The 22 FIFA World Cup titles are spread across eight teams in Brazil (5), Germany (4), Italy (4), Argentina (3), France (2), Uruguay (2), England and Spain. Could another nation be added to this prestigious list in 2026?
Here, we examine the five nations most likely to end their long wait for football's greatest prize.
Portugal
FIFA ranking - 5th
Best World Cup result - Third place, 1966
2022 World Cup finish - Quarterfinals
The highest-ranked team heading into the 2026 FIFA World Cup never to have won it. Now, Portugal have one of their strongest ever squads aiming for a maiden title. The red-hot Bruno Fernandes will be a key distributor up front and in the midfield with Bernardo Silva. The team will also be buoyed by 41-year-old captain Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese talisman (surely?) enters the Last Chance Saloon for global glory this year.
Form-wise, Roberto Martinez's men have had great results. Last year, they defeated Germany and then Spain in the UEFA National League final. More recently, they've defeated Hungary, Ireland, the United States and drew 1-1 with World Cup co-hosts Mexico last month.
Netherlands
FIFA ranking - 7th
Best World Cup result - Runners-up, 1974, 1978, 2010
2022 World Cup finish - Quarterfinals
The nearly-men of the FIFA World Cup. The Dutch have reached the World Cup final three times and failed to get over the line on each occasion. Will 2026 finally be their year? Veteran captain Virgil van Dijk will lead the Netherlands, who boast a midfield maestro in Frenkie de Jong and a dangerous attacking threat in Cody Gakpo.
You have to go back to October 2024 to find the Netherlands' last loss in regulation time. They've claimed seven wins and three draws in their last ten matches and their tournament pedigree is in their favour as they hope to break the mental barrier in a potential final.
Morocco
FIFA ranking - 8th
Best World Cup result - Semifinals, 2022
2022 World Cup finish - Semifinals
Africa's brightest hope. And rightly so, as the Atlas Lions are in a proper purple patch of form. Controversial 2026 African Cup of Nations Final aside, Morocco are on 28 match unbeaten streak, one where they've won 25 games. Key to this superlative run has been their stoic defence, which has become one of the hardest to break down. Captain Achraf Hakimi - regarded as one of the best right-backs in the world - champions this suffering defence, a vital component of knockout football.
Last time out at the 2022 edition, they defeated European giants Spain and Portugal on their way to the final four. This belief will no doubt carry over to 2026, making them a defensive darkhorse with the potential to upset the best.
Belgium
FIFA ranking - 9th
Best World Cup result - Third place, 2018
2022 World Cup finish - Group stage
The Red Devils may well benefit from being less hyped this World Cup. In the previous instalments, Belgium have arrived as one of the favourites but failed to perform. But now, no longer defined by their 'golden generation' of players, they boast depth and match-winners. Those include the talented Kevin de Bryne, a strong finisher in Romelu Lukaku, rising star Amadou Onana and arguably the best keeper of his generation, Thibaut Courtois.
But Belgium has had some concerning results. They were knocked out in the quarters of the 2024 Euros and four losses - one of them to lowly Israel - saw them fail to even reach the last eight of the 2025 UEFA Nations League. However, they scored goals galore in their World Cup qualifiers and they'll be hoping the trend continues.
Croatia
FIFA ranking - 11th
Best World Cup result - Runners-up 2018
2022 World Cup finish - Third place
Another team with tournament pedigree and arguably the most experienced squad in the competition. The Vatreni have no less than four players with over 100 caps in the World Cup squad. Leading these grizzly veterans is the legendary Luka Modric. The 40-year-old is one of the greatest midfielders of all-time and with Mateo Kovacic and striker Ivan Perisic as his lieutenants, experience could take them all the way.
Unsurprisingly, Croatia's strength is found in midfield control, brought about by their rigid structure and high organisation. The Croatians were on a run of nine wins from ten games before back to back loses in friendlies to Brazil and Belgium broke their run.
Wild Cards
The drop off from the above candidates in incredibly steep, but you have to acknowledge the co-hosts. Home crowd advantage is something immeasurable and could inspire Mexico and the United States to greatness in the coming months.
The pair battled all the way to the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, where Mexico came from a goal down to be crowned champions. In doing so, they proved they are the best teams in the region.
The US have their deepest squad ever assembled for a World Cup, propped up by the likes of striker Christian Pulisic and the ever-evolving Weston McKennie. For Mexico, the passionate crowd may well be their biggest player. But if not, captain Edson Alvarez will have to carry the load and sharpshooter Santiago Gimenez will have to score the goals.
