WASHINGTON — Ahead of Friday’s 2026 World Cup draw, AFP Sport runs the rule over the leading contenders at the first-ever 48-team finals to take place across North America next June and July (current world ranking in brackets):

The European champions have not lost since their sparkling triumph at Euro 2024. Luis de la Fuente’s team are a perfectly-oiled machine in which the standout player is teenage superstar Lamine Yamal. They also boast fearsome quality in midfield, with 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, Fabian Ruiz and Martin Zubimendi as well as Arsenal’s Mikel Merino, scorer of eight goals for his country in 10 games in 2025. The 2010 world champions only lost June’s Nations League final to Portugal on penalties before cruising through World Cup qualifying unbeaten, scoring 21 goals in six games.

Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina are dreaming of retaining the title they won in Qatar in 2022. That was their third World Cup triumph. That tournament marked Lionel Messi’s crowning glory, but it is hard to see how he can hit the same heights again given he turns 39 during the tournament. Nevertheless, Argentina followed that success by winning last year’s Copa America in the USA and they comfortably topped South American qualifying. Beyond Messi they boast a wealth of attacking talent, including Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez.

Les Bleus have won the World Cup twice and lost two finals on penalties in the last seven editions. They will be determined to make a big impact again in their last tournament before long-serving coach Didier Deschamps steps down. Qualifying was a breeze for a team who struggled badly for goals at Euro 2024 despite reaching the semi-finals. Their attacking issues appear to be firmly a thing of the past given captain Kylian Mbappe’s form and the options around him, such as Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele and Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise.