The Union are offering free tickets to fans attending their first soccer game
The idea was conceived by John Parker, a veteran of the local soccer scene. His many stops in the sport include seven years working…
First Touch '26
Kickback Committee
Soccerwise
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: Team Melli
FIFA Ranking: 20
Best Ever Finish (or debut): First round/Group stage (1978, 1998, 2006, 2014-2022)
How they Qualified: Finished top of their group losing only once in the third round of AFC qualifiers.
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Ardeshir "Amir" Ghalenoei was appointed as the head coach in March of 2023. He was undefeated in his first 18 matches (mostly friendlies). His first loss came at the 2023 Asian cup semifinal where they lost 3-2 to host and eventual champion Qatar. Iran went on another unbeaten run after that, this time it was 12 games, but Qatar yet again, ended the run by serving the Persians their only defeat in World Cup qualifiers. Despite the overwhelmingly positive results, Ghalenoei is viewed as a “boring” and “kick and rush” type of coach who focuses on defensive stability and long balls.
Star Player: Mehdi Taremi continues to be the most recognizable name in the Iran squad, even at 33-years-old. The Olympiacos striker is known for his finishing ability and attack prowess, he has scored many important goals for club and country throughout his career. After starting his career domestically, Taremi had a short stint in Qatar before making the jump to Europe, where he played for Rio Ave, Porto and Inter Milan. He is in the top 10 in most caps for the national team and third in all-time scoring.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Allahyar Sayyadmanesh is a winger currently playing with Westerlo in the Belgian top division. The 24-year-old was named one of the 16 best young talents in World Football by the Guardian, and Iranian Young Player of the year in 2019. After impressing domestically, Sayyadmanesh played in Turkey, Ukraine and England before landing in Westerloo. He has been an important piece for De Kemphanen since he joined, playing regularly and contributing to goals.
Style/System/Expectations: Iran’s defensive style has been very effective in Asia, but it’s hard to tell if it’ll work on the world stage. With this likely being the last World Cup for star players like Sardour Azmoun, Mahedi Taremi and Saman Ghoddos, and with the expanded format, Iran will be extra motivated to make it out of their group.
Main thing to Watch: As history has shown, politics can be and often are involved in Iran sports, the ongoing tensions with Israel have already caused a friendly against Chile to be canceled. With the World Cup being in North America, this is possibly the biggest worry for Team Melli and its fans.
Legendary Player: Ali Daei, a legend of Iran and Asian soccer. On 17 November 2004, Daei became the first male footballer with 100 international goals when he scored four times against Laos in a 2006 World Cup qualifier. He captained the national team from 2000-2006 and was the world’s top international goalscorer with 109 goals until Cristiano Ronaldo, then Leo Messi passed him. He had a 20-year-career in his native Iran, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. However, he came into prominence during his time in Germany with Arminia Bielefeld, Bayern Munich and Hertha Berlin.
Biggest Soccer Moment: Iran and the United States were in the same group during the 1998 World Cup in France. Longtime political adversaries, dating back to the Iranian revolution and Iran hostage crisis, the Iran-US match was described as the most politically charged game in World Cup history. However, in an act of defiance against all forms of hatred or politics in sports, both sides presented one another with gifts and flowers and took ceremonial pictures before the match kickoff.
Prediction: Round of 32
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: Les Grenadiers (The Grenadiers)
FIFA Ranking: 84
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Group stage (1974)
How they Qualified: After advancing to the third round of the CONCACAF qualifiers, Haiti finished at the top of their group. Haiti entered the last qualifiers window needing to win both their remaining matches and have other group results go their way in order to qualify. A 1-0 win over Costa Rica, followed by a 2-0 win over Nicaragua sealed the deal for the Haitians.
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Haiti’s manager, Sebastien Migne has yet to step foot in the country. Due to the ongoing security and political crisis in, the national team played all of its qualifying fixtures at neutral sites. "It's impossible [to visit] because it's too dangerous," Migne told France Football magazine. "I usually live in the countries where I work, but I can't here. There are no more international flights landing there." Under Migne Haiti has been successful with a 13W-4D-4L record. This is the fifth national team Migne has been a part of and the first one outside of Africa.
Star Player: Jean-Ricner Bellegarde is an attacking midfielder playing for Wolves in the Premier League. Born in France, Bellegarde represented his birth nation at youth levels, but his Haitian descent qualified him to make the switch in 2025. Since the switch, the 27-year-old has been the highest profile in the team and has played all six matches he has been eligible for. After impressing with Lens and Strasbourg in Ligue 1, Bellegarde joined Wolverhampton Wanderers on a five-year deal for £12.8m in 2023. Following his switch of international allegiance, Bellegarde became the first Haitian-represented player to feature in the Premier League.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Don Deedson Louicius opened up the scoring against Nicaragua in the game that booked Haiti’s spot in the World Cup. The 24-year-old winger was born in and played his youth career in Haiti. Later he joined the Atlanta United Academy in the United States. He was signed to a professional contract in Denmark and spent six seasons there with Hobro and Odense Boldklub in the second and first divisions. He later joined FC Dallas in Major League Soccer in the summer of 2025. He has 28 caps and 10 goals with the national team.
Style/System/Expectations: The Haitian squad is entirely foreign-based and there are multiple players at high-level European clubs. Josue Casimir with Auxerre, Frantzdy Pierrot with AEK Athens and Carlens Arcus with Angers all play an important role for club and country. Making the World Cup is an incredible achievement on its own for a country like Haiti. That said, playing with nothing to lose and everything to gain might raise the level of the squad. If Haiti can get a point in this tough group, it’ll be celebrated for years.
Main thing to Watch: For a country that has suffered a tremendous amount, relative sporting success can lead to a much needed celebration and unity. When Haiti punched their World Cup ticket, celebrations lasted for hours in the streets, even in dangerous areas.
Legendary Player: Though his career is ongoing, Duckens Nazon is already considered a legend. He is tied for fourth most caps for the country and is the historic goalscorer with 44 goals. The 31-year-old striker has played for 13 clubs in eight different countries. He has scored many important goals for the country, including a second half hat trick against Costa Rica in the most recent qualifiers.
Biggest Soccer Moment: Haiti is the only Caribbean nation to qualify more than once for a World Cup, their other appearance was in 1974 in West Germany. They drew a tough group consisting of Italy, Argentina and Poland. Against Italy, Haiti took a shock lead when star forward Emmanuel Sanon scored shortly after halftime, beating Italy star keeper Dino Zoff and slipping it into an empty net. The goal ended Zoff's record run of 1143 minutes without conceding a goal in international matches. The Italians woke up and eventually came back to win 3-1.
Prediction: Group stage
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: Die Mannschaft (The Team)
FIFA Ranking: 9
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
How they Qualified: Topped their qualifying group with just one loss and +13 goal difference
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: In September 2023, Julian Nagelsmann was named the new head coach. After some mixed results, Germany picked up big wins against France and the Netherlands before Euro 2024 on home soil. At the tournament they reached the quarterfinal, losing to eventual champions Spain. The German team has started to look better under Nagelsmann, but is yet to fully click like previous generations. He is known for his versatility with formations and maintaining possession. Nagelsmann’s teams often utilize gegenpressing, whereby the team, after losing possession, immediately attempts to win it back, rather than falling back to regroup.
