The 2026 FIFA World Cup promises to be unlike any before it. Hosted across the US, Canada and Mexico, the expanded 48-team format brings more matches and greater emphasis on squad depth. With an additional knockout round added to the competition, it means teams will have to utilise their squads and rely on players to change games when it matters the most.
The Teams and Star Names Ready to Deliver at the World Cup
France
France remain one of the most complete sides in international football. Their strength lies in their flexibility as they can dominate possession, defend compactly or hit teams on the break.
Kylian Mbappe remains their central figure, with his pace and precision making him a threat for any opposition. Around him is a squad packed with experience, athleticism and technical quality, so it’s easy to see why World Cup betting odds indicate France have a great chance of going all the way.
Argentina
Argentina’s recent success has been built on control rather than chaos. They head to North America as the defending champions, and as well as having the know-how, they also know how to slow games down, protect leads, and strike at the right moment.
Lionel Messi may not play every minute, but his influence alone will be enough to inspire Argentina. Around Messi is a group of players who understand their roles, including industrious midfielders and mobile forwards who press intelligently.
Brazil
Brazil arrive at every World Cup with expectations, and 2026 will be no different. Their strength is still found in attacking areas, particularly out wide, where pace and flair stretch defences.
Vinicius Junior brings unpredictability, capable of turning half-chances into goals. If Brazil can strike the right balance between defensive structure and attacking freedom, they can rival any team in the tournament. Having Carlos Ancelotti as manager is a big boost, too.
England
Like Brazil, England also head into tournaments expected to challenge. And in recent years, the Three Lions have improved on the world stage. At the 2026 World Cup, Thomas Tuchel will be looking to get the best out of his team and give them that final 5% to get over the line.
He can call on the likes of Declan Rice, Phil Foden and Harry Kane, world-class players, to move England towards achieving their target of winning a World Cup for the first time since 1966.
Spain and Germany
Spain remain the masters of control, with a possession-based approach designed to exhaust opponents and create openings through movement and precision. Predri dictates tempo, while the likes of Yamine Lamal create havoc out wide for the current European champions.
Germany, meanwhile, are rediscovering their identity through dynamic midfield play and interchanges around the box. Jamal Musiala is their key to success. What both teams have in common is that they’re built for tournament football.
Conclusion
World Cup success is rarely accidental. Teams that thrive are those with tactical clarity, mental resilience and players capable of delivering in decisive moments. France, Argentina, Brazil, England, Spain and Germany all possess those qualities heading into the tournament.
With expanded squads and added knockout rounds, the spotlight will shine brighter on stars who can turn opportunity into history when it matters most. And these nations, plus several others, have these types of megastars who can really make the difference in the biggest games of all.
