World Cup 2026 preview ranks 48 nations from worst to favorites

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jun 11, 2026, 4:03 AM

Last updated Jun 11, 2026

World Cup 2026 preview ranks 48 nations from worst to favorites
Summary

The 2026 FIFA World Cup kicks off this summer in Mexico City, featuring 48 nations. A recent ranking assesses the teams from least likely to win to strong contenders. Notable tiers include 'The Happy To Be Here' with debutants like Jordan and Curaçao, through to 'The Perennial Contenders' spotlighting teams like Brazil and Germany. The rankings aim to provide insights ahead of the tournament, which promises to be the largest in history.

Source Links
By the Numbers
  • The World Cup begins this summer in Mexico City.
  • 48 teams will compete, expanding from previous tournaments.
  • Ranking includes debutants Jordan, Curaçao, and Cape Verde.
  • Brazil and Germany are among the top-ranked perennial contenders.
  • Teams like Turkey and Senegal are considered potential dark horses.
Latest Updates
  • 4:03 AMYahoo SportsRanking all 48 nations at the 2026 World Cup, from worst to first
What they're saying
"

48 countries will compete at the World Cup this summer. Here's the ranking of them, from the worst to the favorites to win it all.

Related Teams & Leagues

Sources

External links

Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.

Related Stories

Last 14 days