Star Player: Florian Wirtz is an attacking midfielder currently with Liverpool in the Premier League. Wirtz rose through the youth system at 1. FC Köln before moving to Bayer Leverkusen in 2020. Shortly after making his debut at the age of 17, Wirtz became an important player for Leverkusen. He was pivotal for Leverkusen during their unbeaten domestic double in the 2023–24 season. He was named the Bundesliga Player of the Season, scoring 18 goals and providing 14 assists. Wirtz transferred to Liverpool for a club-record fee of approximately £100 million, marking him one of the most expensive players in history. He played through Germany’s youth teams and made his senior debut in 2021. He is a versatile attacker known for his technique, final ball and workrate.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade has emerged as one of the most exciting strikers in world soccer. He started with Werder Bremen, and had a stint with Stuttgart before moving to Newcastle in the summer of 2025 for a reported fee of up to £70 million. He hit the ground running with his new club, scoring in his Premier League and Champions League debuts. Playing mostly with Germany’s youth teams, he didn’t make his senior debut until June 2025. He’s a tall and versatile forward with agile dribbling and strong technical ability, which makes him difficult for opponents to mark. He excels at dropping deep to receive the ball with his back to goal to link play, but can also operate as a more traditional number nine.
Style/System/Expectations: The German squad is full of young talents who are in or near their prime, players like Angelo Stiller, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Karim Adeyemi will be looking to leave their mark on the national team. At the same time, the team has a good group of veteran players like Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka who will continue to play their parts. With Germany being one of the top producers of talent, it would not be shocking if Nagelsmann and the squad turn things around in 2026. While Germany are not favorites to win, history has shown that they are never too far from achieving big things.
Main thing to Watch: Jamal Musiala became one of the most exciting players in the world both with the national team and Bayern Munich. At just 22-year-old, Musial has already achieved more than a lot of players achieve in their entire career. In July 2025, he suffered a fractured fibula along with a dislocated and broken ankle after colliding with Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma during the quarterfinal of the 2025 Club World Cup. As he slowly makes his recovery, Musiala will only have half a season with Bayern Munich before the World Cup starts. It will be interesting to see if he can go back to his incredible pre-injury form.
Legendary Player: Franz Beckenbauer, nicknamed der Kaiser ("the Emperor"), is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential players of all time. He is one of three men, along with Brazil's Mário Zagallo and France's Didier Deschamps, to have won the World Cup as a player and as a manager; he lifted the World Cup trophy as captain in 1974, and repeated the feat as a manager in 1990. At club level with Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1967 and three consecutive European Cups from 1974-1976. He also became the manager and later president of Bayern Munich following his playing career. Beckenbauer died in January 2024, at the age of 78, due to natural causes. A memorial service was held at Allianz Arena on 19 January.
Biggest Soccer Moment: The 2014 World Cup was memorable for the Germans, not just because they lifted the trophy, but also because of their semifinal victory. Against Brazil, at Estádio Mineirão, Germany scored four goals in just less than seven minutes and were 5–0 up by the 30th minute with goals from Thomas Müller, Miroslav Klose, Sami Khedira and two from Toni Kroos. Germany's 7–0 lead in the second half was the highest score against Brazil in a single game. It was Brazil's worst ever World Cup defeat, whilst Germany broke multiple World Cup records with the win including the first team to reach four consecutive World Cup semi-finals, the first team to score seven goals in a World Cup knockout phase game, the fastest five consecutive goals in World Cup history (with four of the goals scored in just 400 seconds), and the first team to score five goals in the first half in a World Cup semifinal.
Prediction: Quarterfinal
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: Die Mannschaft (The Team)
FIFA Ranking: 9
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Winners (1954, 1974, 1990, 2014)
How they Qualified: Topped their qualifying group with just one loss and +13 goal difference
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: In September 2023, Julian Nagelsmann was named the new head coach. After some mixed results, Germany picked up big wins against France and the Netherlands before Euro 2024 on home soil. At the tournament they reached the quarterfinal, losing to eventual champions Spain. The German team has started to look better under Nagelsmann, but is yet to fully click like previous generations. He is known for his versatility with formations and maintaining possession. Nagelsmann’s teams often utilize gegenpressing, whereby the team, after losing possession, immediately attempts to win it back, rather than falling back to regroup.
Star Player: Florian Wirtz is an attacking midfielder currently with Liverpool in the Premier League. Wirtz rose through the youth system at 1. FC Köln before moving to Bayer Leverkusen in 2020. Shortly after making his debut at the age of 17, Wirtz became an important player for Leverkusen. He was pivotal for Leverkusen during their unbeaten domestic double in the 2023–24 season. He was named the Bundesliga Player of the Season, scoring 18 goals and providing 14 assists. Wirtz transferred to Liverpool for a club-record fee of approximately £100 million, marking him one of the most expensive players in history. He played through Germany’s youth teams and made his senior debut in 2021. He is a versatile attacker known for his technique, final ball and workrate.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade has emerged as one of the most exciting strikers in world soccer. He started with Werder Bremen, and had a stint with Stuttgart before moving to Newcastle in the summer of 2025 for a reported fee of up to £70 million. He hit the ground running with his new club, scoring in his Premier League and Champions League debuts. Playing mostly with Germany’s youth teams, he didn’t make his senior debut until June 2025. He’s a tall and versatile forward with agile dribbling and strong technical ability, which makes him difficult for opponents to mark. He excels at dropping deep to receive the ball with his back to goal to link play, but can also operate as a more traditional number nine.
Style/System/Expectations: The German squad is full of young talents who are in or near their prime, players like Angelo Stiller, Aleksandar Pavlovic and Karim Adeyemi will be looking to leave their mark on the national team. At the same time, the team has a good group of veteran players like Jamal Musiala, Joshua Kimmich and Leon Goretzka who will continue to play their parts. With Germany being one of the top producers of talent, it would not be shocking if Nagelsmann and the squad turn things around in 2026. While Germany are not favorites to win, history has shown that they are never too far from achieving big things.
Main thing to Watch: Jamal Musiala became one of the most exciting players in the world both with the national team and Bayern Munich. At just 22-year-old, Musial has already achieved more than a lot of players achieve in their entire career. In July 2025, he suffered a fractured fibula along with a dislocated and broken ankle after colliding with Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma during the quarterfinal of the 2025 Club World Cup. As he slowly makes his recovery, Musiala will only have half a season with Bayern Munich before the World Cup starts. It will be interesting to see if he can go back to his incredible pre-injury form.
Legendary Player: Franz Beckenbauer, nicknamed der Kaiser ("the Emperor"), is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential players of all time. He is one of three men, along with Brazil's Mário Zagallo and France's Didier Deschamps, to have won the World Cup as a player and as a manager; he lifted the World Cup trophy as captain in 1974, and repeated the feat as a manager in 1990. At club level with Bayern Munich, Beckenbauer won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1967 and three consecutive European Cups from 1974-1976. He also became the manager and later president of Bayern Munich following his playing career. Beckenbauer died in January 2024, at the age of 78, due to natural causes. A memorial service was held at Allianz Arena on 19 January.
Biggest Soccer Moment: The 2014 World Cup was memorable for the Germans, not just because they lifted the trophy, but also because of their semifinal victory. Against Brazil, at Estádio Mineirão, Germany scored four goals in just less than seven minutes and were 5–0 up by the 30th minute with goals from Thomas Müller, Miroslav Klose, Sami Khedira and two from Toni Kroos. Germany's 7–0 lead in the second half was the highest score against Brazil in a single game. It was Brazil's worst ever World Cup defeat, whilst Germany broke multiple World Cup records with the win including the first team to reach four consecutive World Cup semi-finals, the first team to score seven goals in a World Cup knockout phase game, the fastest five consecutive goals in World Cup history (with four of the goals scored in just 400 seconds), and the first team to score five goals in the first half in a World Cup semifinal.
Prediction: Quarterfinal
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: Les Bleus (The Blues)
FIFA Ranking: 3
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Winners (1998, 2018)
How they Qualified: Topped their qualifiers group and were undefeated
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Legendary player and now manager, Didier Deschamps, has been with the French national team since 2012. After leading Les Bleus to the 2018 World Cup victory, Deschamps became the third man to win the World Cup as both a player and a manager. While he has often divided opinion, the results speak for themselves. Aside from the World Cup win, Deschamps led France to a Nations League title in 2020-21, Euro final in 2016 and World Cup final in 2022. He is known to be a bit pragmatic tactically, with a huge focus on transition moments.
