Ready for the biggest edition of soccer’s marquee event? With 48 teams spread across three countries, this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup is going to be epic.
[2026 FIFA WORLD CUP: Full Game-by-Game Schedule]
The field is set, and all 12 four-team groups are locked in. But which teams will be the serious tournament contenders? Who’ll punch above their weight? The first-timers? And what about co-hosts USA, Mexico and Canada?
We’re diving into the World Cup field by placing all the teams into distinct tiers and breaking down why you should keep an eye on them.
JUMP TO: Co-Hosts | Sleeper Picks | Capable of Deep Run | Get Into Knockouts | Could Make It Interesting | Early Exit? | Debut Teams!
World Cup Odds: +850
World Cup Group Stage Opponents:
(Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)
The defending World Cup champs want to become the first country to win consecutive titles since Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962. Can La Albiceleste do it? Well, they have the same manager in Lionel Scaloni, and you can never count out a team that’s led by Lionel Messi (who will turn 39 during the tournament). This is a deep, experienced group brimming with talent that knows how to win major tournaments (and also won back-to-back Copa América titles in 2021 and 2024).
(Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images)
World Cup Odds: +600
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England is still looking for its first World Cup title since 1966. It seems to have the right kind of talent, depth and experience to make a run this summer. And now the Three Lions also have a Champions League-winning manager in Thomas Tuchel to guide them.
The stars will be out with players like captain Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer on the pitch, all of whom are tired of always coming up short in major tournaments. England was drawn into a tricky Group L with Croatia, Ghana and Panama, so we’ll get an early look at what this squad is made of.
(Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty Images)
World Cup Odds: +1100
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Portugal has never won a World Cup, much less reached a World Cup final. Could this be the year? There was so much drama around the team four years ago when former manager Fernando Santos benched superstar Cristiano Ronaldo in Qatar. Now the team is coached by Spaniard Roberto Martinez, who led it to the 2024 Euro quarterfinal and 2025 Nations League championship, where his side defeated Spain in a penalty shootout. His relationship with the 41-year-old Ronaldo could dictate how things go for Portugal this summer.
(Photo by NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV/AFP via Getty Images)
Four years ago, the Reds snapped a three decade-plus World Cup drought by topping Concacaf’s qualifying tournament and returning to the Greatest Show on Earth for the first time since 1986. And Canada played well in Qatar despite losing all three of its games, including defeats against eventual 2022 semifinalists Croatia and Morocco. Now, it’s hosting World Cup games on the men’s side for the first time, and the pressure to perform is different. Led by American coach Jesse Marsch, Canada will be looking not just to win a World Cup game for the first time but to advance to the knockout stage. And it has the players to do it, too, with captain Alphonso Davies and Juventus striker Jonathan David leading the way.
(Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
World Cup Odds: +6500
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Playing at a World Cup on home soil for the first time since 1994, the United States is hoping for a deep run this summer under highly regarded Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino. The Americans’ best World Cup showing since the inaugural 1930 event – where the U.S. finished fourth – was a quarterfinal trip in 2002. With the 2026 edition expanded to 48 nations, just equaling that feat would require winning an extra knockout stage match. That’s no easy feat.
Still, this U.S. squad is widely considered the most talented ever, with legitimate European club stars such as AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic and Juventus’ Weston McKennie. The core that gained invaluable experience at Qatar 2022 is just now hitting its prime. But losses in March to Belgium and Portugal have tempered expectations, and Pulisic has been caught in a scoring drought for both club and country. His last goal for AC Milan came on Dec. 28, 2025, while his last goal for the Stars and Stripes was in November 2024.
World Cup Odds: +4000
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So what if Los Cafeteros didn’t even go to the last World Cup in Qatar? Four years later, Colombia could be one of the biggest sleepers to make some serious noise this summer. Behind Bayern Munich playmaker Luis Diaz, the Colombians finished South America’s World Cup qualifying tournament in third place, behind only Ecuador and defending world champions Argentina and ahead of five-time winner Brazil.
Los Cafeteros should get solid support for their first two group games, which take place in Mexico. Meantime, the first round finale in Miami, where they’ll meet Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, could feel like a home game given the huge ex-pat community in South Florida and Colombian fans’ willingness to travel in droves.
