A record 48 teams are competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Below you will find a profile of every nation, organized by group — the key players to watch, the head coach where confirmed, and what to expect from each side. For live tables, see our Live Standings page; for match analysis, visit the Blog.

Group A

Mexico — Co-hosts and Group A favourites. Under coach Javier Aguirre, El Tri blend veteran know-how with pace in attack through Hirving Lozano and midfield drive from Edson Álvarez. Opening their tournament with a 2–0 win over South Africa at the Estadio Azteca was the ideal start.

South Korea — Captained by Tottenham’s Son Heung-min and boosted by Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae and Paris Saint-Germain’s Lee Kang-in, South Korea have the individual quality to trouble anyone. Reaching the semi-finals in 2002 remains their high-water mark.

Czechia — A disciplined European side built around striker Patrik Schick and midfield engine Tomáš Souček. The Czechs will look to grind out results and spring forward on the counter.

South Africa — Back at the World Cup for the first time since hosting in 2010, Bafana Bafana rely on the creativity of Percy Tau and the goals of Lyle Foster. A red-card-marred opening defeat to Mexico made their task harder.

Group B

Canada — Co-hosts with genuine attacking talent in Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies and prolific striker Jonathan David. Coach Jesse Marsch has instilled an aggressive, high-energy style; a 1–1 draw with Bosnia was a solid opener.

Switzerland — Tournament regulars marshalled by captain Granit Xhaka and Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji. Switzerland dominated their opener against Qatar but were held 1–1 by a stoppage-time equaliser.

Qatar — The 2022 hosts earned a memorable first-ever World Cup point with a 94th-minute equaliser against Switzerland. Akram Afif and Almoez Ali remain their main attacking threats.

Bosnia & Herzegovina — Veteran striker Edin Džeko continues to lead the line for Bosnia, who will rely on experience and organisation to stay competitive in a tight group.

Group C

Brazil — Five-time champions and perennial contenders, the Seleção are powered by Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior, who scored in their 1–1 draw with Morocco. With flair across the front line, Brazil remain among the favourites despite a cautious start.

Morocco — The surprise semi-finalists of 2022 are no longer underdogs. Coached by Walid Regragui and led by Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz, Morocco proved their pedigree by holding Brazil in their opener.

Scotland — Top of Group C after John McGinn’s strike — Scotland’s first World Cup goal in 28 years — sealed a 1–0 win over Haiti. With Scott McTominay and Andy Robertson, Steve Clarke’s side have belief.

Haiti — Back on the world stage for the first time since 1974, Haiti are the group’s outsiders but arrive determined to make their mark against far higher-ranked opposition.

Group D

United States — Co-hosts and Group D favourites after a commanding 4–1 win over Paraguay. Under coach Mauricio Pochettino, the USA are built around captain Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and striker Folarin Balogun.

Türkiye — A talented, youthful side featuring Real Madrid’s Arda Güler and Inter Milan’s Hakan Çalhanoğlu. Coach Vincenzo Montella has Türkiye dreaming of a deep run for the first time since their 2002 third-place finish.

Australia — The Socceroos, reliable tournament competitors, lean on experienced goalkeeper Mat Ryan and a well-drilled defensive structure under coach Tony Popovic.

Paraguay — A physical, organised South American side led by Miguel Almirón. A heavy opening defeat to the USA leaves them needing a response.

Group E

Germany — Four-time world champions rebuilding around a brilliant young core. Coach Julian Nagelsmann can call on Florian Wirtz and Jamal Musiala in attack and Joshua Kimmich in midfield, making Germany clear Group E favourites.

Ecuador — A well-organised side built on a strong defence and the midfield class of Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo and Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapié.

Ivory Coast — African champions in 2023, the Elephants carry real threat through Brighton’s Simon Adingra and striker Sébastien Haller.

Curaçao — One of the smallest nations ever to reach a World Cup, Curaçao’s debut is a historic achievement in itself, with a squad drawn largely from the Dutch leagues.

Group F

Netherlands — Perennial contenders led by captain Virgil van Dijk, with Frenkie de Jong pulling the strings and Cody Gakpo and Xavi Simons providing the spark. Ronald Koeman’s side are Group F favourites.