Star Player: Kylian Mbappé is often listed as the best player of the current era. He is the second-most-expensive player in the history of the game, thanks to his €180 million transfer from Monaco to Paris Saint-Germain, where he became the club’s all-time top goalscorer. Currently with Spanish giants Real Madrid, the 27-year-old winger is at the peak of his game, averaging almost one goal contribution per match. Known for his speed, ball control and dribbling, Mbappe has also been a prolific goalscorer throughout his career. With the national team, he played a major part in the 2018 World Cup victory and all of the other recent French successes. With only two goals separating him from the all-time record for Les Bleus, he will most certainly claim that honor before or during the World Cup.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise is one of the most talented players in world soccer. The 23-year-old was born in London to a Nigerian father and French-Algerian mother, and had a unique path to the French national team through the English leagues. Known for his creativity, vision and passing, Olise is a versatile forward who thrives in fluid systems. After becoming an integral part of Bayern Munich’s title winning squad, he has become a constant fixture with the national team in 2025.
Style/System/Expectations: Based on pedigree, depth and talent, France can make a strong case for their squad to be the best in the world. Les Bleus have world-class players like Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, Arsenal’s William Saliba and Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga. In addition France has a plethora of young and emerging talents like Hugo Ekitike, Bradley Barcola, Rayan Cherki and many others. The French will rely on their experience at big tournaments and the sheer quality of the squad. They will go into every game at the World Cup as favorites and are one of the main candidates to lift the trophy.
Main thing to Watch: Will France tie Brazil’s (1994,1998, 2002) and Germany’s (1982, 1986, 1990) record of three consecutive World Cup finals? Deschamps has already announced that this will be his last tournament with the national team, and he will be looking to make it a memorable one.
Legendary Player: Zinedine Zidane is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. Renowned for his elegance, vision, passing, and ball control, Zidane was a playmaking forward who captured the imagination of soccer fans around the world. He won the 1998 Ballon d’Or and countless other individual accolades.He played for Cannes, Bordeaux and Juventus before becoming the centerpiece of Real Madrid’s “Galacticos.” For Les Blues, he won the 1998 World Cup, scoring a brace in the final, and the 2000 Euros where he was named Player of the Tournament. He also received the Golden Ball at the 2006 World Cup, despite his infamous sending off in the final against Italy.
Biggest Soccer Moment: France were the hosts of the 1998 World Cup and had a team full of players who’ll later become legends of the game. They finished the tournament undefeated, cruising through the group stage, then beating Paraguay, Italy and Croatia to reach the final. France defeated Brazil 3-0 and lifted the trophy for the first time in their history at the Stade de France. France’s “class of 98” included Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Petit, Lillian Thuram, Zinedine Zidane, Laurent Blanc, Youri Djorkaeff, Bixente Lizarazu, David Trezeguet, Patrick Vieira, Didier Deschamps, Marcel Desailly, Robert Pires and Fabien Barthez.
Prediction: Final
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: The Three Lions
FIFA Ranking: 4
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Winners (1966)
How they Qualified: Won all eight of their qualifying games and did not concede any goals.
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Thomas Tuchel took over as manager in March of 2025, becoming only the third foreign coach and the first German to take the job. After a tame start, Tuchel turned things around and has found success with the Three Lions. Under his leadership, England became the first European nation to secure qualification for the 2026 World Cup and have only lost once since he took over. Tuchel emphasizes tactical flexibility and attacking intent, often using 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 that can adapt to different opponents. Tuchel has had some tension with the English media, though results and performances have not suffered.
Star Player: Harry Kane is already the historic top goalscorer for England, and he is not too far from the caps record for the nation. At 32-years-old, Kane has been a big part of England’s biggest success at major tournaments, including winning the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup. He has been unstoppable at the club-level with Bayern Munich, leading the Bavarians to the Bundesliga title in 2024-25, while averaging near one goal per game.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Elliot Anderson is a 23-year-old Nottingham Forest central midfielder who is starting to leave his mark on the national team. Anderson started his career at Newcastle and later moved to Forest for a reported fee of £35 million. Since the move, he has been a very important player for the tricky trees. The box-to-box midfielder is known for his workrate, great passing and ball-carrying ability.
Style/System/Expectations: It took a bit of time, but Tuchel’s system seems to be in full effect for the Three Lions. There’s a clear focus on high pressing, attacking full-backs and exploiting space. Just like recent major tournaments, England are not short on talent. Players like Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka all play a major role for their clubs and country alike. There are also players like Reece James, Eberechi Eze and Marc Guéhi who are the stars of their clubs and are looking to leave their mark on the national team. England will be expected to finally bring the World Cup trophy home.
Main thing to Watch: This might be the last chance for Harry Kane to bring football home and win the World Cup after 60 years of hurt. He will be almost 37-years-old when the next World Cup kicks off, making it unlikely for him to take a part.
Legendary Player: Sir Robert Charlton is widely considered one of the greatest players of all time, he was a member of the England team that won the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the year he also won the Ballon d'Or. He is also considered a legend at Manchester United where he played for almost his entire career. Charlton was the long-time record goalscorer for both Manchester United and England, and it took decades until he was surpassed.
Biggest Soccer Moment: England hosted the 1966 World Cup, then reached the final, after topping their group and beating Argentina and Portugal. At the final, England beat West Germany 4-2, with Geoff Hurst scoring the first hattrick in a World Cup final. Head coach Alf Ramsey, Geoff Hurst, Bobby Charlotton and the rest of the 1966 team became legends in English and world soccer history.
Prediction: Semifinal
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: The Pharaohs
FIFA Ranking: 35
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Round of 16 (1934)
How they Qualified: Qualified at the top of their group winning 8/10 matches and only conceding twice.
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Egypt’s legendary striker and all-time goalscorer Hossam Hassan has been serving as a manager since February of 2024. As a player, he was part of the 1990 World Cup and won the AFCON three times. Hassan is looking to bring that pedigree back to the national team and lead a talented Egyptian squad. He has made an effort to integrate young talents into the national team setup, especially the standouts from the 2024 Olympics. While his playing career is amongst the best in the country, his coaching career which started in 2008, has yet to reach a similar status.
Star Player: Mohamed Salah is the greatest Egyptian, and possibly African, player of all time. He is widely regarded as one of the best wingers of all time, and is the all-time top foreign goalscorer in the Premier League and the all-time top African goalscorer in the UEFA Champions League. Salah started his career domestically with Al-Mokawloon before making the jump to Europe. After some ups and downs, Salah signed with Liverpool in 2017 and has since become a club legend. He played a major part for the Reds, winning two Premier League titles, a UEFA Champions League and a plethora of other cups and individual awards. Salah is known for his speed, technical ability and clinical finishing, but his influence spans beyond the pitch, especially in his home country. He is only a few goals away from becoming Egypt’s all time goalscorer and is likely to take over Hassan’s record.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Omar Marmoush will be looking to establish himself as a true star of this Egyptian side. After impressing domestically, Marmoush earned a move to Wolfsburg in Germany and had his breakout season in 2022-23. He then signed with Eintracht Frankfurt where he became one of the most sought after players in the world, scoring 37 goals in 67 matches. In January 2025, Marmoush signed with Manchester City for a deal worth £59 million and has played an important part for the club since.
Style/System/Expectations: Egypt currently has a good mix of experienced players alongside some in-prime talents, in addition they have a couple of Premier League superstars. All signs point towards a better World Cup in 2026. Mostly set up in a 4-3-3, Egypt at times will shift to a back 3/5 as needed or throughout the match. Egypt’s team is often about Salah, but veteran players like Trezuguet and Zizo will need to have a good tournament for Egypt to leave its mark.
Main thing to Watch: For a team that has dominated Africa, Egypt has only made two World Cups since 1934, both of which ended in the group stage. Will the expanded formula finally see Egypt get back to the knockout stage?
