With 100 days to go until the start of the 2026 World Cup (June 11-July 19), the main favorites are approaching the final stretch leading to the tournament organized in the United States, Mexico and Canada in disparate states of form.

Argentina: The champion on cloud nine

The defending champions have maintained their momentum after their third title in Qatar. Winners of the Copa America in 2024 and still led by Lionel Messi, Argentina cruised through the South American qualifiers and secured their place in March 2025. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, an MLS champion with Inter Miami, hopes for one last triumph at 38 years old in his most recent adopted country.

Spain: Invincible Armada

The European champions, undefeated in 31 matches, will arrive at the World Cup in top form. But their performance will inevitably depend on that of their young star, Lamine Yamal. The brilliant 18-year-old striker has been hampered by injuries at the start of the season, and his off-field behavior has also drawn criticism. The key question is whether he will be able to handle the enormous pressure that awaits him at his first World Cup.

France: Questions surrounding Mbappé and Dembélé

Didier Deschamps will be leading Les Bleus in his seventh and final major tournament and is determined not to tarnish his record, having kept France among the world's best nations for over 13 years. World champions in 2018 and runners-up in 2022, the manager has set the bar very high and knows he's under pressure after a disappointing Euro 2024 in terms of performance, despite reaching the semi-finals. The same will be true for Kylian Mbappé, who made history by scoring a hat-trick in the 2022 final. The captain, who burst onto the international scene in 2018, is counting on returning to his favorite competition to erase the unpleasant image left by the European Championship (one goal from a penalty). However, his left knee injury, which forced him to take a break from Real Madrid, is a cause for concern. There is similar concern for Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, who is currently recovering from a calf injury after being unavailable for a long time in the autumn.

England: Talent at every level

As runners-up in Euro 2024 and the first European nation to qualify for the tournament in the Americas, England are serious contenders for the title. Now coached by Thomas Tuchel, they boast a wealth of talent (Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Declan Rice) as they hope to finally lift an international trophy that has eluded them since 1966.

Portugal: last chance for CR7

Portugal will be one of the biggest contenders at the World Cup. With a wealth of top-level talent at his disposal, Roberto Martinez has already garnered some initial success with the Nations League in 2025. To give Cristiano Ronaldo (41 years old) a fitting send-off, what better way than a first World Cup victory for a team that has suffered defeats in the tournament since its third-place finish in 1966?

Germany: in the dark

Germany, still reeling from two monumental World Cup fiascos (first-round eliminations in 2018 and 2022), unworthy of their status as four-time winners of the competition, have yet to rediscover their form. After being outclassed at home by Portugal (2-1) and France (2-0) during the Nations League Final Four in 2025, they failed to impress during the qualifying phase, only managing a sluggish victory in a very weak group (Slovakia, Northern Ireland, Luxembourg).

Brazil: in doubt

Carlo Ancelotti's arrival as manager in June has yet to transform the Seleção. The five-time world champions, seeking their sixth title since 2002, no longer reign supreme in South America (elimination in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Copa America, fifth in South American qualifying), having been largely overtaken by their arch-rivals, Argentina. While the prestigious Italian coach, who at 66 will be experiencing his first World Cup as manager, strives to create a cohesive team, the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Neymar's fitness does little to inspire confidence among the Brazilians.