World Cup Odds: +8000
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Despite beating host Qatar and tying the two-time runner-up Netherlands in its first two games in 2022, Ecuador failed to advance when it dropped its decisive group phase contest to Senegal. La Tri could be poised for a deep run this summer, though, having finished second in South America’s qualifying tournament ahead of Brazil and behind only defending World Cup champs Argentina. Moises Caicedo, who plays at Chelsea, is one of the world’s best defensive midfielders. The game against Germany in the group finale is likely for who’ll finish on top.
World Cup Odds: +6000
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The Cinderella team of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Morocco was nearly everyone’s favorite story from four years ago, when it became the first African and Arab nation to reach a World Cup semifinal before losing to France. The Atlas Lions lost to Senegal in a chaotic Africa Cup of Nations final in January (only to be subsequently rewarded the title) and will be motivated to prove themselves this summer that the semifinals run in 2022 was no fluke.
They have a new manager after Walid Regragui abruptly left the team but were able to promote Mohamed Ouahbi, who led Morocco’s U-20 team to a Youth World Cup title in 2025, as the successor. Morocco was drawn into Group C alongside Brazil, Haiti and Scotland, which will make for some early intrigue. PSG’s superstar right-back Achraf Hakimi should once again shine in the summer.
(Photo by Torbjorn Tande/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
World Cup Odds: +9000
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It’s quite magical what Croatia, with a population fewer than four million people, has been able to do in the World Cup. In recent history, this nation was the runner-up at the 2018 World Cup and finished in third place at the 2022 World Cup. You can never count this side out of a major tournament, especially given the squad’s experience level and the fact that it’s led by superstar Luka Modrić. Plus, it has arguably the most magnificent kits in all football.
World Cup Odds: +1400
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The four-time World Cup champions are always capable of making a deep run, if not winning it all. But Die Mannschaft has plenty to prove this summer under coach Julian Nagelsmann; since hoisting the trophy in Brazil in 2014, Germany has not advanced out of group play. Florian Wirtz helped Bayer Leverkusen go undefeated en route to winning the German title two seasons ago before being named Bundesliga Player of the Year in 2025 and then making a big move to Liverpool. In March, the 22-year-old Wirtz scored his 10th goal in just 39 games for his country.
(Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)
World Cup Odds: +6500
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Who won the first World Cup in 1930? It’s a solid trivia question. And the answer, which often stumps people, is Uruguay. And not only did it win that inaugural tournament, but it hosted as well. This is a country with a rich footballing tradition, though it hasn’t been back to the top since winning a second time in 1950. It didn’t make it out of the group in 2022 – facing Portugal, South Korea and Ghana – and is anxious to make a push this summer. It will be tough, though, as it will face tournament favorite Spain and Saudi Arabia in the group. Luckily, it has players like Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo and Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde.
World Cup Odds: +10000
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This will be Austria’s first World Cup appearance since 1998. It’s a team that likes to attack and has a strong core of veterans on the team, like Real Madrid’s David Alaba and Borussia Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer. It’s coached by Ralf Rangnick, who has had an extensive coaching career in Germany. Before taking over the Austrian national team, though, he was the interim manager of Manchester United from 2021-22. In the Euros two years ago, Austria shocked the Netherlands in the group stage to advance to the knockout round (where it ultimately lost to Türkiye). Does it have another upset brewing for this summer?
(Photo by ANP via Getty Images)
World Cup Odds: +5000
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Japan has played in every World Cup since its debut in 1998, but it has never made it past the round of 16. Could this be the year? It was close four years ago, beating Germany and Spain in the Group of Death and taking Croatia to a penalty shootout in the round of 16. This is a team that historically plays quickly, likes to press and is dangerous in transition. The best part about the Samurai Blue, though, is probably their fans, who went viral and were admired around the world at the last World Cup for cleaning up stadiums after matches.
World Cup Odds: +20000
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Once a regular World Cup qualifier, the Tartan Army will soon be back on the big stage for the first time since 1998. The Scots didn’t even need a playoff to get there. In November, Scott McTominay & Co. beat former European champs Denmark in Glasgow to win a group that also included Euro 2004 winners Greece. The 6-foot-3 McTominay, a former Manchester United striker, led Napoli to the Italian title last season, earning a Ballon d’Or nomination along the way. It was his spectacular bicycle kick that opened the scoring in Scotland’s World Cup qualifying clincher over Denmark.
(Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
World Cup Odds: +25000
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What’s the biggest story of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s incredible run into the World Cup? Defeating Italy in the World Cup playoff final to ensure the four-time champions would miss a third straight tournament? Seeing talisman striker Edin Džeko, now 41, help his country reach the biggest stage? Or witnessing American-born Esmir Bajraktarević (aka, the “Milwaukee Messi”) coolly take the decisive penalty in the win over Italy? Prepare for this squad to capture neutrals’ hearts and attention – especially in the opening match against co-hosts Canada.
World Cup Odds: +15000
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It’s a return to the World Cup for the first time since 2006 for Czechia, when the country was known as the Czech Republic. Czechia booked its ticket to the 2026 World Cup after outlasting Denmark, 3-1, on penalty kicks in the UEFA following a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes. The squad will be led by towering Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick, but it will need plenty more help in a group that includes co-hosts Mexico.
(Photo by Luis Cano/Jam Media/Getty Images)
World Cup Odds: +8000
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How about getting to the World Cup without actually winning a game during the initial qualifying campaign? Sweden finished last in its qualifying group but made the playoff round because of its UEFA Nations League performance. Leading the way is a pair of top strikers in Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres, with the latter scoring four goals in March’s playoff games. The Swedes have turned the corner under Graham Potter, the former Chelsea and Brighton manager who previously spent seven years coaching in Sweden.
World Cup Odds: +150000
World Cup Group Stage Opponents:
(Photo by Geoff Robins / AFP via Getty Images)
World Cup Odds: +100000
World Cup Group Stage Opponents:
The team is back on the big stage for the first time since 2010, when it had the interesting distinction of going undefeated with three ties, including one against then-defending champions Italy. New Zealand clinched its spot more than a year ago by topping New Caledonia, 3-0, in Auckland. But things could get ugly at the main event; it went on an 0-7-1 run before finally beating Chile in March.
World Cup Odds: +50000
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This will be Tunisia’s seventh World Cup appearance, and one it hopes will be its best. You see, the Eagles of Carthage have never made it out of the group in all those tournaments. That’s probably going to be a tough assignment this summer in Group F, given they’re joined by the Netherlands and Japan, who are expected to advance. Even so, Tunisia has some fun World Cup history, like the fact that it was the first African nation ever to win a World Cup match in 1978 when it beat Mexico, 3-1.
World Cup Odds: +100000
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This will only be Panama’s second trip to the World Cup. The squad had a strong qualifying campaign, which was aided by the fact that it didn’t have to play the United States, Canada or Mexico, all of whom automatically qualified for the tournament as co-hosts. This will be a tough group, but the Panamanians can stun their opponents when everything is clicking. Just ask the U.S. men’s national team, which lost to Panama at the 2024 Copa América and in the 2025 Concacaf Nations League semifinals.
(Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images)
World Cup Odds: +80000
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South Africa gets the honor of opening the World Cup when it faces co-host Mexico in the first match of the tournament on June 11 at Mexico City Stadium. Bafana Bafana has only played in four World Cups but hasn’t competed in one since hosting in 2010. It’s never made it out of the group stage, and that might be tough this time around with Mexico and South Korea in its group.
World Cup Odds: +100000
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The 2022 World Cup was the tiny gulf state’s first World Cup, which they qualified for automatically as hosts. This time, the Maroons did it on the field. After losing all three games on home soil, Qatar – now led by former West Ham, Spain and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui – is aiming for its first point on the biggest stage.
World Cup Odds: +150000
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How can neutrals not love the Blue Wave’s Cinderella story? In November, the Dutch territory became the smallest nation by both population (155,000) and geographic area to ever qualify for a World Cup. Just being there is a triumph for Curaçao, though the games could get ugly: Ecuador and four-time world champs Germany loom in the first round, and Dick Advocaat (who managed the Netherlands at USA ’94) resigned as coach in March to care for his ill daughter.
(Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)
World Cup Odds: +150000
World Cup Group Stage Opponents:
Another World Cup debutante! Uzbekistan may be a team largely unknown to the world at this point, but it’s coached by Favio Cannavaro, who is known to be one of the greatest defenders of all time. Cannavaro captained Italy to the World Cup in 2006, so he knows what this team is getting itself into this summer. He’s had a vast coaching career up to this point and only took over the national team in October, so we’ll see how the squad gels under him with less than a year together.
The World Cup will run from June 11–July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
