Sports
Who would win the 2026 World Cup if it kicked off today?
It’s mid-November, and qualification for the 2026 World Cup — to be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada next summer — is in its final dramatic stages, with many automatic spots to be filled over the next week and several other nations vying for a spot in March’s intercontinental playoffs.
Before we get there, though — and before we get to the World Cup draw, which will be held in Washington D.C. on Dec. 5 — let’s ask ourselves a simple question: If the World Cup started today, who would win it?
ESPN FC’s writers and analysts were asked exactly that, so here’s how they feel about the state of the tournament right now and which teams look ready to walk away with the trophy.
Last World Cup win: 2010
FIFA rank: 1
Mark Ogden: The 2026 World Cup is going to be won by the team which can best deal with the conditions of a stifling hot summer in the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Spain tick more boxes than any other contender. They are the reigning European champions — their pedigree is unquestioned — but Luis de la Fuente’s side will win the World Cup because they can dominate possession and wear down their opponents.
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They have two world-class goalkeepers in Unai Simón and David Raya, a proven defense and a midfield including Martín Zubimendi, Pedri and Rodri. Further forward, on top of the consistency and reliability of Mikel Oyarzabal and Dani Olmo, the unpredictability and goal threat of Ferran Torres and Samu Aghehowa, there is winger Lamine Yamal, who is capable of leading Spain to glory in his first World Cup. The final is scheduled just six days after his 19th birthday; what a gift that would be.
Tom Hamilton: Spain have plenty of big tournament pedigree despite falling on penalties in the UEFA Nations League final to Portugal in June. Their last competitive defeat in 90 minutes was way back in 2023, when they lost to Scotland. Pedri missed much of the Euro 2024 knockout stages through injury, but he’s back and firing, which adds to the world-class depth — and beautiful blend of youth and experience — that De la Fuente can call upon.
Other teams like France, England and Argentina will push them close, plus we expect Brazil to click at some stage, especially with Carlo Ancelotti at the helm. As we saw in 2022, there’s likely to be a Morocco-esque surprise package, but right now, Spain are at the front of the pack. Key to their chances, though, is getting Rodri back up to full working order. Manchester City have been slow to reintroduce him, but if he gets back to his world-class best…
Sam Marsden: Time for me to make a wholly original pick! A lot of countries have a lot of talent, but right now, none, for me, are better than La Roja for two reasons.
Firstly, they have a clear playing style, which is not always easy to find in international football. Secondly, it feels like the roles within the team are so well defined and understood within the squad that they’re best-equipped to deal with losing players to injuries or suspensions. However, that resilience and flexibility could be tested if Ballon d’Or runner-up Yamal ends up missing games. He’s perhaps the one player in the squad whose quality, unpredictability and match-winning ability is difficult to replace.
1:49
Yamal situation playground stuff’ from Barcelona and Spanish FA
Julien Lauren believes the Lamine Yamal situation could be “easily figured out” if both Barcelona and the Spanish FA “speak to each other” to sort it out.
Alex Kirkland: Am I biased, living as I do in Madrid? Perhaps. But here are the facts: Spain won Euro 2024, beating Germany, France and England along the way. Before that, they won the 2023 UEFA Nations League. Since then, they’ve reached the 2025 Nations League final — only to be beaten in a penalty shootout by Portugal. They’ve just matched the longest unbeaten run in their history, going 29 competitive games without defeat (counting that Portugal final as a draw). They’ve also got Pedri, Yamal, Nico Williams, and so many midfield options that Zubimendi, Fabián Ruiz and Rodri are competing for just one spot.
Are there weaknesses? A few: Oyarzabal isn’t your dream center forward, but he’s got seven goals for Spain in 12 months. And if he’s not scoring, then Arsenal’s Mikel Merino — six goals in World Cup qualifying — will. De la Fuente isn’t entirely convincing, but you can’t argue with results, and his team play a really clear, cohesive, well-established style of play. If Pedri and Yamal stay fit: no other team comes close.
Cesar Hernandez: I think there’s no looking past the Euro 2024 champions. If we’re not counting the results of penalty shootouts (though it was a dramatic one with Portugal earlier this year), they’ve gone 24 consecutive games without a defeat in regulation or extra time. They’re also breezing through World Cup qualifying without a loss or goal allowed.