Legendary Player: Mohamed Aboutrika is an icon on and off the pitch, not just in Egypt, but in the region as a whole. He played 100 games and scored 38 goals with the national team, scoring the winner in two straight AFCON finals. He is also considered a legend for Al Ahly, where he played 286 games and scored 122 goals. His trophy shelf is second to none, with two AFCONs, Seven Egyptian Premier Leagues, Five CAF Champions Leagues, Four Egyptian player of the year, Four CAF Team of the Year and BBC African Footballer of the Year. Off the field, Aboutrika is known for being the model athlete and has supported many causes during and after his career. He was outspoken about a lot of political and religious issues including the situation in Palestine and world hunger.
Biggest Soccer Moment: In 2010, the Pharaohs won their third consecutive African Cup of Nations, an unprecedented run of dominance, by defeating Ghana 1-0. That capped off a reign of AFCON dominance that started in 2006 when a group of mostly domestic players stunned a star-studded Ivory Coast team that included Didier Drogba and Yaya Toure in front of their home crowd at Cairo international stadium. Two years later they knocked off Samuel Eto’s Cameroon for their second straight AFCON title, and then in 2010, sealed their dominance against Ghana.
Prediction: Group stage
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: La Tri
FIFA Ranking: 23
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Round of 16 (2006)
How they Qualified: Finished second place in the CONMEBOL qualifiers only behind Argentina
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Sebastián Beccacece became the head coach in August 2024. Since his appointment, he has brought an energetic, high-intensity approach, emphasizing structure, collective cohesion, and tactical discipline. While Ecuador is his first national team job, he has had assistant and head coaching jobs with clubs in Argentina, Chile and Spain. Beccacece has made Ecuador a tough opponent to beat and put them amongst the elite in South America.
Star Player: Moisés Caicedo is one of the most expansive soccer players in history, costing his current club Chelsea £100 million. The central midfielder started his career with the renowned Ecuadorian club Independiente del Valle before joining Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion. After two seasons with the Seagulls that included a loan to Beerschot, Caicedo broke through the first team in 2022-23 and established himself as a starter. Since his move to Chelsea, he has been a vital piece for the London club and has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the league. He won the UEFA Conference League, the Club World Cup and player of the season with the Blues in 2024-25. At 24-years-old, he already has 58 caps with the national team and was part of the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America squads. Known for his defensive abilities in the middle of the pitch, he is also a capable passer and often plays as a box-to-box midfielder.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Kendry Páez is an 18-year-old attacking midfielder or winger currently on loan from Chelsea to Strasbourg. He made history as the youngest ever goal scorer in a CONMEBOL World Cup qualifier at just 16 years and 161 days old. Unlike more defensive-minded players in the squad, Páez offers vision, ball control and the ability to unlock defenses. He is also a graduate of Independiente del Valle and already has 23 caps with La Tri.
Style/System/Expectations: The manager has shown a preference for 4-4-2 formations since taking the role, but adopted a 4-2-3-1 for key World Cup qualifiers. Ecuador can absorb pressure very well and can stay compact, limiting their opponents’ opportunities. La Tri are reliant on quick transitions and counterattack, with the pace of the fullbacks and wingers being essential. With star players like Pervis Estupinan, Willian Pacho and Caicedo, Ecuador will be looking to make their name known on the world stage.While they’ll likely be a tough opponent in the World Cup, concerns over their goalscoring ability might prevent them from making a run.
Main thing to Watch: Recently, Ecuador have been able to produce top talents in world soccer, especially through Independiente del Valle. The World Cup might be a catalyst for another young talent to breakthrough and earn a high-profile move to a big European club.
Legendary Player: While his career is ongoing and he is expected to be at the 2026 World Cup, Enner Valencia is already a legend in Ecuador. He has the all-time scoring record for the Ecuador national football team with 48 and is fifth in all-time appearances with 103. He became the first South American to score in six consecutive World Cup matches for his country after scoring in the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments. At 36-years-old, Valencia has played for seven clubs in five different countries throughout his career. He made his debut for the national team in 2012 and plays a huge part on and off the pitch.
Biggest Soccer Moment: After qualifying for their first World Cup in 2002, Ecuador reached the round of 16 in the 2006 tournament. Finishing second in their group after wins over Poland and Costa Rica, Ecuador exited the tournament losing 1-0 to England.
Prediction: Quarterfinal
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: The Blue Wave
FIFA Ranking: 82
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Debut
How they Qualified: Finished top of their group in both rounds of qualifying, but it wasn’t decided until the final whistle of the last game of qualifying.
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Legendary Dutch coach Dick Advocaat took charge in January 2024, following fellow country-men like Patrick Kluivert and Guus Hiddink. Advocaat set a goal to make the national setup more professional and instill a desire to avoid defeat at all costs. His experience with seven other national teams played a huge part in his appointment. The 78-year-old has had 28 different coaching stints throughout his career in 12 different countries.
Star Player: Tahith Chong is an attacking or wide midfielder currently with Sheffield United in the Championship. Chong joined the Manchester United Academy aged 16, after progressing through the Feyenoord youth system. To find minutes, he went on a few loans before landing at Birmingham City. After impressing with the Blues, he was signed by newly-promoted Premier League Club, Luton Town. After back-to-back relegations, he signed with Sheffield United where he is working towards becoming a regular. He featured for the Dutch youth teams before switching to the Blue Wave in August 2025. In his second game with the national team, he scored a brace against Bermuda.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Sontje Hansen is a 23-year-old winger who currently plays for Middlesbrough in the Championship. After impressing at youth levels, he signed with Ajax, making his professional debut with Jong Ajax at the age of 17. Struggling to find minutes with the first team, he moved to NEC also in the Eredivisie immediately becoming an important player for the club. After 72 appearances with NEC, he signed with Middlesbrough for £3.4 million and is fighting for minutes in the English second division. Like many of his teammates, he played for the Netherlands youth teams, but switched to Curaçao in September, 2025.
Style/System/Expectations: Advocaat relied heavily on integrating members of the diaspora. Most of the squad were born in the Netherlands, including the starting 11 in the decisive last qualifying match. Only one member of their recent 25-man squad was born in Curacao while the rest were born in the Netherlands, but qualified to represent the Blue Wave based on their ancestry. Curaçao will be looking to shock people in the World Cup, they are ranked 82nd in the world and many expect them to compete.
Main thing to Watch: With the recent trend of players switching to their parents’ or ancestors' countries, Curaçao might recruit some other top players before the world cup.
Legendary Player: Eloy Room is the starting goalkeeper for Curaçao and is tied for most caps for the country with 68. He started his career in the Netherlands playing for Vitesse and PSV, before signing with the Columbus Crew of MLS. He was one of the first players to make the switch from the Netherlands to Curaçao back in 2015. He also plays a role in recruiting players to the current national team.
Biggest Soccer Moment: Jamaica and Curaçao were head to head throughout the qualifiers, but thanks to goals from Livano Comenencia and Kenji Gorré, Curaçao beat Jamaica 2-0 at home. It all came down to the last day of qualifying in the reverse fixture, a draw or a win will see Curaçao through. After 90 minutes the game was still 0-0, but Jamaica were awarded an injury-time penalty that was overturned after a video assistant referee consultation. Curaçao finished top of the group and became the smallest country in land area and population to make the World Cup.
Prediction: Group stage
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: Vatreni (Blazers), Kockasti (Checkered Ones)
FIFA Ranking: 10
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Runners-up (2018)
How they Qualified: Finished undefeated and six points clear at the top of their qualifying group.
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Zlatko Dalić has been in charge of the Croatian national team since 2017 and is widely regarded as the greatest coach in the history of the Croatian national team. He led the nation to a historic silver medal in the 2018 World Cup, then followed it up with a third-place finish in the 2022 edition. He is praised for his relationship with the players, fostering a positive environment and uniting the group for a common goal.
