The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicking off on Thursday is going to be biggest football tournament the world has ever seen, with a whopping 48 nations starting out on the journey across North America in the expanded format.
Will the familiar names come to the fore in the latter rounds or can one of the dark horse or new competing nations spring a shock?
Livescore here ranked every nation going into the greatest global football show of them all.
1. Spain
The current European kingpins, Luis de la Fuente has a superb mix of youth and experience with the prodigious Lamine Yamal to the fore.
2. France
Didier Deschamps’ swansong with Les Bleussees the 2022 finalists boasting superb attack containing Kylian Mbappe, Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and Rayan Cherki. Will they gel?
3. Brazil
Carlo Ancelotti is a serial winner and has the task of ending a 24-year World Cup drought. His Brazil side could be very traditional with a vast array of attacking flair in front of a solid defensive core.
4. Argentina
Lionel Messi finally won the World Cup in Qatar and will turn 39 during this tournament. Manager Lionel Scaloni remains in situ, but much will depend on how much the GOAT has left in the tank.
5. Germany
Julian Nagelsmann is rebuilding the German brand after successive group stage exits at the World Cup and he has lots of attacking talent as well as Manuel Neuer coming out of retirement in goal.
6. Portugal
Roberto Martinez could not draw the best from a golden generation in Belgium, but now has a solid cast in Portugal, including the irrepressible Cristiano Ronaldo. Less might be more for the talisman if the manager can implement it.
7. England
The Three Lions have turned to a German leader. Thomas Tuchel has made some big decisions in naming his squad. Harry Kane’s form will be key and England have the creative flair to supply him. Defensive concerns persist against the elite.
8. Netherlands
Boss Ronald Koeman has been told a semi-final is the minimum expectation for the Oranje Gang. They were free-scoring in qualifying and mean at the back, but they perhaps lack a world-class centre-forward.
9. Colombia
Wins over Brazil and Argentina in qualifying highlighted Colombia’s big-game readiness. Nestor Lorenzo must hope for a consistent run, with Luis Diaz set to be their lethal weapon this summer.
10. Uruguay
Marcelo Bielsa is on the touchline and his troops are unlikely to be found wanting for desire. The excellent Federico Valverde marshals the midfield, but they need striker Darwin Nunez to blow hot.
11. Norway
Norway averaged five goals a game during qualifying. Martin Odegaard is the creator in chief and Erling Haaland could make hay in his first World Cup as Norway return to this stage for the first time since 1998.
12. Croatia
A rich World Cup pedigree in recent times, Zlatko Dalic’s side shouldn’t be underestimated. Time waits for no player and, at 40, can Luka Modric inspire another deep run?
13. Belgium
Kevin De Bruyne remains, but Belgium’s golden generation has largely been and gone without ever threatening to fulfil their star potential. Straightforward group on paper.
14. Senegal
First past the post at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, it was a win shrouded in controversy. Senegal draw their talent from Europe’s elite leagues and the Teranga Lions will be no pushovers.
15. Egypt
Three-time African champions this century but this is just Egypt’s second World Cup appearance. Mohamed Salah is the go-to man and in Hamza Abdelkarim they have a teenage goalscorer of real potential.
16. Japan
The Samurai Blue will aim to break new ground by winning a World Cup knockout tie. Kaoru Mitoma’s injury absence is a worry, but in Daizen Maeda they have a forward with an unparalleled work ethic.
17. Switzerland
Murat Yakin’s side qualified with real ease and have a favourable group containing hosts Canada, Qatar and Bosnia and Herzegovina. They have not won a knockout World Cup game in the modern era but may end that wait.
18. Ecuador
Plucky and economical, they finished second behind Argentina in qualifying, scoring just 14 times in 18 games and leaking a miserly five. Defenders Willian Pacho and Piero Hincapie started in the Champions League final.
19. Mexico
The co-hosts are sure to create a fervent atmosphere, but Javier Aguirre’s squad must prove they can cope with that home pressure. Talented teen Gilberto Mora is one to watch.
20. Ivory Coast
They came through qualifying unbeaten and their pre-tournament win over France illustrates the probability Les Elephants have a great chance to go beyond the group stage for the first time.
21. Turkey
It took a play-off for Vincenzo Montella to end Turkey’s 24-year World Cup absence, but Group D looks very appealing and Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz are superb attacking talents.
22. Austria
Another side back on the global stage for the first time since 1998, boss Ralf Rangnick has an organised and aggressive counter pressing game plan but perhaps lacks a standout performer.