Granted, if the World Cup was starting this week, there’s also an assumption that the fitness management of Yamal would be in a much more ideal state as he’s shifted between Barcelona and national team duties, but who knows. Perhaps this back-and-forth continues through next year, which could lead to a different prediction for 2026.
Lizzy Becherano: At this point in time, Spain have to be considered the frontrunners. Winning Euro 2024 was a masterclass, one that also offered valuable experience to the younger players on the squad. The likes of Yamal and Fermín López are better for enduring the pressure and high stakes on the international stage, which is crucial to being successful at a World Cup. Certain countries boast individual stars that can drive victories, but Spain stand strong enough in each position to power through the most difficult challenges the upcoming World Cup will pose.
James Olley: Spain! They lifted the Euro 2024 trophy by becoming the first team ever to win all seven matches without requiring penalties. And the caliber of the teams they beat — Italy, Germany, France and England among them — suggested it was no fluke.
Williams and Yamal are two years older with more experience; Rodri should be relatively fresh assuming he recovers from his persistent injury problems, but if not, Zubimendi — who deputized for Rodri in the Euros final against England — has arguably taken his game to another level at Arsenal so far this season. Spain do need other players to kick on — Dean Huijsen switching his allegiance from Netherlands last year could be a major boost if he thrives at Real Madrid — but they still look the team to beat.
ENGLAND (3 votes)
Last World Cup win: 1966
FIFA rank: 4
Julien Laurens: The biggest factor here besides England’s talent is that they finally have a manager who is not afraid of making big calls and being honest about it. Thomas Tuchel can deal with big egos better than anyone else, having worked everywhere from Chelsea to Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. He has extensive experience managing unhappy players and leaving behind anyone who isn’t on board with his philosophy and team spirit. One of the best tacticians in world football, Tuchel is the right guy to finally lead England to victory.
The Three Lions have one of the most talented squads of players, and bags of experience at the club level, for him to choose from — many of whom were part of England’s run to the finals at the last two European Championships. Striker Harry Kane is in the form of his life, there is depth in a lot of positions and a fresh generation of young stars pushing hard for a starting spot or a place on the plane next summer. (Seriously, take your pick from Elliot Anderson, Alex Scott, Adam Wharton, Morgan Rogers … need I say more?)
0:59
Marcotti questions Tuchel’s comments about Bellingham, Kane and Foden
Gab Marcotti believes Thomas Tuchel should “never say” Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Phil Foden can’t play together.
Cole Palmer will come back from injury fresh and rested, ready to have a big impact whether as a starter or as a sub. And leaders like Kane, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice or Marc Guéhi will shine.
Tuchel also explained the obvious this week: Kane, Jude Bellingham and Phil Foden can’t start together. It didn’t work in the past, and it won’t work at the World Cup this summer. The team would not be balanced enough and in this structure, it is not possible to have them three together from the start. This England team will be built differently, on and off the pitch and that will be the reason for their success.
Bill Connelly: They currently have the best combination of talent, depth, coaching, center-forward play and good health. (Spain would be my answer, if not for those last two parts.) Tuchel’s combination of caution and individualized tactics should work as well as anything in a long combination with so many knockout rounds, and while he probably doesn’t have the full back situation figured out as well as he would prefer, no one does.
This is a battle-tested squad with a bench loaded with players would start for all but the most elite countries in the world. They’re in great shape, and if the overall health of the squad hasn’t fallen apart seven months from now, they’ll have everything they need.
Gab Marcotti: I’m applying the process of elimination here. Right now, Yamal and Pedri are injured (sorry, Spain); Brazil have a lot to prove under Carlo Ancelotti; Argentina look good, but we haven’t had repeat champions in my lifetime.
Right now, logic says England or France, except after 12 years of Deschamps, I can’t help but feel things might be getting a little stale for Les Bleus. So whatever, I’ll bite.
Why not England? Why not Tuchel to make history as the first foreign manager to lift a World Cup? Why not an end to 60 years of hurt and humiliation? Darn, can’t believe I said that. But you did ask for “right now,” so …
FRANCE (2 votes)
Last World Cup win: 2018
FIFA rank: 3
Beth Lindop: While I think Spain are possibly the most balanced team in world football, I’m opting for Les Bleus. They are no strangers to World Cup success, having followed up their 2018 triumph by reaching the final in 2022.
