The Contenders (Part two) Top five ranked teams heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off today and while the world will be enraptured with the beauty of the game, these five teams will be fighting tooth and nail to etch their name on the coveted trophy come July 19. 

Here are the top five teams entering the World Cup, according to the FIFA men’s international rankings.

Rank 5 - Portugal 

The main story surrounding Portugal is the last hurrah for the nation’s greatest-ever footballing product, Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be playing in his sixth World Cup. 

But hidden in the shadow of one the greatest footballers to have ever played the sport is a Portuguese team brimming with talent and versatility in every single position. 

The reigning UEFA Nations League champions will believe they can go all the way this time around and potentially lift their first-ever World Cup title. 

Players to Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo, Vitinha, Nuno Mendes 

Group K: Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo, Uzbekistan 

Rank 4 - England 

A team filled with talent, unexpected selections and shock omissions, England will be hopeful they can finally achieve the dream they have been aiming for since 1966, that is, bring home the World Cup. 

Many a ‘golden generation’ have come and gone for the English, but perhaps now would be the time for them to lift the World Cup trophy.

Concern that German coach Thomas Tuchel has gotten the formula wrong, when he left out several key names, is perhaps the biggest issue. Tuchel is the first non-English manager since Fabio Capella in 2012,. 

Players to Watch: Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Nico O’Reilly 

Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama 

Rank 3 - France 

Champions of 2018 and runners-up in 2022, France are definitely one of the overwhelming favourites heading into the World Cup. 

Spoiled for talent, the French boast several of the world’s most electrifying attackers, a solid defensive line and a bench that could walk into several teams’ starting lineups. 

But can the French balance this ultra-talented squad and find the right formula to navigate the rounds and match their high expectations. 

Players to Watch: Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise, Rayan Cherki 

Group I: France, Iraq, Norway, Senegal 

Rank 2 - Spain 

The Spanish dominated the football world between 2008 and 2012 with three consecutive major international titles using their tiki-taka possession-heavy style of play, and are looking to return to the summit once again.  

Led by a core of young, creative talents, backed by their veterans, Spain, the reigning UEFA Euro champions, will be confident they can become world champions once again.

Players to Watch: Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Pedri 

Group H: Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde

Rank 1 - Argentina 

Argentina, the defending World Cup champions and reigning Copa America champions, are hoping to become the first team to successfully defend the World Cup title since Brazil in 1962. 

The Argentines have won every major international title up for grabs since 2021, with one World Cup, two Copa America, and a Finalissima title under their belt. 

With most of their 2022 World Cup winning squad returning for 2026, Argentina have the right mix of youth, talent and experience to go all the way. 

But can Lionel Messi, arguably the greatest player of all time, lead his nation to glory at 38 years old? 

Players to Watch: Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez, Nico Paz 

Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan