Top five heavyweights who can realistically win FIFA World Cup 2026

Except for the Three Lions, all teams on this list have won at least one major trophy in the last eight years!

Ever since the inception of the FIFA World Cup almost a century ago in 1930, only eight teams have been fortunate enough to lift the Jules Rimet or the FIFA World Cup trophy. There are no overnight champions here; only the greatest and bravest of all survive here.

Winning the FIFA World Cup is the greatest honour any football player can have in his lifetime. However, some of the greatest players to ever play this game, including the likes of Paulo Maldini, Ferenc Puskas, Zico, Johan Cruyff, and Cristiano Ronaldo, have failed to win the ultimate tournament.

Also, not every team can handle the pressure of entering the tournament as favourites, lift themselves up after a defeat, time and again. History tells us that the FIFA World Cup has been won by the best and the greatest teams in the world.

As the FIFA World Cup 2026, the greatest event in the history of mankind, begins in less than a month, we take a look at some of the big heavyweight names who can actually win the World Cup. We also find out what makes them special and if it all takes to become World Champions.

France

No wonder Les Blues are unarguably one of the favourites to win the FIFA World Cup 2026. After winning the 2018 edition, the then-defending champions succumbed to a defeat against Tunisia in the group stages, and many felt that even Didier Deschamps’ men couldn’t escape from the infamous Champions Curse.

Not only did they defy it, but they made it to the FIFA World Cup 2026, and Mbappe’s hat-trick in the finals could have destroyed Messi’s coronation dreams. France are two-time World champion and have played a total of four World Cup finals. Most importantly, they are ranked 1 in the latest FIFA rankings.

They are drawn alongside Iraq, Norway and Senegal and we are all set to witness Mbappe vs Haaland in Les Blues’ final group stage fixture. France have three options in almost every position, providing a safety net, even in case of injuries, and they are led by Deschamps, one of the three players to win the World Cup both as a player and as a coach.

They have a world-class squad, including star forwards like Kylian Mbappe and reigning Ballon d’Or champion Ousmane Dembele. Mike Maignan between the sticks is a nightmare for opposition strikers, and William Saliba and Theo Hernández will be guarding the French defence.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026: Full squad lists for all 48 teams

England

After decades of singing, It’s Coming Home, the Three Lions will be keen to bring back the World Cup trophy to England after a long wait of 60 years. The last time England won the World Cup was back in 1966. Since then, the team has had near misses, including the 2020 and 2024 Euro Finals and the 2018 World Cup semis.

Maybe Thomas Tuchel can finally turn around England’s fortunes, and there is a lot of hope and expectation for the German gaffer, who has previously led English teams to continental glory. On paper, they have an absolutely solid squad, and they no longer have rising stars, as the young and hopeful lads have matured, with Saka and Bellingham having played over a century of games for their clubs.

Taking a look at their squad, they will be led by Harry Kane up front, who somehow always manages to become the Golden Boot winner wherever he plays. Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham will be dominating the midfield, and wingers like Rashford and Saka will accelerate from the wings.

They are drawn in a difficult group alongside Croatia, Panama and Ghana, and their final game against the Croatians could determine their fate. Thomas Tuchel will leave no stone unturned to turn near misses and almost moments into finally making England champions of the World Cup 2026.

Portugal

Os Navegadores are one of the dark horse heavyweights of the FIFA World Cup 2026. They no longer rely on the individual brilliance of one player, and now the entire team looks deadly on paper. Portugal are also the reigning champion of the UEFA Nations League after defeating Euro 2024 champions Spain in the finals.

Now, they have the experience of Roberto Martinez, who has led star-studded teams like Belgium in their era of golden generation players, who went on to clinch a bronze in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Portugal’s squad looks very well-balanced and is a perfect mix of youth and experience.

For instance, a midfield trio of Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha & João Neves is arguably the most balanced midfield in the tournament. Rafael Leao on the wing and Cristiano Ronaldo up front looks like a dream team. Much like Argentina in 2022, the Portuguese players would be keen to give a perfect farewell to Ronaldo in his last dance at the FIFA World Cup.

They are drawn in a relatively easy group alongside Uzbekistan, DR Congo, and their only big opponent will be Colombia. If there are no big upsets in the group stages, a Messi vs Ronaldo quarterfinal will be on the cards, and that would be one of the most sought-after games in World Cup history.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup: List of all the winners from 1930 to 2022

Spain

The reigning Euro champions, Spain, have proved that they are no longer identified by death by a thousand passes and have shown the world how they can dominate football by their high-speed, lethal brand of technical football, and they are one of the most feared teams in Europe.

Unlike his predecessors, Luis De La Fuente has risen from the ground. He has led youth teams of Spain before being appointed the senior team coach, and he has shown that he is not afraid of taking big calls. Spain has too many teenage wonders and young players and De La Fuente is an expert in helping them unleash their potential.

Another reason why they are favourites is due to the winning DNA in the team, just like their golden generation that won three major trophies from 2008 to 2012. Most of the players are coming after winning the Euros and with Rodri on the pitch, Spain hardly loses.

Their attacking and defensive unit includes Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Pedri and such big names. They are drawn alongside Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde and Uruguay. They are one of the favourites, and with the squad and the gaffer they have, they can go on to lift another major trophy in two years.

Argentina

La Albiceleste seem to be on a mission to cement one of the greatest dynasties in football history. The defending champions are coming after winning the last two Copa America titles and winning the last edition of the FIFA World Cup after a nail-biting final against France in Qatar.

After decades of final heartbreak, whether it be the Copa America final defeat to Chile or WC 2014 defeat to Germany, they are now winning silverware. They have an experienced gaffer in the form of Lionel Scaloni, who was once an interim appointment, and has now become one of the most successful Argentine gaffers.

Emiliano Martinez between the sticks, Lisandro Martínez & Cristian Romero in defence, and Alexis MacAllister and Enzo Fernandez in midfield alongside Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi upfront, this team looks deadly on paper. Every player in the playing eleven has won over two trophies in the last few years, so they don’t panic in clutch moments.

They are drawn in an easy group alongside Austria, Jordan and Algeria, but their defeat to Saudi Arabia taught them to never take any team lightly. Argentina knows how to make other teams suffer. They can play poorly for 60 minutes and still find a way to win 1-0.

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