two of the most renowned names in football today. Considering their strong history in the Cup, there is no doubt that they are set to become favourites once again. The French national team has won the FIFA World Cup twice and has reached the finals on multiple occasions.
One of the biggest reasons they reached this far in the tournament is thanks to their strong defence and midfield, aside from their talented front. You can expect France to take the competition once again in the World Cup 2026 as Mbappe is expected to participate once again.
Brazil
Known to be the favourites to win the FIFA World Cup, Brazil failed to win in the 2022 Cup. Despite having players such as Neymar, Vini Junior, and Gabriel Jesus, luck was not on their side due to certain circumstances. This includes player injuries to one of their main players, Neymar. Regardless, Brazil was still able to give it its all during the remaining games they had until they ultimately lost to Croatia.
Brazil is set to participate again in the next Cup and will still likely be the favourites of the tournament. Many fans expect the team to come back stronger than ever and perform to their best ability to prove that they are one of the most talented teams in the world.
Portugal
Portugal is a respected team in international football and has a decent record in the FIFA World Cup. The team’s best performance in the tournament came in 1966 when they finished third. In the 2022 World Cup, the team was able to perform great against teams such as Ghana, Uruguay, and Switzerland until they were knocked out by Morocco 1-0.
Although Portugal has not won a World Cup, their performance in other football tournaments such as the UEFA Nations League is proof that they can always grab the chance for the next Cup. With strong and skilled players such as Antonio Silva, Diogo Jota, and Bruno Alves, you can expect an enchanting performance from the team.
As for Cristiano Ronaldo, it is still uncertain if he will perform again for the team. Although he has shown interest in playing once more, many are considering his age and how this could affect his performance. Despite this, it is best not to rule him out completely just yet.
Anticipate the FIFA World Cup 2026
Although there is still much time before the next Cup, it is never too early to make preparations. In the meantime, you can watch other football tournaments such as the EPL and UEFA and monitor the participating teams’ progressive performance in the WC 2026.