Who are the favorites to win WC 2026?

It is time for some good speculation and prognostication. (You can pick up to two choices.)

Not so sure. Messi's numbers were still pretty darn good in the Copa America this summer. Its one thing to say he won't help his country as much as he did in 2022, but its a looooonng way from that to being a detriment. I mean, his experience alone ....He wasn't good at the Copa (only played decent against Canada) and was very clearly a detriment in the final (they played much better after he left the pitch). Lost count of how many times he got dispossessed throughout the tournament, it was like never before. Still, he's much more humble than Ronaldo, I could see him accepting a substitute role eventually.

Spain have passed Argentina to lead the Elo ranking. There are 28 UEFA teams among the highest 50 ranked teams in ELO and 20 among the highest ranked 32. That suggests to me - at the moment - that at least 14 UEFA teams will qualify for the knockout stage.

Also, no Italy in the poll? Come on... I know they don't look great atm but how many times have they not looked good 2 years out from a WC and then gone on to win it? Or if not win, look super impressive.I just could not do it. I was tempted to and maybe they can make a run like in '94 to the Final but it would take a lot for them to actually win in '26. The game is a bit different and they do not have any game changers. Not even a Pirlo type of creative that could help out.

A few things. Form and depth/talent Spain, France, England - 1 of those 3 Overall the location tends to indicate that Europe Overall will have a poor tournament, although that was in the 32 team era. Thi is will be very different with 48, but I tend to think that trend will continue. European teams other than the top few will not dominate in the American summer. Not the way people always expect them to. Even With 48 teams there will not be as many blowouts as many people would predict.

I think maybe Portugal not Italy should be on there now that I think of it. But if they are still relying on Ronaldo to save the day in the Summer heat of USA then they are in for rude awakenings.

Yeah, UEFA depth is a bit overrated imo. But something to consider is that there will probably be more than 13 UEFA teams in the final 32 (13 course the # that qualified in the 32-team WC). So, to predict that only 3-4 out of 14-15 will advance past the first 2 KO rounds might be a stretch, imo. Though, as I wrote above, so much will depend on how the brackets shape up. There are at least 5 UEFA teams that I would fancy getting to the QFs, but of course they could encounter each other before the quarters (or Argentina/Brazil).I dont see 14 to 15 uefa teams making the knockouts, even in this new format. That's way too optimistic IMO. 2022 you already had 3 uefa teams finishing last in their groups. Denmark, Serbia, Wales. Denmark and Serbia were particularly strong teams going into that WC, and they still finished last. I definately see more than 1 or 2 uefa teams failing to qualify.

If Colombia are listed as option for the poll Uruguay should have been there tooUruguay are overrated. They got outplayed by Canada's B team.

Pretty sure Messi will play in WC'26. If he was going to retire from the NT before the WC, he would have already. He isn't staying just to play Peru and Bolivia in qualifying.

Pretty sure Messi will play in WC'26. If he was going to retire from the NT before the WC, he would have already. He isn't staying just to play Peru and Bolivia in qualifying.I am not as sure he will play. If he does play he surely won't be as effective as 2022.