Star Player: Luka Modrić is not only Croatia’s captain and all-time caps leader, he is also an icon. He is often listed as one of the greatest midfielders of all time, thanks to his heroics with the national team and his 13-year stint with Real Madrid. Modrić has won numerous individual awards, including the Ballon d'Or in 2018, making him the first player other than Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award since 2007. He has won 34 trophies during his club career, including six UEFA Champions Leagues and four La Liga titles.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Luka Vušković is a 19-year-old defender currently on loan from Tottenham to Hamburg. Vušković came through and broke into the Hajduk Split squad at a young age, and became the youngest Croatian to make a league debut and the youngest to score. Known for his height and ability in both boxes, Vušković has played for the Croatian youth teams, and already has two caps with the national team.
Style/System/Expectations: Due to being at the helm for almost a decade, Dalić is very familiar with his squad. Over the years Croatia have been known for their defensive solidity, organization and pragmatism, 2026 will not be any different. Though only a few players from Croatia’s second “golden generation” remain, others have come through to take over. Players like Josko Gvardiol, Josip Stanisic and Franjo Ivanovic are eager to shine with the national team. It’s rare for teams to make three deep runs in a row, so it’s hard to expect Croatia to do it again. That said, no one expected the 2018 or the 2022 run, there’s a possibility that Dalić and Modrić have one more in the bag.
Main thing to Watch: Modrić is currently fifth in all-time international caps worldwide. He is less than 10 matches away from joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the top three. Kuwait’s Bader Al-Mutawa is currently second, but Messi and Modrić are expected to surpass him due to him being retired.
Legendary Player: Davor Šuker is Croatia's all-time top scorer with 45 goals and was part of the country’s first golden generation. Šuker scored six goals in seven matches to win the Golden Boot in the 1998 World Cup and help Croatia finish third in the tournament. His 19-year career, which included playing for Sevilla, Real Madrid and Arsenal, was full of individual and team accolades.
Biggest Soccer Moment: The 2018 World Cup was the birthplace of Croatia’s second golden generation. They topped their group, including a win over Messi’s Argentina, and beat Denmark in penalty shootouts during the round of 16. Another penalty shootout win against the hosts Russia saw them reach the semis, where they came from behind to beat England 2-1. Despite losing the final 4-2 to France, the team had a heroes welcome back home and were praised around the world. While players like Modrić, Ivan Rakitić, Mario Mandžukić, Ivan Perišić and Dejan Lovren became national icons.
Prediction: Round of 16
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: Los Cafeteros (The Coffee Growers), La Tricolor (The Tricolour), La Sele (The Sele)
FIFA Ranking: 13
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Quarterfinal (2014)
How they Qualified: Finished third in the CONMEBOL qualifiers, tied in points with Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay.
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Néstor Lorenzo has been the head coach of Colombia since 2022. The Argentine spent most of his managerial career as an assistant, including seven years with Colombia. Under his leadership, Colombia went on a 28-game win streak, only ending at the Copa America final in 2024 against Argentina. Known for his man management and connection with the players, Lorenzo seems to have all the right qualities to lead Colombia into the World Cup.
Star Player: Winger Luis Díaz is amongst the most exciting players in world soccer. The former Barranquilla and Atlético Junior man, made his name at Porto and earned a move to Liverpool where he became a world renowned name. Currently with German giants Bayern Munich, Díaz cost the Bavarian €75 million. That price is seemingly worth it as he has become one of the key performers in the Bundesliga and Champions League. At 28-years-old, he is already Colombia’s fourth top goalscorer and has been crucial to all of their recent success.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Yaser Asprilla continues to be one of the most exciting players to come out of South America. The 21-year-old models his game after the great Ronaldinho and is a daring, quick attacker who plays with confidence beyond his young age. Asprilla started in the Colombian league before making the jump to Watford, and later to Girona in La Liga. He is already becoming an important part of the national team, scoring twice in 11 appearances, but will be looking to play an even bigger role in 2026.
Style/System/Expectations: 2014 World Cup hero James Rodríguez is still an important part of the team despite being 34-years-old. Other than Rodríguez, Colombia has some talented players at top European clubs like Daniel Munoz, Luis Suárez and Jhon Lucumi. Lorenzo generally sets the team in a 4-2-3-1 in an attempt to control the midfield and allow for creative players to get on the ball. Colombia will be looking to match or best their best performance in the World Cup, which saw them reach the quarterfinal in 2014.
Main thing to Watch: Rodríguez is chasing both the appearance and goal records for Colombia, both seem possible as he is only seven appearances and five goals away.
Legendary Player: Carlos Valderamma is synonymous with Colombia and is often considered the greatest Colombian player of all time. His iconic hair made him stand out, but it was his elusive play style that captured the imagination of those who watched him. After spending most of his career playing in South America and Europe, Valderrama joined Tampa Bay Mutiny in Major League Soccer’s first season. He became one of the most recognisable players in the league and helped popularise it. He played in MLS for seven seasons with the Mutiny, Miami Fusion and Colorado Rapids, and is one of the most decorated players in the league’s history.
Biggest Soccer Moment: At the 2014 World Cup, Colombia took the world by storm. Led by legendary manager Jose Pekerman, they rolled through the group stage with a perfect record, playing some of the most exciting and captivating soccer. They then beat Uruguay in the round of 16 to face Brazil in the quarterfinal. The magical run came to an end against the host amidst some controversial referring decisions. James Rodríguez was one of the best things to come out of the run, he won the Golden Boot and was included in the All Star Team. Despite falling short, Los Cafeteros’ run unified the country.
Prediction: Round of 16
Preview Podcast:
Cape Verde/Cabo Verde
Nickname: Tubarões Azuis (Blue Sharks), Crioulos (Creoles)
FIFA Ranking: 67
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Debut
How they Qualified: Topped their qualifying group losing only once
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Pedro “Bubista” Brito, was the head coach and architect of Cape Verde’s first World Cup appearance. After finishing his playing career, Bubista coached a few clubs in Cape Verde before taking over the national team in 2020. He guided the Tubarões Azuis to AFCON 2021 qualification, as well as AFCON 2023 where they reached the quarterfinal. After securing World Cup qualification, he was named 2025 CAF Coach of the Year. He is known to prioritize building a strong Cape Verde Identity and requires players to speak Cape Verde Creole while with the national team.
Star Player: Center forward Dailon Livramento has already scored important goals for Cape Verde and will be looking to score their first World Cup goal. Born and raised in Rotterdam in the Netherlands, he started his career with a couple of Dutch clubs before moving to Hellas Verona in Italy. After one season in Serie A, Livromento is currently on loan with Portuguese top division club Casa Pia. He led the Crioulos in goals in World Cup qualifiers, most importantly scoring the winner and only goal against Cameroon.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Goalkeeper and captain Vozinha has over 80 appearances for the national team since making his debut in 2012. The 39-year-old has split his career between Europe and Africa, he is currently with Chaves in the Portuguese second division. With his experience on the international stage, Vozinha has not only witnessed, but also experienced the rise of Cape Verde soccer.
Style/System/Expectations: Capo Verde usually setup in a 4-2-3-1 with emphasis on wide play. Most national team players have a mix of experience in Europe’s lower leagues and divisions, there are Cape Verde players playing in Ireland, Israel, and Romania. Only Logan Costa at Villareall plays in the top 5 European leagues. The team draws heavily on its diaspora players, mixing them with native Cape Verdeans. With a team of relatively unknown players and this being the debut for the Sharks, expectations are not very high. However, there’s a certain feeling amongst the group and they’ll be looking to shock the world.
Main thing to Watch: Match against Saudi Arabia, their closest opponent on paper. If they can pull a win, it’s possible that they can qualify to the next round with those three points.
Legendary Player: Lito was one of the first high-profile players to choose to represent Capo Verde, which started a trend for the national team. Born in Capo Verde before independence from Portugal, his family moved to the mainland and he was raised there. His career which lasted almost 20 years saw him make more than 400 appearances at club level and 47 caps for the Sharks.
