The favorites to lift the title at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — It’s coming home. It’s a common refrain among supporters of the Three Lions. That’s always the ultimate goal for the English National Team, to bring the World Cup back to the nation where the game was born.
But that hasn’t happened since 1966 when the tournament was held in England, and over the last 60 years, the team has seen dry spells and periods of dominance, but have never brought home the title at a major tournament.
And this squad is all in to change that in 2026. They’re one of the most talented groups in the world, as you’d expect with the richest domestic league anywhere, but the fans still have the traumatic memories of golden generations coming up short in years past, so could this squad be any different.
It’s an excellent team, but the last time the World Cup was on American soil, England failed to even qualify.
Whether they can come back to the states, and finally bring it home only time will tell.
Spain boasts an impressive history of the game domestically, with massive clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid, but internationally they only have one World Cup to their name.
And that didn’t come until a golden generation in 2010 driven by Barcelona’s La Masia football academy, and their tiki taka philosophy of short, quick passing.
It’s a style that has become much maligned over the years for it’s passivity, but the new generation tiki-taka that this squad plays is anything but.
It’s vertical, it’s exciting, and most importantly it works. After a final appearance at the Euros in 2024, they’re looking to make it to the top at this year’s world cup, and they have the talent to do it.
With an injury to star man Lamine Yamal, this Spanish squad will have to rely on their depth in attack to get them to the knockout stages, and depending on if and when he comes back, it could mean a run to the finals for Spain.
France seems inevitable. Coming off a World Cup win in 2018 and a runner-up finish in 2022, this squad looks ready to potentially make another deep run in this year’s tournament.
Boasting star players across the pitch, and a level of depth that almost seems unfair at times. Whenever a key player has aged out or been injured, France seems to find another star replacement immediately.
You could probably make several World Cup quality sides out of the players that failed to make Les Bleus final 2026 squad.
It’s a testament to their development, and the strength of the game in France, but after a loss to Argentina in the 2022 final, it’s important to remember, this team isn’t invincible.
Will they make it a third final in a row? Well with a team this deep, and with this much talent, it’s certainly possible.
