There’s a distinct buzz around Fifa World Cups. After all, it is one of only two truly global events — along with the Olympics — capable of bringing people from across the globe together for some fleeting moments of celebration.
This time round though, the buzz is not celebratory.
This World Cup feels divided, fragmented, uncertain. Haiti, Iran, Ivory Coast and Senegal fans were unable to travel due to US travel restrictions. The Democratic Republic of Congo fans were unable to travel due to Ebola restrictions.
Iran’s players and officials were denied US visas, which meant they had to shift their training base to Mexico, despite having to play all their group stage matches on the US West Coast. A special order granted only Iranian players (and not their officials) permission to enter and leave the US on the same day as their matches.
Delegations from the Middle East and Africa struggled with visa acquisition and were detained at airports for hours upon arrival. An Iraqi official was deported from Chicago. The top African referee from Somalia was refused a visa. There was also a shooting incident injuring nine people near England’s training base in Kansas City.
Political controversies have put a dampener on the buzz surrounding the Fifa World Cup. If the action on the field changes that, here’s what to look out for in terms of teams and players…
By the time this is published, the most uncertain of Fifa World Cups would have kicked off in Mexico City, making Estadio Azteca the first stadium to host matches across three World Cups. The action on the pitch should, hopefully, take the centre stage from here on and restore excitement worldwide.
Here is a quick rundown of who you should be keeping an eye on over the next 40 days.
FRANCE
For the third World Cup in succession, France brings a squad which feels more like a Fifa Ultimate Team than a national roster.
An attack spearheaded by Kylian Mbappe and flanked by Ballon d’Or holder Ousmanne Dembele and Bundesliga Player of the Season Michael Olise does not have space for Desire Doue, who led PSG to consecutive Champions League titles.
Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki will be tasked with providing service to the glittering forward line-up. Central midfield is the only area where France feels a bit lacking.
Lucas Hernandez and Jules Kounde form arguably the best full-back pairing in international football. AC Milan’s Mike Maignan will don the gloves in goal.
Still coached by Didier Deschamps, who has taken them to successive finals in the past two World Cups, expect France to bring a winning mentality and opposition defences struggling to contain their front three.
SPAIN
It’s quite rare for an 18-year-old to be leading one of the favourites at a World Cup, but that is exactly what La Liga’s Player of the Season Lamine Yamal will be doing.
Barcelona’s wunderkind turned 17 and won the Best Young Player during the 2024 Euros, a competition Spain ended up winning. His partnership with Athletic Club’s Nico Williams proved too hot to contain in 2024 and manager Luis de la Fuente will again be forming his team around the two youngsters.
The midfield will be marshalled by 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Barcelona’s exceptional Pedri, with PSG’s Fabian Ruiz providing a different dimension. The versatile Dani Olmo will shuffle between midfield and attack and Arsenal’s Mikel Merino returns from injury just in time to make the World Cup roster.
The absence of Dean Huijsen means this is the first Spain squad for a major tournament not to feature any Real Madrid players. Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsi will be the linchpin in defence. Spain has the fiercest competition in goal — Unai Simon, David Raya and Joan Garcia all make extremely strong cases to be the No 1.
ARGENTINA
The defending champions return — along with their talisman Lionel Messi — and will feature in the 2026 World Cup for his sixth and last dance.
Argentina are the current South American champions to go with their World Cup crown, making Lionel Scaloni’s side arguably the greatest in Argentine history.
The team will once again be centred around the mercurial Messi, who holds the record for the most appearances at World Cups with 26. He will be joined by 16 players from the victorious 2022 squad, including the Golden Glove winner Emiliano Martinez and Young Player of the Tournament winner Enzo Fernandez.
While Messi, who will turn 39 during the tournament, may not have the same impact as he did four years ago, the strong core of returning players from the 2022 squad will be looking to step up and give their legend a fitting send-off.
PORTUGAL
How can we talk about Messi and not talk about Cristiano Ronaldo?
As with Messi, 41-year-old Ronaldo also returns for his record sixth and final World Cup, supported by one of the best squads Portugal has ever assembled. They are the current Nations League holders.
In goal, Portugal will be relying on the ever-present Diogo Costa. They boast the best left-back in world football, Nuno Mendes. Manchester City’s Ruben Dias and Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio provide stability in central defence.
Portugal’s central midfield is unrivalled in international football, PSG’s duo of Vitinha and Joao Neves forming the pivot allowing Manchester United’s Premier League Player of the Season Bruno Fernandes to operate between the lines.
Up front, Cristiano Ronaldo is supported by his club teammate and Saudi League Player of the Season Joao Felix, Chelsea’s Pedro Neto, Manchester City’s Bernardo Silva, AC Milan’s Rafael Leao and PSG’s Goncalo Ramos.
ENGLAND
The World Cup’s perennial “nearly there” team returns after stellar performances in the last four international tournaments, having reached the semifinals in the 2018 World Cup and losing finals in both the 2021 and 2024 Euros.
European Golden Shoe winner Harry Kane will be captaining them, supported by Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice, Manchester City’s Premier League Young Player of the Season Nico O’Reilly and Everton’s Jordan Pickford.
Coach Thomas Tuchel caused a stir with some of his picks, most notably the selection of Jordan Henderson and Ivan Toney and the omission of Morgan Gibbs-White, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden.
BRAZIL
The most successful manager in world football takes charge of the most successful team in World Cup history. Carlo Ancelloti will be masterminding the Selecao in the US, Mexico and Canada, and he has called up Neymar Jr for his last appearance in the World Cup.
Other notable players in the squad include Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, Barcelona’s Raphinha, Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes, Manchester United’s Casemiro, Arsenal’s Gabriel, PSG captain Marquinhos and Liverpool’s Alisson.
Neymar’s inclusion in the squad means Chelsea’s Joao Pedro missed out, despite being the top scorer in his first season for the club.
OTHERS TO WATCH
Germany, led by Manuel Neuer coming out of retirement, Joshua Kimmich and Jamal Musiala, are one of the most unpredictable teams in the tournament.
The four-time champions have exited at the group stages in the last two editions but showed a strong showing at Euros 2024 on their home soil. They may crash out in the group stages; they may go on to win the entire tournament.
The 2018 World Cup finalist and Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric will also be making his final appearance at the World Cup stage with Croatia.
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah might be making his final appearance at a World Cup too, as the 33-year-old prepares to adjust to life after leaving Anfield.
Meanwhile, Norway is returning to the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, propelled by Manchester City behemoth Erling Haaland, and Turkiye returns for the first time since 2002, with a young team led by Arda Guler and Kenan Yildiz.
The writer is a sports enthusiast with a background in supply chain management. X: @tahagoheer
Published in Dawn, EOS, June 14th, 2026
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