Biggest Soccer Moment: Cape Verde and African heavyweights Cameroon were head-to-head in Group D in CAF World Cup qualification. After losing the first match 4-1 in Cameroon, it was time for the Crioulos to host. In a close match, Livramento’s goal in the 54th minute was enough to be the decider and clear the path for Capo Verde to qualify to the World Cup.
Prediction: Group stage
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: Les Rouges (The Reds), The Canucks
FIFA Ranking: 27
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Group stage (1986, 2022)
How they Qualified: Co-Host
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Jesse Marsch was hired in May of 2024 to lead Canada’s golden generation. Marsch has led Canada to unprecedented success, reaching the semi final of Copa America and winning friendlies against European oppositions away from home. Before Canada, Marsch coached three different Red Bulls clubs in New York, Salzburg and Leipzig, as well as Leeds United in the Premier League. He is known for his intense pressing style and making the game as difficult as possible on opponents, regardless of ball possession.
Star Player: Alphonso Davies is the country’s most high-profile player in history. After starting his career in Vancouver, Davies earned a move to German giants Bayern Munich. Known for his pace, dribbling and creativity, he is considered amongst the best left backs in the world. He was born as a Liberian refugee in Ghana, but moved with his family at a young age to Edmonton, Canada. Davies represents a modern Canadian success story, taken in by his community, was the recipient of inner city/low-income programs and has risen through the ranks to bring success to his adopted country
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Ismael Kone is a 23-year-old Marseille midfielder, currently on loan to Sassuolo in Serie A. After impressing with CF Montreal in MLS, Kone signed for Watford for a fee around $8m. He was then sold to Marseille for $12m in 2024 and has gone on a couple of loans since. With 37 caps to his name already, Kone plays an important role for both club and country, and he continues to improve in his development.
Style/System/Expectations: Aside from Davies and Kone, Canada have multiple players at the game’s highest level. Jonathan David with Juventus, Tajon Buchanan with Villareal and Stephen Eustaqio with FC Porto are just some of the names that are a part of Canada’s golden generation. Canada have been able to hold their own against superior opponents, even grinding out results at times. Their relentless, team first mentality could see them make a deeper run in the World Cup than many anticipate.
Main thing to Watch: For a country dominated by hockey, Canada has a rich soccer history dating back to the 1800s. This World Cup will be a celebration of how far soccer has come in the country. Following the successes of hosting the women’s World Cup in 2015, Canadians are looking forward to see their team play on home soil.
Legendary Player: Atiba Hutchinson experienced Canada's lows himself, playing for a team ranked 122 in the world and 16th in CONCACAF back in 2014. Then there was the high of leading his country out at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after a 36-year absence by the Canadian men. He is the all time caps leader for Canada with 104 and had a 20+ year club career with top clubs like FC Copenhagen and Besiktas. He won Canadian player of the year six times before he retired in 2023.
Biggest Soccer Moment: During the 2024 Copa America in the United States, Canada shocked many by advancing to the semifinal. After losing their opening game 2-0 to Lionel Messi’ Argentina, they beat Peru 1-0 and drew Chile 0-0 to qualify from the group stage. They beat Venezuela in penalty shootouts in the quarterfinals, but lost to Argentina again in the semis. While they lost the 3rd place match in shootouts against Uruguay, Canada were able to reach a level that seemed impossible for them in the past.
Prediction: Round of 16
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: The Red Devils
FIFA Ranking: 8
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Third place (2018)
How they Qualified: Finished unbeaten at the top of group J in the European qualifiers.
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: French manager Rudi Garcia took over the Red Devils in January 2025 after making his name at club level with Lille and Roma, where he won multiple titles. Garcia has implemented a fluid style with Belgium adapting to their opponents, but has stuck with the 4-3-3 while doing that. He has been praised for giving opportunities to young players and introducing new faces into the national team.
Star Player: Kevin De Bruyne is considered one of the best players of his generation and at 34-years-old, he is still contributing for club and country. He has over 420 goal contributions for his clubs, the overwhelming majority of those came during his 10 year career at Manchester City, where he won six Premier League titles and a Champions League. He also won 12 other cup competitions with the Cityzens where he was awarded the Player of the Season four times. Known for his link-up play and unmatched passing and creativity, he has been the linchpin of Belgium’s golden generation. He ranks sixth in all-time caps and second in all-time goals for the Red Devils.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Malick Fofana is a 20-year-old winger currently playing for Lyon in Ligue 1. Fofana joined Gent and made his debut for the first team in July 2022 at the age of 17. After his impressive performances, he earned a transfer to Lyon for a fee up to €22 million. Since his move he has been an important player for Lyon, playing regularly and contributing to goals. Fofana made his debut with the national team in 2024 and scored his first goal in 2025. Many big clubs were linked with him like Liverpool and Chelsea, but he chose to stay at Lyon.
Style/System/Expectations: With Garcia’s 4-3-3 system, Belgium have focused on being more organized defensively and more lethal in transition moments. They have at times struggled with creativity when in possession, especially when trying to break down opponents who sit deep. While most of the players from the 2018 golden generation have retired, a few remain. De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku continue to be a vital part of the national team. Belgium’s current squad has fewer players at the highest level of the game. That said, players like Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku, Arsenal’s Leonardo Trossard and Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana will have to be the difference maker for Belgium to make a run.
Main thing to Watch: The Red Devils were handed a somewhat “easy” group, especially in comparison with other top European nations and their group from 2022. Collecting all nine points might provide the necessary spark for a deep run, on the other hand, any hurdle might affect the mood more than usual.
Legendary Player: Despite his early retirement, Eden Hazard is considered one of the greatest Belgian players of all time. Known for his dribbling, creativity, and vision, he is regarded as one of the best wingers of his generation. Hazard started his career with Lille in Ligue 1, where he became an instant fan favorite, winning the domestic double in 2010-11 and Player of the Year. He then spent seven seasons with Chelsea where he is considered a legend, winning two Premier League titles, as well as numerous cups and individual awards. He joined Real Madrid in 2019 for a transfer fee of up to €150 million, making him one of the most expensive players in history. However, injuries and lack of fitness, led him to limited minutes and eventually retirement. He ranks fourth in all-time appearances and second in all-time scoring for Belgium, and was often seen as the face of the golden generation.
Biggest Soccer Moment: There was a lot of hype for Belgium heading into the 2018 World Cup. The Golden Generation was in their prime, playing at the highest levels of the game, and expectations were high. Belgium started with five consecutive victories (including group wins over Panama, Tunisia and England). In the round of 16 match against Japan, Belgium were down 2–0, eventually turning the tide and winning 3–2 with goals from Jan Vertonghen and late substitutes Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli. Belgium then defeated World Cup favourites Brazil 2–1 on the back of an early Fernandinho own goal and a goal by De Bruyne, reaching the semi-finals for the second time in their history. They lost to France 0–1 in the semifinal, but rebounded to win 2–0 in their second victory over England during the tournament to secure third place. While not getting over the finish line, that was still their best ever World Cup result.
Prediction: Round of 16
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: The Red Devils
FIFA Ranking: 8
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Third place (2018)
How they Qualified: Finished unbeaten at the top of group J in the European qualifiers.
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: French manager Rudi Garcia took over the Red Devils in January 2025 after making his name at club level with Lille and Roma, where he won multiple titles. Garcia has implemented a fluid style with Belgium adapting to their opponents, but has stuck with the 4-3-3 while doing that. He has been praised for giving opportunities to young players and introducing new faces into the national team.
