Exactly 62 days remain until Mexico and South Africa kick off the 2026 World Cup at Azteca Stadium in Guadalajara. For the first time ever, the tournament will feature 48 teams and no fewer than 104 matches. Still, the focus remains on the traditional powers expected to go all the way. Three teams stand above the rest: Argentina, France and Spain.
Argentina the historic | Ze’ev Avrahami
Historically, there are only three true football empires: Brazil, Germany and Italy. Everyone else is still knocking on the door. Argentina’s most recent title has brought it closer than ever to joining that club. There is no clear reason to believe any team can take the trophy from Argentina. Spain remains a collective without a dominant leader, Germany is young and defensively fragile, and England is England. Argentina may still have defensive weaknesses, but its midfield is entering its prime, and Julian Alvarez has become a reliable focal point.
That is not a bad option when Lautaro Martinez comes off the bench. It is not a bad option when Lionel Messi is your secondary attacking threat. And it is certainly not a bad option in a tournament often decided by penalties when your goalkeeper is Emiliano Martinez. Argentina reinforced its momentum with a second Copa America title in three tournaments. It now has a chance to become a historic team and join football’s elite. Messi has an opportunity to achieve what Diego Maradona did not. Another World Cup could widen the gap in the debate over the greatest player of his generation, and possibly secure his place as the greatest of all time. There are many professional arguments for Argentina repeating, but the strongest is historical. Messi cares deeply about legacy, and when he has a chance to make history on multiple fronts, betting against him is risky.
Spain the efficient | Yair Katan
We saw it between 2008 and 2012. Spain does not need a traditional striker. This time, it also lacks a world class goalkeeper or intimidating center backs. It is simply one organic unit, moving in harmony across the pitch with fluid precision. This Spain plays even more beautifully than the era of Xavi and Andres Iniesta, when the team tried to pass the ball into the net. Other teams may have more star power, but Spain brings the most important tools for 2026.
Lamine Yamal arrives with the confidence of a European Championship winner and can change matches on his own. Spain also boasts some of the best central midfielders in the world, capable of late runs into the box and aerial threats on set pieces. It feels similar to the period after Euro 2008, as if one footballing species knows how to win while others search for the missing piece. Many ambitious teams will arrive in North America, but by July they may once again face the same realization seen after the 2010 final. When Spain turns its philosophy into efficiency, everyone else is left chasing.
France the talented | Einav Schiff
The task of explaining why France could win the World Cup came shortly before the Champions League quarterfinal between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Naturally, thoughts turned to Kylian Mbappe, who led France to two consecutive finals and remains one of the most lethal players in the game. But as the match unfolded, another French story emerged from the other side. Michael Olise displayed vision reminiscent of Nikola Jokic and the elegance of a designer suit. Whether described as dancing or floating, his performance dismantled Real Madrid’s defense.
Now imagine Olise in this form alongside Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Rayan Cherki, Hugo Ekitike and Marcus Thuram. The result is an attacking potential as formidable as Spain, Argentina or Germany. France will face an early test in the group stage against Norway, a team flying under the radar but capable of a deep run. Still, the blend of talent and experience should serve as a decisive factor throughout what will be the longest and most complex World Cup ever.
It is true France has fielded stronger defenses and defensive midfields in the past. Yet this squad is not weaker than the one that won in 2018, which itself was less dominant than the 1998 generation.
The conclusion is simple. It will be a hot summer, and France may be ready for a third scoop of ice cream.