2026 World Cup opens doors for more contenders, coaches identify favorites

The upcoming 2026 World Cup is poised to be a historic event, not just for its expanded format but for the broadened opportunities it presents to a wider array of national teams. This evolution allows more nations to dream of contention, reflecting a general upward trend in global footballing standards.

Coaches are already identifying potential champions. Argentina's Lionel Scaloni has named ten teams he believes can win, including traditional powerhouses like France, Brazil, and England, alongside emerging forces such as Colombia, Uruguay, and Morocco. Spain's Luis de la Fuente also listed strong contenders, adding Germany and the Netherlands to the mix, emphasizing that many teams feel capable of competing.

While established footballing nations with rich histories remain strong favorites, recent World Cups have demonstrated a growing parity. Morocco's historic run to the semifinals in 2022 and Croatia's appearance in the 2018 final signal the rise of new contenders. Furthermore, the increasing frequency of decisive matches requiring extra time highlights the competitive balance. FIFA's initiative to broaden hosting opportunities appears to be fostering development across continents, allowing more teams to reach unprecedented heights.