France

One of the most talented rosters in the world, these guys have been a powerhouse for years — they won the whole thing in 2018 and came agonizingly close again in 2022, losing the final to Argentina in a penalty shootout after one of the most dramatic comebacks you'll ever see. Heading into 2026, they're still loaded with elite players, though they're navigating some drama around whether their biggest star, Kylian Mbappé, can carry them over the finish line after a few underwhelming performances on the big stage. Keep an eye on whether their squad can finally play as a cohesive unit rather than a collection of individual superstars — that tension between talent and teamwork is basically their whole story.