Japan — Among Asia’s strongest, the Samurai Blue feature Real Sociedad’s Take Kubo and Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma. Coach Hajime Moriyasu has built a side capable of upsetting Europe’s best.

Sweden — Dangerous in attack with Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and Sporting’s Viktor Gyökeres, plus Tottenham’s Dejan Kulusevski. Sweden’s firepower makes them a threat to anyone.

Tunisia — A combative North African side that thrives on defensive organisation, with Hannibal Mejbri adding energy in midfield.

Group G

Belgium — Still boasting a golden-generation core in Kevin De Bruyne, alongside the electric Jérémy Doku and striker Romelu Lukaku. Belgium have the talent to go deep.

Egypt — Built around Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah, with Omar Marmoush providing a growing attacking threat alongside him.

Iran — One of Asia’s most consistent qualifiers, Iran are led by strikers Mehdi Taremi and Sardar Azmoun and are well organised at the back.

New Zealand — Champions of Oceania, the All Whites rely on Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood for goals and will aim to spring a surprise.

Group H

Spain — Reigning European champions and among the tournament favourites. Coach Luis de la Fuente has a wealth of talent, from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to midfield maestros Pedri and Rodri.

Uruguay — Under Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay pair experience with quality in Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde and striker Darwin Núñez. Two-time champions, they are dark horses again.

Saudi Arabia — Asian heavyweights who famously beat Argentina in 2022, inspired by the creativity of winger Salem Al-Dawsari.

Cape Verde — The Blue Sharks make a remarkable World Cup debut, a fairytale for one of the smallest nations by population ever to qualify.

Group I

France — Runners-up in 2022 and among the favourites. In what is set to be Didier Deschamps’ final tournament in charge, France are led by superstar Kylian Mbappé, with Ousmane Dembélé and a deep, powerful squad behind him.

Senegal — African powerhouse with quarter-final pedigree from 2002. Senegal feature Sadio Mané and a host of European-based talent, making them a serious threat.

Norway — Qualifying for their first World Cup since 1998, Norway are spearheaded by two of the world’s best in Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard.

Iraq — Back at the World Cup after a long absence, Iraq are the group’s outsiders but carry strong support and will compete hard.

Group J

Argentina — Defending champions and led by the legendary Lionel Messi in what is likely his final World Cup. Coach Lionel Scaloni also has Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández, making the holders genuine contenders again.

Austria — Under respected coach Ralf Rangnick, Austria are well drilled and dangerous, with Real Madrid’s David Alaba and midfielders Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer.

Algeria — The Desert Foxes return with attacking quality led by Riyad Mahrez and midfield class from Ismaël Bennacer.

Jordan — Making a historic first World Cup appearance after a stunning run, with winger Mousa Al-Taamari their standout attacking threat.

Group K

Portugal — Contenders led by the iconic Cristiano Ronaldo in a likely final World Cup, supported by Bruno Fernandes and Rafael Leão. Coach Roberto Martínez has enormous attacking depth.

Colombia — A dangerous South American side built around Liverpool’s Luis Díaz and the experience of James Rodríguez, under coach Néstor Lorenzo.

Uzbekistan — Celebrating a historic first-ever World Cup qualification, with striker Eldor Shomurodov leading the line for the Central Asian debutants.

DR Congo — Back among the world’s elite, the Leopards bring physicality and attacking threat through forwards such as Yoane Wissa.

Group L

England — Among the favourites under coach Thomas Tuchel, with a star-studded squad featuring captain Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Phil Foden. England will expect to go deep.

Croatia — Finalists in 2018, the ever-reliable Croatians are still orchestrated by the timeless Luka Modrić, with Manchester City’s Joško Gvardiol anchoring the defence.

Ghana — The Black Stars return with exciting talent in West Ham’s Mohammed Kudus and the experience of Thomas Partey, hoping to recapture their 2010 quarter-final form.

Panama — A spirited CONCACAF side that has grown steadily, with midfielders Aníbal Godoy and Adalberto Carrasquilla central to their hopes.

Follow every team this tournament

From the favourites chasing glory to the debutants making history, all 48 nations are battling for a place in the new 32-team knockout round. Keep up with every result on our Live Standings page, and read full match previews and predictions on the Blog.