Star Player: Kevin De Bruyne is considered one of the best players of his generation and at 34-years-old, he is still contributing for club and country. He has over 420 goal contributions for his clubs, the overwhelming majority of those came during his 10 year career at Manchester City, where he won six Premier League titles and a Champions League. He also won 12 other cup competitions with the Cityzens where he was awarded the Player of the Season four times. Known for his link-up play and unmatched passing and creativity, he has been the linchpin of Belgium’s golden generation. He ranks sixth in all-time caps and second in all-time goals for the Red Devils.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Malick Fofana is a 20-year-old winger currently playing for Lyon in Ligue 1. Fofana joined Gent and made his debut for the first team in July 2022 at the age of 17. After his impressive performances, he earned a transfer to Lyon for a fee up to €22 million. Since his move he has been an important player for Lyon, playing regularly and contributing to goals. Fofana made his debut with the national team in 2024 and scored his first goal in 2025. Many big clubs were linked with him like Liverpool and Chelsea, but he chose to stay at Lyon.
Style/System/Expectations: With Garcia’s 4-3-3 system, Belgium have focused on being more organized defensively and more lethal in transition moments. They have at times struggled with creativity when in possession, especially when trying to break down opponents who sit deep. While most of the players from the 2018 golden generation have retired, a few remain. De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku continue to be a vital part of the national team. Belgium’s current squad has fewer players at the highest level of the game. That said, players like Manchester City’s Jérémy Doku, Arsenal’s Leonardo Trossard and Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana will have to be the difference maker for Belgium to make a run.
Main thing to Watch: The Red Devils were handed a somewhat “easy” group, especially in comparison with other top European nations and their group from 2022. Collecting all nine points might provide the necessary spark for a deep run, on the other hand, any hurdle might affect the mood more than usual.
Legendary Player: Despite his early retirement, Eden Hazard is considered one of the greatest Belgian players of all time. Known for his dribbling, creativity, and vision, he is regarded as one of the best wingers of his generation. Hazard started his career with Lille in Ligue 1, where he became an instant fan favorite, winning the domestic double in 2010-11 and Player of the Year. He then spent seven seasons with Chelsea where he is considered a legend, winning two Premier League titles, as well as numerous cups and individual awards. He joined Real Madrid in 2019 for a transfer fee of up to €150 million, making him one of the most expensive players in history. However, injuries and lack of fitness, led him to limited minutes and eventually retirement. He ranks fourth in all-time appearances and second in all-time scoring for Belgium, and was often seen as the face of the golden generation.
Biggest Soccer Moment: There was a lot of hype for Belgium heading into the 2018 World Cup. The Golden Generation was in their prime, playing at the highest levels of the game, and expectations were high. Belgium started with five consecutive victories (including group wins over Panama, Tunisia and England). In the round of 16 match against Japan, Belgium were down 2–0, eventually turning the tide and winning 3–2 with goals from Jan Vertonghen and late substitutes Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli. Belgium then defeated World Cup favourites Brazil 2–1 on the back of an early Fernandinho own goal and a goal by De Bruyne, reaching the semi-finals for the second time in their history. They lost to France 0–1 in the semifinal, but rebounded to win 2–0 in their second victory over England during the tournament to secure third place. While not getting over the finish line, that was still their best ever World Cup result.
Prediction: Round of 16
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: Das Team (The Team)
FIFA Ranking: 24
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Third place (1954)
How they Qualified: Topped their qualifying group only conceding four goals in eight matches.
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Legendary German coach Ralf Rangnick took over in 2022 and things have been going fairly well since. Rangnick is regarded as the "godfather" of modern German soccer and is credited with developing Genenpressing and popularising zonal marking. He is also credited for influencing Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann, Jurgen Klopp and many others. Before Austria, Rangnick spent almost 10 years with Red Bulls soccer operations across various roles and had a small stint at Manchester United.
Star Player: Former Bayern Munich and current Real Madrid defender, David Alaba, has been at the highest levels of soccer for over 15 years. The 33-year-old is the captain and the second most capped player for Austria. Known for his versatility and being a two way player, Alaba has played in multiple positions in defense and midfield. He has won 12 league and four UEFA Champions League titles with his clubs, and is 10-time winner of Austrian Footballer of the Year.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Nicolas Seiwald is a 24-year-old center midfielder playing for RB Leipzig and is a Red Bull player through and through. Seiwald already has 42 caps for the national team and has been a consistent fixture with Austria, at one point Seiwald didn’t miss a single minute in 31 games for Rangnick. He is praised for his availability, pressing and physical attributes.
Style/System/Expectations: Under Rangnick, Austria has fully transformed into “energy drink/Red Bull soccer” with a huge focus on pressing and counterpressing. They have produced a few great players in the previous decade like Alaba, Marko Arnautovic and Marcel Sabitzer, while getting up in age, these players continue to play a massive part for the national team.
Also, players like Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer and Tottenham’s Kevin Danso are in their prime and will be looking to prove themselves. Austria have at times punched above their weight, but it seems like a big moment is still on the horizon for Das Team. The expectation is still to make it out of the group stage, however, with this being their first World Cup since 1998, not much is expected more than that.
Main thing to Watch: Austria play with an intense playing style which asks a lot physically and mentally from players. With the long club season and a longer World Cup, maintaining the intensity throughout the tournament might become a challenge.
Legendary Player: Matthias Sindelar, nicknamed the "Mozart of football," was the star of the legendary Austrian “Wunderteam” that went on incredible runs in the early 1900s. He became a big figure for Austrian identity after refusing to play for the German national team following the Nazi invasion. He and the Wunderteam played their last match in 1938 against Germany where the result was supposedly pre-determined to be a draw. Sindelar took the field in the second half and scored twice for Austria to win 2-0. He was found dead 10 months later with conspiracies surrounding the events.
Biggest Soccer Moment: In 1978, Austria made their first World Cup in 20 years. After finishing at the top of their group, they qualified to the second group stage, but lost their first two games. In the third game, Austria faced off against West Germany, in a match that is known in Austria as Das Wunder von Córdoba (The Miracle of Córdoba) and in Germany as Die Schmach von Córdoba (The Disgrace of Córdoba). The game is fondly remembered by fans of the Austria national team for being the first time in 47 years that Austria had defeated a team from either the Western or Eastern side of the then-partitioned Germany.
Germany had a chance to make the final or the third place game while Austria were already eliminated. Hans Krankl’s 87th minute winner to put Austria 3–2 ahead crashed the Germans' dreams and eliminated them from the tournament.
Prediction: Round of 32
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: Socceroos
FIFA Ranking: 26
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Round of 16 (2006, 2022)
How they Qualified: Topped their group in the second round and finished second in the third round, losing only one match throughout the entire qualifiers.
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Tony Popovic was announced as the new head coach after two games in the third round of AFC qualifiers and he led the Socceroos to crucial wins over Japan and Saudi Arabia. Popovic was a member of the 2006 golden generation, he has 58 caps with the national team and knows the program well. He’s introduced a new level of rigor within the squad, including a strict nutrition routine to help the players be in the best shape. The other thing Popovic focused on is a clean slate, where veteran status didn’t guarantee a spot in the squad which allowed for younger players to break through. Popovic is known for his pressing style and making the game difficult for opponents.
Star Player: Alessandro Circati is a 22-year-old central defender and the youngest captain in Australian history. He started his career with Perth Glory’s youth and second teams before making the jump to the Italian Serie A with Parma. After impressing with the youth setup, Circati started playing with the senior squad and became an important piece in the 2025-26 season. Born in Italy, Circati played for the U20 team of his birth country before switching to the Socceroos in 2023. With his age and ability, Circati is likely to make a jump to an even bigger club in the near future.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Nestory Irankunda is a 19-year-old striker currently playing for Watford in the Championship.Irankunda is regarded by many within the Australian media as one of the greatest talents developed in the country. His goal-scoring prowess received many plaudits from media and pundits who recognised his skills and techniques. His parents were originally from Burundi, but fled their home due to the civil war escalating at the time. His father led his family to a refugee camp in Tanzania where Nestory was born. When he was three months old, the family made the move to Australia.
