2024 has offered some distinctive drama on the worldwide stage however all consideration now turns to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Qualification for the event – hosted by america, Canada and Mexico – is underway on the vast majority of continents and the return of a summer time World Cup has supporters already salivating throughout the globe.
Who will make it to soccer’s most prestigious competitors stays to be seen, though a change in format now ensures a file 48 sides attain the finals. Eyes might be firmly mounted on the world’s elite nations and the shape they discover themselves in throughout the qualification course of.
Listed below are 90min’s energy rankings for the perfect groups in worldwide soccer.
Six COMEBOL nations qualify mechanically for the 2026 World Cup and inaugural competitors winners Uruguay are effectively positioned to safe their spot in North America.
La Celeste have been in spectacular type throughout the summer time’s Copa America and reached the semi-final earlier than their heated exit by the hands of Colombia. Marcelo Bielsa’s facet endured a patch of tough type after the event however earned 4 factors in conferences with Colombia and Brazil over the November worldwide break in World Cup qualifying.
Revenge on Colombia got here within the type of a 3-2 victory, whereas Federico Valverde’s purpose secured a 1-1 draw with Brazil that leaves Uruguay second within the CONMEBOL qualifying standings.
It is no secret that Italy endured a disastrous Euro 2024 marketing campaign however former Scudetto-winning Napoli supervisor Luciano Spalletti has helped the Azzurri flip a nook since then.
Italy have been unbeaten throughout their 2024/25 UEFA Nations League group stage marketing campaign till their November defeat to France, narrowly lacking out on high spot in League A’s Group 2.
Having overwhelmed France, Belgium and Israel because the summer time’s disappointment, Italy will check themselves in opposition to Germany within the Nations League quarter-finals in March.
After a vastly underwhelming Copa America marketing campaign over the summer time, Brazil discover themselves in improved type since their return to CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying. Nevertheless, they continue to be a way from their finest.
Vinicius Junior and co. didn’t win away at Venezuela earlier than stumbling to a house draw with Uruguay over the November worldwide break, leaving them fifth in qualifying and 7 factors behind rivals Argentina.
Dorival Junior is but to encourage because the nation’s head coach, though Brazil now not boast the identical depth as they as soon as did.
Losses to Uruguay and high-flying Ecuador have dampened the temper across the Colombian nationwide staff ever so barely, however Nestor Lorenzo’s facet stay in a robust place regardless of November defeats.
Having been narrowly overwhelmed by Argentina within the 2024 Copa America remaining, Colombia went on to beat the world champions in qualifying again in September, following that success up with a 4-0 thrashing of Chile in October.
With Liverpool’s Luis Diaz in large type and former Actual Madrid star James Rodriguez rejuvenated, Colombia ought to ease their solution to qualification for the World Cup.
Portugal might have underwhelmed at Euro 2024 below Roberto Martinez however they’ve solely misplaced 4 of their final 26 matches in all competitions as a star-studded squad develop extra comfy collectively.
Cristiano Ronaldo discovered the web frequently as Portugal eased by their Nations League group, beating Poland, Croatia and Scotland to safe high spot. They may face Denmark within the final eight.
Whereas Portugal should tilt away from Ronaldo within the coming years, the veteran has silenced his Euro 2024 critics with some spectacular Nations League outings.
A house event promised pleasure for Germany supporters after some darkish days below now Barcelona boss Hansi Flick, however Euro 2024 got here too quickly for Julian Nagelsmann firstly of his mission.
Germany performed positively over the summer time and their younger expertise shone vibrant, even when a quarter-final exit by the hands of eventual champions Spain felt like a wasted alternative.
Nevertheless, Germany have been unbeaten since as they eased to high spot of their Nations League group, with a good-looking 7-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina in November highlighting the attacking potential of Nagelsmann’s facet.
England might not have been totally convincing throughout their promotion again to League A within the Nations League however we mustn’t overlook the Three Lions have been European Championship finalists over the summer time.
Gareth Southgate has since departed, marking a brand new daybreak for the nationwide staff as Thomas Tuchel prepares to take cost of his first match in March. The transient is obvious: win the World Cup in 2026.
England confirmed glimpses of their attacking potential below interim supervisor Lee Carsley however forward-thinking soccer and the event of youth is prone to be traded for organisation and pragmatism following the appointment of former Chelsea and Bayern Munich coach Tuchel.
France have been tipped because the favourites for Euro 2024 however didn’t ship on the massive stage, even when they did attain the semi-final. Kylian Mbappe struggled in Germany and his teammates did little heavy lifting themselves on the event.
Didier Deschamps retained his place as head coach forward of the following Nations League group stage and regardless of a shaky starting, Les Bleus secured high spot as they progressed to the quarters.
An insanely gifted squad makes life simpler for Deschamps, whose facet stay second within the FIFA world rankings, and a second Nations League triumph would set them up properly forward of the upcoming World Cup.
Spain are in merely sensational type. Because the 2022 World Cup, they’ve didn’t win simply 4 of their 27 outings, triumphing at Euro 2024 below Luis de la Fuente after seven straight victories.
Their optimistic type has continued within the 2024/25 Nations League as they purpose to defend their crown. 5 wins and a draw from six group stage matches was the strongest file of any League A staff.
The likes of Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams carry hopes of a dominant technology and La Roja might be keen to hold their distinctive type into the 2026 World Cup.
There will be little doubt over the perfect worldwide staff on the planet as issues stand. World champions and 2024 Copa America victors Argentina have gained the final three main tournaments they’ve entered, with Lionel Scaloni having masterminded their outstanding success.
Lionel Messi continues to ship on his worldwide swansong and Lautaro Martinez has developed into the clutch goalscorer each worldwide powerhouse requires.
They have been glorious over the summer time as they gained the Copa America they usually cleared the path in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying, at present sat 5 factors forward of second-placed Uruguay.
