South Africa

Hosting the very first World Cup ever held on African soil back in 2010 gave this nation a massive place in soccer history, and now they're back on the biggest stage after qualifying for 2026. They're a scrappy, hard-working side that doesn't always dazzle but tends to fight for every inch and can make life difficult for bigger-name opponents. Keep an eye on whether the home crowd energy of that 2010 legacy — and the weight of representing an entire continent — either lifts them or gets in their heads.