The countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has begun, and there's plenty to look forward to both on and off the pitch for us footy fans. The tournament's expanded format of 48 teams will be spread across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Seven of the eight World Cups set in the Americas have been won by a South American team, while 10 of the 11 played in Europe have been won by Europeans. However, the 23rd edition of the tournament may well buck that trend if those coming to the west are at their best.
Teams that have qualified for the World Cup
42 out of the 48 teams in the expanded format have qualified for next summer's tournament with the remaining six to decided via the play-offs in March. Co-hosts Canada, Mexico, and USA have automatically qualified, while other notable qualifiers include Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay, Germany, Switzerland, Scotland, France, Spain, Portugal, Netherlands, Austria, Norway, Belgium, England, and Croatia.
Tuchel's England among teams we can't wait to see
Three-time winners and holders Argentina and 2022 runners-up and two-time holders France will have plenty of attention on them. Lionel Messi won the showpiece tournament last time out and will hope to cap off his incredible career by going back-to-back with La Albiceleste. Meanwhile, World Cup winning manager Didier Deschamps has guided Les Bleus through qualification unbeaten. This will be his final competition, and he will surely want to end on the highest high possible.
The world is also waiting to see what will become of Thomas Tuchel's England, with the Three Lions now without Gareth Southgate at a major tournament for the first time since 2018. The Euro 2024 runners-up are expected to be a blend of old and new talent, with fans hoping former Champions League winner Tuchel can finally win them silverware.
World Cup can showcase new talents alongside Mbappe and other icons
The World Cup will allow each qualifying nation's best to stand and be admired on the world stage. In 2022, Morocco's Achraf Hakimi was among the incredible Atlas Lion stars to make tournament history and become the first African nation to reach the competition's semi-final. Morocco are ranked 12th in the world currently as Africa searches for its first ever World Cup win. Four years has given countries plenty of time to churn out new talent and or develop into being a stronger competitor, so we expect to see some surprise packages.
Japan, who reached the final 16 last time out, certainly aren't to be slept on considering the amount of their internationals that play across England and beyond. We could well see a new nation lift the Jules Rimet Trophy with Portugal, the Netherlands and Norway all being heavily tipped for success. Senegal and Egypt also have plenty of quality in their ranks.
Messi and Ronaldo could offer one of many highly anticipated moments
The tournament will see Messi and Ronaldo make their final appearances on football's grandest stage - and even go head-to-head in a professional setting for the last time. The pair have dominated world football for nearly two decades, amassing countless goals, trophies and individual honours. With both set to feature in 2026, it would offer supporters one last opportunity to witness two legends closing out their remarkable international careers.
