With 32 of the globe’s most storied clubs vying for supremacy, anticipation is surging. Among them are teams stacked with superstars—Kylian Mbappe, Lionel Messi, and Erling Haaland will all feature—but none of their clubs has emerged as the clear favorite.

Will Lionel Messi and Argentina repeat? Or will a new nation take the throne as the world's best? Here are 10 teams to watch at the 2026 World Cup.

But none of these challenges can overshadow the main attraction: Messi and Ronaldo’s final battle, rising stars ready for their moment, and the World Cup 2026 promising to be the biggest, most dramatic tournament in soccer history.

Lionel Messi has reigned at the top of world soccer for over two decades. With countless trophies, unmatched consistency, and a style of play that changed the game, he’s widely regarded as the greatest of all time.