At long last, the 2026 World Cup is finally upon us, and excitement has already moved into overdrive. Plenty of teams are headed to North America with genuine dreams of lifting the famous gold trophy in MetLife Stadium on July 19th.
Will Harry Kane finally end 60 years of English hurt? Will either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo bow out from football's grandest stage as a world champion? Can an underdog such as Erling Haaland's Norway upset the odds?
Throughout the build-up to the tournament, online betting sites have made Spain the favourites to claim the trophy for the second time in their history, and as the opening night approaches, very little has changed.
The latest odds from Lucky Rebel Sportsbook position Luis de la Fuente's reigning European Champions as the 9/2 frontrunners, closely followed by France (5/1) and England (6/1). But which of the tournament favourites could be in for a rude awakening this summer?
Here are three heavyweights we think could stumble at the World Cup.
France
Manager Didier Deschamps has confirmed that the upcoming showpiece will be his seventh and final major tournament in charge of the French national team. He has led Les Bleus to each of the last two World Cup finals, winning the first in Moscow in 2018 before losing that thriller to Lionel Messi's destiny-bound Argentina in Qatar four years later. Deschamps will be aiming to bow out with a bang at his fourth World Cup, but there are plenty of causes for concern.
A number of his core players from successful tournaments of the past are now gone. Antoine Griezmann, arguably France's player of the tournament in the run to the final of Euro 2016 and victory at the 2018 World Cup, is no more. He retired from international football following Les Bleus' semi-final defeat at Euro 2024 and wasn't asked to reconsider for one last crack at the biggest prize in the game. Not only that, but veteran striker Olivier Giroud — the man who made the Kylian Mbappe-powered attack tick — has also retired, as has long-time captain Hugo Lloris.
Don't get us wrong, this French squad is still packed with talent. Mbappe remains as brilliant as ever, as does reigning Ballon d'Or holder Ousmane Dembele. But without Griezmann and Giroud threading things together, there is a very real chance that the back-to-back finalists deliver some disjointed displays.
Not only that, but France will also have to run the gauntlet throughout the tournament. They have been drawn into arguably the most difficult group at the World Cup alongside Norway and Senegal, while a clash with neighbours Germany could loom as early as the Round of 16. For a 5/1 second-favourite, Les Bleus certainly have plenty to overcome.
Brazil
Brazil have had a dismal time of it at recent World Cups. Since they last won a record fifth tournament back in 2002, the Selecao have been eliminated in the quarterfinals in four of the following five tournaments. The one time they made it past the last eight, they were humiliated by Germany on home turf, losing 7-1 in the 2014 semifinals and leaving their nation in mourning.
They have turned to iconic former Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti in their hour of need, and the maverick Italian has managed to steer Brazil to the finals, something that looked uncertain at one point throughout the qualifying campaign. But make no mistake about it, this Selecao squad isn't of the calibre we have come to expect. The days of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, and Kaka are long gone. Now, an ageing team will have to roll back the years if Brazil are to contend.
Neymar returns at the age of 34 despite three injury-riddled years. Holding midfielders Casemiro and Fabinho are aged 34 and 32 respectively, while prolific Chelsea striker Joao Pedro has been left at home. As such, Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr. will have plenty of responsibility put on his shoulders by his former club manager Ancelotti, as will Barcelona captain Raphinha.
Brazil have somewhat of an easier group compared to the aforementioned French, with Morocco, Scotland, and Haiti not expected to provide much of a threat. However, potential clashes with Norway in the Round of 16 and England in the quarterfinals will certainly test their mettle.
Portugal
The 2026 World Cup represents the last dance for a certain Cristiano Ronaldo, although we said the same back in Qatar four years ago. At the age of 41, this summer's showdown will likely be his last ever foray onto football's grandest stage, and indeed perhaps his final major tournament overall. But unfortunately for the great CR7, Portugal's recent displays at the World Cup have left a lot to be desired.
He led the Portuguese to the semifinals in his World Cup debut as a spritely 21-year-old back in 2006, but they haven't made it that far since. They were dumped out in the quarter-finals by upstarts Morocco four years ago, and now, with all of their superstars four years older, questions circulate as to how much gas remains in the tank.
Ronaldo isn't the only veteran in the squad. Key players Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Joao Cancelo are all 31 or older, while right back Nelson Semedo is 32. Will they manage to stay the course for the biggest and most demanding World Cup ever hosted? They will have to if their legendary captain is to bow out on top.
Much like Brazil, Portugal have an ostensibly easy group alongside DR Congo, debutants Uzbekistan, and Colombia. Not only that, but their round of 32 and round of 16 opponents also look relatively simple, with Switzerland arguably the best team they appear scheduled to face before the quarterfinals. There, however, a crunch clash with defending champions Argentina could lie in wait, a quarterfinal that will mark the first time that Ronaldo and long-time rival Messi have ever faced off at the World Cup. Anything other than an Albiceleste win would be a huge shock.