World Cup 2026: Expansion raises questions about quality, but could boost competition

The 2026 World Cup, expanding to 48 teams, faces scrutiny over its potential impact on professional quality. Early matchups, like Mexico versus South Africa, highlight concerns that less prominent teams will participate, potentially diminishing the "every minute, every second" excitement fans expect.

Several groups appear to lack "big names" or traditional powerhouses. For instance, Group A includes Mexico, South Korea, and Czech Republic, with Son Heung Min of South Korea being the most recognizable star. Group B features Canada, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Qatar, and Switzerland, with Canada noted for its free-flowing but perhaps less professional style. Even Group D, including host USA, has teams like Paraguay, Australia, and Turkey, which do not immediately suggest star power.

However, the article suggests that the expanded format might create more balanced and engaging competition. With 12 groups, the race for qualification could be tighter, and the increased number of third-place teams advancing (8 out of 12) means the tournament might remain suspenseful until the final group matches. This structure could prevent early exits and keep more teams in contention for longer.

Looking ahead to potential champions, bookmakers favor France and Spain, with odds around 4/1. England, Portugal, Brazil, and Argentina follow closely. Notably, Germany, a traditional football giant, has slipped into a second tier of contenders with odds of 15/1, reflecting their recent struggles in the tournament. This tier also includes teams like the Netherlands, Norway, Belgium, Colombia, Japan, and Croatia, comprising a mix of aging powerhouses and emerging teams.