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Spain — Spain are built around 18-year-old Lamine Yamal, arguably the most exciting teenager in world football. Reigning European champions, technically brilliant, and terrifyingly deep. Watch whether their youth can hold up when knockout pressure arrives.

Defending champions

Argentina — Messi's final World Cup felt like fate in 2022 — this one is the victory lap. Argentina arrive as the team to beat, with a settled squad built around their greatest ever player. The question isn't if they'll go deep; it's who can stop them.

Contenders

France — Les Bleus have the most individually gifted squad in the tournament. Mbappé, Griezmann, Camavinga — names that mean something even if you've never watched a match. They've come close twice in a row and this feels like their moment.

The entertainers

Brazil — It's been over two decades since Brazil won a World Cup, an eternity for the most successful nation in tournament history. Vinicius Jr is the talisman — electric, unpredictable, impossible to stop when he's on. The pressure of a nation rides with them.

The nearly men

England — England have been heartbreakingly close in back-to-back major tournaments. This squad is genuinely world class — Saka, Bellingham, Kane — but can they finally get over the line? The nation oscillates between belief and bracing for disappointment.

Outsiders worth watching

Norway — Norway haven't been to a World Cup since 1998, and they got here almost entirely because of Erling Haaland. The world's best striker, playing at his first World Cup, with everything to prove. Pure sporting storyline.

Africa's finest

Morocco — In 2022 they became the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final. That wasn't a fluke — this is a well-organised, defensively superb team that nobody enjoys playing. The question is whether they can go one better.

Home advantage

USA — Playing on home soil for the first time since 1994, and this US squad is the most talented in a generation. Pulisic, Reyna, McKennie — genuinely good players, not just hopeful ones. The crowd will carry them further than their ranking suggests.

The giant killers

Japan — Japan keep doing things they're not supposed to do. They beat Germany and Spain in 2022. They press relentlessly, defend as a unit, and play without fear. Don't look away when they're on.

Mané's redemption

Senegal — Sadio Mané missed the 2022 World Cup through injury — one of the cruelest moments in recent tournament history. He's back, he's hungry, and Senegal have the defensive organisation to go deep if the attack clicks.

Last dance

Croatia — Luka Modrić is 40 years old and still running midfields. Croatia have punched above their weight for a decade on his back. This will almost certainly be his final World Cup, and he has a habit of saving his best for the biggest stages.