Who are the 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup? Power rankings for tournament based on likelihood of each team winning

The 2026 World Cup has now taken over with games underway and the full line-up of 48 nations all dreaming of glory.

There have already been some upsets, underdog stories and strong performances in just the first few days of the tournament.

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And it’s going to be a thrilling month of football, as giants and minnows compete across the USA, Mexico and Canada.

England punched their ticket for the tournament last October, winning all eight of their qualifiers without conceding a goal.

It sees them as one of the favourites to win the World Cup this summer, along with Spain, France and Argentina.

There may also be some surprise contenders to go all the way, with co-hosts USA thrashing Paraguay in their opener.

Meanwhile, Curacao, Jordan, Cape Verde and Uzbekistan are all making their debuts at the tournament, with Cape Verde already achieving the unthinkable by drawing with Spain.

Here’s the full list of countries competing at the World Cup:

Who has qualified for the 2026 World Cup?

Hosts

• Canada
• Mexico
• United States of America

AFC

• Australia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Japan
• Jordan
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• South Korea
• Uzbekistan

CAF

• Algeria
• Cape Verde
• DR Congo
• Egypt
• Ghana
• Ivory Coast
• Morocco
• Senegal
• South Africa
• Tunisia

CONCACAF

• Panama
• Curacao
• Haiti

CONMEBOL

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Colombia
• Ecuador
• Paraguay
• Uruguay

OFC

• New Zealand

UEFA

• Germany
• Switzerland
• Scotland
• France
• Spain
• Portugal
• Netherlands
• Austria
• Norway
• Belgium
• England
• Croatia
• Sweden
• Turkey
• Czech Republic
• Bosnia and Herzegovina

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So, out of all of those 48 nations, which are among the main contenders to win the 2026 World Cup?

Here, talkSPORT.com keeps an eye on England and Thomas Tuchel’s chief rivals for the trophy via our power rankings.

The rankings are collated based on a team’s outright winner odds, provided by talkSPORT Bet, for the 2026 World Cup.

5th – Argentina

talkSPORT BET Odds: 8/1

The reigning champions being so lowly may seem a surprise – until fans are reminded how rare it is for a country to go back-to-back.

Only Italy (1934/1938) and a Pele-inspired Brazil (1958-1962) have successfully defended the World Cup.

Ironically, Argentina’s triumph in Qatar denied 2018 winners France the opportunity to join the elite club.

La Albiceleste, themselves, also reached the final during their last World Cup as the holders but finished runners-up at Italy 1990.

Lionel Messi will now hope to do what Diego Maradona never could in what will be his last ever appearance in FIFA’s elite tournament.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has the added benefit of playing his club football at Inter Miami in the USA.

4th – Portugal

talkSPORT BET Odds: 7/1

Pre-tournament, Brazil had the fourth spot in this list…

But after a disappointing showing against Morocco in their World Cup opener, their chances have already taken a hit.

Instead, Portugal now enter the list of leading contenders, with Cristiano Ronaldo set for his record sixth tournament as he looks to win it for the first time.

Ronaldo’s involvement for Portugal has been a major talking point, but he’s surrounded by world-class players in all areas.

He has two Champions League-winning midfielders behind him in Joao Neves and Vitinha, while Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes will be sure to star on the big stage.

Roberto Martinez’s side are the reigning Nations League champions and look to be strong contenders to go all the way.

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3rd – England

talkSPORT BET Odds: 6/1

The Three Lions have turned to a foreign manager in Thomas Tuchel with the clear and simple remit – win the World Cup.

If it’s anything like qualifying, Tuchel will have no problem – with England guaranteeing a place in North America with utter ease.

Unfortunately, fans are all too familiar with the fact that it’s the business end of tournaments where Harry Kane and co falter.

England head into the 2026 World Cup having reached two finals, one semi-final and a quarter-final in the last four major tournaments.

Such experience is one factor that fans have cause for optimism that a first major men’s trophy since 1966 is finally within reach.

Another is Tuchel’s record in knockout competitions, with the German winning over 70 per cent of such matches en route to guiding two teams to the Champions League final, lifting the trophy once with Chelsea in 2021.

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2nd – Spain

talkSPORT BET Odds: 5/1

The team that beat England in the Euro 2024 final held the title of World Cup favourites to repeat their success from 2008-2010.

But they have already been toppled following their shock 0-0 draw with minnows Cape Verde in their group opener.

That result has raised major doubts over their chances of winning, however, they will surely only get better from here.

And that’s why the reigning European champions remain second in the list of favourites to go all the way in North America.

A scary prospect for Spain’s rivals is that so much of their recent success is based on young stars such as Pedri and Lamine Yamal, who have only matured and developed further since.

Luis de la Fuente also has an incredible squad depth at his disposal, with Yamal’s recovery from injury sure to boost them as they look to instantly bounce back from their opening draw.

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1st – France

talkSPORT BET Odds: 4/1

Les Bleus have reached the final in four of the last seven World Cups, and were a penalty shootout away from going back-to-back in Qatar.

Kylian Mbappe – who scored a hat-trick in that epic clash – is now France captain and at the peak of his powers with Real Madrid.

An all-star supporting cast of Michael Olise and Ousmane Dembele means Didier Deschamps has arguably the best team on paper.

However, it is yet to be seen what effect Deschamps’ impending exit will have on the squad, having been in the post since 2012.

The Frenchman has already confirmed that he will leave after the World Cup, with defensive concerns also an issue for his side.

France conceded five goals against Spain in the Nations League in June, and were recently held to a 2-2 draw with Iceland.

But after Spain’s slip-up, it’s Les Bleus who are the new favourites to repeat their 2018 success…

AFP

How to follow 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup got underway on Thursday, June 11, and will now run until the final on Sunday, July 19.

There will be games every day from June 11 to July 7, with a rest day on July 8 prior to the quarter-finals.

June 24 to June 27 will see six games held each day.

The semi-finals will be held on July 14 and July 15, and there will be a bronze medal match on July 18, the day before the final.

talkSPORT will have live commentary of every game this summer.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream. 

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.