The 2026 World Cup is an event that has been highly anticipated by football fans worldwide. The Athletic's ranking of the top 5 teams to watch has generated significant interest and debate among enthusiasts. The Netherlands, Brazil, France, Argentina, and Spain are the teams that have been selected for their impressive performances and potential to win the tournament.
The Netherlands, ranked 5th, has a strong team led by Virgil Van Dijk, a seasoned player who has been instrumental in the team's success. The Athletic notes that the Netherlands has been quietly building a team that has matured at the same time, and this has started to pay off. The team's ability to reach the latter stages of tournaments without having a group of players to get excited about has been a significant factor in their success.
Brazil, ranked 4th, has a FIFA ranking of 6 and is overdue a World Cup win. The team's manager, Carlo Angelotti, is a serial winner who has an impressive career across every top 5 league in Europe. Many people believe that his magic will apply well to Brazil, making them a dark horse in the tournament.
France, ranked 3rd, has a FIFA ranking of 1 and is considered one of the strongest teams in the tournament. The team's depth is a significant advantage, with the ability to bring in other players when there are injuries. This has been a key factor in the team's success in recent years.
Argentina, ranked 2nd, is the reigning champion from Qatar in 2022 and has also won back-to-back Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024. The team's manager and star player, Lionel Messi, have been instrumental in the team's success, and their status as favorites is well-deserved.
Finally, Spain, ranked 1st, has a FIFA ranking of 2 and was not many people's top choice to win the 2024 European Championship. However, they ended up being the best team in Germany, and their incredible array of young attacking talent is still maturing. This has made them a formidable team to beat.