23. Paraguay
Another South American outfit with economy at their core. In 18 qualifying games, they conceded only 10 goals and scored 14.
24. Morocco
They shocked everyone by reaching the semi-finals four years ago and could be a danger again, but boss Mohamed Ouahbi has only been in charge since the spring.
25. South Korea
The Taegeuk Warriors were unbeaten in qualifying, but the form of key man Son Heung-min since moving to MLS is a worry.
26. United States
The co-hosts have Mauricio Pochettino in the dugout and have a possibly decent pathway to the knockouts if ace man Christian Pulisic is on form.
27. Australia
The Socceroos have done well under Tony Popovic and are now at their sixth successive World Cup. Watford winger Nestory Irankunda is an exciting talent.
28. Algeria
Riyad Mahrez is a 35-year-old now but still the leader of this Algerian side. They came through qualifying easily under coach Vladimir Petkovic but have more on their hands now.
29. Ghana
Like Morocco, a recent managerial change undermines hopes for Ghana, but in appointing Carlos Queiroz they have gone for a wealth of experience. England, Croatia and Panama are tough opposition.
30. Canada
Completing the triumvirate of co-hosts, Canada and boss Jesse Marsch will be confident they can win a World Cup match for the first time, especially if Alphonso Davies is fully fit.
31. Scotland
The Tartan Army are back after 28 long years. Steve Clarke’s squad is laced with experience and have a matchwinner in Scott McTominay alongside a stellar first XI with proven pedigree.
32. Sweden
Qualifying was anything but smooth but Graham Potter took over and steered them through the play-offs. Viktor Gyokeres and Alexander Isak are top tier forwards.
33. Czech Republic
They twice survived penalty shootouts in their March play-offs to get here and in Patrik Schick they have a formidable frontman spearheading a solid side.
34. Tunisia
The Eagles of Carthage have never gone beyond the group stage in six World Cups and Netherlands, Japan and Sweden stand in their way now.
35. South Africa
Hugo Broos brings Bafana Bafana back onto this stage for the first time since they hosted in 2010 and Group A presents an opportunity on paper.
36. Bosnia and Herzegovina
Their shock play-off win in March means Italy will go 16 years at least between World Cups and young star Kerim Alajbegovic will hope they can wreck a few more dreams in a very open Group B.
37. Iran
Amir Ghalenoei’s side qualified in good style and are ranked just outside FIFA’s top 20 and will fancy their chances against Egypt and New Zealand in Group G.
38. New Zealand
Striker Chris Wood leads the line for the All Whites, the only side not beaten at the 2010 World Cup when they last appeared. They have a favourable draw.
39. Saudi Arabia
The Green Falcons changed manager in April, so Georgios Donis has not had long to prepare and scoring goals could be a problem after just seven in 10 games in their final qualifiers.
40. Panama
Experience is on Panama’s side but they lost all three games in 2018, including a 6-1 thumping from England – and the Three Lions are sizing them up again.
41. Uzbekistan
Captain Eldor Shomurodov scored 22 goals in the Turkish Super Lig last season and targeting DR Congo in Group K could see Uzbekistan’s debut prolonged to the last-32.
42. Qatar
Things did not go as planned in 2022 as hosts and, while Julen Lopetegui is an experienced coach, their defensive record in qualifying doesn’t bode well.
43. DR Congo
DR Congo showed real resilience to get here and will be tough to break down. Their game against Uzbekistan could hand one or other a chance to progress.
44. Jordan
A maiden World Cup awaits this defensively-minded side and they will likely park the bus, especially with key striker Yazan A-Naimat ruled out.
45. Iraq
Boss Graham Arnold has lots of experience, including a World Cup with Australia, but the ‘prize’ of beating Bolivia in a play-off is a group containing France, Norway and Senegal.
46. Cape Verde
The Islanders are breaking new ground, but Spain, Uruguay and even Saudi Arabia await in Group H and the Blue Sharks will have to swim for their lives to survive.
47. Haiti
A 4-1 pre-tournament win against New Zealand caught the eye, but expectations are low and all of Scotland will be hoping Haiti do not cause a major upset on June 14 in Foxborough.
48. Curacao
Dick Advocaat once again leads Curacao, the smallest nation by population and area to reach a World Cup. Their ability to draw on Dutch-born players is significant and both Ecuador and Ivory Coast will be wary.