Style/System/Expectations: The Soccerroos have a pressing style based on certain triggers. They are known to generally have less possession than the opponent and focus on transition moments. Australia has a number of young talents like Circati, Irankunda and Jordan Bos who will be looking to impress during the tournament. This will also likely be the last world cup for veterans like Mathew Ryan, Milos Degenek and Cameron Burgess. With three teams possibly getting out of Group D, Australia will be aiming to at least get to the round of 32.
Main thing to Watch: Australia has a good amount of younger players who are ready to prove themselves at the highest level like Circati. Tournaments often affect transfer fees and destinations, if given a proper chance, some of the young players might be on the move following the tournament.
Legendary Player: Tim Cahill scored 50 goals in 108 caps from 2004-2018, making him the leading goalscorer for Australia. Considered a Millwall and Everton legend, Cahill spent most of his career in England. He was named both Everton Player of the Season and Everton Players' Player of the Season in his debut season, and in the following year he was named as one of 50 nominees for the Ballon d'Or. Cahill was the first Australian to score at a World Cup and his five goals in 2006, 2010 and 2014 are the most by any Australian in the men's World Cup. Cahill is known for his headers and has scored many of his goals that way. Mostly played as an attacking midfielder, he also had some stints as a striker. He is famous for his regular goal celebration of shadow boxing around the corner flag.
Biggest Soccer Moment: Prior to the 2006 World Cup, Australia had to face Uruguay in a two-legged playoff match for qualification to the final tournament. Uruguay was ranked 18th at the time, while Australia were 49th. The Socceroos lost the first leg, but won the second leg, and after two periods of extra time, a penalty shootout decided the winner. Australia won the penalty shootout 4–2, making Australia the first ever team to qualify for a World Cup via a penalty shootout. Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer made two saves, with John Aloisi scoring the winning penalty for a place in the World Cup, Australia's first qualification in 32 years. The 2006 Golden Generation didn’t stop there, at the tournament they advanced from their group and only lost to eventual champions Italy 1-0 in the round of 16. .
Prediction: Group stage
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: La Selección (The Selection)
FIFA Ranking: 2
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Winners (1978, 1986, 2022)
How they Qualified: Finished first in the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, nine points clear of second place Ecuador.
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Lionel Scaloni is still at the helm after leading Argentina to the historic third World Cup trophy. He took over in 2018 and success has been a common occurrence since, Argentina won Copa América twice and the World Cup once during his reign. Known for his man management, Scaloni focuses on camaraderie and communication just as much, if not more than, just tactics. His ability to unify the team and have clear objectives have served Argentina well during his tenure.
Star Player: Lionel Messi, the greatest player of all time, is still part of this Argentina team. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner leads the country in caps and goals, and no one is even remotely close to his records. Listing all of Messi’s records and awards is an impossible task, from the start of his professional career in 2004, the Barcelona icon has achieved every success imaginable for his clubs and country alike. This is most likely his last World Cup and he will be looking to go out on top.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Franco Mastantuono is an 18-year-old Real Madrid midfielder and one of the brightest talents in world soccer. He started his career at River Plate where he became their youngest ever goalscorer and the second youngest player to score in a Superclásico against arch rivals, Boca Juniors. After establishing himself as a starter, he signed with Spanish giants Real Madrid for a deal worth €45 million.
Style/System/Expectations: Scaloni’s tactics revolve around balancing grit and flair, with a huge emphasis on team-first play. When Messi is on the pitch, which is more often than not, the team plays to get the ball to Messi in the final third; This strategy has clearly worked for La Selección. Argentina has a very deep squad, including some of the best players in the world, like Julián Álvarez, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martinez. The expectations for Argentina are as high as they can be, and anything other than winning the trophy would not count as a success.
Main thing to Watch: Messi’s health and readiness is Argentina’s biggest concern. At 38-years-old, Messi is still playing almost every available minute with his club Inter Miami. As the World Cup approaches, Miami will be competing on multiple fronts and it’s unclear whether he will be rested prior to the tournament.
Legendary Player: Diego Armando Maradona, known as El Pibe de Oro ("The Golden Boy"), is one of the greatest players of all time. He played in four World Cups and won the 1986 edition with Argentina where he was awarded the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. Maradona was the first player to set the world record transfer fee twice, in 1982 and 1984. In the club game, he is mostly remembered by his time at Napoli where won numerous accolades and led the club to their first and second Serie A titles. In late 2020, at the age of 60, Maradona suffered cardiac arrest and died in his sleep at his home. Thousands of tributes from around the world poured in from clubs, players and fans.
Biggest Soccer Moment: During the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal, Argentina beat England 2-1 thanks to two historic Maradona goals. The first, which became known as the "Hand of God," Maradona mischievously scored with his fists, fooling the referee and most spectators. The second was a 66 yard dribble past five England players and was voted as the “Goal of the Century" by FIFA.
Prediction: Final
Preview Podcast:
Nickname: مُحَارِبِي الصَّحْرَاء (The Desert Warriors)
FIFA Ranking: 34
Best Ever Finish (or debut): Round of 16 (2014)
How they Qualified: Topped their qualifying group seven points clear and with just one loss.
Group Schedule:
Head Coach: Experienced Bosnian head coach, Vladimir Petkovic, took charge in February 2024 and has largely done well with the national team. With experience in top European clubs and the Swiss national team, Petkovic has been praised for bringing back competition in the squad. He is known to be tactically flexible and will adjust his system based on the opponent.
Star Player: The captain, and possibly the greatest Algerian player, is Riyad Mahrez. The 34-year-old is currently with Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, but is mostly known for his time with Leicester City and Manchester City. He has won the Premier League five times and the UEFA Champions League once, alongside a long list of other club trophies. He led the Desert Warriors to their second-ever AFCON victory in 2019 and is less than a handful of goals away from the all-time goalscoring record. Mahrez is a left-footed player who usually plays on the right wing, allowing him to cut inside to deliver and finish the final ball.
Unsung/Up-and-Coming Player: Rayan Aït-Nouri is a 24-year-old left back or left wingback who has already established himself as a starter in the national team. Currently playing for Manchester City, Aït-Nouri is a graduate of Angers academy and later moved to Wolves, where he had a breakout season in 2024-25. In the summer of 2025, he signed with Manchester City for a fee up to £37 million and has been an important player for the Cityzens since.
Style/System/Expectations: This is likely the last run with the national team for core players like Mahrez, Baghdad Bounedjah and Aissa Mandi. That said, there’s an exciting young generation that will be looking to take over like Anis Hadj Moussa, Farès Chaïbi and Ibrahim Maza. Algeria relies on its huge diaspora population, especially in France, to bring in new faces into the national team. Some of the biggest players to play for Algeria, like Mahrez, are those from the diaspora communities. The Desert Warriors are expected to at least make it out of their group, but a deep run would be a welcome surprise.
Main thing to Watch: Despite winning AFCON in 2019, this is Algeria’s first World Cup since 2014. Players and staff will have to manage the occasion and not let it affect the on-pitch play.
Legendary Player: Rabah Madjer is one of, if not, the greatest Algerian players of all time. Madjer player for Racing Paris, Tours and Valencia, but is mostly known for his time with Portuguese giants Porto. There he won Primeira Liga three times and the UEFA Champions League once, scoring a historic and beautiful backheel in the final. With the national team, Madjer played 86 times and scored 28 goals, including the country’s first-ever World Cup goal.
Biggest Soccer Moment: In the 1982 World Cup, Algeria upset reigning European champions West Germany 2-1, a win widely considered as one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. Despite collecting six points in the group stage, Algeria were eliminated thanks to a notorious match known as the Disgrace of Gijon. After Algeria defeated Chile the previous day, West Germany and Austria knew going into their match that a West German win by 1 or 2 goals would qualify them both, while a larger German victory would qualify Algeria over Austria. The Germans attacked for the first 10 minutes and scored. After that goal, the two teams kicked the ball around aimlessly for the rest of the match.
Prediction: Round of 32