In terms of attacking firepower, I think they’re pretty unrivaled at the international level. Kylian Mbappé has been in fine scoring form for Real Madrid this season, while Ousmane Dembélé is now officially the best player in the world thanks to his Ballon d’Or win, though his campaign so far has been disrupted by injury. With the likes of Hugo Ekitike, Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué in the squad, Didier Deschamps has an embarrassment of attacking riches at his disposal. And, at the other end of the pitch, Dayot Upamecano, Theo Hernández and William Saliba are also in great form. The squad is really strong in all departments.
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Ryan O’Hanlon: They’ve made the last two World Cup finals, and the last time they lost a knockout game at a World Cup, Barack Obama was still president of the United States and England was still part of the European Union. Their potential front three of Mbappé, Dembele, and Michael Olise is better than anything any club team can offer. Their starting center backs are currently starting for club teams that have allowed 11 combined goals through their first 21 matches of domestic play.
This will be the most talented team at the tournament next summer — and it won’t be close.
ARGENTINA (1 vote)
Last World Cup win: 2022
FIFA rank: 2
2:24
Fans surround Argentina bus to watch Messi train
Hundreds of fans gather as Lionel Messi and the Argentina team train in Spain ahead of the Angola friendly.
Rob Dawson: Managing the climate in the U.S., Mexico and Canada will be key for whoever lifts the trophy and the European nations are going to struggle. Argentina got over the line in Qatar and the core of that squad is still here. Lionel Messi — if he plays — is unlikely to have the same impact as last time, but they’ve got Emiliano Martínez, Cristian Romero, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Julián Álvarez around him. It’s a formidable spine to the team.
World Cups are won by sides that can grow into a tournament, and Argentina have got invaluable inexperience from four years ago. They’re the ones to beat.
Less than two months remain until WrestleMania 42 from Las Vegas in April, and this Saturday marks a critical stop along the way. Chicago’s United Center will host the 16th WWE Elimination Chamber premium live event (7 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited), where the WrestleMania card will continue to be constructed.
The show will feature both men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches, during which six wrestlers, surrounded by a steel cage structure, work to pin or submit their opponents until one winner is left standing. That wrestler receives a championship opportunity at WrestleMania. CM Punk will also defend his World Heavyweight Championship in his hometown against Finn Bálor. And the Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee saga continues with the Women’s Intercontinental Championship on the line.
Here are the notes, stats and Elimination Chamber history to know heading into Saturday’s event.
Men’s Elimination Chamber
Participants: Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams and Jey Uso
1:04
Cody Rhodes: ‘I need to officially point at the WrestleMania sign’
Cody Rhodes previews the Elimination Chamber against Randy Orton, LA Knight, Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams, readying to punch his ticket to WrestleMania.
• The first Elimination Chamber match occurred 23 years ago at Survivor Series in 2002. Shawn Michaels won the match to become world heavyweight champion.
• There have been 36 men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches combined, 11 of which have produced new champions.
• Triple H and John Cena share the distinction of most Elimination Chamber victories with four each. Daniel Bryan is next with three. Cena is the most recent Elimination Chamber winner, having won the men’s match in 2025. He turned heel and claimed his record-setting 17th championship the following month at WrestleMania 41.
• This will be a record-setting 10th Elimination Chamber match for Orton. Chris Jericho and Cena sit two back of Orton in the record book with eight entrants. If Orton records two eliminations in Saturday’s match, he will tie Jericho for the most all time (10). Orton is the only participant in the match with an Elimination Chamber win. He won in 2014 and retained the world title on his way to the WrestleMania 30 main event.
• Rhodes has lost three consecutive PLE matches, dating back to Crown Jewel in October 2025. It is Rhodes’ longest PLE losing streak since he returned to the WWE at WrestleMania 38 in 2022. On Saturday, Rhodes will make his first Elimination Chamber appearance since his WWE return, but not his first ever. In his first WWE stint, he took part in the World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber match, won by Bryan in 2012.
• Uso won five straight WWE PLE matches from November 2024 to August 2025 — including his World Heavyweight Championship win at WrestleMania 41. Since then, he’s on a four-match PLE losing streak for the first time since 2020-21.
• Knight is looking for a change in luck at the Elimination Chamber. It has been more than a year since Knight has won a PLE match. Since Crown Jewel in November 2024, he has lost seven consecutive PLE bouts.
Women’s Elimination Chamber
Participants: Alexa Bliss, Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley, Asuka, Kiana James and Raquel Rodriguez
• The first women’s Elimination Chamber match occurred in 2018. Bliss won the match and retained her “Raw” women’s championship. This will be the eighth women’s Elimination Chamber match in history.
• The only superstar with multiple women’s Elimination Chamber wins is Bianca Belair (2022 and 2025). Bliss or Asuka could join her on that list this weekend.
• Stratton is aiming to avoid her third straight WWE PLE loss after Liv Morgan eliminated her to win the Royal Rumble and Stephanie Vaquer defeated her to win the 2025 Crown Jewel Championship. Stratton hasn’t experienced a three-loss skid in PLE matches since her first three on the main roster in early 2024.
• Asuka has not won a match at a PLE event since Elimination Chamber in 2024, when the Kabuki Warriors defeated Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championship.
• Rodriguez could earn her first career singles victory at a WWE PLE this weekend. Rodriguez, who holds the women’s record for tag title reigns with six, has accumulated only tag team victories in her WWE PLE career.
• Will anyone run the table in this match? Only one wrestler, Shayna Baszler in 2020, has ever recorded every elimination in an Elimination Chamber match.
World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Finn Bálor
1:24
Previewing CM Punk vs. Finn Balor at Elimination Chamber
Arda Ocal previews a huge match for the world heavyweight title between CM Punk and Finn Balor at Elimination Chamber in Chicago.
• The winner of this match is destined for a WrestleMania collision with Roman Reigns. Bálor defeated Reigns on his first night on the WWE main roster — the July 25, 2016, edition of “Raw.”
• This will be CM Punk’s first PLE match in Chicago since he took down Jericho at Payback in 2013. Overall, he has wrestled in six WWE PLE matches from Chicago and has a 4-2 record. One of Punk’s two UFC fights also occurred in Chicago.
• Punk is in the midst of an impressive run. He has not lost a match in more than two months. During that stretch, he successfully has retained the World Heavyweight Championship in three television matches against Bron Breakker, AJ Styles and his Elimination Chamber opponent, Bálor.
• It has been two years since Bálor last won a PLE match. In fact, his last such win occurred at the 2024 Elimination Chamber. At that event, he and Damian Priest successfully defended their tag titles against Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate.
Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee
1:05
Best moments of WWE Elimination Chamber history
Relive some of the top moments of Elimination Chamber history as we gear up for Saturday’s event.
• Lee will compete in her first championship match in more than 11 years. Her last title bout occurred in December 2014, when she battled Nikki Bella at Tables, Ladders and Chairs … and Stairs for the Divas Championship.
• Lynch is 3-0 at Elimination Chamber. Her last such win occurred in 2024, when she won the women’s Elimination Chamber match.
• Lee will make her second career Chicago PLE appearance after she defeated Kaitlyn to win the Divas Championship at Payback in 2013.
Cristiano Ronaldo has acquired a 25% ownership stake in Spanish second division club UD Almeria.
The financial terms of the transaction, done through the Portugal captain’s CR7 Sports Investments company, have not been disclosed but the deal is considered a long-term strategic investment from Ronaldo.
“I have long had the ambition to contribute to football beyond the pitch,” Ronaldo said in a statement.
“UD Almería is a Spanish club with a strong foundation and clear growth potential. I wish to work with the team leading the club to support it in its new phase of growth.”
UD Almeria were taken over by a Saudi Investment group in May 2025.
Ronaldo, who turned 41 on Feb. 5, has in the past expressed his desire to own a football club once he retired.
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The former Real Madrid star last summer extended his contract with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr through June 2027 and is expected to captain Portugal this summer in what will be a record sixth World Cup.
UD Almeria president Mohamed al Khereiji is thrilled to have the five-time Ballon d’Or winner on board.
“He is considered the best on the pitch,” Al Khereiji said. “He knows the Spanish leagues very well and understands the potential of what we are building here both in terms of the team and the youth academy.”
Relegated to the second division in April 2024, Almeria are on course to gain promotion to Spain’s top fight this season. They are third in Spain’s second tier, two points adrift of leaders Racing Santander after 27 games.
Real Madrid have their eye on Arsenal‘s Gabriel Magalhães, and Chelsea remain keen on Aston Villa‘s Morgan Rogers.
Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
TRENDING RUMORS
– Real Madrid have made an enquiry about Arsenal center back Gabriel Magalhães, according to TeamTalk. The Premier League leaders quickly informedMadrid that the 28-year-old is not available at any price. Gabriel signed a long-term contract extension last summer. Having also secured deals to extend the stays of Bukayo Saka and William Saliba, Arsenal are reportedly determined to show that even a club as big as Madrid can’t take their top players.
– Chelsea remain confident that they can sign Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers despite the Villans stating that only an extraordinary offer would tempt them into even considering letting him go, reports TeamTalk. That figure will likely have to be over the £100 million Villa received from Manchester City for Jack Grealish in 2021. Chelsea have held a long-term interest in the 23-year-old, with their co-director of recruitment, Joe Shields, the person who originally took Rogers to City while leading the Citizens’ youth signings.
– Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are likely to face competition from Inter Milan to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka in the summer, reports CF Bayern Insider. Bayer Leverkusen are also keen on the 31-year-old, who will be a free agent with his contract in Bavaria expiring at the end of this season. Arsenal had tried to sign Goretzka in January, but the Germany international had already given Bayern his word that he would stay until the end of the campaign.
– Manchester United are closely monitoring the situation of Villarreal midfielder Pape Gueye, as reported by Footmercato. The 27-year-old’s reputation has grown since he scored the winner against Morocco in the Africa Cup of Nations final, and he is also a key player for Villarreal. The World Cup offers Gueye another opportunity to impress on a big stage, yet he has already attracted plenty of interest, particularly from United who are looking to replace Casemiro following the announcement that the Brazilian will be leaving Old Trafford.
– Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford have all made checks on Eintracht Frankfurt right-back Nnamdi Collins, according to TeamTalk. Arsenal, in particular, are impressed by the 22-year-old and see similarities to Ben White, although Frankfurt have a strong negotiating position as Collins’ contract runs until 2030. Fellow Frankfurt full-back Nathaniel Brown has also been heavily scouted with Manchester United having looked at the 22-year-old.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s Barcelona correspondent Sam Marsden takes a look at the club’s key transfer questions, including which striker they should sign:
Barça should sign a Kylian Mbappé or a Harry Kane, but they also should sign a center back, a fullback and a holding midfielder, probably another winger as well, so where will they streamline their spending? I would lean toward a center back.
But if it’s a striker, Julián Álvarez is well-liked within the club’s hierarchy. However, his recent form — no goals in 11 games before scoring against Barça last week — has raised doubts. Also, the fee Atlético would want for him is prohibitive — Barça sources have told ESPN they want well over €100 million. There is also no guarantee he would score more than Ferran Torres, who actually has five more league goals than Álvarez this season in 300 fewer minutes.
In that sense, Dusan Vlahovic could work as a free shot considering he will be out of contract this summer at Juventus, even if he would not excite supporters. Given how the market is and how much can change, I would advise Barça to sit tight for now and prioritise other areas until they can afford a proper investment in a striker.
OTHER RUMORS
1:26
Moreno: PSG could get exposed in Champions League knockouts
Alejandro Moreno reacts to PSG’s progression to the Champions League knockouts after a 5-4 aggregate win over Monaco.
– Brighton could drop their valuation for Carlos Beleba from over £100 million to around £70 million amid interest from Manchester United. (TEAMtalk)
– Casemiro wants to continue playing in Europe when he leaves Manchester United, with Italy being flagged as a possible destination for the midfielder. (The Sun)
– Manchester City and Arsenal are closely monitoring versatile Brighton midfielder Jack Hinshelwood. (Caught Offside)
– Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United have all closely watched 18-year-old Ajax midfielder Sean Steur in recent weeks. (TEAMtalk)
– Marcus Thuram could leave Inter Milan during the summer transfer window. (Nicolo Schira)
– Several foreign clubs have approached Marc Casado, but the midfielder is getting closer to extending his contract with Barcelona. (Nicolo Schira)
– Atletico Madrid have included Borussia Dortmund striker Fabio Silva on their shortlist of possible replacements for Julián Alvarez if the 26-year-old leaves in the summer. (Rudy Galetti)
– Tottenham want to move for Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson in the summer as they prepare to lose Guglielmo Vicario. (Football Insider)
– Crystal Palace view signing a replacement for Marc Guéhi as a priority during the summer transfer window. (The Standard)
– Premier League and top European clubs are tracking Brentford goalkeeper Matthew Cox‘s impressive form on loan at Shrewsbury Town. (Football Insider)
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